The best GMU to draw a special permit?

[Boss .300 winmag]

lots of public land there too. Just look at the elk hunting posts from this year, nice bulls!

[Ihuntelk2]

Yah right!!! Hawgs, Pigs, Racks and Backstraps....come on

[Boss .300 winmag]

I lived in Pomeroy when I was in school, I know whats in them thar hills! Big whiteys,mulies and bulls!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I would put all my eggs in the WHITE RIVER unit and pray for snow and kill a big PARK bull!!

[huntnnw]

better off going outta state

[jbeaumont21]

I understand that if I put in for the blues or any other east side unit and don't get drawn then I am stuck hunting for spikes, so I think I would be better off putting in for a west side unit so that if I don't get drawn I can continue to hunting the areas I already know.  With that said, which s the best west side unit to apply for?  Since I live in the couv I am thinking that Margaret 524 is the best option or if I want to drive a little futher, people have recommended the White River.  What are your thoughts guys and gals?
Thanks!

[Curly]

Get the mulit-season permit and apply for the east side whenever you can get the multi permit.

[Taznatrz]

Cool thanks!  Anyone have any info on the Toutle, Margaret or Loo-wit? 

ya don't waste your time putting in for these

[blackveltbowhunter]

IMHO, The units you have mentioned have their ups and downs. My experience in the margarite unit has been limited to scouting the past couple of years. I have seen bulls in there I would definitley put on my wall. From what I hear its not as good as it once was. But as stated in an earlier post, I have seen enough to keep me at least interested.
     Here is some perspective.... My buddy drew Mudflow any elk in 09. We started scouting in late spring up until the opener, we saw and looked over ALOT of bulls in that time. Out of those we saw 2 bulls in velvet that MAY have gone 300. A 7x7 and a 6x7. Both bulls were on the border of the margarite in the blast zone and we figured prolly not gonna be in our area. Within the area we had scouted ( mudflow) 1 maybe 2 bulls flirted with 280 or 290, 6 or 7 bulls we saw were in the 250 to 270 range. Several bulls 220 and tons of raghorns. This was his second year hunting archery, had never killed a bull with his bow and his second bull. To say we had a blast is an understament, We chased bulls everyday for three days. When we weren't chasing we were looking at bulls. We got close to a 260 on the first day, couldnt quite seal the deal. Never saw him again. He killed a 230 on the third day at 20 yards and couldn't have been happier. The bull hangs proudly in his house. Its a beautiful bull.

The point is, we scouted hard, we hunted hard. We killed a bull the hunter was eccstatic about and thats all that matters. Again its just my opinion but given an experienced hunter with solid knowledge of the area and ample time to scout, A 260 bull is a realistic goal in the margarite. But if your looking for a 280 or 300+ Head east. They are their but few and far between.

[jbeaumont21]

Thank you blackvelvetbowhunter!  That is great information, just what I was looking for.  I would be extremely proud and very grateful to take a bull in the 260's.  Like you said, it would take a lot of researching, scouting and preparing to have a successful hunt, but it's all those little things leading up to the actual hunt that make it so much more memorable.  Thanks again!  I appreciate the info.