Late Muzzy Elk HELP...

[conwaydave]

So I decided to try ML hunting this year in Bumping unit after many years hunting modern. It was a beautiful hunt, but did not fill a tag. Well, my son and I are thinking about going out for late muzzy elk. I am familiar with some areas in central E.Wa  I have been studying the wsdfw site and looking at GMU stats on last years hunts, but I would appreciate any other help from anyone. I am not looking for someones special hunting area, just some help and info on a any elk area, and maybe put some meat in the freezer. Thanks

[bobcat]

There aren't any decent areas open on the eastside for late muzzleloader. With that tag, you need to focus only on the early season. Save your money and wait till next year is my advice.

[Tman]

Yup, no real good options for muzzy hunters on the ES for late season.  Not sure why the WDFW keeps    on the muzzy hunters.. Used to be some good seasons.

[O_mykiss]

I agree, the GMUs  that are open are either mostly private land (with a few elk) or have crazy low numbers of elk (or none).

[BoomWhop]

 

[Maximus4252626]

I took a look at the open GMU's. I am not sure if you are forced to hunt either western or eastern WA, but assuming you can only hunt the eastside; I would take a look at GMU 373, 379, or specifically 381. I have seen alot of guys on this forum speak well about these areas. They have posted some nice pic's as well. I have never hunted there, but I have heard nothing but good things.

I have only seen a small number of elk in and around the Steptoe area when I have hunted in and around the GMU. It is usually fairly weather dependent. The elk are there year round, but the population and success rate goes up if the area gets heavy snow. I would mabe take a look at the far eastside of Steptoe on the border of Idaho. I have a spent a fair amount of time hunting there, and the GMU will get elk migrating over from Idaho and out of the Blue Mtn.s

Cheney is a great area for elk year round, because they elk move in and out of the Turnbull Wildlife Conservation Area. The issue is land access. I spent some time hunting all around the area, but access can be tuff. There are some areas open to the public, which you may be able to take advantage of.

I would stay away from north central eastern wa, unless you know where a specific herd are located. My family owns a hunting and fishing resort up near Tonasket. The elk are there, but it seems very spoty. I don't know all the GMU open that well thou.

[Maximus4252626]

There aren't any decent areas open on the eastside for late muzzleloader. With that tag, you need to focus only on the early season. Save your money and wait till next year is my advice.

Agreed...you are pretty much trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents in these areas.

[fair-chase]

Hate to keep spreading the bad news but as others have stated the eastside late muzzy hunts are pretty bleak. Piss poor might sum it up better. If your just looking for a reason to be out in the woods an unfilled tag will work, but I would set your expectations low. Very low.

I took a look at the open GMU's. I am not sure if you are forced to hunt either western or eastern WA, but assuming you can only hunt the eastside; I would take a look at GMU 373, 379, or specifically 381. I have seen alot of guys on this forum speak well about these areas. They have posted some nice pic's as well. I have never hunted there, but I have heard nothing but good things.

I have only seen a small number of elk in and around the Steptoe area when I have hunted in and around the GMU. It is usually fairly weather dependent. The elk are there year round, but the population and success rate goes up if the area gets heavy snow. I would mabe take a look at the far eastside of Steptoe on the border of Idaho. I have a spent a fair amount of time hunting there, and the GMU will get elk migrating over from Idaho and out of the Blue Mtn.s

Cheney is a great area for elk year round, because they elk move in and out of the Turnbull Wildlife Conservation Area. The issue is land access. I spent some time hunting all around the area, but access can be tuff. There are some areas open to the public, which you may be able to take advantage of.

I would stay away from north central eastern wa, unless you know where a specific herd are located. My family owns a hunting and fishing resort up near Tonasket. The elk are there, but it seems very spoty. I don't know all the GMU open that well thou.

I agree with Maximus on everything except the bold portion. These units are by far some of the worst for elk hunting. Yes there are a few elk roaming around but a guy could spend years in these units and never lay eyes on one. Horrible, horrible place to hunt elk. I wouldn't feel right sending a guy to hunt elk here.

[jbeaumont21]

Put in for west side next year.  Much better options for early and late ML season.

[Maximus4252626]

I have never hunted there, but I saw quite a few forum members posting some nice bulls. Probably special permits, private land, etc. I don't think I would spend much time hunting late muzz unless snow dumps and pushes some animals in a few specific areas or you get on a herd on private land with permission to hunt.

Leaving early tommorow to go hunt the wet side NEMAH 673 for modern firearm elk. Got on a few herd bulls in the last month scouting. Seen a few earlier this morning while scouting. Well see if I cant get my old man a nice bull or maybe even myself one. 

[trophyhunt]

I know it's an old topic but, tag soup so far this year for elk so I thought I'd ask.  Has anything changed for late muzzy elk on the east side?  Used a ton of vacation but wouldn't mind being a weekend warrior to avoid eating my tag, any ideas for late muzzy elk on the east side?

[floatinghat]

Looks like you have snow coming so that might help...

[bobcat]

There aren't any decent units open for late muzzleloader. If you want to hunt late muzzleloader you need a west side tag.

[trophyhunt]

There aren't any decent units open for late muzzleloader. If you want to hunt late muzzleloader you need a west side tag.

that what I figured, this is an old post so I was just checking to see if anything has changed.  I would love to hunt the west but no multi tag and I keep puting in for the blues!!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yup, no real good options for muzzy hunters on the ES for late season.  Not sure why the WDFW keeps    on the muzzy hunters.. Used to be some good seasons.

That how I feel about the westside ..I have 150 head everyday looking at me in the face and they will not let us hunt them ...They need to go back to college and learn how to do some animal management    Heck they are getting hit by cars like flies ..Guess it will take someone to get killed before they get the point