West Side Special Permit

[MLhunter1]

Eastside units have the best chance at that 6x6.  I wish I could put in for eastside draws and still hunt the westside if I didn't get drawn.  Peaches ridge would be at the top of my list but since it doesn't work that way draw a mudflow tag and with a little homework you would be a happy camper.

[jbeaumont21]

 I am not familiar with the Green River Unit either. There was only 3 antlered bulls that were reported from that GMU last year and only 1 was a 6x6+.

In 2008 (2009 Harvest report) there were three bull permits issued for the Green River GMU, so I'd say a harvest of three isn't too bad.

Good point Bob33.  I didn't think to look at that.  Score a vote for the Green River.

[jbeaumont21]

I do a lot of scouting in the two units that I hunt during the general ML season, but it doesn't seem to help me shoot a big 6x6.  I have taken a few bulls over the years and I have only seen a couple that were 6x6 or better.

How much scouting do they get to do on the east side where they can't even get into a unit until they are hunting??

probably not much. but they cant hunt those bulls anyway. on the westside anything bigger then a spike has been chased to death. Have you found any 6x6 or bigger when out scouting? they are hard to come by most bulls one this side dont live long enough to get that big. In my experience if you find one. stay on it till general season. DO NOT POST PICS, DO NOT BREATH A WORD TO ANYONE. Family included. there should only be two ways anyone knows about it. A. they found it themselves B. they see it in the back of your truck. they are around. Ive f'd up a couple chances in general season on them. i had a partner hit one in the leg. why i didnt take a shot i have no idea. biggest regret elk hunting i have. was just watching thru the binos after i heard the bullet hit.

I know what you mean Chester.  I saw a huge bull last week during my late ML hunt. I screwed that one up bad but I know where he hangs out so maybe I can find him next year. I posted a story about it last week if you want to read the thread. http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,63530.0.html

[jbeaumont21]

Just so you know....your numbers aren't actually right and may be misleading. The White River unit (Modern) had 447 applicants in 2009 as you list but that was for 48 permits which were pretty good odds at that time. In 2010 they dropped the modern to 30 permits and there were actually 1010 putting in for those permits so you can see the odds are actually way worse then you list by about triple. It may be that way for all of the hunts you list but I am not sure of those. I would suspect next year there may be even more applicants because of all the "press" on here of the unit. I am surprised nobody has listed the Nooksack....you always hear of the supersize rack genepool for a trophy hunt although I have no knowledge of the area and I think the native americans pretty much have there way there as they do here in the White River unit. Hope that helps your perspective..............Les

Thanks for the clarification Les!  I think the same could be said about every unit.  Lots of people apllying with few permits and not many trophies.  I have not really looked into the Nooksack mostly just because it is further away from home here in Vancouver.  Although I am not against driving as far as it takes to get that much closer to harvesting a trophy. 

[jbeaumont21]

Eastside units have the best chance at that 6x6.  I wish I could put in for eastside draws and still hunt the westside if I didn't get drawn.  Peaches ridge would be at the top of my list but since it doesn't work that way draw a mudflow tag and with a little homework you would be a happy camper.

I agree.  It would be nice to put in for the east side without having to hunt for spikes during the reg season or purchase a multi-season tag.  I am leaning towards the mudflow just because of its proximity to home and how can you go wrong with Mt St Helens??  I have seen tons of huge bulls right next to the road every time I drive up to those scenic monuments.

[lokidog]

Jbeau, I'll tell you my pick for draw hunts and I won't even apply to compete with you... if you tell me, with gps where you were ML hunting this year.   

I hunted the Margaret in 2001, haven't really looked at it since.  Lots of 3 to 5's only saw two bigger in four days of hunting (archery).  Too many bulls to cows IMHO for a great call em in hunt.  Every raghorn had a few cows with him.  I settled for a 5X on the fourth day, the 13th legal bull I was less than 100 yards from that day after blowing a setup on the only bull that responded actively to calling, a 6X.

[BENCHLEG]

i love the west side and i hear it from my hunting partners every-year about not hunting with them. BUT NO GUTS NO GLORY, EAST OR BUST FOR ME. 

[jbeaumont21]

Jbeau, I'll tell you my pick for draw hunts and I won't even apply to compete with you... if you tell me, with gps where you were ML hunting this year.   

I hunted the Margaret in 2001, haven't really looked at it since.  Lots of 3 to 5's only saw two bigger in four days of hunting (archery).  Too many bulls to cows IMHO for a great call em in hunt.  Every raghorn had a few cows with him.  I settled for a 5X on the fourth day, the 13th legal bull I was less than 100 yards from that day after blowing a setup on the only bull that responded actively to calling, a 6X.

Ha! Yeah right... PM on the way LOL.  At least you saw a couple quality bulls I guess. You would think that the Margaret and Loo-wit would be full of BIG BULLS since it is all protected and permit only hunting. Whats up with that??  How can those units have such low hunting pressure and not grow huge monster bulls??

[chester]

Hate to say it but posting a story about the one you messed up in ML season is already a bad choice. take that for what its worth. 

lol..moosestock. didnt know that name was so common

Les

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

jbeau, i hunt the same general area you do for late ML.

Genetics... It all boils down to genetics.

[jbeaumont21]

I guess we can't complain though.  Our elk may not have huge racks but they have huge bodies with a lot of meat for the freezer!

[Bigshooter]

I voted other.  I would not apply and don't apply for any of those.  If you want a nice 6x6 your going to have to beat the odds.  Either in one of those units by getting lucky or on some of the tuffer to draw units with better quality.

[jbeaumont21]

I voted other.  I would not apply and don't apply for any of those.  If you want a nice 6x6 your going to have to beat the odds.  Either in one of those units by getting lucky or on some of the tuffer to draw units with better quality.

Which units on the West side would you say have better quality??

[Bigshooter]

I voted other.  I would not apply and don't apply for any of those.  If you want a nice 6x6 your going to have to beat the odds.  Either in one of those units by getting lucky or on some of the tuffer to draw units with better quality.

Which units on the West side would you say have better quality??

I'm not going to say on here.

[Skyvalhunter]

Maybe you could just IM it to the group!!!