Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: nw_bowhunter on August 31, 2008, 10:55:51 PM

Title: Units with 3pt min
Post by: nw_bowhunter on August 31, 2008, 10:55:51 PM: I have always wondered when there is a 3pt min restriction for elk area does that mean there are more branched antlers bulls? This restriction is for the early season and then the late there is opportunity for cow or 3pt min.

Do you guys prefer to have a 3pt min or cow and 3pt min when bowhunting on the Westside?
Title: Re: Units with 3pt min
Post by: PolarBear on September 01, 2008, 12:30:32 AM: I'm all for the 3 pt minimum. I think that it has really helped our herds row in health and numbers. We now have strong herds in areas where 20 years ago were only a very few elk. I would like to see cow done by permit though,(even for archery) with a decent number of them given out.
Title: Re: Units with 3pt min
Post by: Bigshooter on September 01, 2008, 06:26:04 AM: Quote from: PolarBear on September 01, 2008, 12:30:32 AM
I'm all for the 3 pt minimum. I think that it has really helped our herds row in health and numbers. We now have strong herds in areas where 20 years ago were only a very few elk. I would like to see cow done by permit though,(even for archery) with a decent number of them given out.

+1
Title: Re: Units with 3pt min
Post by: TheHunt on September 01, 2008, 08:25:18 AM: I guess I am a minority in this. I have talked to a lot of biologists that say too many imature bulls are breading cows because there are to few older breeding bulls because they are killed during hunting season. But on the down side of this is having the opportunity to hunt is very important. I personally would like to keep bumping up the min point restrictions. Current units that have a 3 point min for a few years would get bumped up to a 4 point min. Then in a few years a 5 point min. Then in a few years a 6 point min. You would be able to hunt and get into bulls every day lots of fun... They would get educated enough that when they are available to get taken your good to go.

The equation of making good herds has to include the Native Indians taking animals out side the general season. I would work with all land owners to restrict land access of Native Americans out side of the general season. The greed of land owners wanting to complain about animals but only allowing their family and friends to hunt on their property but the state funds them.

A few years back Washington had the lowest success rate in all the states. Right now the largest elk in the state history is over in the tri cities area. Those units are all draw only and have been for many years.

There is also pressure from the Washington Bow Hunters association, Muzzle loader association, etc. There are many who want the entire state to be draw only. I would rather hunt then not.
Title: Re: Units with 3pt min
Post by: Bean Counter on September 01, 2008, 11:00:02 AM: Keep in mind that the state has a reputation for keeping ticket sales high as a top priority. I think that's the reason for the "spike bull" units and why its not just draw only.

I too,have heard reservations about the three point minimum. I've only seen a few legal bulls on the westside. I'm going back east for the first time in a few years in hopes of getting away from the indian poachers.
Title: Re: Units with 3pt min
Post by: NoBark on September 01, 2008, 01:33:03 PM: This state has chosen for the most part to lean much more toward 'quantity' and less
on the 'quality' side.

We have the second highes population in the West with the smallest amount of land comparitivly. Tough place to be.

Obviously Colorado does the same. It's numbers over size. (generally speaking)
Utah, New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona are 'Quality' minded states and Idaho,montana and Wyoming are somewhere in between.

So, do you want to hunt every year OR every 2nd or 3rd year? That really is the question.

spike or spike/cow gets more people in the field without depleating the mature bull pop.

3 pt+ works on the Westside because it's so stinking thick. A lot of the big boys make it through.
:twocents: