Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Shed Hunting => Topic started by: buglebuster on April 29, 2013, 07:36:47 AM

Title: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on April 29, 2013, 07:36:47 AM: What is everyone doin this year? I am going to head to jOak Creek this year, first time there :bash:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: boneaddict on April 29, 2013, 07:38:16 AM: I am going to work, and then take in a soccer game, and then cue up a salmon, and enjoy the nice weather.

Good luck on the shed hunting folks. Watch for snakes, they are out and about.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Elkohol on April 29, 2013, 07:49:05 AM: My dad and I were able to both get three days off together so were gonna make it a camping trip, enjoy the weather and hopefully come back with some bone :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: et1702 on April 29, 2013, 07:52:43 AM: Went last year on opening day and there were too many guys that had already been in there and stockpiled bone. One pickup had a bed full of sheds in less than 1/2-day. Me and another buddy didn't find one shed. Even the guys on horses only found one or two sheds. it was fun to get out, but the hoarders just pissed me off last year.

ET
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: brianmtsinc on April 29, 2013, 08:36:38 AM: I have a new 38' 5th wheel and have been wanting to try this oak creek "deal" out for a while now. My questions is, is there anyplace I will be able to park and camp up there in this big trailer? Also, If I dont make it until the 3rd or so... will most of the are be picked over?

Thanks for your input!
Brian
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Wazukie on April 29, 2013, 08:38:35 AM: 21st wedding anniversary, so ya, taking my wife out :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: DoubleJ on April 29, 2013, 08:40:50 AM: May day Riots in Seattle because I'm mad. Not sure what I'm mad about but, it'll give me a reason to get out all of my "I'm a young American" rage.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: danderson on April 29, 2013, 10:54:02 AM: We are doing Oak creek this year, maybe we can do a hunt-wa gathering later in the day
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Chase 1 on April 29, 2013, 11:22:03 AM: PS lings and gearing up for shrimp opener on the 4th! :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: whackmaster 93 on April 29, 2013, 12:56:29 PM: oak creek for me too. gonna be lots of people. heading over there tomorrow to get close to the gate
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: sven on April 29, 2013, 01:04:29 PM: :fishin: ling fishing for 5 days, with my son's and son in law...... :yeah: :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Chase 1 on April 29, 2013, 01:40:29 PM: Just saw the forecast for the 1st through the 5th...dynomite!! Can't forget the sunblock and polarized! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Skillet on April 29, 2013, 02:12:36 PM: PS Lings and picking up some halibut bait (sand dabs) after work, then have the 2nd and 3rd off for halibut fishing.

