Post by: swanderek on April 26, 2024, 03:44:33 PM
I’m getting up there in points as a muzzy hunter. I put in for those 2 every year, just curious on everyone’s thoughts
Post by: jason stevens on April 26, 2024, 04:17:29 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 26, 2024, 06:15:23 PM
Post by: Tbar on April 26, 2024, 07:23:46 PM
I have drawn both. The natives have really put a dent into the herds of the Nooksack. If you want a decent bull it will probably be on private property.Very uneducated comments. The quality is way down and I believe the herd has really plateaued. Having quite a bit of knowledge about the history I would be quicker to blame 4 years of damage harvest being all male to reduce the b to c ratio and try not to affect the trajectory of the herd. It may have done both objectives but the following ramping up of cow harvest seemed to stop and reduce the growth of the herd making it far from a trophy unit as in the past but a low density unit with a cross section of age classes. Easy to blame the most visible but please try to gain more knowledge before casting stones.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on April 26, 2024, 08:02:28 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 27, 2024, 12:04:57 PM
The mudflow is fun with no chance to kill a giant ( at least from my perspective of giant)
The nooksack is no fun (anymore), but you might stumble on a giant.
Post by: kentrek on April 27, 2024, 12:20:38 PM
Post by: swanderek on April 27, 2024, 12:23:58 PM
Is there any decent west side unit?
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 27, 2024, 12:33:30 PM
Gosh
Is there any decent west side unit?
Not anymore.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 27, 2024, 12:42:50 PM
Post by: Tbar on April 27, 2024, 12:51:00 PM
GoshI would question what is decent? Nooksack can still be a good hunt but a shade of its peak. The b to c ratio was in the 40's and that will be the reference to those who experienced it, now it's below 20. When the pie shrinks the competition becomes more influential. It's been managed the same way throughout. There are still big bulls to be had but the unit has always been relatively low elk density. I know of several tag holders who never saw a bull, others still hit paydirt. The mudflow you'll see plenty, and likely most of what's there with some effort. There just isn't the opportunity of big. :twocents: best of luck in whatever your choice is and in the draw.
Is there any decent west side unit?
Post by: WSU on April 27, 2024, 05:21:37 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on April 27, 2024, 05:44:03 PM
I hunted nooksack a few years ago. Lots of pressure day and night. We put elk to bed only to find a fresh gut pile a daylight. I would plan on securing private property if I put in for that tag.
That would be extremely disheartening!
Post by: trophyhunt on April 27, 2024, 10:52:33 PM
I hunted nooksack a few years ago. Lots of pressure day and night. We put elk to bed only to find a fresh gut pile a daylight. I would plan on securing private property if I put in for that tag.hmm, any idea who would was hunting them at night?
Post by: WSU on April 27, 2024, 11:28:45 PM
I hunted nooksack a few years ago. Lots of pressure day and night. We put elk to bed only to find a fresh gut pile a daylight. I would plan on securing private property if I put in for that tag.
That would be extremely disheartening!
It was.
Post by: Big6bull on April 27, 2024, 11:31:04 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on April 28, 2024, 09:09:31 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on April 28, 2024, 09:19:44 AM
Quote
mudflow has a nostalgic factor with st Helen’s. Pretty cool area.
Most of my time hunting I've generally put in for units with the best trophy quality, that being said being on the mudflow with one of my kids was a really cool experience and a tag I wouldnt mind drawing even though the inches of horn may not be the biggest.
Post by: Bowhunter3 on April 28, 2024, 02:34:29 PM
I hunted nooksack a few years ago. Lots of pressure day and night. We put elk to bed only to find a fresh gut pile a daylight. I would plan on securing private property if I put in for that tag.hmm, any idea who would was hunting them at night?
I’m gonna go with poachers, but what do I know :rolleyes:
Post by: trophyhunt on April 28, 2024, 04:07:37 PM
Is it poaching when it’s legal for some?I hunted nooksack a few years ago. Lots of pressure day and night. We put elk to bed only to find a fresh gut pile a daylight. I would plan on securing private property if I put in for that tag.hmm, any idea who would was hunting them at night?
I’m gonna go with poachers, but what do I know :rolleyes:
Post by: kentrek on April 28, 2024, 04:30:30 PM
Post by: Sundance on April 28, 2024, 04:30:44 PM
Gosh
Is there any decent west side unit?
I feel this sediment exactly. I don’t bother applying for Westside elk tags other than cow hunts. Ghost points until I draw a multiseason or bite the bullet and gamble on an eastern WA tag. There are still good opportunities OTC for roosies and cascade/rockies in western WA, trophy quality is what you make of it.
Post by: spin05 on April 29, 2024, 02:45:36 AM
I have drawn both. The natives have really put a dent into the herds of the Nooksack. If you want a decent bull it will probably be on private property.Very uneducated comments. The quality is way down and I believe the herd has really plateaued. Having quite a bit of knowledge about the history I would be quicker to blame 4 years of damage harvest being all male to reduce the b to c ratio and try not to affect the trajectory of the herd. It may have done both objectives but the following ramping up of cow harvest seemed to stop and reduce the growth of the herd making it far from a trophy unit as in the past but a low density unit with a cross section of age classes. Easy to blame the most visible but please try to gain more knowledge before casting stones.
T-bar,
i know you are involved with that Skagit herd quite a bit. I was under the assumption the Tribes get the same amount of tags as regular resident hunters true or has that changed ????
Post by: Westside88 on April 29, 2024, 06:38:22 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 29, 2024, 07:28:38 PM
Are the elk numbers in the mud flow doing ok since hoof rot? This is an area I was thinking of putting my dad in for, but I haven't been there in the area in quite some time
Define ok?
Like every unit in western wa, ( or the state for that matter ), it's a shadow of what it once was. If you spent time in the early 2000s thru early teens prepare for disappointment. It still has decent B2C ratio, and pretty good opportunity at a bull, especially if you put in some effort. Age class has taken a big hit the last several years, not sure exactly why, likely a combo of factors and the elk density is pretty sporadic these days. But they're are still a few kickn around.
Post by: Westside88 on April 29, 2024, 08:05:48 PM