Cow's or Spikes

[colockumelk]

Since many areas in Eastern Washington have problems with spike recruitment, and us bowhunters can shoot antlerless anyways, do you think that to help give the spikes a break the state should make it Antlerless only for bowhunters in Eastern Washington?  BTW I am an avid bowhunter. 

[dreamingbig]

After the changes they made to the seasons, my answer is NO.  I don't understand why everyone thinks it is so easy for bowhunters to harvest an elk.

[colockumelk]

I was just curious.  Personally I'll shoot a cow over a spike anyday.  In fact I don't even try for spikes.  I see far more cows on the ground than spikes so IMHO I think give the spikes a break since 90% of the elk killed by bowhunters are cows anyways. 

[HUNT]

The spike will probably be shot in rifle season if you pass it up with your bow anyway.

[colockumelk]

Ouch I wonder who voted for spike only and why?  That's harsh.  They have obviously never hunted with a bow before.   

[elkaholic]

wasnt me 

[colockumelk]

It was probably Todd_ID, Bucklucky or Boneaddict.  Those guys hate bowhunters

[colockumelk]

Nope I bet it was MichaelJ.  That is one road hunting SOB

[Missing]

I like the spike or cow option but I'm not real excited about the true spike rule

[dreamingbig]

Those who voted for the spike only option are not funny.  Brutal.

[ing]

I'm just glad that I get to hunt elk.  Dont really care if I'm shootin at a spike, cow or branch bull. 

[mossback91]

Well I dont think we should give the minority anything special so shoot the same thing as everyone else!!

Some archery areas are spike only already correct?

Shooting cows damages the herd growth more than shooting a couple spikes

[NW-GSP]

This is going to be my first year hunting archery and my first year going for elk, Im not waiting for a spike, the first cow I can get a clean shot at is going down.

[colockumelk]

Well I dont think we should give the minority anything special so shoot the same thing as everyone else!!

Some archery areas are spike only already correct?

Shooting cows damages the herd growth more than shooting a couple spikes

Yeah but if it went to spike only for archery it would not be fair.  Success % for archers is 10% as it is being able to shoot spike or antlerless.  If it went to spike only the success rate would drop to 1%.  I bet those who voted spike only have never hunted with a bow.  In any case rifle hunters with cow tags harvest more cows per year than bow hunters do. 

[saylean]

Where I hunt its "true spike" only nowadays, but if I had a choice, I would stick a cow any day...

hence why I applied for that 2nd deer tag (doe). Good eating...and you cant eat horns anyway.