Western WA Elk hunting 09

[hirshey]

I don't know yet. We haven't heard a peep about it; we were wondering how to go about asking.

Did you get any points for turning in the archer that shot the calf elk after the season had closed. You may be eligible for 10 points added to the species of your choice.

[vfilbert]

that area is too close to winston, you get all the meth head crazies over thier, its too bad, mossyrock can be a great hunt ive been in elk lots thier, congrats on the elk, ill try and post a picture of a bull i got in mossyrock a few years back, it looks alot like the bull hangin out the back of that white pickup.

[THINK_N_ELK]

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Unfortunately law enforcement is contributing to the problem by not citing people that have been caught in the act.Trespassing.Shooting illegal animals etc.It was terrible this year.

I would disagree.  I think Enforcement Officers are doing their job.  However it is the Bureaucrats (politicians), Prosecuting Attorneys and Court System in all, are the problem.  They don't place or have as high of a value for Wildlife as we Avid  Ethical Sportman do.

Hirshey I glad to hear you got an animal. It is too bad bad, that there are people out there. That will make an unethical or questionable shot.  Long after the meat is gone, you will still have memories of the hunt.

Nice Job.

Already looking forward to next season.

[julzzz]

congrats, I would be upset too.  Our family lives off elk and deer meat, we never have to buy steaks or burger from the store.  We know how our animal is taken care of in the field and hanging.  We make sure we do not take our scraps in to the sausage makers until Jan or Feb,we bag the scaps in garbage bags and put them in the freezer.  I have heard that during season they mix the scaps from one hunter to another because of how busy they are.  Dont know if this is true or not. Some hunters do not clean their animals so we do not want to take the chance.  I have heard of the WSDFW giving out tags to hunters that harvest an animal that is rotten or diseased.  Keep on it.

[hirshey]

Yeah, my family has always been the same way; the year we bought a quarter of a buffalo was the only exception. We take great pride in taking wonderful care of our animals.

A tip if you want to get some process done early (so that you have a snack for those late season elk hunts) is to request an uneven poundage of final product. (instead of 50 lbs... ask for 55, or 35...) That way it generally sticks with the meatcutter and your batch stays sepearate. Also request they weigh the scraps you bring in, and the final product in front of you. We found, however, none of this is necessary with the new wild game processing store up in Twisp. They are incredibly affordable, do whatever you wish, and have the product ready generally within the week. If you ever want to take a chance at a new place (and are in the area) I would strongly recommend this business.

Cheers, and congrats on your own great hunt this year.

congrats, I would be upset too.  Our family lives off elk and deer meat, we never have to buy steaks or burger from the store.  We know how our animal is taken care of in the field and hanging.  We make sure we do not take our scraps in to the sausage makers until Jan or Feb,we bag the scaps in garbage bags and put them in the freezer.  I have heard that during season they mix the scaps from one hunter to another because of how busy they are.  Dont know if this is true or not. Some hunters do not clean their animals so we do not want to take the chance.  I have heard of the WSDFW giving out tags to hunters that harvest an animal that is rotten or diseased.  Keep on it.

[steen]

How old do you think that 4 point was?  Just curious.  I think it is great that there are spike hunts in the trophy units cause it removes the weaker genes.  I always wonder how many points most yearly bulls have or should have. 

[Crunchy]

the four pt probaly 2.5 to 3.5 years old

[hirshey]

Yeah, we traded the cape for a euro mount and the taxidermist aged him around 3-4 years. Pretty nice sized/aged bull for Mossyrock I hear.

the four pt probaly 2.5 to 3.5 years old

[SGM R]

hirshey,

nicely done an all accounts. Your honest is the right thing to do no matter what. 

[AKBowman]

Hey congrats on your guys successes! Sounds like you and your family worked hard and earned your bounty!! 

I'm not sure if I would drive around with a couple of dead elk in the back of my rig with the tailgate open though. Some people may get the wrong idea and take a picture that could easily get in the wrong hands and be used to make hunters look bad. We as hunters need to use just a little more discretion than that. But thats just my 

[hirshey]

It was simply for about a mile drive to a place where we could pull hides and take care of our meat. We have great respect for our animals and wouldn't do anything to tarnish that.

Hey congrats on your guys successes! Sounds like you and your family worked hard and earned your bounty!! 

I'm not sure if I would drive around with a couple of dead elk in the back of my rig with the tailgate open though. Some people may get the wrong idea and take a picture that could easily get in the wrong hands and be used to make hunters look bad. We as hunters need to use just a little more discretion than that. But thats just my 

[hirshey]

Thank you... I would do it again even knowing the result. I was simply saddened by the fact that there were so many bad deeds going unpunished while the only honest deed I witnessed resulted in a less than desirable outcome. But still a good hunt overall. How did 09 treat you? Happy new year, by the way.

hirshey,

nicely done an all accounts. Your honest is the right thing to do no matter what. 

[jagermiester]

I used to live in Montana and I shot a buck that had a tainted hind quarter due to an injury. I called the warden and he told me I could have another tag if I did not want to risk it. I took it to a butcher and he told me that he could cut the bad meat out and the rest of the meat would be fine so that is what we did. But it is funny the difference between these to states. Living in Montana as a hunter is pleasurable the state is your partner they want people to kill animals to control populations can you imagine.

[hirshey]

Yeah, I suppose... I really think I got the wrong warden on the wrong day. I think there are many good law enforcement officials out there that understand what hunting is about and have a good grasp of what laws are put into effect and why. I now understand different interpretations of the law can end up in favor of the honest or dishonest. I still have faith in our hunting officials; when I contacted the regional office they too said it should not be a problem to get a replacement tag... this particiular warden simply had never (and I don't think ever will) supplied a replacement tag. *shrugg* what can you do?

Still a great hunting season overall. Happy new year!

I used to live in Montana and I shot a buck that had a tainted hind quarter due to an injury. I called the warden and he told me I could have another tag if I did not want to risk it. I took it to a butcher and he told me that he could cut the bad meat out and the rest of the meat would be fine so that is what we did. But it is funny the difference between these to states. Living in Montana as a hunter is pleasurable the state is your partner they want people to kill animals to control populations can you imagine.