Good luck on the sheds at Oak Creek, fellas. If anybody thinks about it, post up some pics of the "start". Probably look like the Sooners going to claim land!
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: elkslayer069 on April 29, 2013, 03:30:27 PM: For oak creek wednesday are guys gonna need a discover pass or will the acess pass that xome with license work ?
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: 270Flat on April 29, 2013, 03:43:53 PM: Celebrating my sons 3rd birthday. And waiting for my dads call about the bottom fishing opener, so I can be jelous. :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: simondude on April 29, 2013, 03:52:34 PM: Last day of work then moving to Minnesota
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: erk444 on April 29, 2013, 05:40:00 PM: Quote from: elkslayer069 on April 29, 2013, 03:30:27 PM
For oak creek wednesday are guys gonna need a discover pass or will the acess pass that xome with license work ?
Im pretty sure you need the discover pass.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: flatlandeddie on April 29, 2013, 06:17:12 PM: oak creek sounds like a lot fun but need some good info were to camp??? do u pay to look for sheds ??? can i drive my truck up some old dirt road camp and hunt from there my wife and i love to get out but could use some help on oak creek we usually head up into the winston unit park camp and start hunting and sometimes pick up a shed or two mostly black taill if i am lucky i pick up elk shed
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: norsepeak on April 29, 2013, 06:21:52 PM: I'm gonna work on my rock wall for my life size mtn. goat. Then maybe drink a cold beer or 7. :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on April 29, 2013, 06:41:48 PM: Quote from: flatlandeddie on April 29, 2013, 06:17:12 PM
oak creek sounds like a lot fun but need some good info were to camp??? do u pay to look for sheds ??? can i drive my truck up some old dirt road camp and hunt from there my wife and i love to get out but could use some help on oak creek we usually head up into the winston unit park camp and start hunting and sometimes pick up a shed or two mostly black taill if i am lucky i pick up elk shed
I am pretty sure you can camp in the big parking area at the feedlot, but if you are wanting to camp away from the crowd, once they open the gates at 6am anywhere in there would work. Oak creek rd. May be a better option for camping.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Cougeyes on April 29, 2013, 07:05:44 PM: The access pass that comes with the purchase of your license will work if you're on WDFW property or WDFW leased land.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 29, 2013, 07:12:42 PM: I will be out sheddn but not in oak creek..... I do have a question for some and maybe its a dumb question..... I have heard tales of the lines of cars and footraces :chuckle: Can you see sheds from the highway? I know the bulls are fairly visible right there in the winter, but always wondered if they had moved up by then? Maybe someday I will try to make it, mostly just to expereince it once and say I did, then head out for some backcountry to escape :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Weatherbyfan on April 29, 2013, 08:14:56 PM: Ive never picked up any sheds , Buglebuster maybe you could teach me to be a shedhunter and were to look !
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: danderson on April 29, 2013, 09:26:25 PM: Good luck to all, it snowed and rained all day long in Cle Elum today, 36 degrees right now, weather might play a part in the turn out
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: quadcrazy69 on April 30, 2013, 07:57:18 AM: Quote from: Naches Sportsman on April 29, 2013, 01:27:08 PM
If anybody wants to meet up tomorrow evening and needs a few pointers about places to go or want to talk, I will be looking at animals tomorrow evening.

Me and my son are heading out this afternoon and would love to hook up with you. I plan on doing some glassing before it gets dark. We've never done this before and could use some tips and tricks. I'll also be bringing my chocolate lab that I've trained to shed hunt. I'll be in a big red 1996 Ford truck. I plan on getting there around 6:00.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: crazyantler on April 30, 2013, 09:57:44 AM: Going to try Oak Creek since there are probably alot more sheds still laying around there that have not got picked up already do to the patrolling. The word is that Joe Watt has been hit hard already from local intel and you would be lucky to find any nice ones. Based upon the lack of success for people last year and the intel gathered then I would guess poor results again this year. Good luck and I vote for an April 15th opener and to foot traffic only!! Motorized vehicles would have access May 1st as usuall. Maybe they will figure this out and level the playing field.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: CamoDup on April 30, 2013, 12:16:02 PM: Believe it or not... The closed areas get hit HARD before May 1st. Most of the sheds have already been picked up. not just in the oak creek but around eburg also. Good luck to you guys that are trying to do it the right way.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: quadcrazy69 on April 30, 2013, 02:52:08 PM: Sounds like there needs to be better management and patrolling this area that is CLOSED until May 1. Maybe these unethical shed hunters should be ticketed and investigated as poachers. If they will shed hunt a closed area, they are probably hunting out of season also.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Skillet on April 30, 2013, 03:05:13 PM: :bdid:

Better management and patrolling = funding = revenue = license fees.

Better get ready to report your shed antler take each year on your $17.50 Found Antler Record Card or get hit with a $10 admin fee.

