Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Star882 on June 10, 2025, 02:55:19 PM

Title: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: Star882 on June 10, 2025, 02:55:19 PM: I was excited to see if finally was able to draw a Washington tag after a ton of years putting in. I drew the Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull tag. I have hunted the unit alot for bear and deer. But never for elk. I have a few spots I have seen elk in the high country. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share some info with me on the unit or the tag. I do not have any logging permits for access. I was planning on high country or try to gain access to farming land. Any information would be much appreciated. The tag is from Sept 23rd to Oct 14th.
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: Bucks2Ducks on June 10, 2025, 03:16:01 PM: Cant beat those dates!! Good Luck
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: Ridgerunner on June 10, 2025, 08:06:49 PM: Some studs still roam that unit and with those dates you should have a great hunt.

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Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: high_hunter on June 10, 2025, 10:42:24 PM: Should be good dates for some rut action early on. Sounds like you're familiar with and close by to do lots of pre-season of scouting in.

Herd has taken a bit of a hit in recent years IMO but there still are some good ones around. High hunting could be fun early, but I suspect you'll have the best chances of encounters and success down low near the river.

Go make friends with the farmers and locals starting now. There is a wide range of opinions about both elk and hunters, so don't be surprised if you get the door slammed or asked to pay a fee. Boat access options shouldn't be out of the question either; happy to put you in contact with some guys who run the river regularly.

Attached is a recent one from that unit. PM and we can talk more.
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: BB90 on August 28, 2025, 04:36:03 PM: You should get a sierra pacific gate key from WDFW and some maps for drawing the tag (no logging permit needed). The key will get you into Sierra Pacific gates. I had the tag in 2019. You should get an invite to a briefing with Sierra and WDFW before the season.

PM me if you want some info on where we saw bulls, wallows, cow heards and what not.

I might be available to help/call/pack if you want.
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: deer_hnter on August 28, 2025, 07:53:00 PM: I had the Nooksack modern tag in 2013 when it was a quality hunt. Took a bull I was really happy with on 10/18 and he was still bugling like crazy. It's been a minute, but feel free to DM if you want any intel on what I experienced.
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: rochunt on August 29, 2025, 07:00:42 PM: So what happened to the quality tags as they changed it to bull so the guys with 20 plus points last them all?
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: Alan K on August 30, 2025, 07:00:38 AM: Points are tied to the category, not the hunt itself so they still have their quality points. If they weren't building points in the bull category... Ouch!
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on August 30, 2025, 10:01:24 AM: WDFW keeps it interesting!!!
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: freezerfull on August 31, 2025, 09:25:37 AM: Quote from: Alan K on August 30, 2025, 07:00:38 AM
Points are tied to the category, not the hunt itself so they still have their quality points. If they weren't building points in the bull category... Ouch!

I am one of those who is not pleased with this change by WDFW haha. It’s local and I know it well, now it’s off the table. Most bull category hunts haven’t intrigued me so I’ve never applied.
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: bkaech on September 22, 2025, 07:49:06 PM: Good Luck, I hope your are excited to get started!
Title: Re: Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag
Post by: freezerfull on November 24, 2025, 05:22:49 PM: Quote from: Star882 on June 10, 2025, 02:55:19 PM
I was excited to see if finally was able to draw a Washington tag after a ton of years putting in. I drew the Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull tag. I have hunted the unit alot for bear and deer. But never for elk. I have a few spots I have seen elk in the high country. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share some info with me on the unit or the tag. I do not have any logging permits for access. I was planning on high country or try to gain access to farming land. Any information would be much appreciated. The tag is from Sept 23rd to Oct 14th.

May have missed it elsewhere. If you don’t mind sharing, how did you make out on your hunt?