Spikes in the Blues?

[huntndad]

Why aren't more spike elk harvested in GMUs like 162, 166 and 169?  I know there have to be some elk in the Blues, and if there are elk, there should be some spikes.  I was just looking at the 2010 harvest reports and archers didn't kill a single spike in unit 169 and only 1 in 166.  What am I missing?

[Fowlweather25]

Some of the best elk hunting in the state is in the blues!

[Bob33]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2010/reports/elk_combo_dist_all.php

Are you reading the same report?

This report shows 31 spikes killed in 162, 19 in 166, and 5 in 169 in the general seasons.

Are you looking at the special permit reports?

[johnnyaustin44]

Some of the best elk hunting in the state is in the blues!

That's what I've always heard. comparable to c post as far as the amount of game running around. thousands of animals in easy to access areas

[Fowlweather25]

Hahahaha

[huntndad]

Since I archery hunt, I was primarily looking at those numbers.  However, when you look at the total  harvest for spikes and compare it to the quality hunts for bulls, the number harvested are about the same.  I would think a general season for spikes would have a larger harvest than a limited draw hunt where 90% of the elk taken are 6 points or bigger. 

[nwwanderer]

When you select against spikes, harvest them before maturity, the number of spikes in the population will decline.  Also the very limited branch antler harvest increases branch antler survival, more selection pressure on the spikes.  Lots of first horn bulls are branch antler and we are actively selecting for them.  I had nineteen bulls in my spotting scope in a wintering area in the blues, all branch antlered.

[huntndad]

That's what I was wondering.  We have the opposite here on the west side.  I see a lot more spikes than branched antler bulls, and I don't know that I've ever seen a first horn bull over here that would be considered branched antler.

[400out]

Since I archery hunt, I was primarily looking at those numbers.  However, when you look at the total  harvest for spikes and compare it to the quality hunts for bulls, the number harvested are about the same.  I would think a general season for spikes would have a larger harvest than a limited draw hunt where 90% of the elk taken are 6 points or bigger.

the reason for that is the limit draw makes people hunt harder that they will for a spike! If you go look at the lay of the land in those areas it's not the easiest hunting there is in the state and most hunters get a few hundred yards off the road, if they even get off the road and expect to kill an elk! You can't drag a elk like you do a deer so people dont want to get out of their comfort zone! I know of a guy on here that get a one almost every year and I would imagine the majority came to camp in pieces! They are there in the bottom of the 3 mile canyon where you ain't 

[steen]

I took my Dayton elk out in pieces a half mile from the road.  I  guess we know how to piece them out better than drag them with a cable.  We tried that this year 250 yds down hill and it didn't work so we, again, pieced it up and hauled it out on our backs.  Love doing it, very rewarding!

[400out]

I took my Dayton elk out in pieces a half mile from the road.  I  guess we know how to piece them out better than drag them with a cable.  We tried that this year 250 yds down hill and it didn't work so we, again, pieced it up and hauled it out on our backs.  Love doing it, very rewarding!

that's coming from a guy that know the area 

[Fowlweather25]

Blues is rugged but gorgeous country!

[huntndad]

So, if somesone was willing and able to hike in a few miles and put forth as much effort as they would for a 300+ bull, they would have a good chance to kill a spike?

[jackelope]

No spike bulls in the blues, only humungous branch antlered bulls.
 

[rosscrazyelk]

Since I archery hunt, I was primarily looking at those numbers.  However, when you look at the total  harvest for spikes and compare it to the quality hunts for bulls, the number harvested are about the same.  I would think a general season for spikes would have a larger harvest than a limited draw hunt where 90% of the elk taken are 6 points or bigger.

the reason for that is the limit draw makes people hunt harder that they will for a spike! If you go look at the lay of the land in those areas it's not the easiest hunting there is in the state and most hunters get a few hundred yards off the road, if they even get off the road and expect to kill an elk! You can't drag a elk like you do a deer so people dont want to get out of their comfort zone! I know of a guy on here that get a one almost every year and I would imagine the majority came to camp in pieces! They are there in the bottom of the 3 mile canyon where you ain't 

     Spikes dont come easy..I think the overall success rate is like 3%..  and if anyone tells you the blues are not hard on you, obviously has never been to the blues..