Post by: Huntbear on October 03, 2008, 04:41:15 PM
:bdid:
Is this true? A rumor? Am I the last person to hear this and a day late on the conversation??
Gawd help the poor souls that first day of opening elk season.. :yike:
Duck and cover!!!!!!
Post by: Red Leg on October 03, 2008, 07:27:59 PM
Daily News Online. I copied and pasted the link below.
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/09/08/this_day/doc48c0787cb7c16405024147.txt
Post by: Jason on October 03, 2008, 07:45:25 PM
Post by: Crunchy on October 03, 2008, 07:54:49 PM
Post by: actionshooter on October 03, 2008, 10:20:40 PM
Post by: Antlershed on October 03, 2008, 11:45:20 PM
Post by: bullchaser on October 04, 2008, 12:18:22 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 04, 2008, 01:01:56 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on October 04, 2008, 05:14:39 AM
I think that they should open it up for Master Hunters only. Just kidding...
It used to be Master Hunters only at one time.
Post by: Huntbear on October 04, 2008, 10:23:32 AM
I Love the idea of it being a draw only trophy area. Even if noone from my group can get drawn to save our soul.
The state needs to leave that unit alone!!!!!
Post by: rougheye on October 05, 2008, 04:50:56 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 05, 2008, 05:13:57 PM
Forget opening day . The indians will get there long before that >:( :bash:
Now now you cant blame them... the state gives them the right to do that crap. :bash:
Post by: Opportunist on October 07, 2008, 11:40:14 AM
ISSUE 71:
Changing the Season Structure for GMUs 524 (Margaret) & 556 (Toutle) from Permit Only to General Season
BACKGROUND:
Currently, GMUs 524 & 556 are managed as desirable quality elk hunts in southwest Washington. Both GMU bull hunts have a high number of applicants. Antlerless hunting opportunities currently exist in these two GMUs.
Changing these GMUs from permit only to general season would lose the quality elk hunt opportunity in southwest Washington. Changing these GMUs from permit only to a general season would need to be a gradual change; increasing permits slowly over a period of three years before reaching a general season entry.
Changing to general season would provide additional land for more general hunter access, potentially reducing hunting pressure in adjoining GMU's.
Which of the following alternatives do you prefer?
ALTERNATIVES: Change both GMUs from permit only to general season.
Consider changing to general season in GMUs 524 and 556, while also changing one of the current public land dominated GMUs to permit only (e.g., the old Marble unit).
Change one of the GMUs to general season and retain the other as permit only.
No change; retain permit only in GMUs 524 and 556.No preference.
I'd like to see the Toutle unit south of the south fork of the Toutle opened up to general season after tag increases over 3 years and the land north of the south fork (signal peak/spud mountain state land) tied to the Margaret unit into one permit unit. That's what I put in my survey. I doubt it will happen.
Post by: X-Force on October 07, 2008, 12:12:38 PM
Post by: Opportunist on October 07, 2008, 12:18:13 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 07, 2008, 12:41:56 PM
Post by: saudog on October 17, 2008, 02:31:56 PM
Post by: bowsandhose on October 17, 2008, 02:36:06 PM
Post by: waoutdoorsman on October 17, 2008, 02:57:03 PM
every GMU should be a bull elk draw :chuckle:
good gravy! :o
now it wouldnt be bad if it was done "right" and a hunter would not have to wait 10-20 years to get drawn like the current system. But the way this state does things the hunting oppurtunity would be greatly diminished, and may be the beggining of the end of public hunting oppurtunity :twocents:
I just like getting out and hunting, but if we go to permit only method which many seem to support, the oppurtunity for the average joe to get out and enjoy hunting will be denied!
I think given the state we live in and the way things are run, we would be comitting public oppurtunity suicide.
Post by: Hoytstaffshooter83 on October 17, 2008, 06:33:15 PM
Post by: Huntbear on October 17, 2008, 07:00:51 PM
The Margaret unit has been my dream hunt in Wa. state. To get a shot at a fully mature Rosie. I would just be sick if it turned into a unit full of nothing but raghorns and herds of cows.
Post by: waoutdoorsman on October 17, 2008, 07:08:18 PM
The Margaret unit has been my dream hunt in Wa. state. To get a shot at a fully mature Rosie. I would just be sick if it turned into a unit full of nothing but raghorns and herds of cows.
Same here, i think as long as i have been alive it has always been a permit unit and it should stay that way-it is one of those dream units for sure.
i feel like i should clarify for my previous post, i was referring to what i feel would happen if all the gmu's went to permit only under the currents system is all, i would be worried that only the extremely rich and extremely lucky would get to experience a hunting trip in this state if we went to that system. sorry guess i wandered off track, my bad.
now back on track, yeah if margaret was to be opened to everyone it would be bad news, i like the suggestion to open up more cow permits to disabled etc, that would be great for sure.