The only reason these areas are closed is to prevent the elk from being harassed while on winter range, not to prevent shed hunters from hunting sheds.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: WSU on April 30, 2013, 03:12:25 PM: Work. Not as fun as what others have planned, but someone has to do it!
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: bigbullshedhunter on April 30, 2013, 03:45:29 PM: Quote from: quadcrazy69 on April 30, 2013, 02:52:08 PM
Sounds like there needs to be better management and patrolling this area that is CLOSED until May 1. Maybe these unethical shed hunters should be ticketed and investigated as poachers. If they will shed hunt a closed area, they are probably hunting out of season also.
kinda hard to have better patrolling when the patrollers are the ones picking up the antlers.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: jake on April 30, 2013, 04:30:17 PM: oakcreek, where people go that walk one day a year....... :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Naches Sportsman on April 30, 2013, 06:40:07 PM: There is a huge line aleady. It is a total circus up there.
Title: May 1st
Post by: Ridgerunner on April 30, 2013, 06:51:48 PM: Let's see some photos of the circus!
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on April 30, 2013, 07:09:11 PM: :yeah: ive got all my stuff ready to head out.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: elkslayer069 on April 30, 2013, 07:56:34 PM: Just making trip over now lol let it begin
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: demontang on April 30, 2013, 09:46:24 PM: There where people linedbup at oak creek around 4 today from what I can tell. What a zoo ill stick to turkey and shed hunting away from the crowds :twocents:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: BENCHLEG on April 30, 2013, 10:23:08 PM: It's not that bad. :dunno: :hello: I'm here. I'll join the exercise group in the am. :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on April 30, 2013, 11:30:59 PM: Looks like im about 100th in line lol
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: hrd2fnd on April 30, 2013, 11:44:25 PM: after reading all of this, I think I will stay home and watch the anarchist on the news. :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 01, 2013, 07:57:21 AM: Well let's see the circus pics of the race through the gate. Or better ATL pics. :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Fl0und3rz on May 01, 2013, 08:10:36 AM: I hear it's open season on Anarchists in downtown Seattle.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: hrd2fnd on May 01, 2013, 08:58:32 AM: Quote from: Fl0und3rz on May 01, 2013, 08:10:36 AM
I hear it's open season on Anarchists in downtown Seattle.
:mgun:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Ridge Roamer on May 01, 2013, 11:06:21 AM: Sitting in front of a darn computer wishing I was outside on a ridgetop,
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 01, 2013, 11:41:35 AM: Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 01, 2013, 11:43:35 AM: Nice finds! The second one must have been spotted a mile away. :chuckle: :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 01, 2013, 01:03:56 PM: Quote from: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 01, 2013, 11:43:35 AM
Nice finds! The second one must have been spotted a mile away. :chuckle: :tup:
Not quite but it was in a huge wide open spot. I heard voices and saw like 3 people, you should have seen me run lol
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: canyelk48 on May 01, 2013, 02:29:29 PM: Found a matched set at Joe Watt Canyon this morning. Got lucky as they were about 50 yards from each other.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 01, 2013, 02:32:25 PM: nice finds :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 01, 2013, 03:56:15 PM: Awesome finds guys!! :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: whackmaster 93 on May 01, 2013, 06:41:21 PM: 18th in line at oak creek and pulled 13 sheds out for 3 people
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Maverick on May 01, 2013, 07:05:20 PM: Lets see those pics whack!
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: whackmaster 93 on May 01, 2013, 08:04:43 PM: Didn't have a camera today. Just got home and these are mine from today.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 02, 2013, 11:39:52 AM: Good lookin bones!!! :tup:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: wsucowboy on May 02, 2013, 12:00:35 PM: Quote from: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 02, 2013, 11:39:52 AM
Good lookin bones!!! :tup:
:yeah:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Southpole on May 02, 2013, 12:42:45 PM: I wanted someone to get a picture of the crowds, that will make me giggle a little.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: wlandrum on May 02, 2013, 01:35:32 PM: Great finds.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 02, 2013, 01:36:39 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 02, 2013, 05:43:56 PM: 2 guys on horses busted up a steep rocky spot onto the road where all the vehicles were driving up and the second guys horse reared up and threw him off into rocks on the steep hill. The horse then ran down to the feedlot. I couldnt believe my eyes.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: shedkid on May 02, 2013, 06:59:16 PM: Buglebuster did you find anymore after i last talked to you?
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Southpole on May 02, 2013, 07:27:02 PM: Quote from: buglebuster on May 02, 2013, 05:43:56 PM
2 guys on horses busted up a steep rocky spot onto the road where all the vehicles were driving up and the second guys horse reared up and threw him off into rocks on the steep hill. The horse then ran down to the feedlot. I couldnt believe my eyes.
wow, a little too aggressive? Hope nobody was hurt.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 02, 2013, 08:31:34 PM: Quote from: shedkid on May 02, 2013, 06:59:16 PM
Buglebuster did you find anymore after i last talked to you?
No i left at 10 my truck was in the shop and i got bad news, i planned on staying all day but my mind wasn't on sheds after that. How about you?
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 02, 2013, 08:42:00 PM: Quote from: buglebuster on May 02, 2013, 05:43:56 PM
2 guys on horses busted up a steep rocky spot onto the road where all the vehicles were driving up and the second guys horse reared up and threw him off into rocks on the steep hill. The horse then ran down to the feedlot. I couldnt believe my eyes.

Seems like that happens every year. I have video of the gate opening and everybody headin out. is funny to watch. Dont ask for me to post the video. I dont want to infringe on other people with out permission. Maybe someone else has video they might share? :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: shedkid on May 02, 2013, 09:11:58 PM: We ended the day between 3 of us with 10sheds.I found 3 more after i last talked to you.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Southpole on May 03, 2013, 07:50:47 AM: Quote from: HUNTINCOUPLE on May 02, 2013, 08:42:00 PM
Quote from: buglebuster on May 02, 2013, 05:43:56 PM
2 guys on horses busted up a steep rocky spot onto the road where all the vehicles were driving up and the second guys horse reared up and threw him off into rocks on the steep hill. The horse then ran down to the feedlot. I couldnt believe my eyes.

Seems like that happens every year. I have video of the gate opening and everybody headin out. is funny to watch. Dont ask for me to post the video. I dont want to infringe on other people with out permission. Maybe someone else has video they might share? :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
That's what I want to see!
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 03, 2013, 08:01:16 AM: :yeah: post it up come on come on :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Southpole on May 03, 2013, 08:10:32 AM: Dooooo iiiittt!!! >:( .... :chuckle:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: HunterDan03 on May 05, 2013, 12:08:09 PM: 2 guys on horses busted up a steep rocky spot onto the road where all the vehicles were driving up and the second guys horse reared up and threw him off into rocks on the steep hill. The horse then ran down to the feedlot. I couldnt believe my eyes.

That happened like two rigs in front of me!! I was like oh my gosh I should be filming this then wham, that horse started bucking and threw the person off! Wasn't it a lady?
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 05, 2013, 12:54:02 PM: Not sure... What rig were you in? Happend a few rigs in front of me lol.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Naches Sportsman on May 05, 2013, 12:56:15 PM: Pulling into the pit stop i seen a truck with quads with a ton of antlers coming down.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: danderson on May 05, 2013, 01:36:23 PM: We only found 3, all raghorns, competition was tuff, spoke to the wildlife agent later in the day and he said folks were definitely in there before the opener because they had seen antlers from the road and while opening up the gates on May 1st they had been all picked up, its kind of discouraging when a small fraction of people cross the line and enter the closed areas early, it takes the fun out of the adventure, but its still good times getting out and spending the day horn hunting with the bros.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: WARHORSE on May 05, 2013, 09:25:52 PM: it always amazes me at how a guy can find old horns esp in an area that gets hit so hard! lol i know i have walked past my fair share. :chuckle: cracks me up!
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: quadcrazy69 on May 06, 2013, 09:12:52 AM: Quote from: WARHORSE on May 05, 2013, 09:25:52 PM
it always amazes me at how a guy can find old horns esp in an area that gets hit so hard! lol i know i have walked past my fair share. :chuckle: cracks me up!

