Not buying an Elk tag this year, anybody doing the same?

[pianoman9701]

I only hunt elk and can't afford an out-of-state tag. I will hunt archery elk. I did stop applying for special permits. As a master hunter, there are lots of special permits available to me, but it supports the department who's not taking care of business and holds politics and pc-ness above the welfare of our wildlife and the opportunities for our hunters, IMO.

[Opportunist]

I hunt out of state every year and have always bought my washington deer/elk tags because they were relatively cheap compared to out of state fees. I have always said if I didn't live in this state I wouldn't hunt it, but now with the weyco access fee on top of the increasing tag fees I have to weigh how I spend my hunting dollars for opportunity for a quality hunt. So I didn't buy my deer/elk tags this year, I did apply for sheep/moose/goat.

[puyallupaul]

Montana only. Tough time justifying % of my money going to wolf mgmt.

[Mr Mykiss]

Can you get points without buying a tag? Then no.

[Mudman]

I didnt last year.  Enuff said!  Disgusted. 

[Karl Blanchard]

I don't care how expensive it gets in this state, I will never give up hunting here!  That's exactly what they want, for us all to just give up!  If they one day do away with hunting in this state then I will get the crayons out and make my own tag and hunt my own season. 

I deliver pop for a living, I am by no means even close to rich but I prioritize hunting.  I don't spend money on anything else.  Some guys will dump 5k on an island vacation and then turn around and complain about a $50 elk tag   Not me!  I also apply for every western state for deer and 5 states for elk.  All about priorities.  We have endless tracks of public land to roam, we can hunt over the counter for most species, and we have plenty of game.  I will be the first to say that I think WDFW is doing a piss poor job of management there is plenty of opportunity out there if your willing to look. 

[Mr Mykiss]

Spoken like a true member of the Non-Whiner party. What are you forecasting the cost to be for one of those "crayon tags"? I may be in the market...

[Karl Blanchard]

Spoken like a true member of the Non-Whiner party. What are you forecasting the cost to be for one of those "crayon tags"? I may be in the market...

Depends on what kind of paper I use.  I was thinking of going pretty legit, maybe something with a nice printed background or something

[blackveltbowhunter]

I still buy tags. Pretty deep in the elk points game and dont ever see me not buying tags here. unless everybody does and we go to as BLR says "crayon tags"   

  However, my hunting (especially for elk) has dropped drastically in the last 3 or four years. BLR hit the nail on the head with the comment " plenty of opportunity if willing to look". I would add to that "willing to get creative".



   

[spotter26]

thanks for the input, i can see that many of you are loyal hunters and will continue to be. It also sounds like there are many people, doing the same as I am. If i had the financial means i would continue to hunt til i could no more, I would love for my kids to grow up hunting like i did when i was younger. Im a father of triplets and a family on one income. i can squeeze out $50-60 bucks to hunt deer (which has still been awesome for me) and apply for permits, when it starts pushing $200+ thats alittle harder to come by.

[Mr Mykiss]

$50-60 bucks to hunt deer huh? You must not drive anywhere to hunt, or scout or put up cameras...

[billythekidrock]

Getting closer and closer to the time I quit buying elk tags.

[HoofsandWings]

Getting closer and closer to the time I quit buying elk tags.

Same here. When I hit 80, elk will be too physically demanding.
Luckily deer are not as demanding. I presume you will still be hunting deer?
Have you thought about applying for a disabled hunter permit? That should be able to extend your hunting years.

[oneshot12]

  getting hard to decide to hunt here  on the west side any more.    going to be ruff to move east and start all over .  looks like its the only real chance to get out and not be running in to so may hunters on open state land over here with all the lumber companies  requiring people to by a pass to hunt on there land  just don't seem like its fair.  then what can we do about it any how.  just wind up blocking  it off to keep out the people that mess it up for the rest .To Bad  was always a good time in the late season at elk camp .
 

[PolarBear]

All of the places that I normally hunt elk is now permit only with the exception of Lewis River.  I won't be hunting that unit due to the fact that I just had knee surgery and it is very steep where I hunt.  There are a lot of elk right around where I live but all of the Weyco land is permit or leased and the elk get chased onto private land where they are slaughtered.  I am not buying myself and elk tag but am really hoping that I can find a place for my daughter to hunt.  I might have to wind up buying a Pe Ell or Vail permit just for her.  It sucks when my 14 year old daughter is losing interest and becoming frustrated in elk hunting because all of our regular spots are locked up and the increase in poaching that we are seeing. One good thing is this crap is driving her to want to become a Wildlife Biologist/Enforcement Officer.