Alcohol & Elk Hunters

[Dave Workman]

Do you live up to this description, off of another forum?

"Beware, elk hunting season is the ultimate, sometimes drunken, clown show."

Or this one?

"You wouldnt catch me anywhere, I say again, anywhere near elk hunters during elk season.  Deer dont bring out the numbers elk season does.  Deer dont bring out the idiots that elk season does.  During elk season cows (moo) get shot.  Horses get shot. Ive heard of horses getting shot from underneath their riders!!!  It has something to do with the size of the animal.  Elk simply drive men (hunters) nutzo and deer do not."

Well, what about it?  Do you know anybody who contributes to this kind of stereotype?

Do you?

[bow4elk]

First, I think the claims are bogus - a horse shot out from under a rider would make national news in minutes.

Second, there are bad apples in every circle.  One person's perception is his/her reality, right or wrong.

I'm sure if you went out surveying every elk camp in WA you'd find some things going on that you may not agree with.  But that can be said for any user group.  Heck I was backpacked into the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness 10 miles and watch a typical REI treehugger hacking down alders along a stream so he could pitch a tent!  There are strict rules about cutting live trees and this numbnuts took it upon his "holy than thou" self to do what served his desire despite the law.

I don't think anyone with half a brain behaves the way those quotes indicate, especially those who frequent/contribute to this site.

 

[WDFW-SUX]

I am the clown show.........Beer? never before 7am, Identify my target?  why horse meat is good too!  Shoot cattle?  Only if its near the road....cow's weigh a ton.

  Time for some elk huntin YEE HAW!!!!!!!!

[Huntbear]

I do not feel any one I know fits into these descriptions.  However, I have witnessed a few idiots out in the woods.  Drinking beer while driving, with loaded guns in the truck, throwing garbage out the window of the vehicle, and yes, I even have seen a moo cow shot due to stupidity.  I turned every one of them in to the local law.  So yes, there are idiots out there, but they are the exception not the rule.

[littletoes]

The old one that I keep posting about....LOUD drunken idiots that sight in their rifles AT CAMP before the opener the next day.....regardless of who might be camped close to them, and it seems they never realy check the backstop behind what they are shooting at....they just take it for granted that nothing is back there.

Ever hear of anything dumber than that?? Might be another camp up on the hill or something.....

[Dave Workman]

Hmmm.

Good converstion so far, aside from Passion (there's one in every crowd  ) and a lot of people looking but only a handful actually answering.

I wonder why that is?

Little too close to home maybe? 
Or perhaps just no comment out of outrage?

Do these stereotypes have credence or do they not? 

[luvtohnt]

Granted I am very young, but in all my time spent in the woods I have only encountered one group like this. They were drinking and being obnoxious. They also weren't hunting they were having a day of rest, all the guns were in a locked truck and they were just sitting around a fire and being merry. I looked to me as if hey were being somewhat rsponsible. So I would have to say that these quotes are way off course.

Brandon

[WDFW-SUX]

In all seriousness when ever you get 40k people together there are going to be some that are from the shallow end of the gene pool and are not really interested in hunting.  I know lots of guys that party hard because its the only weekend they are are alloud away from the ole lady and Deer or elk camp is a convenient excuse.

[270Shooter]

I wouldn't go so far to say that is a drunken clown show . But I do think that elk season is definitly A LOT more hectic than deer season. Last year in the Cowiche we hardly even saw another deer hunter, while elk season was a different story. I think that this is because there are far less elk in this state than there are deer. This means that more hunters will be in a smaller area to hunt because that is where the elk are. And that is why it is always more crowded in elk season. At least that is my take on it.

[trophyelk6x6]

I work for the state, I have the best training in diversity including stereo types, etc etc etc. You all know what I am talking about. WE are all made up from our experiences so remember when people feel a certain way and express it, it is because that's what they know. Personally I seen rifle elk camps that were out of controll. In the 80's and early 90's ELK hunters were 2x what they are now. Actually elk hunters have declined in our state. When in college I quit shed hunting and just bought a 12pack and drove roads during rifle season to see the show. I seen mail boxes, posters of naked girls(got not prob with that) and signs with various names and statements outside of every camp from Naches, to the Clockum. I know that is not the case in most instances but these few idiots make a bad name so we who are good sportsmen will always battle this issue. MOVE on and support those that are sportsmen.

