The Good and the Bad in the Nanuem

[cbond3318]

The Good:

[scottcrb]

lost ?

[Jonathan_S]

The Bad:


 

[cbond3318]

There are a lot of Elk in the unit, maybe the surrounding burns have located more animals in the Unit, or they are rebounding. Opening morning we found ourselves in a 60 yard stare down with a 5x6 and a tall spike. As the spike turned he had a small kicker on the left side and he walked. The 5x6 ripped off a knarly sounding bugle which was cool and we chased Elk all weekend spotting 2 more 1x2's.

The Bad:
We went back into the hole we found the bull and 1x2 in only to bump the 1x2 from his bed and realized he had taken a round to the front left shoulder. It was very discouraging to not be able to put him down and pack him out. It would have been the right thing to do and we couldn't. It was another great year of hunting and as usual full of the ups and downs.

How do we get rid of the few "True Spike" Unit Rules??

[C-Money]

I was not even excited to hunt up there this year. After letting 1x2s walk, and all the stories of illegal elk killed the last few years, I just went fishing instead. I will take the rifle for a ride in the Quilomene this Saturday, just to say I elk hunted this year.

[cbond3318]

I was not even excited to hunt up there this year. After letting 1x2s walk, and all the stories of illegal elk killed the last few years, I just went fishing instead. I will take the rifle for a ride in the Quilomene this Saturday, just to say I elk hunted this year.

I have been meaning to check out the Quilomene. I will say we saw more branch bulls this year which I would assume is a result of more 1x2's making through which is good to see. I still think the number one problem with a True Spike rule is , as witnessed this year, a lot of 1x2's get shot anyways.

I know this issue has been hammered to death but it is soooo frustrating to get wrapped up in it first hand and witness the bad side of it . Unfortunately, we can only blame ourselves for 1x2's getting shot.

[jstone]

Yep when in dought dont shoot. I love that area.

[elkoholic1]

Yep when in dought dont shoot. I love that area.

 

[rover758]

 

I drew back last year in thick woods on a bull (spike only - thankfully not true spike area).  I saw his right side and it had a nub that questionably could have made him a 1x2 but ....  He never gave me a look at his left side to see if it was slick all the way up.  He didn't even spook.  He simply walked.  Reading your post cbond I know I made the right decision.  God I love hunting with a passion but hate to see (or hear of) wasted animals with as much passion. 

[vandeman17]

I love the Nanuem area. My family has hunted it as well as the other side of 90 for many many years. We own property outside Liberty and I spend time up there each summer. When the spike regulations first came out, they didn't really bother me but I am to the point now that as soon as I burn my points in this state I will be done. We hunted Oregon last year and had a great time. OTC tag, any elk and saw tons of animals. I will miss hunting where my dad and grandpa hunted but its just not worth it anymore. I don't want to wait 15+ years to maybe draw a branched tag when I can hunt them every year in other states. 

[fishingnut71]

that sounds so much like me. its hard to stop hunting where you grew up. that and too many coasties. its so ridiculous at how many idiots are in our part of the woods. they are like a big bee hive that just got swatted. they are everywhere. no respect.

[Jonathan_S]

that sounds so much like me. its hard to stop hunting where you grew up. that and too many coasties. its so ridiculous at how many idiots are in our part of the woods. they are like a big bee hive that just got swatted. they are everywhere. no respect.

So...have you ever hunted outside the county/GMU where you grew up?

[fremont]

Fix the 1x2 problem?  Fix elk hunting in general?  Washington State = 100% permit elk hunting. 

[ellensburgpo]

that sounds so much like me. its hard to stop hunting where you grew up. that and too many coasties. its so ridiculous at how many idiots are in our part of the woods. they are like a big bee hive that just got swatted. they are everywhere. no respect.

So...have you ever hunted outside the county/GMU where you grew up?

[fishingnut71]

not too much. I know the area really well. kinda centimental