True spike an spike rule

[bobdog86]

We spend thousands of dollars for what we love to do. Im only asking these questions because I'm curious of what other hunters an huntress think. I'd love to hunt elk an be productive in the harvest but spike only in 30 years of hunting I've gotten 1. I will always go every year because it's a passion but what if I went west an paid the fees to hunt and chased hoof rot bulls.  I know its all about the money in our state but good God if they actually listened to us an gave us a say they could still make money. My personal opinion is everything deer an elk included should be 3 point or better an no females allowed to be harvested except for maybe a couple for youth. All of the opportunities would increase.  An bring back baiting an hounds for predators.

I know one user group that would absolutely love your recommendations….especially when they operate under a separate set of rules. The 3 or 4 point rule in the blues would send it back to the days of minimal success rates (worse than now)……it would do more harm than good.both for the state and the hunter

[dreamingbig]

Great responses so far thank you. What if we had a say (lol will never happen) an we went no harvesting of cows an straight to a 4 point rule for a minimum of at least 5 years. What do you think would happen?

You couldn’t offer 4 point minimum OTC.  There wouldn’t be any bulls left in that scenario either.  It would have to be draw only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stein]

Great responses so far thank you. What if we had a say (lol will never happen) an we went no harvesting of cows an straight to a 4 point rule for a minimum of at least 5 years. What do you think would happen?

You couldn’t offer 4 point minimum OTC.  There wouldn’t be any bulls left in that scenario either.  It would have to be draw only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The eastern units are draw for mature bulls now.  What you propose would essentially be to increase the permit tags from whatever few they are today to unlimited.  Even the states with OTC bull tags and much healthier herds have some control over bulls in at least some areas.  MT's general is usually brow tine or better in the general units with the rest of the units draw only.  I can't think of anyplace where you can buy an OTC tag for mature bulls with no unit restrictions.

The increase in pressure on those bulls would be hard to overestimate.  Guys like me that bailed on elk in this state would be back in the game and you would likely even see a noticeable uptick in nonresident hunters.

[Mfowl]

I'd like to see no cow hunting draw or OTC for 3 years but increase the amount of draw bull tags across the board to keep people in it. Also keep spike OTC opps w/no true spike restriction for those who want to hunt, draw or not. If cow/herd numbers are rebounding bring back some draw opps for cows and taper back the bull tags (if neccessary.)

[time2hunt]

For any of you out in the colockum this last week should understand why it’s true spike !!! With the number of people and people that own UTVs there is no way in hell there would be any carry over. I saw on legal spike in the week I was out there and probably 20-25 2x1 that would of been slaughtered. I agree with Dan-O the days when it was a open free for all you were lucky to see a 6 point bull. I’ve been lucky enough to have draw several bull tags over the years and drew one of the first permits in 96 the biggest bull we found was barely a 300 inch 6 point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[royalhntr]

Its like everyone spent their stimulus checks on atvs and utvs. I have never seen so many out there cruising around.

[full choke]

Sounds like utv’s and atv’s should be limited. Not elk hunters.

[millerwheeler]

Sounds like utv’s and atv’s should be limited. Not elk hunters.

 How do you figure there not every single outdoor hobby is limited in some shape or form and every single user group pays in one way or the other , more people have switch to utvs for simple fact you See how much a keep is these days ? Just a different type of hunting , can’t put one hunter against another that’s why we are losing the. Battle here . Road hunters  can’t say it’s my thing  but EVERY SINGLE HUNTER HAS DONE IT!  Eyes on the road never on the woods when your driving to your spot? Never drive just a little slower just in case , it’s just different strokes for different folks . Management is the real issue of the herds and of predators  period most people on here make zero effort for predators , more hunters than animals well then we gotta work towards  compromise for the future , our draws are a money grab and seriously declining odds make it hard for any of us to be happy , but predators  , all user groups working too same goal , respecting each user in the hunting community . I’m ranting now. But let’s try and all see there are many issues at hand not just the almighty east side elk

[dreamingbig]

The game department is making no attempt to manage predators.  We can’t shoot enough lions (can’t hunt them with any efficiency) and bears to make a dent.  Add in wolves and year around pressure from certain user groups and it really gets dismal.  I don’t see herd growth in our future so you have to limit opportunities and that means no more OTC spikes.  They also need to address non-resident and limit the amount of tags they can draw like every other western state does.  The list goes on further…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hunter399]

Sounds like utv’s and atv’s should be limited. Not elk hunters.

 How do you figure there not every single outdoor hobby is limited in some shape or form and every single user group pays in one way or the other , more people have switch to utvs for simple fact you See how much a keep is these days ? Just a different type of hunting , can’t put one hunter against another that’s why we are losing the. Battle here . Road hunters  can’t say it’s my thing  but EVERY SINGLE HUNTER HAS DONE IT!  Eyes on the road never on the woods when your driving to your spot? Never drive just a little slower just in case , it’s just different strokes for different folks . Management is the real issue of the herds and of predators  period most people on here make zero effort for predators , more hunters than animals well then we gotta work towards  compromise for the future , our draws are a money grab and seriously declining odds make it hard for any of us to be happy , but predators  , all user groups working too same goal , respecting each user in the hunting community . I’m ranting now. But let’s try and all see there are many issues at hand not just the almighty east side elk

I'm gonna rant a little myself.......
I'll tell ya I agree with some of what you say.
As far as ATV,SXS,motorized bicycle,motor bike , Its out of hand man. I believe everything has a place and all that.
Mostly talking about the east side of the state and co-operative road closer agreements between timber company's and WDFW. This going around gates,running 100 miles of road a day. On private timber land ,that they are nice enough to give free walk access to thousands of acres.
It's out of control,it's disrespectful, and offenders should be charged with tresspassing charges. Your only allowed to be there if you follow the rules. Can't follow the rules,get charge with criminal trespass. I do feel for the guy that may down something and may not be able to pack it out. And sneaks in to get his kill out quickly. But this is not the case 9/10 times.
ENFORCEMENT!!!!!!! On all regulations right now is a HUGE problem.
Predators contribute to this problem as well.
You can kill every predator to extinction right now,and we would still have the same problem.
It's like the wild west out there right now. I believe there is huge problems on the regulations/enforcement home front that need addressed before we can point the finger at predators.
I'm sorry but the predator excuses are getting old ,when some of the stuff I see is just re-donk-uless.