Steve Rinella's Quality WA Elk

[Odell]

I also wonder about the legality of having an unlicensed paid guide with him. I know Janis is a full time employee of Meateater and has more responsibilities than just calling elk, but it sure sounded like his role on this hunt was to be an elk guide. Unless I'm wrong, (which could be very possible) you cannot have a paid guide in that area unless you use the outfitter licensed for that area.

So I can't go hunting with one of my employees if he's more familiar with an area?  Are you saying that an employer shouldn't be able to hunt with anyone that's on the payroll? Years ago I took my boss out elk hunting, brought him to an area, showed him where to go, told him what time to be there and he shot bull right where I said he would. That doesn't make me a guide just a hunter who was on the company payroll. I've had the reverse happen when I went hunting with one of my employees in an area he knew and I didn't.

I don't really understand why anyone would be mad about this. I've never hunted that part of the state, but even I know that there's some excellent spots over there. I can give somebody GPS coordinates to a spot but that doesn't guarantee success. The individual hunter still has to put in the work to get in, find the animal, and then get it out. Is Rinella giving out a location any different than BearPaw's hunt maps that he sells?

I'm sure you could. I said I wonder about the legality of it in this case, Janis is an elk guide that Steve hired to work for his hunting company. His stated role on this trip was as an elk guide. That's a bit different than bringing a guy who does your payroll and happens to be a good caller. I'm not mad about it, but I think a case could be made that it crosses the line. It is certainly an advantage that most people don't have.

Yes, Rinella mentioning specific units, access points and drainages is different than buying a map. Its free, and broadcast to a massive audience of people specifically interested in hunting places like this.

Imagine you are 64 years old and wondering if you can still get in and out of those canyons. You've been putting in since you were 46 and your dream is to hunt the blues in the rut just once. You are already frustrated with the draw odds, the increase in wolves, the increased visibility the internet brings...then the most popular guy with an outdoor TV show films an episode there and tells the whole world its an amazing place to kill a great big giant bull.... 

You can't understand how someone would be mad about that?

That's not my scenario but I know a guy just like that and he ain't happy with Mr Rinella.

[Stein]

Isn’t this site free and broadcast to tons of people interested in the topic?  Google the unit and a ton of threads with info pop up.


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[HikerHunter]

I just finished the podcast and had a couple thoughts:
First, I don't think Janis is guiding anymore and he was already on Steve's payroll. He wasn't hired for this specific hunt. His previous guiding experience sure seemed to help, but I don't see anything wrong with that.
Second, part of this forum and community is about sharing experiences and helping each other out. I think that can really cut down on the learning curve, especially for new hunters. In addition to tactics and strategies in the podcast Steve shared some specific locations as well. I think if he had been less specific about locations he discussed, it would have still been helpful information for people pursuing a hunt there, but wouldn't ruffle as many feathers. Even though areas and trailheads are discussed on here, Steve has a large audience and should be more sensitive to that, even in areas that are draw hunts.
Third, although I don't agree with everything Steve says, I think we should also take a step back and remember that overall, he does a lot of good for the hunting community. Let's try not to let this make a divide in hunters when we need to be more united.

[Jpmiller]

I'll just throw it out that I found this site by doing a Google search for the name of a mountain I wanted to check out along with the words "hunting elk". Got a link to a thread discussing elk hunting near said mountain.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Steve is great I really enjoy his content.  Watched some of his new episodes last night.  Gets frustrating on this site with everyone always bickering on here.  Most people on here are lurking for information and know how to use the search bar. 

[PlateauNDN]

I agree with jpmiller, it's funny that so many are getting mad  because of what was said when you can run a search on Google for units in this state and you basically get info to pretty near exact coordinates, but that's okay?

I've seen many members give just as much info Steve did and barely get chastised, but I guess they're not famous enough. I had a goat hunt and 1 area in particular that I wanted to scout I searched in the "hw search bar" and lo & behold..........

Info for the area on many threads from previous hunts, what road to take for close access, what path/trail to hike to heavy animal traffic areas, what section/drainage where certain groups hangout constantly.

I think this is really blown out of proportion, but that's my opinion.

[mburrows]

I'll just throw it out that I found this site by doing a Google search for the name of a mountain I wanted to check out along with the words "hunting elk". Got a link to a thread discussing elk hunting near said mountain.

Same. I'd be willing to bet thats the first step a lot folks take in their scouting process when considering a new area. 

[2MANY]

People really care???

What would Bigfoot do?

[jackelope]

@rosscrazyelk 

[Whitpirate]

Janeus is his business partner, and a fixture on the show and podcast.... I would consider he was "working" as a guide.  Tough country... folks will draw that will be in over their head.   It happens to all units at some point.  We don't have enough ground for the people applying.

[jackelope]

I've seen trail heads, roads and units named on this site. When I finally figured out the search function I looked at a couple of spots I frequent and found info on them I could verify as accurate. I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures posted on here from spots I've stood. This forum isn't broadcast over the radio or television but it's still out there for anyone to see. Guys on here, myself included, do the same stuff he did on his podcast. The information is out there if you want to look for it, while I wouldn't have named names like he did I'm not going to get upset about it either.

If I could guarantee it I would, but I can't so I will just say that I'd be willing to bet that more info goes out to Washington hunters via this forum than from any Steven Rinella TV show or podcast.

I got a bunch of crap last week because I mentioned, in a thread, not naming a trail a fella used to access country for the high hunt. I didn't think I was unreasonable mentioning it, but others thought keeping that trail a secret was not necessary.

I also think looking at Janus as a "guide" is unreasonable. He clearly is a big part of the show and has been for years. Why wouldn't he be there? Is he not supposed to use an elk call because he used to be a guide? There is a lot more shady/sketchy pseudo guide stuff going on in the Blues that nobody seems bothered by than this.

[andrew_in_idaho]

Somebody else said it before but I don’t think it will see a huge increase in applications next year, nonresidents for the most part aren’t spending $600 plus the $113 application fee to hunt spikes and build points toward the Mountain View unit and I think most Washington resident hunters already know that there are big bulls in the blues, but many are loyal to their hunting locales be it west side or Yakima/colockum


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[jstone]

What trail.? I don’t remember you talking about a trail. Where :chuckle

[Duckhunter14]

Somebody else said it before but I don’t think it will see a huge increase in applications next year, nonresidents for the most part aren’t spending $600 plus the $113 application fee to hunt spikes and build points toward the Mountain View unit and I think most Washington resident hunters already know that there are big bulls in the blues, but many are loyal to their hunting locales be it west side or Yakima/colockum


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Whoa man! Quit giving away all our secret big bull spots! You want to kill big bulls apply in Peaches, duh. 

I'm really surprised there aren't more arm chair quarterbacks quibbling over the fact that over half of the meat went to waste. I figured there would be pages and pages of how they never would of made a poor shot and what they would of done different to avoid losing the meat to spoilage. Way to go HW.  I'm proud of you.

[2MANY]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meat was not eaten??

Oh my!