Every wonder why the big elk are gone by the time you finally draw a tag?

[CAMPMEAT]

It wont change because politicians aren't typically outdoorsmen.  So we have no representation in office, pretty much at any level.

Joel Kretz is our man in Olympia.....local guy, used to run hounds, hunter etc.

Look up Joel Kretz on Facebook   

[baldopepper]

Went thru this same thing years ago before the Boldt decision was issued.  Like it or not, the way the treaties are written there was no other way this decision could have gone. (don't get me wrong, I don't like it but it was really a very easy legal decision and not corrupt at all)  The only way these issues can be resolved is for the treaties to be abrogated and redone.  In the history of the United States they have never abrogated a treaty so legislatively there's nothing can be done because of the terms of the treaties.  They are federal treaties not state, so your local legislators can't do anything about them either.  It's up to the tribes to control some of the abuses their members do and some tribes do a better job than others. There are some points that are open to interpretation in the treaties (what are actual traditional hunting/ fishing areas as an example) but the states seem to spend a lot of money on these issues and loose in the courts virtually everytime.  I don't like the way it works out, but, as they say, it is what it is and I don't know how you change it.

[JimmyHoffa]

A few of the units on the westside are getting hunted a lot more in Dec/Jan now.  Not really enough steelhead during those months to have as many people out netting, so they use those months now for deer/elk hunting.  Then double down on the netting Feb-Apr.  Even have cow tags now.

[Tbar]

Hunterrcc,  what are the post season ratios? Are all the big bulls gone?  What are the spring ratios?  Please enlighten me and be herd specific if you would.  Thanks in advance.

[Band]

Happens every year and no one with power touches it. At some point Marshall law will come into play.

Martial law? What call in the national guard to stop tribal hunting?  Sounds a little extreme but never say never I guess.

I think what Coach means is that eventually we sportsmen will take the law into our own hands and have ugly confrontations with the slobs who kill everything they see.  The law may look the other way when tribal members do this, but hunters get beyond irritated as I'm sure you know.  It has gotten ugly with netting and wanton wastage on the rivers from time to time (and ugly at tribal fireworks stands selling illegal products) and it will happen in the deer & elk woods eventually as well.

[baker5150]

I have always thought the best way to get the Tribes (Not all but those in question) to conform to some sort of limits is to put voluntary sanctions on them. 

Don't do business with them.  Simple really.  Let everyone you know who is willing.  Don't buy or sell.

This is exactly what our gov't does when they want another country to conform.

[cbond3318]

This pissing and moaning is all the same. For once I would like to see an equally passionate rant about a cow elk being harvested or there goes another spike to the Indians. The window shopper reader of this kind of crap is going  "meh, this guys mad cause the Indians get to shoot elk with bigger antlers" it is a wasted opportunity to make a valid point.

[HUNT-HARD]

 Why throw the taxidermist under the bus I'm sure he is just making a honest living.

[baker5150]

This pissing and moaning is all the same. For once I would like to see an equally passionate rant about a cow elk being harvested or there goes another spike to the Indians. The window shopper reader of this kind of crap is going  "meh, this guys mad cause the Indians get to shoot elk with bigger antlers" it is a wasted opportunity to make a valid point.

There have been a few guys complaining about cows being killed.  Even a few pics of a fetus in the gut pile.
Maybe do a quick forum search and you'll see that what your asking has taken place. 

And you'll notice the topic is about Big Elk being gone, not cow elk. 

[Miles]

If you're fed up with it, just extend your own season by hunting the Rez when the state seasons end. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Why throw the taxidermist under the bus I'm sure he is just making a honest living.

Because taxidermists and antler buyers who gobble these racks up for their gain are as much to blame for this as the tribal guys pulling the trigger.  If these business owners stopped buying the antlers then good odds these guys wouldn't be out killing so much. Same with the jerky selling, or fish selling.  Eliminate the market for these items and a big chunk of this would go away.  Few guys in my neck of the woods that I will never take work to for that reason alone!  Its an instant deal breaker for me.

[runamuk]

I am still wondering what month and gmu...

[Karl Blanchard]

I am still wondering what month and gmu...

Pretty close to you

[coachcw]

Your right Karl good point .

[Miles]

Wait a minute... if all the big elk are gone then how do the natives keep shooting them year after year?