philosophy on special draw elk tags

[elkboy]

Dear fellow hunters, I have a question of philosophy for you.  I would really like to know what the general ethic is regarding special draw tags. 

I am a meat hunter first and foremost.  I hunt for the freezer and the plate, mostly, although I sure don't mind nice antlers now and then.  I was lucky to draw the coveted Peaches Ridge archery elk "any bull" tag this year (my backyard archery target is feeling the effects of that "selected" status right now!). 

My question is this: is it disrespectful to other hunters to take anything but a trophy bull (for me, that means a good-sized 5x5 or bigger) with this type of tag?  My natural inclination is to view the special tag as an extension of my over-the-counter tag to mean an "any elk" hunt (spikes and cows are legal, at least on the Taneum-336 part of the special draw unit). 

I suppose I just want to gauge the feelings of others on this issue.  Would people understand if I hunted hard for 2-3 days for a bull, but then was willing to switch over to an "any elk" approach?   

[92xj]

It's your tag. Shoot whatever you want that's legal.
If anyone has an issue with what you shoot with your tag they can pound sand.

[BULLBLASTER]

It's your tag to do whatever you want with. 
When I had a quality tag a couple years ago I held out and passed Bulls bigger than I've ever shot and ate the tag. No regrets on that decision.

I say hunt your but off and when it feels right you'll know it's time to shoot. Only ou can make the choice.

[Woodchuck]

It's your tag. Shoot whatever you want that's legal.
If anyone has an issue with what you shoot with your tag they can pound sand.

[JKEEN33]

I drew the Observatory archery bull tag. To me it just means I'm legal for any elk in bow range. I would love a bull, but not passing a cow in the freezer. Your tag do what you want with it.

[Jpmiller]

More of the same. I think it's an extension of your season. No different than arrowing a cow or doe opening morning in an any deer/elk area for the regular season. Congrats on the tag and food luck. Let us know how it goes.

[D-Rock425]

I drew the Observatory archer bull tag. To me it just means I'm legal for any elk in bow range. I would love a bull, but not passing a cow in the freezer. Your tag do what you want with it.

don't shoot a cow if you're planning on hunting 342 it's bull only.

[JKEEN33]

I drew the Observatory archer bull tag. To me it just means I'm legal for any elk in bow range. I would love a bull, but not passing a cow in the freezer. Your tag do what you want with it.

don't shoot a cow if you're planning on hunting 342 it's bull only.

Yep. Not an issue.

[medic6]

Special permits grant folks an oppertunity that most don't get to experience on an average hunt. Big Bulls, lots of elk, little pressure. You want to hold out for a monster and risk tag soup have at it.  You want to shoot the first brown critter that walks your way, sweat.  I feel it has more to do with the experience.  to each his own. 

[elkboy]

Thanks, all, I really appreciate the insight.  I haven't archery hunted elk in twelve years, and I am really looking forward to it.  And I am very thankful for the opportunity.  And I will let you all know how it goes, whether the tag gets notched or souped! 

[theleo]

Don't pass the first morning what you'd gladly take closing night. What you choose to hang your tag on is entirely up to you. If someone were to get uppity with you for shooting a spike with that tag, you can tell them you did it so they would just have one more monster to choose from when they draw the tag.

[elkboy]

Don't pass the first morning what you'd gladly take closing night. What you choose to hang your tag on is entirely up to you. If someone were to get uppity with you for shooting a spike with that tag, you can tell them you did it so they would just have one more monster to choose from when they draw the tag.

Good point!  "I improved the herd's genetics and age structure, just for you!  You're welcome!" 

[7mmfan]

I killed a spike bull a few years ago with a Rimrock any bull tag, and have zero regrets. I hunted hard for 4 days before the general season opener with very few animals seen. When I happened upon that spike, it was a no brainer for me to pull the trigger and put that meat in my freezer. That's all I care about.

[nbk]

I killed a spike bull a few years ago with a Rimrock any bull tag, and have zero regrets. I hunted hard for 4 days before the general season opener with very few animals seen. When I happened upon that spike, it was a no brainer for me to pull the trigger and put that meat in my freezer. That's all I care about.

