Another reason not to go elk hunting.

[Austrian Hunter]

#1 that's why I bow hunt
#2 that's why I hunt NE, WA
#3 If I want to see that, I go to the Zoo

[colockumelk]

Yes it is. I won't even let my wife hunt modern elk. My kids? Out of the question they will start with a muzzle loader.  Way way safer. And more enjoyable. Are there azzhats in archery and muzzle loader yep. But not nearly as high of a percentage. Typically these a-holes figure out archery is too hard and takes too much effort so they self eliminate themselves from the archery world.  Can't say I've had any bad experiences with anyone since switching to archery. And I've met alot of people.

For some odd reason the deer season is far tamer and less dangerous than elk season. Not sure why. But I wouldn't have any qualms about letting the wife and kid hunt modern deer.

[Austrian Hunter]

Hunters that drink alcohol during the hunt and carry a weapon should have their hunting privileges revoked!!!! The Warden should handle it the same f'ing way they do with Drunk drivers, drive hammered get your ass booked into county jail, same f'ing thing with hunters!

[Glockster]

I would not make the observation of saying archery hunters are pure as the driven snow.   Alot of felons archery hunt because that's their only legal choice.  But by and large, I agree; ML and Archery seasons are much less dangerous ; but just as crowded in places due to WDFW cutting back their seasons and squeezing them into smaller and smaller open units. 

I too heard way more shots than animals hanging.  Seemed like Sunday afternoon boredom = time to target shoot.  Maybe they think if they shoot more, the elk will become accustomed to gunfire and it will be easier to road hunt them.  I can't fathom the logic. 

[pianoman9701]

I would not make the observation of saying archery hunters are pure as the driven snow.   Alot of felons archery hunt because that's their only legal choice.  But by and large, I agree; ML and Archery seasons are much less dangerous ; but just as crowded in places due to WDFW cutting back their seasons and squeezing them into smaller and smaller open units. 

I too heard way more shots than animals hanging.  Seemed like Sunday afternoon boredom = time to target shoot.  Maybe they think if they shoot more, the elk will become accustomed to gunfire and it will be easier to road hunt them.  I can't fathom the logic.

No one said we're pure as the driven snow, but a larger percentage of archers are more dedicated. It takes way more practice to shoot archery and way more stealth to get close. The investment in time, effort, and money is usually far greater than That of a modern firearm hunter. As a result, we seem to have a lower percentage of a$$hat$ and a higher percentage of committed and dedicated hunters. You usually don't get successful in archery by being a slouch.

[Knocker of rocks]

God that was a dumb joke I made

Edited cause I gotta think more

[pianoman9701]

As a result, we seem to have a lower percentage of a$$hat$ and a higher percentage of committed and dedicated hunters.

And a higher percentage of felons 
 I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking I'm joking

Yeah, tons of 'em. You can't shoot an arrow during bow season without hitting a felon! 

[elkfins]

Interesting comments on this thread.  There are a-holes in every group.

I've hunted modern firearm elk since I was a kid and can only remember a couple of times, both at Elk Heights where there were a bunch of a$$hats.  One time a guy shot an illegal animal and the other time they were bitching on the radio because I shot a legal spike and was ruining "thier" hunt.  Well... they can have "thier" hunt.

I hunt in a different spot now... away from roads, steep hillsides and dark, thick timber & brush.  Except for in camp, I rarely if ever see another hunter unless they are with me.  And I see plenty of elk... even the occasional spike.  And I am convinced that all that pressure in the open areas pushes the elk to the spots that I am waiting at.

[BK]

Naches, here I thought Busch light emptys were only found on the logging roads of Pacific Co.

Nope, we favor PBR herebouts.

[fremont]

Can't wait for permit-only elk hunting in much of the state.  Maybe when McKenna's elected.

[JimmyHoffa]

I'm not sure permit only will help that much.  You'll still have 'Elk Camp'.  Instead of ten guys looking for ten elk, you will have ten guys looking for the one elk the permit holder can shoot.  Still think there will be crowds of drunk buds and radios.  Still have guys blocking off a road so his 'bro' can hunt it alone.
There is plenty of bad sportsmanship in archery, too.  It is slightly different because as pianoman wrote (weapon dedication, stealth). But I've seen plenty of bowhunters that are very short tempered and way more anal about little things than one might expect.  Seem to recall a thread on here about a guy trying to pass a vehicle blocking a road and then faced a guy that drew down on him with a bow.

[fremont]

I'm not sure permit only will help that much.  You'll still have 'Elk Camp'.  Instead of ten guys looking for ten elk, you will have ten guys looking for the one elk the permit holder can shoot.  Still think there will be crowds of drunk buds and radios.  Still have guys blocking off a road so his 'bro' can hunt it alone.

I'll take my chances.  Let's try it out and others can tell permit-only supporters like me we're wrong if it happens.  But, it can't get much worse.

[Bean Counter]

More reflection of Washington's entitlement mentality when people demand to be able to  hunt every year. Why I'm glad I now live in a draw only state 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Well, the way you guys keep talking...
Pretty soon there will only be a few of us left hunting here in Washington.

[TommyH]

I would not make the observation of saying archery hunters are pure as the driven snow.   Alot of felons archery hunt because that's their only legal choice.  But by and large, I agree; ML and Archery seasons are much less dangerous ; but just as crowded in places due to WDFW cutting back their seasons and squeezing them into smaller and smaller open units. 

I too heard way more shots than animals hanging.  Seemed like Sunday afternoon boredom = time to target shoot.  Maybe they think if they shoot more, the elk will become accustomed to gunfire and it will be easier to road hunt them.  I can't fathom the logic.

No one said we're pure as the driven snow, but a larger percentage of archers are more dedicated. It takes way more practice to shoot archery and way more stealth to get close. The investment in time, effort, and money is usually far greater than That of a modern firearm hunter. As a result, we seem to have a lower percentage of a$$hat$ and a higher percentage of committed and dedicated hunters. You usually don't get successful in archery by being a slouch.