Yakima Elk Herd article in the yakima paper today- Link

[gasman]

Yeah, I miss the days of any bull, and Nov. start of modern season. 
Yeah, it was kinda screwed up that you had to wait 3 days if you put in foe cow tags but it's OK, we managed.

Wasn't the reason to going to spike only because of the big winter kill back in the 90's. I believe it as suppose to be a temp restriction of 6 years to build the herd up, but then they started making money hand over fist with the bull permits and could not stand to see the money loss. I remember taking with Berrie and Peter Forbs one time and both were recommending to lift the spike only restriction but the commission rejected it. the elk numbers were higher then, then before the winter kill. the goal was reached,but No, they were not going to allow it.

Still have just as many roads now as we did then  (at least in the Little Naches are)

More poaching, I believe so 

[Elkaholic daWg]

Yeah, I miss the days of any bull, and Nov. start of modern season. 
Yeah, it was kinda screwed up that you had to wait 3 days if you put in foe cow tags but it's OK, we managed.

Wasn't the reason to going to spike only because of the big winter kill back in the 90's. I believe it as suppose to be a temp restriction of 6 years to build the herd up, but then they started making money hand over fist with the bull permits and could not stand to see the money loss. I remember taking with Berrie and Peter Forbs one time and both were recommending to lift the spike only restriction but the commission rejected it. the elk numbers were higher then, then before the winter kill. the goal was reached,but No, they were not going to allow it.

Still have just as many roads now as we did then  (at least in the Little Naches are)

More poaching, I believe so 

 Me too on the any bull, start of the season. Can anyone remember any tax or fee this  state has ceded, since the ORIGINAL 520 toll ended in the '70's Hell they're trying to keep the taxes that built the stadiums after they are paid off.

[Glockster]

Yeah, I miss the days of any bull, and Nov. start of modern season. 
Yeah, it was kinda screwed up that you had to wait 3 days if you put in foe cow tags but it's OK, we managed.

Wasn't the reason to going to spike only because of the big winter kill back in the 90's. I believe it as suppose to be a temp restriction of 6 years to build the herd up, but then they started making money hand over fist with the bull permits and could not stand to see the money loss. I remember taking with Berrie and Peter Forbs one time and both were recommending to lift the spike only restriction but the commission rejected it. the elk numbers were higher then, then before the winter kill. the goal was reached,but No, they were not going to allow it.

Still have just as many roads now as we did then  (at least in the Little Naches are)

More poaching, I believe so 

Ding ding ding.  We have a winner!  ~It went to spike only and the early start/shorter excuse for an elk season for the same reason all of EWA went to 3pt on muledeer:  the killer winter was the first excuse, then the excuse evolved into "quality" hunt management ., from there to 'herd health'....and soon it will go to wolf health.

[johnsc6]

 

[Kowsrule30]

This is all way too much for me..... I feel like I wanna cry.....     

[jryoung]

Me too on the any bull, start of the season. Can anyone remember any tax or fee this  state has ceded, since the ORIGINAL 520 toll ended in the '70's Hell they're trying to keep the taxes that built the stadiums after they are paid off.

Initiative 695 in 2000 ($30 Car Tabs), I know there aren't a lot of example, but there is at least one. 

[338_Thumper]

I've hunted Little Natches for 25 years plus - When they put in the Spike law it was because of the low big bull count for breeding . Back then there was a lot of clear cuts and yes a lot of big bulls were harvested - But now it has grown up and it is like hunting in Western Washington - Lots of brush and very few clearcuts - Escapement is really high now because of it - Also if you stop by any of the camps and the average age is 50 plus so going back to any bull now I think would not hurt the big bull ratio. Most of the Lead Cows and Big Bulls are pretty smart over there and when the traffic starts getting heavy they know when to hit the heavy brush - Plus a lot of the old timers just can't get back into the heavy and deep canyons like they used too and it is a lot of work for just a spike. I know a lot of them who are hunting out of state now because of it. I hope to go to Colorado this year or next year for sure - Waiting to get drawn for a Big Bull tag is slim and I want to be able to go after a Big bull while i am still able to go deep and dive into those canyons !

[jstone]

Ya i would like to go out of state to, but until this economy gets better i am stuck givibg my money to this F...ed up State