I have had the any bull tag for rimrock 3 different times over the years and have taken a 4X5 and a spike..........shoot whatever you want to, its YOUR tag

[DOUBLELUNG]

I've been fortunate to have had several limited entry elk licenses in Wyoming. 

For my first, I hunted hard for a wallhanger, a big, mature 6x6 or better, on an any bull license.  On my last day, I was looking over a large herd with an average 5x6, a small 5x5, a couple of raghorns and 11 spikes.  I chose to shoot a spike for meat.

For my second, an any elk license, I had just started a new job a few months before, and took my limited time during archery looking for that wallhanger.  I was happy to eat my tag, had some close calls and saw some dandies.  On the last day of the rifle season, October 31, I took the afternoon off, drove the two hours to my area, and entered the woods with 3.5 hours of legal light left.  An hour later I had a cow looking at me at 40 yards through the lodgepoles, and I gratefully harvested her as a "bonus" meat elk.

For my third, I put in with a friend Courtney who had never killed an elk and had only one day to hunt.  I went up the day before and put a small herd to bed, he arrived that night with a mutual friend and was incredibly jacked that we had a prospect for the morning.  At first light, he and the friend went around the edge of the timber toward where I'd seen the elk, while I worked through the timber into the wind.  After two hours, I heard a crack-thump and headed for the shot.  I found his tagged elk and a note they'd gone for the packs.  They soon returned, and as we were working up his elk, we saw two cows and a calf about 600 yards away.  I hadn't planned to fill my any elk license with a cow, but he was really excited at the prospect of both tagging out together.  I killed the yearling cow, and by 10:30am we had two elk loaded in the truck.  Courtney died two years later in a skiing accident.  I'm glad I shot the cow.

Next one, I was living in WA and a buddy and I put on about 75 miles in 5 days archery hunting, seeing one bull.  The morning of the 6th day, a cold front came through and every bull in the mountains was screaming.  We split up with plans to meet at lunch, met up at lunch to learn we'd both killed mature bulls!

5 years later, 2007, same area, had a great unsuccessful archery hunt with a buddy.  Planned to eat the tag (same story, new job, no time), as I'd again used my time in archery, but figured I could make a banzai run to WY using the Veteran's Day holiday, the weekend and two days of leave; rifle hunt 2 days with time for a packout, road hunt a half day if unsuccessful, and return in time for work.  Left Wenatchee after work, drove through the night, got to my trailhead around 9am, hiked in 3 miles, found 4 bulls bedded on a patch of snow, and shot the 5-point when he stood up.  Began following the blood, had a medical emergency, got rescued around midnight, and haven't tagged an elk since.

My point?  It's your opportunity, and the future is uncertain.  Do what makes you happy! 

[Bob33]

I view them as "quality hunt" opportunities, not "quality animal" permits.

You get to consider what a quality hunt entails.

I had a quality elk permit that took many years to draw, and never fired a shot. I have no regrets, and wonderful memories.

The flip side is that at least in Washington, the opportunity to hunt for a quality animal may only occur a few times in a lifetime and you want to make sure that you don't shoot something that you'll later wish you'd passed on.

[Mfowl]

As stated, it's your tag, your hunt! Don't worry about others opinions of what you do with your tag. I took a spike on an any bull ML tag on day 5 of the hunt, no regrets! It was the first elk I've ever taken. Now that being said, since you are archery hunting and have a good late season meat opportunity in many units, I would focus on a trophy or atleast branch bull during the early season/special draw season. You never know when your next chance for a bull tag will be. Good luck! Have fun! Congrats on the draw!

[coachcw]

Have a realistic mindset going in and hunt with no regrets . If I had a peaches archery tag id aim for a mature heavy horned bull. but that's me . knowing chances of going home with a tag in my pocket are pretty good , one advantage is you still have late season. If you haven't killed many elk then a spike or rag might hit the spot all in all just have no regrets hunt hard and let the chips fall. good luck .

