Legal spike?

[buglebuster]

I say yes, i have him and another spike coming in.

[h20hunter]

tag!

[vandeman17]

do you have any pictures of his other side? Is this a true spike or just spike unit?

[Broken Arrow]

is the other one  3 point also 

[buglebuster]

the cows moved my camera down and this is the best pic to show eyeguards, both sides look the same as far as I can tell, it is not in a true spike unit.

[Broken Arrow]

Interesting question, If it is legal as a spike. If the other side looked the same I know it would be legal in a 3 point or better unit.  How can he be both? I know the arguments for both sides....thank god for any elk units!

[buglebuster]

is the other one  3 point also 

Interesting question, If it is legal as a spike. If the other side looked the same I know it would be legal in a 3 point or better unit.  How can he be both? I know the arguments for both sides....thank god for any elk units!

That other point is on the other antler, if you zoom in you can tell

[Broken Arrow]

Then I think its a totally legal spike. The branch is under 4 inches from the main.

[buglebuster]

[carpsniperg2]

It sure does not seem like it starts more then 4" up from the base. I would tend to agree with you as being a spike per the rules.

[YoterHunter]

If not true spike unit then it's ok to shoot. I have pics of a spike my son wants. Tall spikes with 6-7 inch I  gards .

[Blacktail Sniper]

It qualifies as okay in a true spike only area as well if both sides are less than 4" above the bases.

[D-Rock425]

Interesting question.  I thought I had a legal by definition spike and wdfw said no go.  Sent the pic to wdfw and see what they say.

[buglebuster]

It qualifies as okay in a true spike only area as well if both sides are less than 4" above the bases.

I dont believe that's true

[Blacktail Sniper]

It qualifies as okay in a true spike only area as well if both sides are less than 4" above the bases.

I dont believe that's true

Copied from page 45 of the regs:

True Spike Bull Restrictions: Bull elk taken
in these units must have both antlers with no
branching originating more than four inches
above where the antlers attach to the skull.
Under the true spike restriction, taking an elk
that has two points on one side or antler points
within one inch of the definitions regarding
length of point, or point of origination, is an
infraction. All other types of violations of the
true spike restriction are subject to current
penalties and assessments

[MIKEXRAY]

Man you guys are stretching the rules !  No way I am shooting that in a spike only unit.   

[smdave]

Man you guys are stretching the rules !  No way I am shooting that in a spike only unit.

In a spike only Unit it for sure is Legal, the true spike is where it gets more tricky.

[MIKEXRAY]

I would consider myself a chicken in stretching rules.  I always stay well in the lines of life and have been fortunate to stay out of trouble .  You can only stretch so many rules in life till one snaps.

[buglebuster]

I dont see this as stretching any rules

[Austrian Hunter]

very interesting, tag!

[vandeman17]

I think you are right that it is a legal bull in a spike unit given the definition but if it was me, I would have a tough time flinging an arrow just because of the chance that I could somehow get in trouble. I always just error on the side of caution but that is just me.

[johnnyaustin44]

I would assume that to be a spike as well as a true spike. If they don't count to make it a spike why would they count if it was a true spike area. Less then four...don't count as a point.

[steeleywhopper]

Spike! BOOM!

[Elkrunner]

I would let it pass...not going to risk it..

[Pilot_Hunter]

He's legal, plain and simple

[nw_bowhunter]

I wouldn't shoot in a true spike unit. What are you estimating on how long the points are. I wouldn't be confident in a spike only unit..

[D-Rock425]

If that thing is legal in a spike unit it would have to be legal in a true spike unit by definition in hunting regs.  I really don't know if you can go off what the regs say anymore.  We had a picture of an elk that would fit the description of a legal spike and wdfw told us no do to the fact that its an antler deformity.

[buglebuster]

What email address do i need to send the pic to? The eye guard starts right at the base, well under the regs "4in" rule, this elk is legal but i would like their answer.

[Rooster1981]

He's legal, plain and simple

    I would shoot him in a spike or true spike unit.  He defiantly does not have any point's above the four inch rule.  If your not sure let him pass so someone else can tag him and take him home. 

[YoterHunter]

They are I gards not a deformality of horns. The way I look at its elk steaks

[jason stevens]

Its legal in a spike unit if it branches under the ears but not in a true spike unit. Tthats what we weretold by wdfw in manashatash last year but if you have to question it ddon't shoot I personaally don't understand ut how can it be a legal spike and also count as points in a three point or better unit.I say go back change the regs make washingtion all three point or better deer and elk  and raise the quality of the herds.and open a wolf season.

[Blacktail Sniper]

According to the current regs, anything under 4" from where the base meets the skull does not count as a point in either spike or true spike areas.   

That is what is printed as law, I would not trust what I was told by anyone in WDFW because if push comes to shove, certain things will come into play:

The written law is what will be applied to determine if a violation has occurred. 

People tend to "forget" conversations, especially if they are wrong.

And has been proven in the past (most recent thread about putting a camera on a bow), they sometimes just plain give out wrong information or backpeddle on what they said.

Some have said, if in doubt, let it walk.  Best advice by far.

Maybe it is time to start a letter writing/email campaign to try and change that 4" standard which is near impossible to really accurately gauge in a hunting situation and go to something easier to judge out in the field, like no branching above the tops of the ears...just a thought.