Above the ears ??

[Bob33]

Accepted, and agreed about the hard to understand part: the rules about elk antlers seem to change every few years.  I've kept copies of the regulations for many years; here's a sampling of the changes in the 3 point elk definitions:

2000: 3 Point Minimum Elk A 3 Pt. min. elk means that a legal elk in these GMUs must have at least 3 antler points on one side only. Antler points may include eye guards, but antler points on the lower half of either main beam must be at least four (4) inches long, measured from antler tip to nearest edge of beam. All other antler points must be at least one inch long.

2003: 3 Point Minimum Elk: Legal bull elk taken must have at least 3 antler points on one side only. Antler points may include eye guards, but at least 2 antler points must be on the upper half of the main beam. All antler points must be at least one (1) inch long, measured from the antler tip to nearest edge of the beam.

2006: 3 Point Minimum Elk: Legal bull elk must have at least 3 antler points on one side with at least 2 of those antler points above the ear. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch long.

 

[BlackTail]

So the "above the ear" rule is still in effect on the westside??  That is one of the dumbest rules I've heard of and as I stated earlier, even the game department in Olympia couldn't explain it.  Take 400out's thread a couple posts down in the Elk Hunting category.  Look at those pictures.  You could make a case that every single point, on every single bull, in every picture in that thread, is above the ears.  So WTF is the state talking about???

[robodad]

So the "above the ear" rule is still in effect on the westside??  That is one of the dumbest rules I've heard of and as I stated earlier, even the game department in Olympia couldn't explain it.  Take 400out's thread a couple posts down in the Elk Hunting category.  Look at those pictures.  You could make a case that every single point, on every single bull, in every picture in that thread, is above the ears.  So WTF is the state talking about???

Post a link to that thread so we can see what your talking about, I agree it's a dumb rule and is really the determination of the game warden weather or not he reads the rule the same as you as to weather or not you will be in court over it, I don't think that is fair !!

[Bob33]

The rules are state-wide; they are not differentiated between east and west sides. 

"Above the ears" pertains to 3 pt minimum elk, as in "A 3 Pt. Min. elk means that a legal elk in these GMUs must have at least 3 antler points on one side, at least 2 antler points above the ears".

"Above the ears" does not apply to spike elk. 

[BlackTail]

Here's 400out's thread.  I just read the rest of that thread and see those pictures were "enhanced" but elk antlers come out of the skull above the ears, so unless it's a droptine, how would it not be "above the ears"?   

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,26149.0.html

[Bob33]

It looks pretty clear to me that those elk have at least 2 antler points above the ears.  I don't see what the issue is.

[robodad]

The rules are state-wide; they are not differentiated between east and west sides. 

"Above the ears" pertains to 3 pt minimum elk, as in "A 3 Pt. Min. elk means that a legal elk in these GMUs must have at least 3 antler points on one side, at least 2 antler points above the ears".

"Above the ears" does not apply to spike elk.

It looks pretty clear to me that those elk have at least 2 antler points above the ears.  I don't see what the issue is.

What is becoming clear is you have no clue what it means either, I can read the rule book so there is no need to paste them in here, You must think we are idiots by posting  that it doesn't apply to spike elk............... UM, DUH !!

Now show me an elk where the "Above the ears" rule disqualifies it from being legal in a 3pt or better area. The antlers on an elk come out of the skull above where the ears attach to the skull so there is no point in making this dumb rule anyhow 

[Bob33]

What is becoming clear is you have no clue what it means either, I can read the rule book so there is no need to paste them in here, You must think we are idiots by posting  that it doesn't apply to spike elk............... UM, DUH !!

I agree with your signature.

[robodad]

What is becoming clear is you have no clue what it means either, I can read the rule book so there is no need to paste them in here, You must think we are idiots by posting  that it doesn't apply to spike elk............... UM, DUH !!

I agree with your signature.

 

Anyone else think they know the answer ??

[BlackTail]

It looks pretty clear to me that those elk have at least 2 antler points above the ears.  I don't see what the issue is.

Can you find any points that AREN'T above the ears?  That was the question.  Are all those eye guards above the ears?  If eye guards are considered above the ears then would a spike with double eye guards be legal in a 3pt minimum gmu?

You seem to have a good grasp on this so you should give the state a call and explain it to them since they can't even give a clear definition.