Have to choose east or west (current system). Area of state you would hunt?

[jechicdr]

Can't believe that there are only 77 elk hunters on this forum

[NWBREW]

I prefer hunting the eastside for elk but voted "coastal" because I won't hunt when spikes are the only legal animal.

I hunt for Big Bulls every year in Eastern WA. 

[bobcat]

I prefer hunting the eastside for elk but voted "coastal" because I won't hunt when spikes are the only legal animal.

I hunt for Big Bulls every year in Eastern WA. 

Yes I could drive all the way to Colville area but why drive 7 hours when I have elk practically in my backyard?

When I think of "eastside" elk hunting I'm thinking only of the east slope of the Cascades.

[jechicdr]

As it stands, 49.4% would hunt westside and 41.9% eastside if tag open to entire state.  If tag system stayed the same, 40% would hunt westside and 53% would hunt eastside.  Though not likely accurate given the small number of participants, is still interesting.  That says, about 10% of hunters would move to the westside.  The tradeoff would be fewer opportunities for the remaining eastside hunters to draw the quality tags.  I'm torn, on the one hand, I would not mind fewer hunters on the eastside,  but I would sure like to kill a bull on the eastside some day.  Maybe they can switch...after I get drawn for a bull.

[jechicdr]

bump

[steen]

I prefer to hunt the east side because I love the country.  Having said that I've hunted both east with a quality tag and west with a general tag and taken an elk in both ( and I wouldn't say I'm an experience elk hunter, just lucky and tenacious). If I could hunt close to home every year with a general tag it would be the Nooksack herd because it is close. That is not possible because you can only draw for it.  If it wasn't  for gas travel wouldn't be an issue, again eastside but it is also nice to hunt something other than a spike bull.  I hunt for the meat first and a big cow is more meat than a spike.  I sound like I'm rambling, it is not an easy answer.  We went to Yakima to the feeding station last weekend and had a blast looking at elk and sheep.  Saw a couple thousand elk and a few hundred sheep and took a bunch of pictures.  Most at the feeding stations but some elsewhere.  Camped in the Yakima River Canyon and loved it! 

[washelkhunter]

Price of fuel gets near 5 only the rich will be traveling far.

[jechicdr]

As it stands so far, 42.7% would hunt east and 47.3 west if entire state was open.  As it is currently, 55.8% would hunt east and 38.7 would hunt west.  Once again, I would not mind seeing smaller numbers hunting the east side, but not fond of the idea of more people applying for the quality eastside tags.

[sirmissalot]

My brother in law just got done telling me the other day that they changed the rules this year and you don't have to choose which side of the state when applying for elk permits, thats not true is it?

If it were, I would apply for eastside (until the wolves completely take over) and hunt the westside, which is how I voted in this poll. However, I agree that it would make the big bull tags on the eastside basically a once in a lifetime permit, and in my opinion get quite a few more people hunting my side of the state.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

My brother in law just got done telling me the other day that they changed the rules this year and you don't have to choose which side of the state when applying for elk permits, thats not true is it?

If it were, I would apply for eastside (until the wolves completely take over) and hunt the westside, which is how I voted in this poll. However, I agree that it would make the big bull tags on the eastside basically a once in a lifetime permit, and in my opinion get quite a few more people hunting my side of the state.

It is one of the proposals the WDFW put on the table for the season setting process.... hopefully it does not happen

[sirmissalot]

That's the way I understood it as well, but he told me it has been set. I can't see it happening.

[400out]

Colockum! Been doing it for years! I love the anount of animals that are not to far away for the rd and the lack of people that go after them! Odds are much better there, atleast for me they are! 

[Woodchuck]

  Sing it out brother.

[400out]

No Seriously! I know you have taken me in as a BMM brother but truth be told I'm just a lonley soul with a social problem and I was just happy to feel as if I was your friend! that being said I know that everyone gets in line a heads for the blues so I have taken this opportunity to enjoy the lack of people and abundant amounts of game in the colockum. you coulndn't drag me out of there if you wanted!..... You could come hunting with me and help me drag my spike to the road which is only 100 yards away! never had to drag one farther!
I know some people are going to get mad for me sharing this info but it's true and I've learned that no one listens so I'm not candid anymore! 

[buckfvr]

I love being able to hunt close to home...........may be far from the best, but its great in many ways.