The only horns we found were a matching pair still laying out in the open from last year.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: pat2bear on May 06, 2013, 12:18:29 PM: Was up at the Oak Creek 500 on the first like we do every year. We only found 3 in our whole group. Could of been partly bad luck but I also think the spot we were in was hit pretty hard before the opener as we talked to guys who were seeing old boot tracks. At the visitor center they were telling us they got pictures of guys with face paint on flipping off the eyes in the woods cameras. I guess they think they're pretty funny. Still had fun though but I think that might be my last hooray for Oak Creek. Might try and take the road less traveled next year. As long as the penalties for going in there early are a mere slap on the wrist this problem will continue.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: shedmaster on May 06, 2013, 12:33:41 PM: All u crying bout people goin in early r going ruin the shedhunting... quit complaining80 percent of my horns dont come from anywhere near feeding stations anyway... if u plan on walking one day a year for sheds u should b glad to pick up anything .. bet u think those old boot prints picked up 50 horns ur wrong .. I went yesterday to a feeding station and picked up eight while walking on boot tracks half the time.. they cant find them all... permits for sheds r coming if u All dont quit complaining then us all the people that r legal will have to pay while the cheaters keep up what they always have... stop complaining
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 06, 2013, 12:45:47 PM: :bdid: i cant believe what i just read.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: pat2bear on May 06, 2013, 01:35:37 PM: Sheesh! Who pissed in your cheerios? I didn't know it was wrong to complain about people that are breaking the law. I'm not advocating a permit, I'm simply saying that the penalty for going in early needs to be more severe. That's it. I go as much as I can but it's hard with other obligations like life and stuff. And yes, most of the sheds I find are before the opener as well, so don't judge me just because I'm not a self proclaimed "shedmaster".
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: MADMAX on May 06, 2013, 01:55:05 PM: Been doing it for 20 years
It used to be just for fun, the range manager used to say dont run the cows too hard and if you see any dogs shoot em.
Now its a zoo
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: jake on May 06, 2013, 04:02:54 PM: Quote from: shedmaster on May 06, 2013, 12:33:41 PM
All u crying bout people goin in early r going ruin the shedhunting... quit complaining80 percent of my horns dont come from anywhere near feeding stations anyway... if u plan on walking one day a year for sheds u should b glad to pick up anything .. bet u think those old boot prints picked up 50 horns ur wrong .. I went yesterday to a feeding station and picked up eight while walking on boot tracks half the time.. they cant find them all... permits for sheds r coming if u All dont quit complaining then us all the people that r legal will have to pay while the cheaters keep up what they always have... stop complaining
like shedmaster i do a ton of walking, i think the point he is trying to make is people sneak in that is a fact no matter how many cameras get hung up it will continue to happen. what is going to happen is the game department will start selling permits to walk for sheds in controlled areas, to fund the man hours needed to catch people sneaking in. and guess what people are still going to sneak in, not get caught and now we are paying for permits with the same situation. is it a *censored*ty situation? absolutely, am i saying sneaking in should go unpunished? no. what i am saying is just because you are walking a feeding station on the 1st its not going to be a gimme on finding horns. if you find 1 great, if you find 15 awesome but don't get on the forum as soon as you get home saying how *censored*ty it was because you only found 3. 3 is a good day of horn hunting! if you are disappointed with that your expectations are way to high.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Arteman on May 06, 2013, 04:10:55 PM: Maybe everybody's problem is you're all looking for horns.. I shed hunt for antlers probably more than most and yet to have found any horns :dunno: :chuckle: just kidding. Like said before, they don't all get found and it's still fun just to be out. Besides, I think it makes it easier because I'll look at what's obvious and easiest, then do the exact opposite.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: HunterDan03 on May 06, 2013, 08:30:27 PM: Lifted grey dodge four door.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: shedmaster on May 07, 2013, 11:02:38 AM: I wasn't pointing fingers just saying the more its brought up the sooner a season for sheding will start... I agree totally on steeper fines like losing ur right to hunt for that year if ur caught plus a fine of 1000 or more... eventually they will quit if we start taking back from them!! Sorry to affend anyone... it iritates me too...
