My not true spike

[colockumelk]

I agree, there is definitely an increased risk hunting in a true spike area, and consequently more wasted elk and illegal kills happening. I suggested closing the Colockum to increase B to C ratio, several times in the past, but it is a revenue issue that they don't want to address. Meanwhile I have sacrificed branched bull restrictions and now true spike, for a herd that still suffers from pathetic B to C ratio. Gee, I wonder if certain user groups hunting during the summer months might be the problem???

 

The general population was completely against permit only.  People complain about the lack of opportunity and the lack of quality yet are unwilling to do what is necessary to fix the problem.  And unfortunately the WDFW listens to the masses that are not informed.  No matter what happens unless the WDFW makes the necessary changes to increase escapement we will just be treading water. 

Road closures costs alot of money so it will be slow.  This is the biggest problem too much access equals not enough escapement especially since the are is somewhat open where a modern rifle has a very large advantage over the elk.  Also the Kittitas Valley Rod and Gun Club is 100% against all road closures.  Apparantly they don't care about the elk herd there or do not know much about wildlife managment.  Yes they hate my guts. 

The other idea I floated to the WDFW was to make the Colockum a Muzzle Loader area and take the rifle season away as a cheap and free means of increasing escapement rather than road closures.  Or make it a restricted firearms area.  This way the animals would stand a fighting chance since the area is so open and people would be restricted on their range and or amout of shots. 

But I'm sure the true spike is working out after all think about all the money the WDFW is making off hunters who accidentally shoot a 1x2.     Again "true spike" is entrapment IMHO.

[Rooster1981]

Way to be a sportsman rooster. you did the right thing .  Were you hunting in the rattlesnake area ? Just curious because I might have seen you and the warden.

I was hunting in the Parke creek area out of Kittitas.

[quadrafire]

I may be the odd man out here and not congratulate you. But I read this as setting a REALLY bad example for a young hunter (your 16 yr old buddy), if you are the mentor. I am using your intro story for these facts, and if they are not right correct me, but To take a running shot at a bull you THINK is legal at 300 yrds (in a true spike area I might add). I personally find that very poor judgement.
So for all out there that do not agree with the management changes don't hunt the region if you can't comply with the rules. No different than the 4pt whitetail in the NE corner. It is what it is.

[spikehunter]

sorry to here that ! you handeled correctly ! like someone said, I wonder how they handle that for the natives

[fremont]

The true spike rule is a misdemeanor civil infraction waiting to happen.  Let's go to permit-only.

[colockumelk]

Quadrafire I did hunt the Colockum this year and did harvest a true spike with my bow. I'm just saying the country is really open. Shots taken are longer than other places and elk are harder to get close to due to the openess.

Rules should not be made where the average person cant follow them.  True Spike only is far too restrictive. There are too many variable ie angles of tiny points that cant he seen at 300yds.

My true spike was with three other spikes. At 300yds or 400yds across the canyon I thought 3 of them were 100% without a doubt a true spike. But once I got within 50yds I realized only one was a true spike. If I was rifle hunting there was a 75% chance I would have poached a 2x2 or a 1x2 Because one was a 3x1 and the other two werenot legal due to very tiny forks on top. 

Would I have been irresponsible? No because with my optics and the distance involved couple with the tiny 1 or 2" forks made them appear to be legal. Physically you could not tell. The current rules entrapped people into poaching.

[Justin7mm]

I may be the odd man out here and not congratulate you. But I read this as setting a REALLY bad example for a young hunter (your 16 yr old buddy), if you are the mentor. I am using your intro story for these facts, and if they are not right correct me, but To take a running shot at a bull you THINK is legal at 300 yrds (in a true spike area I might add). I personally find that very poor judgement.
So for all out there that do not agree with the management changes don't hunt the region if you can't comply with the rules. No different than the 4pt whitetail in the NE corner. It is what it is.

I agree with this statement.  Though the true spike restriction is the toughest antler restriction to swallow, in my experience any restriction causes problems.  Last year we found two 2 point deer shot and left in a 3 point minimum area.  I also know of a bigger bull that was shot (raghornish) in the clockum last year.  I agree with the permit idea.  If we as hunters are messing up this often, and the numbers are so bad they require these type of regulations, make it Permit only.

[Ripper]

Good job doing the right thing in a bad situation. I had a similar situation a few years back, and ended up with no fine at all. We live and learn.

[CP]

Wow!   Radios, shooting at running animals that other hunters are chasing, jerks on quads gutting your kill, what a quality hunting experience.  Excuse me while I …. 

[ANDERWAGON]

  Great job taking responsibility for your actions it says allot about your charactor. 

It's cool to hear that the guys on quads got what was coming to them (what comes around goes around).

[6x6in6]

Yeah, I guess I'm kinda in the minority here also.
Not going to get an I commend you for your actions from me.  Any form of antler restriction you must positively confirm before you do the deed.  300 yds on the run in the semi wide open of Parke is not what I would consider positive confirmation.
One less bull in the Colock that should have survived the on-slaught.

[remington300mag]

Yeah, I guess I'm kinda in the minority here also.
Not going to get an I commend you for your actions from me.  Any form of antler restriction you must positively confirm before you do the deed.  300 yds on the run in the semi wide open of Parke is not what I would consider positive confirmation.
One less bull in the Colock that should have survived the on-slaught.

You forgot to add........only to be shot in the following years by the Indians! The only true winners when it comes to "True Spike" units, the natives!

[SniperDanWA]

I see both sides of this, but know you did the right thing.  You became one of a handful to walk away with a light hand of the law.

[bullchaser]

hats off to you thanks for doing the right thing that amkes us all look good . good to hear the other guys got what was coming to them.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Yeah, I guess I'm kinda in the minority here also.
Not going to get an I commend you for your actions from me.  Any form of antler restriction you must positively confirm before you do the deed.  300 yds on the run in the semi wide open of Parke is not what I would consider positive confirmation.
One less bull in the Colock that should have survived the on-slaught.

You forgot to add........only to be shot in the following years by the Indians! The only true winners when it comes to "True Spike" units, the natives!