More trouble for the AHE program

[Skyvalhunter]

I heard rumors of some regular hunters shooting elk in the Clockum and leaving them to rot. Then there was the regular hunters who shot a big bull in the clockum and were trying to cut the horns off with a hand saw. I also heard a rumor of a regular hunter over by Chelan that thot a 2 point when he thought for sure it was a 3 point. Rumors rumors dime a dozen!!!

[WAcoyotehunter]

yep.

[tmike]

Let's keep the finger pointing where it belongs, WDFW. Sometimes it hard not to think some of these comments aren't directed at all of us with the AHE. There are jerks in both camps. The 3911 I was told was to get rid of the "bad" elk who are local. Then in the next breath I was told the clockum herd numbers are down over a thousand animals so no early rut tags will be given. Then I was told the late bull tags, and late cow tags are to kill the local "bad" elk that aren't migrating all the way down. Then they let you shoot cows in January on their wintering grounds. Give me a break.Every other sentence is a contradiction to the previous one. Why don't they just say the truth that's it politics. Somehow in my mind I thinks it's a trade off with the Indians and salmon, steelhead, shellfish etc. are involved.(can't prove that one though)

For me personally I could of shot a cow in the last month. I knew of the several hundred head on Cle Elum ridge. I knew of the elk along Vantage highway several weeks ago. I even knew of a herd in Cook canyon last week, but I laid off because it doesn't feel right this late, especially on a winter like this year. With that being said I took one this September and I'll take another one next year early if it's open.

[steeleywhopper]

 I myself am a master hunter along with my grandfather and father. We did not hunt 3911 this year due to all the bad press going on. It is a shame for me because my Gramps is 80yrs old and looks forward to our outings over there. We have all taken elk in 3911 in the last couple of years, but I think its gonna be the early season or nothing for us now. I would rather stay home than join in with a bunch of rif raff. I know that 10% of the people are 90% of the problem, but when you put a lable on a group the expectations go up.
  I would like to see 3911 go to a Huntmaster special permit. This would take alot of pressure off of landowners and Steve as well. There are too many guys trying to find elk in a small area. I don't know about other Master Hunters, but this kind of article really pisses me off. Hunting on a State park, WTF.

[mkcj]

Yes the hunter who turned him self in should not be hit to hard he made a mistake and admitted to it

[Drop Tine]

Talked to a gammy and after last weeks fiasco there going to push to move the 3911 area boundary further west away from the elks wintering range. I agree if the elk arnt hurting anything leave em alone.

[bearhunter59]

IMO- The guy that called the warden on himself and waited for the gammie to show up should loose his Master Hunter certification for a minimum of 5 years, and be required to complete 100-200 hours of volunteer conservation work for the WDFW before he can reapply for his MH certificate.  The program does need honest people like that, but at the same time there has to be consequences for screwing up like he did.

The other bozos should loose not only loose their MH certification FOREVER, they should also loose their hunting license for a minimum of 5 years, and be required to complete 200-300 hours of  conservation work for the WDFW before they could get their hunting licenses back.  What they did was a blatant, trying to get away with it, violation of the law.

How many of us would have had the ethics to call the gammie on ourselves and wait for him to show up, knowing you were going to get cited for a violation and possibly loose your licenses...that's some integrity there, boys...doing the right thing, even though you know it's going to cost you big time...the dude definitely messed up shooting at that second elk, but gotta give him props for doing the right thing and calling the gammie on himself....