[Huntbear]

I wouldn't go so far to say that is a drunken clown show . But I do think that elk season is definitly A LOT more hectic than deer season. Last year in the Cowiche we hardly even saw another deer hunter, while elk season was a different story. I think that this is because there are far less elk in this state than there are deer. This means that more hunters will be in a smaller area to hunt because that is where the elk are. And that is why it is always more crowded in elk season. At least that is my take on it.

As far as more guys out during elk season, you have to consider that a lot of guys hunt deer in the low country.  Have you seen the "Burn" on opening day of deer season???  It looks like a huge orange pumpkin patch came alive, and the traffic is worse than driving through Portland in rush hour.  Most of those guys then go up to higher elevations for elk.  So if you hunt deer where you hunt elk, it makes sense that you would not see as many other hunters during deer season.

[blessed]

 

[Blade]

 This is referring to rifle hunters only right?

[demontang]

I have never hunted mod elk just archery. I think there is a bad apple or two in every crowed. I think some users only look at the bad of another user group

[ChrisInAKmtns]

I read that thread earlier today, Dave, but it was locked down before I could respond.  I don't personally know any elk or deer hunters in this state that contribute to this stereotype and would give them a piece of my mind if I did.  I enjoy reading that forum for a great wealth of information, but get annoyed at the holier than thou attitude.

However, I did see this behavior when I was a guide in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska.  I encountered GUIDES (not clients) that were some of the worst behaved, belligerent, drunken idiots I have ever encountered.  One guide actually shot over the bow of another boat.

Hunters always seem to be presumed guilty until proven innocent by the general public in this state.  Doesn't make it right, its just the way it is.  It's up to us to call out and report those that act out of line so that they don't ruin it for the rest of us.

[SHANE(WA)]

Take a drive to ID rifle season elk, hell any season. That explains it all.

[billythekidrock]

Do you live up to this description, off of another forum?

"Beware, elk hunting season is the ultimate, sometimes drunken, clown show."

Or this one?

"You wouldnt catch me anywhere, I say again, anywhere near elk hunters during elk season.  Deer dont bring out the numbers elk season does.  Deer dont bring out the idiots that elk season does.  During elk season cows (moo) get shot.  Horses get shot. Ive heard of horses getting shot from underneath their riders!!!  It has something to do with the size of the animal.  Elk simply drive men (hunters) nutzo and deer do not."

Well, what about it?  Do you know anybody who contributes to this kind of stereotype?

Do you?

I don't know anyone personally, but I see the above described actions every year.

[Dslayer]

Hunters of all types in this state need to remember that we are under intense scrutiny by a large number of people who can't and won't ever 'get it,' and act accordingly.  Individual hunters are not out there to be the police but we need to be aware of the perception that others have us and try to have a positive impact on those we hunt with and those we have the opportunity to effect, kids, etc.  Perception is reality, deal with it.  I like my beer as much if not more than the next guy, but never while hunting, it's that simple.  I'm out to hunt, not drink, there's a time and place for everything. 

[ChrisInAKmtns]

Hunters of all types in this state need to remember that we are under intense scrutiny by a large number of people who can't and won't ever 'get it,' and act accordingly.  Individual hunters are not out there to be the police but we need to be aware of the perception that others have us and try to have a positive impact on those we hunt with and those we have the opportunity to effect, kids, etc.  Perception is reality, deal with it.  I like my beer as much if not more than the next guy, but never while hunting, it's that simple.  I'm out to hunt, not drink, there's a time and place for everything. 

[huntnphool]

I hunt archery but went with a friend that had a tag several years ago. I could not stop laughing and he had no idea why I don't think there is a comedian out there that could make me laugh as much as I did just driving up 410 outside of Enumclaw, it reminded me of the keggers we used to have in high school

[WDFW-SUX]

I stopped at an elk camp to visit someone I knew that was hunting in that area and they needed an entire picnic table for all of the bottles of whiskey that had shown up at camp for the weekend.  I could not believe my eye's.......total booze fest.

[6x6in6]

Hunters of all types in this state need to remember that we are under intense scrutiny by a large number of people who can't and won't ever 'get it,' and act accordingly.  Individual hunters are not out there to be the police but we need to be aware of the perception that others have us and try to have a positive impact on those we hunt with and those we have the opportunity to effect, kids, etc.  Perception is reality, deal with it.  I like my beer as much if not more than the next guy, but never while hunting, it's that simple.  I'm out to hunt, not drink, there's a time and place for everything. 

