Legal Spike?

[firefighter4607]

Please tell us which part of the WAC makes this elk illegal?

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-28-358

"Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Bull elk taken in spike only GMUs must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than four inches above where the antler attaches to the skull."

Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long measured on the longest side.

So maybe it was legal but it still doesn't define if it can be broken or not. Also the OP stated "Assuming his eye guard on the broken side was under 4'' from the base was he legal?"

I think this is why myself and others aren't too sure about the broken antler and assuming his eye guards was legal.

[hughjorgan]

Please tell us which part of the WAC makes this elk illegal?

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-28-358

"Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Bull elk taken in spike only GMUs must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than four inches above where the antler attaches to the skull."

Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long measured on the longest side.

So maybe it was legal but it still doesn't define if it can be broken or not. Also the OP stated "Assuming his eye guard on the broken side was under 4'' from the base was he legal?"

I think this is why myself and others aren't too sure about the broken antler and assuming his eye guards was legal.

It shouldn't matter whether it is broken off or it was actually a spike on that side as long as it meets the definition it is legal.

[jechicdr]

must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than four inches above where the antler attaches to the skull.

Well, could almost guarantee that that other bulls antler has branches...and it is certainly more than 4 inches from the skull, probably more like 4 miles from the attachment of the antler (remnant) to the skull.

[shanevg]

I'd shoot it and be freaking out as I packed it out and drove it home!

[littlemac]

I guess my hunting in a true spike area makes my choice easy, but I doubt I would have shot in a spike only area especially if I glassed it and knew it was broken.

Tough call for sure.

[luvtohnt]

ETHICS would keep me from shooting. It is situations like this that make us have to sort through ten or more pages of legal crap to keep ourselves out of trouble every year.

Brandon

[YellowDog]

It is "probably" legal but if you were checked by a game warden you would be questioned extensively about it and just might be cited and accused of breaking the antler to make it appear legal.  I believe I recall hearing my former neighbor (state patrol trooper) tell stories of people shortly after the spike only went into effect getting nailed for shooting branched antler bulls and then trying to break off and/or shoot off points to make it appear legal.  You might be able to defend against it if it was broken long before you shot it but I wouldn't want to stake my hunting rights and the cost of defending myself on it.
If I knew it was broken and was not in reality a "natural" spike on one side I wouldn't shoot it anyway.

[csaaphill]

Ya if the broken side was of a bigger elk like a 6x2/3 or something then no I would of passed. Never heard of a 6x1 anyhows.
Maybe a 2x1 3x1 but not 6x1. My guess is he was a bigger elk and it just broke and left what you described as a spike or one point on one side.
So I applaud you for restraint.

[dc]

I saw a Huge 6x1 in Idaho many yrs ago.  If bull would have had matching sides with 6 on a side it would have been roughly a 350 bull.  His spike side was every bit as long as his 6 side, but not a point one coming off it.  Beautiful bull and would have made a great trophy if I would have been hunting elk.

[PlateauNDN]

didn't pathfinder's friend shoot a 6x1 in Oregon last year or the year before?  I recall him sharing the pic earlier this summer?

[Woodchuck]

  Monster 6x1. We watched one get dropped last season on the opener. A guy in our party could have shot it but was hard for him to convince himself that he was seeing what he was really seeing.
 I would likely have passed as well, not worth the headache if the warden's judgement isn't the same as mine.

[elkoholic1]

   BOOM!!!

[scout/sniper]

It's Legal!

Spike Bull Areas:
Elk taken in these units must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than four inches above where the antler attaches to the skull.
An animal with a spike on one side (1x2) is legal in spike only units. An animal with more than one antler point more than four inches above where the antler attaches to the skull on both sides (2x2)
is illegal.

I wouldn't shoot unless the broken antler was healed.

[dscubame]

Curious how can you tell if it is healed?  Damn good optics maybe??

[Bigtine96]

Broken antler won't heal, it will just get more rubbed down and colored. A fresh break will be really light and stick out when you walk up to it of course. But you can definitely tell a fresh break from a old break.