Post by: bowsandhose on October 17, 2008, 07:14:34 PM
Post by: Huntbear on October 17, 2008, 07:22:22 PM
Post by: bowsandhose on October 17, 2008, 07:42:00 PM
Quote
show me a big old rosie who was taken out of there in the last 5 yrs
IE pics
i have not seen a good bull pic out of there as of late so if you have some lets see and i will stand corrected.
Post by: Hoytstaffshooter83 on October 17, 2008, 08:02:39 PM
Post by: bowsandhose on October 17, 2008, 08:06:06 PM
Quote
I called in a 280+ 6x6 on public land for my buddy this year..did he get it???????
Post by: Hoytstaffshooter83 on October 17, 2008, 08:38:13 PM
Post by: cld40 on October 17, 2008, 09:01:18 PM
elk are awesome!!!!!
Post by: bowsandhose on October 17, 2008, 09:04:19 PM
Post by: Hoytstaffshooter83 on October 17, 2008, 11:38:29 PM
Post by: cld40 on October 17, 2008, 11:59:53 PM
lived in la center for 2.5 yrs love this town too. great community, nice and small but not to small.
thanks for the tip on the toutle!
i even put in for a cow tag for both this year and did not draw, did anybody draw either of those units?
thanks guys...
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on October 18, 2008, 07:18:40 AM
Post by: cld40 on October 18, 2008, 07:28:13 AM
Post by: blessed on October 18, 2008, 08:31:10 AM
There are bigger bulls near mt adams than toutle or margaret. And if you want a mature rosie i would suggest you hunt closer to the pacific ocean.The Reccord books Boon and Crocket / pope and Young say you can only call it a Rossie if it's on the west side of I-5. ;)
While Mt. Adams had produced some good bulls the Margaret and Toutle have to have equal quality due to the road closurers. Some of he best elk are in the Blue MTs. Unless you realy want a Rosevelt. Then go to the coast. :chuckle:
Post by: bucklucky on October 18, 2008, 09:18:55 AM
Post by: WDFW Hates ME!!! on October 18, 2008, 10:46:04 PM
But think of it this way. Our elk on the wet side do not have to migrate much untill you get over intot he national forest, when elk migrate the gene pool gets mixed up in the migration, different bulls travel with different herds back to where they came from or they travel to completely different areas, thus breeding different cows.
But when there is no mass migration the gene pool gets muddled down. And you have same bulls breeding the same group of cows, thus breeding to offspring making the gene pool even worse.
That is the way i see it anyways, i am no biologist but it makes sence to me in my mind so i will stick with it...
Post by: poulsbo on October 22, 2008, 11:50:00 AM
Post by: jadeball1 on October 22, 2008, 12:22:18 PM
Post by: bucklucky on October 22, 2008, 01:05:28 PM
since when is a 250 or 260 bull a "waist" of bonus points. I would apply every year. Limited access, messing with numerous bulls every day, a chance to shoot a bull anytime you walk into the woods. A dream hunt to some is not the size of the animal at the end of the day. I think the older you get as a hunter, your priorities change. This unit provides a opportunity for hunters, young and old. I would agree this unit is not a "trophy" unit, but the trophy is in the eyes of the beholder.
Just my opinion ;)
Post by: Huntbear on October 22, 2008, 01:30:25 PM
since when is a 250 or 260 bull a "waist" of bonus points. I would apply every year. Limited access, messing with numerous bulls every day, a chance to shoot a bull anytime you walk into the woods. A dream hunt to some is not the size of the animal at the end of the day. I think the older you get as a hunter, your priorities change. This unit provides a opportunity for hunters, young and old. I would agree this unit is not a "trophy" unit, but the trophy is in the eyes of the beholder.
Just my opinion ;)
x3
Post by: jadeball1 on October 22, 2008, 01:36:14 PM
Post by: cld40 on October 22, 2008, 08:14:19 PM
Honestly I think I am still a little bitter after drawing that permit this year(archery) and was able to hunt that unit. Definitely not the hype it used to be. You can see why. The vegetation and habitat are depleted in my opinion. Its still a fun place to hunt, and cant wait to get back down there for the late season. Lots of bulls, just not alot of 300+ bulls. But it is a very good unit to gain knowledge and practice if your a new elk hunter. A 260 bull, for a first bull is pretty good. I would like to see it stay that way. Just my :twocents:
X1
Post by: Antlershed on October 22, 2008, 08:36:12 PM
since when is a 250 or 260 bull a "waist" of bonus points. I would apply every year. Limited access, messing with numerous bulls every day, a chance to shoot a bull anytime you walk into the woods. A dream hunt to some is not the size of the animal at the end of the day. I think the older you get as a hunter, your priorities change. This unit provides a opportunity for hunters, young and old. I would agree this unit is not a "trophy" unit, but the trophy is in the eyes of the beholder.