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: crazyantler on May 07, 2013, 01:36:00 PM: The whole issue really could be solved if they open the feed areas to FOOT traffic only effective April 15th which will allow those who really like hiking the chance to find some good bone. Plus it would allow the animals to dispurse somewhat naturally rather than 50 to 100 cars racing like their in Nascar up the roads freaking the animals out running them into the ground such as I have witnessed. Now, for the ones that are finding the big antlers early on, well so be it because they will always do that. I agree that the more the one time a year shed hunter complains it is going to cost everyone else with additional regulations and FEEs to access our woods and natural resources to gather such items as antlers, mushrooms, rocks, twigs and berries etc.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buglebuster on May 07, 2013, 04:10:52 PM: :yeah: april 15th sounds like a great idea
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: Elkkiller23 on May 11, 2013, 12:21:23 AM: One of my buddies was lucky enough to pick up 13 sheds in oakcreek this year, ill post up some pics of them soon.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: buckmaster_wa on May 12, 2013, 12:29:27 PM: I found one small 6 Point shed in oak crk this year. I am a fan of opening it to foot traffic April 15th. My first time doing the oak crk opener (ten yrs ago) I found 13 sheds. Since then the trespassers have made it worse and worse every year.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: crazyantler on May 12, 2013, 06:25:31 PM: Well, who is good at starting a petition to the game department to try and get an April 15th foot traffic only opener and then the vehicles come May 1st.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: danderson on May 12, 2013, 08:36:27 PM: I like the concept of opening up the closed areas to foot traffic before the hoards of pick ups start rolling in, it reduces the stress on the fleeing elk that remain in the area, and up until two years ago that's how it was handled, midnight May 1st foot traffic only, we did the midnight shed hunting for the last few years not that we picked up more antlers but for the fun of it, the problem with opening early is that a good percentage of bulls haven't dropped yet and the whole idea behind the closed area is to give the deer and elk a safe zone to recover after a long winter, it also gives pregnant cows more time during the critical time of year when there body's reserves are at there lowest percent, increasing birth survival rates, I'm in favor of going back to the midnight opening. Another reason to go back to the midnight opener is because it reduces the circus like atmosphere created by opening the flood gates at 6am, I'm probably one of the few people on here that have been shed hunting the feed areas regularly for the past 25 years so don't give me that bull about the Game department charging a fee to gather shed antlers, I'm all in favor of paying a small fee to pick up sheds if it helps reduce the early birds entering closed areas to pick up sheds, there no different that poachers as far as I'm concerned, and should be treated as such. :twocents:
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: crazyantler on May 13, 2013, 09:26:48 AM: Instead of a midnight opener like the used to do I say they open it a day or two earlier on April 28th or 29th to foot traffic as two days wont make any difference to the elk other than dispurse them more gradually. This way foot traffic hunters can have a day or TWO ahead of the atvs and circus of vehicles which I think would help somewhat naturally disperse the elk which would have less impact tham opening the flood gates May 1.
Title: Re: May 1st
Post by: huntandjeep on May 14, 2013, 07:36:59 PM: Opening the gates a day or two or the 15 of April isnt going to do anything. The unlawful people are in there way before the 15th. I did the Oak creek thing a couple times and did good but there was just to much competition. I finally gave up and found new spots with less people and more sheds. There are a lot of original shed hunters then theres the new ( don't flame me for the next part) ones that do it for the $ . Just look at eBay or CL the price for antlers is unbelievable, hell there was a dink set of 5x5 elk on my local CL the guy wanted $600. That's whats driving people to get in there earlier and earlier MONEY.