[Tbar]

Have a realistic mindset going in and hunt with no regrets . If I had a peaches archery tag id aim for a mature heavy horned bull. but that's me . knowing chances of going home with a tag in my pocket are pretty good , one advantage is you still have late season. If you haven't killed many elk then a spike or rag might hit the spot all in all just have no regrets hunt hard and let the chips fall. good luck .

I'm a big fan of setting a goal and sticking to it. I think many of the best hunts end with humble pie.  And that's a beautiful thing if that's how it's viewed.  I seldom gauge success of a hunt by if you harvest.  What ever you decide, enjoy the journey.  The coveted tags are getting harder and harder to draw, make it an adventure. 
 

[jrebel]

It has been covered pretty well and I agree with what everyone has said. 


For me personally.....a quality archery tag would mean I am hunting branched antler bulls.  This could be a 2x2 or bigger.....all depending on the year and activity in the elk heards.  I have hunted many years and seen many fluctuations in elk activity.  A couple years ago, I could have shot 3-4 bulls in a 7 day hunt.  Two years prior, never saw a bull.  I love to eat them....but with that tag, I personally would have a hard time shooting a cow early in the hunt....maybe after a few days if the hunting is bad overall.   

[huntnphool]

It's your tag. Shoot whatever you want that's legal.
If anyone has an issue with what you shoot with your tag they can pound sand.

+1

[huntnnw]

Up to you and what it means to you...for me it depends on the unit...If I draw a blues elk tag its a big bull or nothing....this year I drew a ID muzzy tag and its not a unit known for big bulls so the first elk I see will get shot.

[Naches Sportsman]

After seeing selected this year for goose prairie rifle bull, I immediately thought I am going to hold out for a 350 bull. Flash forward to today, my goal has changed. The faster I tag out, the better as I plan on being on the road in November looking for different areas I want to work at.

The first bull within a half mile of the road is going to get shot at. If I decide to go more than a mile in, I am holding out for a 6 or better.

By the way elkboy, saw three bulls today in the huckleerry fields in 346.

[Rainier10]

 

It's your tag. Shoot whatever you want that's legal.
If anyone has an issue with what you shoot with your tag they can pound sand.

[kentrek]

It's your tag. Shoot whatever you want that's legal.
If anyone has an issue with what you shoot with your tag they can pound sand.

+1

 

Don't let Facebook ruin "your hunt".....hunting is more then that

[400gross]

the tag is not a guarantee

[greenhead_killer]

I had the tag two years ago and passed a 280 5x6. I've never shot an elk but have passed up dozen shots under 20 yards the last few years. I set a goal of 300" or bust and I busted. Was a great learning exp and for the most part great hunt. Like stated, set a goal, and hit it hard. Worst case you come out with a great experience(hopefully) and an appreciation for how difficult killing wild animals really is haha. If you set first few days towards a branch bull then go 'if it's brown it's down' then I'd say you achieved what you set out. No regrets. And good luck

[Gringo31]

It's never a bad rule of thumb if you're into the size to hold off unless you've never killed anything bigger than whats in front of you.  I drew peaches 4 times and observatory twice before I killed my first elk.  BUT, it didn't bother me to pass on smaller bulls.  True, at times I've kicked myself as I still can see those opportunities walk.....but success is that much sweeter.  That bull last year, as goofy as he is, choked me up.

Its your tag, enjoy the opportunity! 

[MADMAX]

If its legal and good ethical shot
I'm killing it
I like to eat elk

[MADMAX]

the tag is not a guarantee

true enough there   

I had Peaches tag last year and spent 2 weeks on the little naches and never had a shot on a legal elk

[WapitiTalk1]

All good advice/discussion folks!  I've drawn a QUAL Elk archery tag this year (first WA special permit tag for me).  From my foxhole, the first mature bull that wants to go home for dinner with me gets a well placed arrow.  Once done with the WA hunt, its off to ID with a couple of buds for the rest of SEP so I'm not gonna quibble over an extra crown point or two in the WA area  .  23 days, 22 hours, 51 minutes, and 21 seconds till opening day shooting light but who's counting 

