Suggestions for late M/L

[PNWCOONASS]

due to my limited scouting ability this year.  I'm only going to be able to hunt the late muzzle loader season.  I have a few options and need some help to narrow them down.    I live in Port Orchard.  I would like to stick to traveling on the westside only this year.  So here is what I thought would be some good options for me.  Hunt GMU 633 Mason which is any deer, 501  which is also any deer and it's also 3pt or anterless for elk or 550 hunting deer and elk at the same time. 

Has anyone hunted last M/L in any of these places?  Can anyone give me some guidance or suggestions? 

thanks Pete

[deerslyr]

Not sure were kind of deer your lookin for but if your lookin for meat I think satsop is open for any deer during late ML.

[bobcat]

501 is pretty good for deer, but not so good for elk. 550 is probably a better elk unit than a deer unit. Not saying there aren't both species in both units, but I would decide what you really want to hunt and concentrate on that species. Both units get LOTS of hunting pressure. But either one would be just as good or better than any of the others that are open. So you're on the right track. I can't comment on 633 as I've never hunted it.

[actionshooter]

There is some timberland around hiway 3 thats worth checking out. Its thick but there are deer.

[Bigshooter]

550 has a lot of elk and a lot of hunters, don't know about deer.  501 has a lot of deer and very few elk.  And some of the biggest bucks i have ever seen.  Would be the unit i would deer hunt with a M.L.

[MIKEXRAY]

I hunted 501 and 550 both during muzzleloader season for years and prefer 550. I think 501 gets way more pressure, I've never seen more wary and skittish animals as the ones in 501. I saw tons more animals in 550 and liked the terrain better. I went to 550 last year to help a friend (since I now east side archery only) and the roads in were manned and we couldn't enter since logging was going on. The gate guard said the gates were locked at 3pm and you could only hunt when no logging going. We drove all the way down and had to come back, kind of sucked. my 

[PNWCOONASS]

Was that all the raods or just the main one heading in?  I have hunting 501 but that was in 99 during rifle.. It was crowded then. 

I think I will concentrate on elk probably in 550 and stick with it..


Thanks Pete.   

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Pete 550 is very crowded during the late season. It is hard to get away from the road hunters because every 1/4-1/2 a mile is another road. If they kept the gates closed and made it walk in or bike in only it would be sweet but untill they do that it is really a road hunters dream. We hunt it because there is really no where else to hunt the late season except for the either sex units near mt adams and that is a friggin joke.
If you run into FC1 duffy tell him i said hi, i know 5000 people, but all of them will make it to medical once or twice. Tell him Chris says hi...

Good luck and when you guys get back hit me up for some fishin...

[PNWCOONASS]

Chris, thanks.. I usually see him in passing in the p-way.  I'll tell him you said hello.. yeah it seems as though we are on some free cookie give away tour or something somedays..

thanks for the help on 550. 

Later pete..

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Yeah, my other vehicle WAS!!! a Guided Missile Friggate...