Blues News 2013

[ipkus]

Another guy here who can vouch for Luke's character.  Stand up guy, rock solid outdoorsman, and in better shape than most of us have ever been at any point in our lives.  His passion for the backcountry is indeed over the top crazy and unimaginable for some, but it's legit.

As for the rest of the internet moral authority here...wow.  It is absolutely amazing in forums like this how many people with little to zero first hand knowledge or facts on a given situation will speak with absolute certainty about what should be done/has been done/wasn't done/etc.  I've known Luke casually for quite a while, we've hunted together a couple times, and the suggestions of impropriety here don't mesh one iota with the reality I know.

What is really distressing about this whole deal is that someone with a solid reputation as an honest, hard working outfitter is the one who spun this whole deal up based on...what?

He knows how to coach the hunters in what to say.  I can't understand how he can drive here from Yakima almost every weekend, and not be compensated for his service.  He has a real interest in the area.  Turning him in is one thing catching him another. I met him on the trail walking with a bear hunter from Utah. The hunter is an outdoor writer. I told them to include in the article that this guy was a rogue guide working in my unit.  The facial expression changed on the hunters face.

mtncook

If you know a hunter that has told you Luke has 'coached' them in what to say, that's more than enough evidence to go to a game warden.  If you don't know someone and are just guessing because of your suspicions...wow.  Not cool.

You can't understand how he can drive there from Yakima almost every weekend without being compensated?  So what?  Lots of people tell me they don't understand how I spend as much time/money/energy hunting and fishing as much as I do every year.  Do you have to 'get it' for it to be ok?

Again, if you don't have any proof of your accusations it would be very smart from a business perspective to quite speculating in an internet forum about things you don't really know.  It doesn't exactly demonstrate a professional attitude or approach to running your business.  You've built a positive reputation, but things like this will not help it.
 
I can't speak factually to why Luke lists a business name and shows clients in some pictures he's shared on a website(s), but might assume he's doing to get his name out there if at point down the road if he does decide to do it.  I doubt it's illegal, and he certainly doesn't run around talking like that!

This whole thing is just another example of the usual internet lynch mob mentality that drives or keeps a lot of people away from internet chat rooms!

With that said, where are some pictures of this years Blues bulls???
 

[muleskinner509]

Luke welcome to the site. I totally get your passion for helping others and being able to spend more time in the back
  country doing what you love. I have helped friends on some great hunts.  Heading up north next weekend to take a friend of mine(who does not hunt) 16yr old son on his first hunt, I cant wait.

[2MANY]

No crime in calling himself a guide and his friends clients.

Dr. Martin Luther King wasn't a doctor either.

[724wd]

i think part of what mtncook's talking about in reference to coaching 'clients' on what to say is included is Luke's own reply. 

"I know it's hard to believe that I do this for free but it is totally true I ask for nothing."

a person might not ask for anything, but many would accept a 'donation' if it were offered.  Not saying Luke does this, but the language used is a bit ambiguous. 

Luke, I admire your hard work getting these people big animals, and i hope all is above board and perfectly legal.  Surely you can see a little of the issues that mtncook has regarding you operating in his area.  guiding is his livelihood, and someone calling themselves a guide online, taking 'clients' (even ones that are just friends [or magazine writers]) can be seen as cutting into his business.  you have some loyal friends, and that's admirable, and hopefully you and mtncook can come to some sort of equilibrium and understanding of what the other is doing.

[Lov2hunt]

Here are a few pics from the Blues!

[Lov2hunt]

Spring bear!

[Lov2hunt]

Droptine bull!

[Lov2hunt]

Blues buck!

[trophyhunt]

Pig of a bear!

[2MANY]

Fun stuff.

[KA]

Spring bear -  4 years to draw the tag - Great hunt.

[Woodchuck]

Alright Luke, I know you're new here so I will let you off this once but for future reference....There are no elk in the Blues 

[gaddy]

 

[deerhunter_98520]

Those are some nice animals 

[jackelope]

Spring bear!

This bear has been on here before.

Some great animals. Thanks for sharing.