Hanford Bulls

[Yak-NDN]

but at this time the Yakima elk heard is still growing and is bigger than they would like so the Yakama Tribe is not hurting them to bad.

Not to 
But the Yakima herd has been REDUCED from a high of 13.000-14,000 to currently 9,000-10,000
I am not blaming anyone other than the WDFW, as that is their "Objective" but come on, how about a little "fact checking"

"The Yakima bull ratio continues to be within objective,
but had been declining . In 2010, a low
harvest resulted in relatively high numbers of yearling
bulls on the winter range, reversing the trend."

Hooray ! for the spike hunters, but what happened to the "Mature" Bulls ? 

.............................................
I'll climb back under my rock now... 

2011 Game Animal Population and Hunting Information
Biologist: Jeff Bernatowicz
District/Wildlife Area: District 8
Elk: Surveys in spring 2011 showed increased populations and production. Since calves surveyed in March are spike bulls in the fall, bull harvest is expected to increase in 2011. The northern part of the District had the best recruitment.

Washington State Elk Herd Plan: Yakima Elk Herd

Category: Wildlife Research and Management - Game Management and Conservation

Date Published: December 2002

Number of Pages: 77

Author(s): Jeff Bernatowicz and George Tsukamoto

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Reduce and then maintain the post-hunting season elk population at 9,500 animals for the Cascade slope portion of the Yakima Herd.
Reduce and maintain the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve population in the Rattlesnake Hills at a population level that minimizes damage to private lands (estimated <350 elk).

STINK Their is allot more info on WDFW Just grabbed a few for you to read.

[Chiefbigbul]

I said we hunters from the reservation is what I really meant, And really you always have your bad citizens that disrespect something.  But I know the real hunters from the reservation are just as tired of these things as the non-native is.  And me personally I enjoy watching hunting on tv but some of this younger generation grasped on to this now everybody thinks their hunters, but I understand where your coming from because all the hunting spots my family have harvested for decades in our hills have been destroyed because everybody thinks their hunters.  And I agree it gets ridiculous sometimes, but also I can't go against any Yakama who decides to believe in their right.  Sorry you may not agree but this is just a summary.  And yes I drive the reservation and I see things you would never understand, and it's a sickness, because you believe all natives have all this money but really nobody does, and the poverty rate is unrealistic.  You just wouldn't understand sir...

[Chiefbigbul]

For funerals it's whatever you can meat you can get to feed 300 to 400 people you have a limited time table to hunt, i mentioned I kill about 5 bulls a year and that's just me hunting not for traditional use, that's why i mentioned I have a big family.  I love hunting just like you guys do, and 3 of them bulls may be spikes and two big bulls.  But it's not like I go bugle a bull in and say I need a monster because I have shot enough monsters in my lifetime and don't really need to shoot a big bull.  I bugle hundreds of bulls a year in and don't shoot them so I'm not who you non-indians describe when your bad mouthing us.

[jackelope]

Not bad mouthing anyone, just asking legitimate questions.
Why not shoot some cows though, why shoot 5 bulls?

Why not shoot 2 bulls and 3 cows for example. Thats my question.

[sirmissalot]

Not bad mouthing anyone, just asking legitimate questions.
Why not shoot some cows though, why shoot 5 bulls?

Why not shoot 2 bulls and 3 cows for example. Thats my question.

And a very good one it is.

[boneaddict]

one thing that I hear alot and it has nothing to do with what you posted Chiefbigbul, as I thought you said some good things......  I hear about tradtion and stuff like that.  I think what irks me as the outsider is that there WEREN'T elk even here until recent years.  Whites translocated them.  Ceremonial rights for harvest.   I may be completely misinformed, but elk weren't involved in your ceremonies in the past.  Salmon and venison were.

[Yak-NDN]

Not bad mouthing anyone, just asking legitimate questions.
Why not shoot some cows though, why shoot 5 bulls?

Why not shoot 2 bulls and 3 cows for example. Thats my question.

I cant speak for Chief but I would like to speak my opinion. I would rather shoot a spike any day you know the age of the spike and some times you cant tell on a cow. I would think that people would not have an issue of killing a spike unless you are strictly a horn hunter. If you kill a spike you kill one animal, if you kill a cow you kill many calf's for years to come. I don't hesitate to kill spikes but I cant lie if their was a monster bull next to him he is going down. On average I kill one branch bull a year.

[Yak-NDN]

one thing that I hear alot and it has nothing to do with what you posted Chiefbigbul, as I thought you said some good things......  I hear about tradtion and stuff like that.  I think what irks me as the outsider is that there WEREN'T elk even here until recent years.  Whites translocated them.  Ceremonial rights for harvest.   I may be completely misinformed, but elk weren't involved in your ceremonies in the past.  Salmon and venison were.

