Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: wheatlander on August 24, 2011, 06:19:57 PM

Title: any elk muzzy seasons
Post by: wheatlander on August 24, 2011, 06:19:57 PM: I have made 4 or 5 attempts in the late season any elk muzzy seasons with no luck.has anyone ever seen or shot elk in these areas example 379,278,381
Title: Re: any elk muzzy seasons
Post by: bobcat on August 24, 2011, 06:45:52 PM: Look at the harvest reports. You'll see that any unit open for late muzzleloader in eastern Washington is not worth hunting. You need to be prepared to make the best of the early season. And even then, your odds aren't good. With only a couple good units open, everybody is crowded into small areas and in my experience it can be worse than the modern firearm seasons.
Title: Re: any elk muzzy seasons
Post by: Nilehunter on August 24, 2011, 08:01:15 PM: Quote from: bobcat on August 24, 2011, 06:45:52 PM
Look at the harvest reports. You'll see that any unit open for late muzzleloader in eastern Washington is not worth hunting. You need to be prepared to make the best of the early season. And even then, your odds aren't good. With only a couple good units open, everybody is crowded into small areas and in my experience it can be worse than the modern firearm seasons.

Thats right! So every one save your self the trouble of getting out this ML season and stay home... I'll let you know how the season went when I get back. :lol4:
Title: Re: any elk muzzy seasons
Post by: bobcat on August 24, 2011, 08:30:49 PM: I'm not saying it's not worth going. I mean, what the heck, if you like hunting for spike elk in a season in which a success rate of 3% is considered good, then have at it. You will at least have a nice camping trip and get some exercise.

Seriously though, be very suspicious of any unit open for "any elk". You'd think that designation would indicate high numbers of elk and lots of places to hunt them. But it doesn't. It's actually the opposite. Your best muzzleloader hunts are the ones open for bulls only.
Title: Re: any elk muzzy seasons
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on August 24, 2011, 08:37:24 PM: Quote
Seriously though, be very suspicious of any unit open for "any elk". You'd think that designation would indicate high numbers of elk and lots of places to hunt them. But it doesn't. It's actually the opposite. Your best muzzleloader hunts are the ones open for bulls only.
I found the same to be true, "Any Elk" is usually an effort to keep them out, rather than to provide a season (as the WDFW wants you to believe.)