Well said and thank you!!!!!!!

[Dave Workman]

So far, so good, I guess.
Interesting remarks. Thank you all.

I know lots of guys that party hard because its the only weekend they are are alloud away from the ole lady and Deer or elk camp is a convenient excuse.

Seems to me there are better ways to have a drunken party for a weekend than to do it out in the wilds, with thousands of other people you might be annoying, and everybody has a gun.

I opened this thread because in my younger days, I spent time in wild drunken elk camps, and didn't really care for it. A lot of people being *censored*s, hunting with hangovers...and because of the remarks on another forum that frankly were not meant to flatter or glorify the average elk hunter.

[TeacherMan]

When do you have time to drink, we leave camp at 3:30 in the morning and dont return until around 9pm to fall right into bed...

[tabynn]

Oddly, I had this very conversation at work this afternoon with my boss. He had just returned from CO(shutout) and I said, but you probably had fun hanging with the Brothers and Dad around the campfire having drinks and reminiscing. He could not have agreed with me more. I furthered it by saying, in our Elk camp, whenever we get back to camp, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, whatever, the rifles and ammo are put away for the night, period. Its an unwritten rule. Stoke the fire, debate whats for dinner, and get to the beer. Dont even think about hunting after that. We have alot of things to talk about!!!

NEVER have we had an elk camp that would resemble the initial posting on this forum.

[big_bucks]

Gotta agree with Tabynn

I never hunt the circus season, I mean rifle season.  I went up to the Clockum once, and swore I'd NEVER go back.  An absolute joke with drunkfest camps and people everywhere.  Not hunting to me at all.  I'll stick with Archery.

[saylean]

Said it before, but in our camp, we dont have any alchohol period. But, thats just us.

[deaddog]

rifle season is the worst for that kind of behavor but it is not just gun season. those kind of asses shoot bows and frontstuffers too. My camp has no booze. i was at a camp years ago with some friends and one guy i didnt know,lots of booze, before long the new guy had a loaded gun out waving it around like a maniac. when he was told to put it away he pointed it at me and said , well its not loaded. I got behind a tree and told him my side arm was loaded. when the gun was out of his hands, he got the asswhooping of his life. not a good elk season at all. NO BOOZE= NO PROBLEMS!

[runningboard]

One of my relatives says of his in-laws that they just go out to get drunk and don't ever really hunt. Like was said earlier they go out to avoid their women and get sloshed. makes the rest of us look bad since they're camped right on the road, they sure as hell ain't gonna hike in to drink where they won't be seen.
Last week while looking for mulies, I met 2 guys on quads who had a cooler strapped on and were drinking in the middle of the day and obviously planned on continuing to ride and "hunt" that afternoon.
I also ran into others who returned to camp and had a few, didn't know if they planned on going back out that evening or not. but like others have said what about being hung over? or the alchohol smell while sweating it out? I could smell these dudes while crossing the ridge above their camp, never mind the animals who depend on their noses to survive.

but in our camp, we dont have any alchohol period.

yep me too.

NO BOOZE= NO PROBLEMS!

for sure, good hunting folks.

[Gutpile]

Im to tired to drink. It'd knock me out. Beer doesn`t appeal to me when its cold out. Coffee and stogies do.

[spin05]

In our camp we drink.Not so much in the early season.No time by the time you get back.In the late archery thou its dark by 5:00 pm.That gives ya about 3 hours to make dinner,do some chores and relax.We drink jack and coke normally.Dont get me wrong here i doubt we have ever gotten drunk so to speak.Just 2-3 drinks max then its bed time......

[ICEMAN]

Maybe a few bears around the fire after dark.

When we get an elk in camp, we break out the heavy stuff.

I keep my sheep leggin's at home anymore.....

[haugenna]

I think this is an unfair generalization. Like someone said, put 40K people into an area at the same time and there is going to be some fool that does something stupid that is going to stay with you.  Go to a Seahawks game and look at the people, there is going to be some idiot (besides Holmgren and Hasselbeck) that will shout obscenities and curse words.  The combination of alcohol and stupidity is a combo for disaster.  Unfortunately it leaves a lasting impression.