Bone you have taken in some of the info we put up, you are correct the most traditional families on our rez strictly only serve venison.  Others take and serve what they get.
And who owns the elk, because they were wiped out and reintroduced I don't know cant answer that.

[boneaddict]

and that makes sense. 

[igotbigbulls]

good point yak. when im elk hunting im looking for meat but if a big bull steps out im not gonna pass him up. meat is meat. i also shoot maybe one branch antler bull a year. maybe.

[PlateauNDN]

Here's an experience I wish I could've seen and heard myself.  My aunt attended the Elders Day dinner this year and almost all of the Elders there were very upset (that's putting it nicely) because the meal was not comprised of traditional foods.  Majority of the Elders that were at a table my aunt was sitting at refused to eat the salmon because it was not prepared correctly and didn't eat any of the meat because it was not deer or elk. 

More good points across the board fellas.  I've already harvest my bull for the year and I'm now looking to get my father connected on an elk.  I've stayed consistent with one bull and/or one buck a year with at least 2 maybe 3 females a year. 

[Chiefbigbul]

Good question BoneAddict you just answered all this mumbo jumbo with your question.  The Federal Government knew our chiefs knew this when the treaty was signed.  Because they killed all of our resources (mainly buffalo and elk) the federal government knew if they didn't promise we could hunt in all our natural and accustomed places they had no chance at getting the treaty signed and there would have been bloodshed.  So they promised us this for eternity, this is why everybody is upset.  But our natural and accustomed places don't stop in Washington State.  Because where were the buffalo, the notes of the Treaty state "Looking Glass had been hunting buffalo on the plains with the blackfeet"  this is why he was late to the Treaty gathering with governor Stevens.  The elk were only moved here so they could try and get us to stop hunting our natural and accustomed places, so the things that are being said about us through these threads could be said.  And your talking current history as far as deer and elk.  The problem is you guys see the lines on the map, if you live your life based on the Treaty of 1855 their are no lines there is just land.  And I'm not trying to dispute your facts, you have questions  just like I have questions.  I share the same love you do and have the same concerns you do because I love the animals and love seeing my non-natives faces when they shoot a nice animal.  But it's hard for me to stay in the box when I don't live my life that way...

[colockumelk]

Here's an experience I wish I could've seen and heard myself.  My aunt attended the Elders Day dinner this year and almost all of the Elders there were very upset (that's putting it nicely) because the meal was not comprised of traditional foods.  Majority of the Elders that were at a table my aunt was sitting at refused to eat the salmon because it was not prepared correctly and didn't eat any of the meat because it was not deer or elk. 

More good points across the board fellas.  I've already harvest my bull for the year and I'm now looking to get my father connected on an elk.  I've stayed consistent with one bull and/or one buck a year with at least 2 maybe 3 females a year.

Plateau youve been on here long enough to know that without pics its all lies and bull    You know the rules PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS.   

And I still can't believe you havn't responded to the Marine joke I made.  Must be getting soft in your old age.   

[JimmyHoffa]

Bulls usually have more meat, so if you are looking to feed a large group of people shooting big bulls would make more sense.  Plus, the herd size and growth is more dependent on cows not bulls, especially in animals with low reproduction rates.  I'm referring to shooting bulls that are big in body size not necessarily antlers.

[PlateauNDN]

Here's an experience I wish I could've seen and heard myself.  My aunt attended the Elders Day dinner this year and almost all of the Elders there were very upset (that's putting it nicely) because the meal was not comprised of traditional foods.  Majority of the Elders that were at a table my aunt was sitting at refused to eat the salmon because it was not prepared correctly and didn't eat any of the meat because it was not deer or elk. 

More good points across the board fellas.  I've already harvest my bull for the year and I'm now looking to get my father connected on an elk.  I've stayed consistent with one bull and/or one buck a year with at least 2 maybe 3 females a year.

Plateau youve been on here long enough to know that without pics its all lies and bull    You know the rules PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS, PICS.   

And I still can't believe you havn't responded to the Marine joke I made.  Must be getting soft in your old age.   

I know Colockum, I didn't respond because you're Mr. fancy pants and I didn't want to offend your new liberal ways!   I didn't want to startle you with a comment and you spill your fancy coffee on your new white pants and golf shirt!   New Yorkers, their all the same!

Besides I heard you were downtown on Wall St. or something like that?

I know it doesn't count with no pictures but my personal feelings have always been to not brag or boast about what has been harvested because I harvest for sustenance and the real story behind this guy was I was following a sneaky cow just waiting for the right moment and then this big ripping bugle let out and it was game on after that!  I switched targets and started pursuing him.

I'll share the pics one day, maybe, but until then he tasted real good last night!