Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: BA Mongor on May 23, 2021, 11:53:11 AM

Title: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: BA Mongor on May 23, 2021, 11:53:11 AM: When I drew the Nooksack Archery Quality Bull I was ecstatic. It was a hard hunt to tag out on a larger bull, and is absolutely no gimme hunt, but a least they let you hunt the beginning of the rut.

I just noticed that the archery bull starts in August and ends September 10th. I know for my hunt, that things didn't really get going until the 2nd week of September. I had some bulls answering, but definitely not heated up.

I've also had the opportunity to take (2) other archery tag holders and it was the same during their hunts. The muzzle loader permit time frame is perfect and it just doesn't get much better. I was going to put in for Nooksack again, but not with these dates.

The options we have for West Side Archery Elk is so limited, and almost a waste of points. To call the Toutle a Quality Archery unit is just wrong, based on how many tags they give out, so few elk and the majority of it requiring a Weyerhaeuser permit.

The Mudflow appears to be the best unit to put in for, and I'm not sure about White River, other than what I've read. The Norway / Mt. Whittier holds a lot of animals and is a great archery hunt if you're in good shape and have friends or assistance to get your bull out. Assistance isn't a must, but I know what it's like to get bucks out of there and your camp. Pretty hard doing it solo.

I'm just wondering if there's any other areas that the state could make to broaden our Westside Archery opportunities for a True Quality draw?
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: High Climber on May 23, 2021, 01:48:25 PM: Any change seems like it would have to come at the expense of OTC opportunities
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: trophyhunt on May 23, 2021, 05:14:21 PM: Tough to get honest answers this exact time of year. Pretty much any west side archery unit that has elk is good OTC, just look at number of applicants for your quality choice.
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: Jingles on May 23, 2021, 06:39:13 PM: The Nooksack is the only area open for QbTags everything else at least Eastside doesn't start til Sep 6 or 11. Which is the same a general Archery and all the special permits so I personally can't see wasting the money donating to WDFW to get a not selected for either that I was considering putting in for 2264 and 2510, I'll spend the permit fees on Crown Royal that way I know I won't be disappointed
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: kentrek on May 23, 2021, 06:49:10 PM: Might compare success rates of these quality tags...not alot we can do with out taking from somthing else...either more elk areas, less otc...more tags...

The tag numbers is what cracks me up....esp when looking at the st helens tags...
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: Ridgerunner on May 23, 2021, 08:29:35 PM: Buy a muzzy tag, put in for the muzzy hunt and just use your bow. Better dates and you still get your weapon of choice.
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 23, 2021, 08:38:21 PM: With archery OTC dates and units I don't complain much about the archery Quality tags. About my only gripe is why they can't just run the same dates in all these units. Run the hunts concurrent with general season dates. At least thin the herd on some general season pressure a little.
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: Dan-o on May 23, 2021, 08:39:36 PM: Quote from: Ridgerunner on May 23, 2021, 08:29:35 PM
Buy a muzzy tag, put in for the muzzy hunt and just use your bow. Better dates and you still get your weapon of choice.

I didn't think it was legal to use a bow during Muzzleloader season, so I just looked it up.

You are correct.... And I just learned something.
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: Big6bull on May 24, 2021, 09:06:55 AM: I too wish the season time frames were more consistent, a lot of us have to have our time off requests in at the beginning of the year.
Title: Re: West Side Quality Bull Archery Permit Draws
Post by: Rainier10 on May 24, 2021, 10:10:34 AM: Quote from: Dan-o on May 23, 2021, 08:39:36 PM
Quote from: Ridgerunner on May 23, 2021, 08:29:35 PM
Buy a muzzy tag, put in for the muzzy hunt and just use your bow. Better dates and you still get your weapon of choice.

I didn't think it was legal to use a bow during Muzzleloader season, so I just looked it up.

You are correct.... And I just learned something.
It didn't use to be, they changed it quite a few years back. The year after I had a muzzy special permit and asked about using my bow. :bash: