Elk Rumors

[wastickslinger]

BigShot-your the man! I will not attemp to state my opinion any more. You are right about everything you say. Do you feel better.

[Bigshooter]

BigShot-your the man! I will not attemp to state my opinion any more. You are right about everything you say. Do you feel better.

Did I upset you  .

[rosscrazyelk]

WOW, All I keep thinking about is this site probably helped kill that bull.. If it can do that for someone else one day it might for me.

[jackelope]

WOW, All I keep thinking about is this site probably helped kill that bull.. If it can do that for someone else one day it might for me.

that bull has been big news for at least 2 years since the 440 sheds got picked up...this site is about 1.5 years old...people have known that bull before the sheds were picked up, so pretty sure this site had nothing to do with that bull getting killed. he was killed less than a mile from the road  too. he was no secret.

[rosscrazyelk]

thanks for clearing that up

[provider]

Wow, what a great elk!  An animal like that is the stuff dreams are made of, but to have him killed that way is a disgrace.  Not only to the animal, but for hunting.  I, along with some others on this site, recognize that this is not hunting but I get no comfort from that.  What is disappointing, is seeing some trying to defend the actions/process.  Sometimes we are our own worst enemies I guess.

First of all, this notion that just because something is legal, makes it acceptable, is complete nonsense.  And so too is any resignation based on the idea that because other states or countries do it, so should we.  Would you jump off a cliff just because others did?  We do have a say in the rules  and regulations, in the way our state agencies “do business”, and have an obligation to actively participate in the process.  Collectively we can change anything we want, and not allow money to dictate how things will be.

That word “business” is much of the problem.  I am very concerned with this trend and seeing those support commercializing our wildlife resources, eroding away at our hunting heritage, compromising our traditional hunting values, and diminishing from the true meaning of the hunting experience.  And this all for money?  For recognition?  For ego?  Whatever the reasoning it is unacceptable. 

I’m insulted by some people suggesting that by being critical of this situation only means sour grapes, envy, jealousy, and then further suggesting most of us would do it too if we had the means.  Well, I assure you not all of us would compromise our values.

The fact is this guy would not have got that elk without buying a network.  So, the network shares some responsibility.  I’m not trying to pick on any one person with this, but one post even acknowledged it being “wrong to exploit the resource” and the next sentence admitting he too “would probably do it”.  Another stated (paraphrasing) “having more fun watching people kill, than doing the killing himself”.  That’s fine…  but it is not hunting.  Hiring an Outfitter to maintain a bait station for you and then flying in to sit over it, setting trail cams to scout for you, or having a huge entourage of humans all over the place looking for an animal for you, are all questionable in my opinion.

Auction (and raffle) programs make me uncomfortable.  Don’t kid yourself if you think everyone has an equal chance in the raffles, and certainly only the very wealthy have a shot at the auction tags.  This then is a customized opportunity, exclusive allocation for the wealthy.  Not good.  And don’t be fooled into believing these guys are such great humanitarians, conservationists, and donating this money.  If they were, they would give to the cause without taking the special treatment at the expense of the rest of us.  Wildlife belongs to all of us and we should share in the cost to manage them with equal opportunity to utilize. 

Wow, what a great elk!

[MountainWalk]

Sound like lots of sour grapes around here. If a guy pays my outfitter for a hunt, and I scout and scout and find a great bull, and watch him for several weeks, then the guy packs in and we go hunt and kill that bull after a few days, does that make me wrong? Or the hunter?  I see nothing wrong at all. The guy still has to hike, still has to obey the wind, make a good stalk, combat his nerves and shoot. This is crazy. I congratulate the fellow.

[tlbradford]

I think this is all good discussion on the topic.  Still, it is just one elk.  Everyone who drew a tag, and the raffle winners have had a chance at him.  They couldn't connect.  This guy could have very well went home with nothing.  I would have loved to see someone else tag it, but it didn't work out that way.  Hopefully, all of you that have strong feelings against the auction tag are sending it to Fish and Game with your suggestions on how to change the system for the better.

[plague]

The New Commandments of Hunting


All hunters that make over $100 K cannot hunt.  Their income allows them too many shortcuts to the trophy, all of which are unethical.

The use of all aircraft, for all types of transportation, as it pertains to hunting, is illegal and immoral.  All hunters must hitch hike or ride bikes to all hunts.

All hunts must be a minimum of two weeks.  Short hunts are too easy and therefore not fair chase.  How can you appreciate any animal you yourself did not sweat blood for?

The use of guides/outfitters is reprehensible and illegal.  If you cannot do it by yourself, your not a hunter and do not deserve any animal.  Your merely a murderer of wildlife.

Scouting pre-season is illegal.  You should have no idea where the animals are.  This, and only this, is fair chase.

Friends must not accompany you on the hunt.  This is not fair chase.  It must be one man/woman vs. the animal.  Any help is a sign of immorality and weakness.

All hunts must be evaluated by the experts on this site.  Any hunt not sanctioned by this site is wrong, unethical and probably poaching.

All hunts that are bought, even lottery tags, are absolutely forbidden.  Us hunters that cant afford ten dollars for a raffle should not be punished by you wealthy hunters that can afford to buy a ticket or two.  Shame on you for potentially taking the chance from my son/daughter/wife.

Advertising trophy animals on the internet is a death sentence to them.  Keep your pictures to yourself.  Why should someone else get their hopes built up by the knowledge that they might draw and tag and then might kill a trophy.

Freedom of choice is out.  Old school.  The new commandments of hunting cannot allow any deviation from the rules set up the righteous hunters on this site.  To disobey is un-American and blasphemous.  Band together all you sheep..........

[Bigshooter]

plague,
I love it.  Only thing I would have added is you can only hunt with rocks and hand made spears.




If this bull would have scored 340, we would not even be talking about this.

[MountainWalk]

 

[HawkenBob]

Lol, and hunting within 22 miles of any road is illigal too.

[MountainWalk]

And no gore-tex boots. You must either be bare foot or wearing real native made moccasins.

[MountainWalk]

And if you see some guide type or outfitter, you are obligated to shoot his horse from out under him.

[Ray]

I can understand the folks who feel that they did not get a fair chance at the bull because they cannot compete with someone who possesses so much money at an auction. I'm glad to see less and less regulation most of the time (as long as things are responsible, safe and reasonably ethical) when it comes to game management. I think that the man with less money wants to be even with the man with more money when it comes to odds and chance. That will be a war of a lifetime on all fronts. In the end it is only one elk and it is just an elk. It is nothing when looking at the big picture in the matter as far as I can tell. Except that one elk brought in a lot of money...

I cannot afford a horse but I don't call people who use horses cheats. I don't own a motorcycle or even 4 WD vehicle but I don't call people cheats who zip around on muddy and snowy roads in winter using such mechanical advantages.

This guy could have spent his money on something else and in the end I am glad he did not.