[emac]

I have been tossing the question around also. I don't have a quality tag though I just have the multi season elk tag. I am not going to be able to hunt the Westside so I will be limited to cows and spikes for archery and spikes for Muzzy and rifle. I have came to the conclusion that I will let an arrow fly at the first cow I see since I have never gotten an elk with archery equipment and there isn't much difference between a cow and a spike

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[buglebrush]

Just do what you are happy with.   If it was me I wouldn't be happy with anything less than 340".   It's about the experience, and that is the experience I would want is to try for a monster.  I would always wish I had held out for a monster, but I've taken a good number of bulls already and pretty much always have elk meat in the freezer.  Again whatever YOU are happy with.   

[blackveltbowhunter]

    Last season was my first time ever being part of a "quality permit" it wasn't my tag, but my close hunting partners and it made me rethink many of my preconcieved notions.. Elk hunting especially bow hunting is still tough and an extremely low odds proposition. . Don't let anyone tell you different and don't let criticism of whatever decisions you make dim the bright fire that is the experience of holding one of these tags in hand.

   If it were me I wouldn't be happy "killing on the first day what I would be happy with on the last". I"m not a fan of tag soup, but I would take my chances that I could close on a "average" animal in the last couple days and if not I would eat soup.

   I also don"t fall into the "tag justice" category. Where if the animal isn't a representative of the <5% of animals in the unit it is deemed unjust and I will not shoot period. I want to enjoy the hunt. I want to hunt hard. I will hunt for the biggest animal I can for as long as possible and if I dont get him I will be proud of the effort required to harvest that "average" bull as well.
 

[pd]

I view them as "quality hunt" opportunities, not "quality animal" permits.

Very well said.

[scoutdog346]

I say do what you want.  But if i HAD to give u advice i would say: hunt gmu 346 and take ANY branch bull that yealds a seemingly awesome and cool situation. BUT pass up a small bull if it's a seems like it would be l dumb harvest situation that will NOT be a prideful story or give u a rewarding feeling like ur driving down a logging road on your way to your evening hunt and a small 3x3 or somthing like that is 50 yards off the side of the road and it just stands there looking at you evean after you had already got out of your truck and range found it standing broadside(don't take one in that sutuation). I say if your in the woods and a seemingly really cool situation presents itself that u will feel good to replay in your head for the next few years b4 u go to sleep and think about when your at work...like you snuck up on a bull creeping on your hands and knees for 100 yards or called it in away from some cows and u some how didn't get busted by 20 cows surrounding you TAKE IT! evean if its a small 3x3 or a spike It will b so rewarding.( at least for me it would)  Don't get me wrong tho if a huge 6x6 @ 320" bull is on the side of the road maybe you should take it then...lol but its your tag and do what u want...ps it's NOT disrespectful in any way regarding what u were asking. Good luck!

[Rainier10]

I say do what you want.  But if i HAD to give u advice i would say: hunt gmu 346 and take ANY branch bull that yealds a seemingly awesome and cool situation. BUT pass up a small bull if it's a seems like it would be l dumb harvest situation that will NOT be a prideful story or give u a rewarding feeling like ur driving down a logging road on your way to your evening hunt and a small 3x3 or somthing like that is 50 yards off the side of the road and it just stands there looking at you evean after you had already got out of your truck and range found it standing broadside(don't take one in that sutuation). I say if your in the woods and a seemingly really cool situation presents itself that u will feel good to replay in your head for the next few years b4 u go to sleep and think about when your at work...like you snuck up on a bull creeping on your hands and knees for 100 yards or called it in away from some cows and u some how didn't get busted by 20 cows surrounding you TAKE IT! evean if its a small 3x3 or a spike It will b so rewarding.( at least for me it would)  Don't get me wrong tho if a huge 6x6 @ 320" bull is on the side of the road maybe you should take it then...lol but its your tag and do what u want...ps it's NOT disrespectful in any way regarding what u were asking. Good luck!

I really like this answer. 

If a 6x6 is standing next to the road at 30 yards and lets you range find it I would have to shoot that as well.