An 'ex-WA elk hunter' speaks

[bugs n bones]

I didn't forget them, though I don't think they will be the demise to our hunting future, so didn't need to be mentioned.  Probably along those lines though of technology.  I wonder what the market will think up next.

I heard from a very reliable source that law enforcement has figured out how to tune in to the freaquency of the collars on the elk and have used it to there advantage

[huntnphool]

I didn't forget them, though I don't think they will be the demise to our hunting future, so didn't need to be mentioned.  Probably along those lines though of technology.  I wonder what the market will think up next.

Drones for scouting

[bugs n bones]

I didn't forget them, though I don't think they will be the demise to our hunting future, so didn't need to be mentioned.  Probably along those lines though of technology.  I wonder what the market will think up next.

Drones for scouting

[huntnphool]

I didn't forget them, though I don't think they will be the demise to our hunting future, so didn't need to be mentioned.  Probably along those lines though of technology.  I wonder what the market will think up next.

Drones for scouting

Serious, why hike up over that ridge to see if that big buck is on the other side, when you can sit in your truck with a iPad and send a drone that gives live feeds?

[turkeyfeather]

I have heard that the same technology that makes the Aim-9 missle so effective (heat seeking) is being developed for a broadhead. That arrow will fly it's way right up a deer's butt. 

[JJB11B]

Listening to my Dad, Uncles, and Grandpa talk about elk hunting in the 70's and 80's makes me wish I was around back then. Same with deer and duck. I missed the good ol' days

JJB11B   Right now you are living your good old days.

thats depressing

[Dave Workman]

Spend more time in the woods and you would be amazed by the amount of new technology being used to hunt! Maybe not you or anyone you know but its obvious that you either dont get around or you dont pay attention. please dont take that to personal.

Ah, but with all of this new technology...have the harvest figures and percentages changed significantly?

Methinks you may be missing the point of the original commentary, and are engaged in a thread derailment, if not a hijack, perhaps unintentionally.

[Fowlweather25]

Spend more time in the woods and you would be amazed by the amount of new technology being used to hunt! Maybe not you or anyone you know but its obvious that you either dont get around or you dont pay attention. please dont take that to personal.

Ah, but with all of this new technology...have the harvest figures and percentages
changed significantly?

Methinks you may be missing the point of the original commentary, and are engaged in a thread derailment, if not a hijack, perhaps unintentionally.

  I was simply making a comment to a post made by another member. No derailment going on here. I understand the point of the OP to the fullest extent. I just dont like one sided judgements such as the one i argued.

Spend more time in the woods and you would be amazed by the amount of new technology being used to hunt! Maybe not you or anyone you know but its obvious that you either dont get around or you dont pay attention. please dont take that to personal.

I've got thick skin.

Regardless how much technology you choose to use or see in the field, (I would argue I spend more time hunting big game each year than you do ) you might respond to the last sentance of my previous post.

i love it how you wink at everyone! Its cute. However wrong you may be about how much i spend in the woods versus you, the fact of the matter remains that just because you dont utilize newer technology doesnt mean that most other new age hunters dont. They do. The reason the harvest numbers have stayed pretty similar is more likley due to the reduction in overall hunter numbers. Lets face it, were a slowly dying breed.

[huntnphool]

Spend more time in the woods and you would be amazed by the amount of new technology being used to hunt! Maybe not you or anyone you know but its obvious that you either dont get around or you dont pay attention. please dont take that to personal.

Ah, but with all of this new technology...have the harvest figures and percentages changed significantly?

Methinks you may be missing the point of the original commentary, and are engaged in a thread derailment, if not a hijack, perhaps unintentionally.

  I was simply making a comment to a post made by another member. No derailment going on here. I understand the point of the OP to the fullest extent. I just dont like one sided judgements such as the one i argued.

Spend more time in the woods and you would be amazed by the amount of new technology being used to hunt! Maybe not you or anyone you know but its obvious that you either dont get around or you dont pay attention. please dont take that to personal.

I've got thick skin.

Regardless how much technology you choose to use or see in the field, (I would argue I spend more time hunting big game each year than you do ) you might respond to the last sentance of my previous post.

One sided judgements? You mean like suggesting our current situation is a result of technological advancements in equipment isn't?

You still have not addressed my statement Fowlweather, my guess is you can't!

[Fowlweather25]

I never said the seasons didnt change previous to the major advancements in technology. What i said was that wether you believe it or not people use a lot of advanced technology to hunt these days compared to years ago. I thought you had thick skin? What happened? Why are you so upset?

[huntnphool]

I never said the seasons didnt change previous to the major advancements in technology. What i said was that wether you believe it or not people use a lot of advanced technology to hunt these days compared to years ago. I thought you had thick skin? What happened? Why are you so upset?

I'm not upset, just waiting for you to admit that the "technology" argument is unsubstantiated and doesn't belong in this thread, which you just did!

[Fowlweather25]

Read the second sentence of my previous post again. Then try to realize the reason we are having this debate. Notice that i never once said anything about the affect on the seasons. Just a rebuttal to you stating that most dont use technology.

[Dave Workman]

....the fact of the matter remains that just because you dont utilize newer technology doesnt mean that most other new age hunters dont. They do. The reason the harvest numbers have stayed pretty similar is more likley due to the reduction in overall hunter numbers. Lets face it, were a slowly dying breed.

"Most likely?"
That's a hell of an assumption.
It could also be reduced opportunity due to shifts in the season timing, and shorter season, from two full weeks and three full weekends to a nine-day season with two weekends that begins at least a week earlier than back in the 1970s and 80s.

That has accounted for the loss in hunter numbers, too.  Just look at the OP.  Here's a guy who grew up in Washington, hunted public land for years (I know because I was with him on many of those treks) and he's now spending his time and money in another state.
We hunted deer on a private ranch over on the Snake River earlier in October. Both scored. But he's not hunting elk here anymore.

Just because some guys have cell phones and cameras and other fun toys doesn't mean squat when it comes to notching a tag. You can believe otherwise if you wish, but you first have to see the game yourself, get into a good shooting position, and do all of this before the elk moves on.

Four years ago over on the LT Murray, I had to let a 5-point bull walk right through my camp with a bunch of cows.

That wouldn't have happened back in the 70s or 80s.

[Fowlweather25]

I never once commented on why there is a reduction in hunter numbers, just that there is. I agree that the season limitations and time frames are completely ridiculous! I myself am starting to hunt other states for this reason.

[wafisherman]

Reminds of when I was out at the Potholes lake a few years ago.  Old timers on the dock complaining about not catching any fish.  One said "yeah, I remember the good ole days when we could come down here and fill a couple 5 gallon buckets a day... what happened?"...

Yeah, real head scratcher there