Quality Elk vs Bull Elk Special Permit?

[MtnMuley]

So, when I see bulls physically mounting cows during early archery, that's what- practice for when the real rut starts which is appearently the day after archery closes?

Ya, and all the bulls I've killed during the second week of september that I called away from their cows were pre-rutting.

[JLS]

Typically, the rut doesn't get started until the final week of September.  Sometimes it heats up around the 20th of Sept. 

Absolutely not true.  Here is a link to help you out.  Rut activity starts well before the equinox.

Our season in WA is mostly in the pre-rut phase, which is a very effective time to kill elk. 

[igotbigbulls]

REALLY GUYS? Arguing about the rut! 

[Snapshot]

To the original question: A few years ago when they first introduced the many permit choices I bought a "bull permit application" presuming it was what I needed in order to keep building my points for an opportunity to pursue a westside White River unit high country mature bull. I WAS WRONG. I learned that the only westside bull that permint would have gotten me into was a spike in the Nooksak. I wasted the dollars for that 'bull' application and will never, ever buy another one like it. So read the regulations carefully. It is spelled out for you there if you take the time to read. I didn't and I regretted it.

[Fireant11]

I did a search for "quality" in the 2012 regs.  In the Category Description for "Quality Deer" and "Quality Elk" (pg 86), it lists:
   "Hunters can expect lower than average hunter densities, greater potential for success, or good hunt timing during these hunts."

If this is the definition that the WDFW is using, how can they call a permit that is during the general hunting season a "Quality" hunt?  You definitely don't have a "lower than average hunter density".  You're competing with everyone who purchased a general season tag for that area.   It also doesn't fit the "good hunt timing" criteria, since it's not a hunt during special dates.  The dates are open to anyone who purchases that unit via an over the counter tag.

[buckhorn2]

I don;t think anyone has an answer for this but for me I think there must be something in the woodpile for this to be done.