Not buying an Elk tag this year, anybody doing the same?

[spotter26]

I was just wondering if there is any other hunters, who are, choosing not to purchase a tag this year, i have been elk hunting for 15+ (muzzleloader). Between access and cost it just wasn't in the books for me this year or my grandfather a 40+yr hunter, anybody in the same boat? I hate to walk away from something i have been passionate about since very young, so many good times with friends and family. This is a tough one for me to swallow.

[ridgefire]

Once I draw the tag I have been putting in for I will be done. I hunt Idaho for elk so only buy it for the point and tired of giving my money to this state. I also gave up applying for moose and goat as well.

[hrd2fnd]

I as well will not be purchasing any tags this year for either bear, deer or elk.  After years of hunting and the last 4 being the hardest on me physically, I will be hanging it up.

I will live vicariously through all of the posts and photos from the members.  Hunting has always been my me time.  Nothing will ever replace the memories I have experience or the people I have met. Not sure if I can ever find that me time again.

[rasbo]

none for me also.being busted up and the attitudes in the woods have changed,just not the same anymore to me..

[fowl smacker]

I quit buying mine for this state last year, that goes for deer, elk, bear, cougar.  This state can suck it as far as I'm concerned.  With all the hoof rot, weyco fees and mismanagement,  I'd much rather pay to go out of state and give someone who actually gives a rats a$$ about their resources my money. 

[darren]

none for me also.being busted up and the attitudes in the woods have changed,just not the same anymore to me..

What attitudes are you referring to for the most part?

[rasbo]

none for me also.being busted up and the attitudes in the woods have changed,just not the same anymore to me..

What attitudes are you referring to for the most part?

the me attitudes,the litter I find all over from hunters,and some of the attitudes we witness here on this site.to me there is just a loss of respect in general for the wildlife the countryside and another mans hunt..Still some great folks hunting out there I know

[Todd_ID]

With 147,000 deer tags and 97,000 elk tags sold there are many people who feel the same way.  There are lots of different reasons to not hunt elk, but I don't harbor any of those feelings yet, so I still choose to hunt elk.

[HornHoarder]

This is the first year ever that I'm not hunting elk in washington. I'm just tired of the mediocre hunting, poor season dates etc....  I will be hunting elk in Idaho this year though 

[darren]

the me attitudes,the litter I find all over from hunters,and some of the attitudes we witness here on this site.to me there is just a loss of respect in general for the wildlife the countryside and another mans hunt..Still some great folks hunting out there I know

I hear you man. I feel bad though, if the conscientious people like yourself are throwing in the towel, the d-bag density starts to climb.

[rasbo]

the me attitudes,the litter I find all over from hunters,and some of the attitudes we witness here on this site.to me there is just a loss of respect in general for the wildlife the countryside and another mans hunt..Still some great folks hunting out there I know

I hear you man. I feel bad though, if the conscientious people like yourself are throwing in the towel, the d-bag density starts to climb.

being busted up is the main reason, i do love the hunt just cant do the walking thing very far..

[darren]

being busted up is the main reason, i do love the hunt just cant do the walking thing very far..

Sorry to hear it, hope you're on the mend soon.

[steen]

I bought the westside tag but I only put in for quality bull and points for bull and cow.  I will not pay the fees the landowners want to hunt it.  They get a tax reduction already for allowing public use of their land, they don't need it twice.  I thought hunters were doing them a favor to help reduce numbers of elk and help protect the young trees.  I'll put in for eastside next year.

[bobcat]

Not buying an elk tag is something I might consider if I were younger, but being nearly fifty, I want to get in as much elk hunting as I can before I'm too old to do it. I never did take elk hunting too seriously when I was younger, spent most of my time hunting deer and birds. I always bought an elk tag, but most years I'd hunt only one or two days, or maybe not at all.

I can't afford to pay non resident prices for elk tags so hunting Washington is my only choice for now. I have never killed a decent branch antler bull and I would like to, just once, so I couldn't stand the thought of sitting out even one season.

So I will quit buying elk tags when I can no longer walk!

[HoofsandWings]

I am jealous of those who choose to hunt Idaho. They must have lots of $$.
I priced it out some years back and travel, hotels, and expenses, it ran into the thousands.