RTSPRING"S thoughts on the Yakima elk herds.

[Mfowl]

Muzzeloader, 4 pts in the draw. Now that I've notched a couple tags in the last 2 seasons I will be more willing to have some restraint the next time I draw.

[coachcw]

wow great luck to draw that with four points . we hunted that unit on a permit that year and where into good bulls daily . passed 75 branched bulls in something like 12 days in the field before pulling the trigger. next time you draw let me know I will be glad to lend a hand .

[billythekidrock]

If you are not going to kill the biggest bull of your life or if you are going to put the rack in the shed then why kill a big stinky rutted up bull when you could kill a tender "eating" bull?

Draw the permit and use it as an opportunity or season extender to take whatever is legal if you choose.

[coachcw]

If you are not going to kill the biggest bull of your life or if you are going to put the rack in the shed then why kill a big stinky rutted up bull when you could kill a tender "eating" bull?

Draw the permit and use it as an opportunity or season extender to take whatever is legal if you choose.

I see and hear people making excuses to why they shot the elk they did , that kinda bugs me we owe more respect to the harvest , if a guy is proud of a rag horn I will never bash him but if he whines about it I wont pull any punches either .

[Mfowl]

Thanks for the offer Coach! I'll definately keep that in mind. I should add my tag was for the Observatory and we hunted the 342. The only branch bull we saw was spooked by some deer hunters the day before the opener and he high tailed it to private ground. I filled my tag on day 5 of the season.

[coachcw]

I bow hunted 340 that year it was erie with the smoke rolling over the hwy , the elk seemed to be close to the sage , there was a bunch of bulls low , 7mm had a muzzy tag and I got him into a good area and he shot a good bull . A  guy really has to be mobile or the season may end before it gets started !  fire can really change the complex of a hunt.

[Mfowl]

It was erie when the smoke came in and then just as quick the wind would change and it would be clear as a bell. It was impressive looking across the valley over EBurg and seeing the wall of smoke rising up. There were definately elk where we were, we found fresh sign daily around the waterholes/wallows. It just seemed they were already hidden in some shady spot somewhere by the time the sun came up. We never did hear any calling, bugles or otherwise and we got out well before light on several days trying to locate anything we could. Still, no regrets! I got my first elk, thats trophy enough for now!

[Greenhorn]

Never pass up something on the first day that you wouldn't pass up on the last day.  I had an any bull tag for Peaches last year and followed that advice and got a nice 5x5 on the second day.  Before the hunt started I would have passed on him, but once you are in the middle of it your judgement may change.  I am very proud of that elk, but would like another chance.  No spikes for me, even if it is the last day.

[Buzz2401]

The only reason I put in for a "any bull" tag is so that I get a chance to hunt the woods with far fewer people then any of the general seasons.  I have killed 14 elk out of the yakima herd in the last 20 years and I have seen the quality of animals it holds. That being said I don't care what another hunter wants to shoot.  There are a ton of spikes out there so the few spikes taken by "any bull" tag holders aren't gonna make a big impact.  Also the "any bull" tags have nothing to do with removing mature bulls from the herd, it is simply a way to provide a chance for hunters to hunt mature bulls.  If they wanted it to remove mature bulls they would make it 5 point or better for those permits.

[rtspring]

The only reason I put in for a "any bull" tag is so that I get a chance to hunt the woods with far fewer people then any of the general seasons.  I have killed 14 elk out of the yakima herd in the last 20 years and I have seen the quality of animals it holds. That being said I don't care what another hunter wants to shoot.  There are a ton of spikes out there so the few spikes taken by "any bull" tag holders aren't gonna make a big impact.  Also the "any bull" tags have nothing to do with removing mature bulls from the herd, it is simply a way to provide a chance for hunters to hunt mature bulls.  If they wanted it to remove mature bulls they would make it 5 point or better for those permits.

You may want to talk to a Bio to shore up that statement...

[rtspring]

The only reason I put in for a "any bull" tag is so that I get a chance to hunt the woods with far fewer people then any of the general seasons.  I have killed 14 elk out of the yakima herd in the last 20 years and I have seen the quality of animals it holds. That being said I don't care what another hunter wants to shoot.  There are a ton of spikes out there so the few spikes taken by "any bull" tag holders aren't gonna make a big impact.  Also the "any bull" tags have nothing to do with removing mature bulls from the herd, it is simply a way to provide a chance for hunters to hunt mature bulls.  If they wanted it to remove mature bulls they would make it 5 point or better for those permits.

