Do you attempt to get your cow or chase the bull first?

[h2ofowlr]

Just currious as to what most individuals would do if they drew a cow tag in a quality unit.  Would you hunt for the cow and tag out or would you attempt to get a bull the first few days.  Then if nothing happens hit the next unit and start your search for a cow.  My buddy and I drew cow tags together and he just wants to put meat on the table.  Just throwing out the question.  I don't care one way or the other as I just like eating elk.  I take the first legal one that I see.
Forgot to mention we are hunting archery and we drew the Mudflow tag.

[bobcat]

What do you mean by a "quality unit"? The only units on the westside that I would call a quality unit would be Toutle, Margaret, Mudflow, and Green River. Oh, and maybe Nooksack. This would be due to them not being open for general season. But if you have a cow permit a cow is all you could take. So I'm a bit confused by the question.

[BowBender87]

I drew an archery toutle cow tag but will only put it to use if i dont get a bull during early season. Therefore...i would hunt a different unit first in hopes of baggin a bull! I just like to bugle with bulls to much!

[steen]

My husband has a modern cow tag in the Winston unit which is open in regular season to 3 point or better.  He said he'd take a nice bull 5 or 6 point instead of a cow only if body size is bigger, since he is hunting meat more than anything.  If I go I will be hunting the first legal bull because I shot a 6 point in a quality unit in '09 and just want meat in the freezer this year and I am hunting for meat first.

[Instinct]

Id hunt for whatever tag i had that i drew for. Over here it is a spike or cow unless drawn for a bull (archery east), if i drew a bull tag i would pass every cow and spike till i get my bull. If i didnt get one in the early season, oh well always the late season to get my cow/spike for meat.. y waste a tag if someone else couldve used.

[Wild Bill]

Every single yr I pass on at least 3-4 easy shots on cows... And every yr for the last 7 I have shot a bull, minus last yr (long story)... So... Cant get a bull if you dont hold out.... Plus a bunch of  "archery" hunters out there slings arrows at all the cows they see.... Sick of seeing pin cushions. I'll put em down givin the chance...

[Recurve-Elk]

If I had an any elk tag I would just take my first opportunity because I just like elk hunting in general.  Regardless of horns.  However If I had a bull and a cow standing by eachother, I would take the bull.  Not sure if this answers your question.

[KDume]

Hey wild bill, no need to talk sh#t about the archery hunters. I don't believe that was part of the question!

[Recurve-Elk]

 

[Wild Bill]

My apologies gents, I should clarify.... I am a archery hunter... For everything...  I just despise the few that don't care.... I've had lots of bad experiences in the last 3 yrs with some "archery hunters"... Wont go into detail... Love the sport, enjoy 90% of the company I  meet out there, just that 10%... wow.... As usual theres bad in every bunch...
What I meant was I typically only shoot cows that less disciplined or more careless people have shot... The ones with arrows for earrings, or leg warmers... I try to hold out for a bull... Gives me more time to hunt
(I've hunted all types... rifle, front stuffer, and archery I know what i prefer for my own reasons, so I don't talk smack about any of em... bad and good in every bunch.  Just noticed a increase in bad in the last 3 years or so ...) Hopefully just a spell...
Sorry for the lack of clarity...
WB

[Kowsrule30]

Dad drew a "quality" tag last year as well as a cow tag.... We left the cow tag at his home..... There was no point in bringing it..... It could have gone to someone that would have wanted to fill it.... But instead it sat at home and went unnotched because you can draw all the tags they want you to and only fill one.... Bunch of BS.... Draw one tag you're out of the drawing..... That's how it should be.... Sorry I'm off topic.....   

[longbow11b1p]

A cow is all you can take in mudflow if its a cow tag youl drew.

[PA BEN]

My 12yr old daughter and I drew partner cow tags for the Raymond elk area in the month of December. I only have so much vacation to hunt. I might kick around a little during mod. elk season but I'm counting on our cow tags. 

[thorne27]

I take that first legal animal that I have a good shot at.  The opprotunities for a good shot with a bow on an elk are hard to come by, at least for me. So I don't pass on anything legal.  My desire to have to good elk in the freezer is much higher than my desire kill a big bull.  The bull would just be the icing on the cake. 

[grundy53]

BULL