Eastern Elk Management

[Longfield1]

One question kinda out there.

How can WDFW even possibly hope to manage the elk herd effectively and know if certain efforts are having impact without at least knowing how many elk the tribes yank out of there every year. It seems to me that they have no clue and just go with the most conservative approach every year. If that’s the way it’s gonna be seems like they could fire some bean counters and unnecessary staff and hire more wardens to atleast stem poaching and maintaining a presence.

[ShedHead20]

I believe the tribes have no obligation to exchange harvest reports with WDFW. I think some tribes do in fact have regular harvest data reports with WDFW, but most do not. There is really no way of knowing the tribal harvest. I have seen pictures of native camps in the blues from the last 5 years that have more branched antler bulls hanging in their camp, then there are branched antler tags available to draw for the three GMU's in that area combined for whitey. Or when tribal members are hunting pregnant cows in December, January, and February; each one of those kills are two elk.   

[buglebuster]

Or when tribal members are hunting pregnant cows in December, January, and February; each one of those kills are two elk.

I’m not siding with the tribal overharvest at all, but this is no different than killing them anytime after September by anyone else with a cow tag.

[ghosthunter]

As someone going into the 2026 WA draw with 17 quality elk points and 18 bull points, I would %100 percent loose them all just to go to a draw system that has no points, liberal tag allocations, longer seasons, and the chance to hunt big bulls with any weapon every 2-4 years. I would not hesitate to do the same for mule deer.
Ive always thought to appease all the high point holders (because we all know the guys to complain about “Oh I have all these points cant draw a tag, this state sucks, blah, blah, blah, even though I only apply for the most sought after units in the state with a rifle with almost zero draw odds) that a points cut off would be established in the first couple years of the new draw only system. Meaning, guys with, for example, 15 points and above would get to keep their points in the draw and then guys with less automatically go to zero points and stay that way. After a few years, the guys who kept their points will have much higher chances to draw and will get phased out. Kinda like grandfathering in high point holders. Once a guy drew a tag with points, the next year he would be at zero and stay at zero forever just like everyone else.
This way, the people who have been applying for decades can actually get their tags and keep some hunters happy. Then, after 5-10 years with the new system, everyone would be at a true level playing field with ZERO points. One name – One Chance.

In my opinion, going to draw only for Mule deer or elk will kill hunting period.
Yeah you can point to other states but they are not Washington. We barley have enough hunters now to ward off anti hunters efforts.
Going to draw only eliminates family and buddy hunts. And reduces hunters.
And the thought that you  are going to draw a tag every five years is wishful thinking. More like once or twice in your life depending on age.

Washington is one of the fastest growing states in the USA in population, and the majority coming here are not hunters. Draws cater to folks who want to hunt trophies. I am a meat hunter if I never kill a big bull fine. Everyone I know is a meat hunter. Those who want trophies are not hunting this state.

I don’t know what the tribes kill, I have given up worrying about it. There is not a darn thing you can do about the tribes. Whining about the tribes is just wasted effort.

We could have our  deer herds and elk herds back if we had any kind of good management.

We could improve herd odds across the board with some effort and some personal restraint.
By:

Zero cow or doe tags state wide.
Pick westside or east side for deer and elk. Spread hunters out.
Pick mule deer, black tail, or whitetail. Hunt your choice and done. Spread hunters out.
Zero multi season tags.
Zero use of Atv any where a pick up cannot travel.
Pick early or late hunts not both.
Get rid of Three point rule for mule deer.
All Predator hunting open state wide, no quotas .
Restrict winter use of motorized any thing in winter feeding grounds. December till Spring.
Pressure the governor to install a WDFW commission that supports the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

[Kingofthemountain83]

Or when tribal members are hunting pregnant cows in December, January, and February; each one of those kills are two elk.

I’m not siding with the tribal overharvest at all, but this is no different than killing them anytime after September by anyone else with a cow tag.

   The cows get bred in Sep-Oct... So any cow shot during September may be pregnant, October more than not, and by the time rifle season rolls in you can almost garauntee it...