Not a big impact? For every spike shot by a any bull tag holder, the general guys percentage drops. Does it not??  Not being a jerk but it has a great impact on the OTC guys chances who's chances are at 5 percent or lower already...

Fact! They are taking away the chances of OTC guys.  So you get to hunt 5 days early? Not alot of advantage there, deer Modern guys have the elk moving already..

[JPhelps]

So how big of a bull do I need to kill with my "any bull" tag?

Answer please

[rtspring]

So how big of a bull do I need to kill with my "any bull" tag?

Answer please

Any bull that doesn't take away from the OTC crowd. So  2x2 or above.. I will fun some numbers here in a bit to show the dramatic changes each spike taken by a Any Bull tag holder makes on the general season crowd.

[JPhelps]

By not allowing the any bull tag holder to kill a spike you would be taking oppurtunity away there.

[boneaddict]

There has been alot of chat on here lately about the 342,346, 336 and 340 elk herds..
I will say this once just like I told my hunting partners during this Modern Season. Elk are being hunted, they sure as heck won't stand on the side of the road to be shot at everyday...  Our elk numbers are not decreasing due to hunting, predators or indians. Anyone who states different I would love to debate you any day of the week. Our elk numbers are as strong as they have ever been since I started hunting in 1985. I truly believe there is no accurate count on the elk, no way can that be done in my opinion... 13,000 to 15,000 would be my best guess...

I see more elk in a year than an average guy has seen maybe in his lifetime. From May until November I pretty much live in the mountains. There are tons of elk and I mean a bunch.. I have photos and trail cam photos to prove the fact the herd is doing great. Just because you drive up the night before the opener of Modern and can't find any elk does not mean they don't exist, THEY ARE HIDING!!!!

One thing is bothering me, I know the quality of animals in this unit and to see ANY BULL tag holders taking a spike is very sad to me. Do the tag some justice and kill a branched antlered bull!!! Not a SPIKE!!! that rule should be changed.......... in my opinion of course..

I love hunting more than most, I like hunting spikes every year! I would fight the good fight if others push for a draw only hunt!!! If you don;t like hunting in Washington go somewhere else and leave the rules the way they are.  Spikes are plentiful, you just have to find them..  No way in heck will you kill a spike every year!!! that just doesn't happen.  So take hunting for what it is, good memories, good friends, and living in Gods Country. Killing an animal is a bonus!!!!!!  You can't always win..............

Migration??? I think that is WAY WAY WAY over blown in this state! Snow fall does help hunting a bunch but is not critical to the taking of elk on a regular basis. I find elk all summer long under 2000 feet and all the way up to 5500...  they are where the food is and will stay there until pushed by hunting or other means....

I am no fan of the natives hunting as they please! Not when they shoot spike deer and we have to shoot three points!!!! How is that game management??? But I refuse to let tribal hunting be the reason for me not getting an animal...  We have debated tribal hunting to heck and back!!!
laying the blame on them is just another excuse for us hunters...

Gate off roads??? uh heck no, only during the hard winter months would I support such an idea.. We pay taxes and therefore should have access to all lands by vehicle if there is a road. You can always hike away from roads!!  Elderly and handicap people should have access to all roads on state land!!!

I have seen hunting back in the 80's where you seldom seen a branched bull, let alone  340 PLUS BULL!!! Since the start of spike only hunting in these units I see a big bull pretty much any time I want. If you are not seeing them, put more boot leather on the ground because they are there!!

My season this year sucked!!! I seen 6 elk in 7 days of all day hunting and that really goes to show you how well they can hide. I had elk all around me prior to the opener that included 6 different spikes... Guess what? they vanished......... But I got to enjoy the great outdoors with great friends and my father... No way will I let not getting an elk throw dirt on my party....

Mark my word, those that keep fighting for a draw only state. You will be sad the day you cannot go elk hunting because you didn't get drawn...  enjoy it for what it is. this is the state we live in where WDFW wants money over hunter satisfaction.... They will never be able to please all of us because of the numbers of hunters far outnumber the number of animals...

Our herds are doing great, one last word!!!! SCOUT SCOUT SCOUT and SCOUT some more........

KURT

I have to agree with RT.   I am a little more against tribal hunting than he is(as stated), mostly due to the trophy onslaught in the Clock, and the shooting of them out of the feeding stations.  I'd sure like to get them on the same page as everyone else.   I could careless if a trophy guy wants to shoot a spike or not.  That's their problem. I agree with his evaluation of the herd.   That may chance when the wolves get a foothold.  Time will tell.  Now to read the rest of the three pages.