Just my opinion ;)
I have 11 points and my buddy told me to put in for Margaret next year. I asked him if he was on something... :chuckle: Here's the bull my dad shot in the Margaret in 2000. It was the biggest bull we saw in all of our scouting and hunting. I don't know what it scores, but the unit definitely didn't live up to the hype even back then. We even talked to a warden and he said my dad's bull was about the size that was becoming the norm. He only had 2 points though, so it wasn't too much of a waste.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv336%2F4tacxoma4%2FFishing%2520and%2520Hunting%2Fcapedout.jpg&hash=1575c4d65bd4d6c2ee14085b1b487fc5e471a73a)
Post by: JoeVon on October 22, 2008, 08:44:36 PM
since when is a 250 or 260 bull a "waist" of bonus points. I would apply every year. Limited access, messing with numerous bulls every day, a chance to shoot a bull anytime you walk into the woods. A dream hunt to some is not the size of the animal at the end of the day. I think the older you get as a hunter, your priorities change. This unit provides a opportunity for hunters, young and old. I would agree this unit is not a "trophy" unit, but the trophy is in the eyes of the beholder.
Just my opinion ;)
I have 11 points and my buddy told me to put in for Margaret next year. I asked him if he was on something... :chuckle: Here's the bull my dad shot in the Margaret in 2000. It was the biggest bull we saw in all of our scouting and hunting. I don't know what it scores, but the unit definitely didn't live up to the hype even back then. We even talked to a warden and he said my dad's bull was about the size that was becoming the norm. He only had 2 points though, so it wasn't too much of a waste.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv336%2F4tacxoma4%2FFishing%2520and%2520Hunting%2Fcapedout.jpg&hash=1575c4d65bd4d6c2ee14085b1b487fc5e471a73a)
[/quote
How many days did you guys hunt/scout?
Post by: Antlershed on October 22, 2008, 08:48:02 PM
Post by: saudog on October 23, 2008, 12:20:37 PM
Well, scouting was limited to weekends, but we were up there every weekend for a while. My dad shot him the second or third day, cause we hadn't seen anything bigger in all our scouting time. I'm not saying the big bulls don't exist, but they aren't just up there running everywhere...
You mean you have to hunt to find a big one in that unit? What a bunch of crap!
Post by: bigbeamhunter on October 23, 2008, 08:00:01 PM
Post by: Jason on October 23, 2008, 09:38:35 PM
Post by: bigbeamhunter on October 23, 2008, 10:48:09 PM
Post by: fc2038 on October 27, 2008, 04:21:30 PM
Post by: Dameion on November 10, 2008, 04:34:35 PM
Yes the vegitation is a problem in the Margaret unit and there might not be as many 300+ plus bulls in this unit as there used to be, but IMO you are crazy if you don't think there are a good number of them still. This unit is still loaded with monster bulls, however much of the unit has grown up where it isn't as accesible as it used to be to "road" hunters. It was easy 10-15 years ago when you could just drive up the new Mt. St. Helens highway and see the heards of 30+ bulls all between 5 and 7 points hanging out near the Margaret / Loowit border. Driving up the new highway to Mt. St. Helens or walking down on the mudflows deinately won't produced the same picture or hunting opportunties it used too
This being said I grew up right in the shadow of these two units in a small town named "Toutle" and spent quite a deal of time in camping and hiking in these units, but in locations that require a lot more walking and more time commitment and rest assured there are some beautiful areas still in these units that have plenty of vegitation and hold a ton of animals and some very-very large ones.
Personally I have never once put in for permit in these units, as much as I love the hunt I enjoy a little more kicking by the campfire every night with 7 of my best friends in the world that I hunt with and the group permits don't do groups of 8 :(.
Post by: CJ-5 on November 11, 2008, 11:19:02 AM
Post by: sdwwaverider on November 18, 2008, 01:47:29 PM
Post by: heavy hauler on November 18, 2008, 08:43:45 PM
Post by: bucklucky on November 19, 2008, 08:35:35 PM
Post by: heavy hauler on November 20, 2008, 02:46:16 PM
Post by: Savage3006 on November 20, 2008, 03:19:08 PM
Post by: NW-Eric on November 20, 2008, 03:21:15 PM
Post by: arrowflinger on November 20, 2008, 03:30:57 PM
Post by: heavy hauler on November 20, 2008, 05:23:21 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on December 01, 2008, 07:23:16 PM