Post by: HunterStrait on October 11, 2015, 10:57:52 PM
Personally, i think the spike only units need to be changed to being "Non-branching", which means elk that do not branch off at least on one side.
Post by: PlateauNDN on October 11, 2015, 11:10:23 PM
Post by: cooltimber on October 11, 2015, 11:31:28 PM
Post by: wheels on October 12, 2015, 01:45:57 AM
Post by: smittyJ on October 12, 2015, 08:20:47 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 12, 2015, 08:27:49 AM
Honestly though, that would be a ton of fun, you would see a ton of elk, and success would be about the same as with spikes.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 12, 2015, 08:30:54 AM
Post by: rtspring on October 12, 2015, 08:46:40 AM
I hunted 346 way back when it was any bull and you were lucky to find a branched antlered bull. I dont mind chasing spikes.
There are plenty of units that offer otc big bull permits atleast 3pt or better. It is what it is, we must play the cards we are dealt.
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 12, 2015, 08:57:22 AM
Spike only has done amazing things to these units as far as the number of mature bulls. But you must draw a big bull tag to reap the rewards..
I hunted 346 way back when it was any bull and you were lucky to find a branched antlered bull. I dont mind chasing spikes.
There are plenty of units that offer otc big bull permits atleast 3pt or better. It is what it is, we must play the cards we are dealt.
Easy for you to say, you drew this year, Im still waiting to draw my tag.... :'(
Havnt got to chase big peaches bulls since 98.... :'(
Ok Im better now. :chuckle:
Post by: CP on October 12, 2015, 09:01:53 AM
I think they suck! jmho:yeah:
Post by: runamuk on October 12, 2015, 09:08:07 AM
the issue I see with true spike is every year we hear of enough cases of accidentally shooting not true spikes that I do not see how it is helping the herds, oh yeah its not actually about herd health its about politics, control, and MONEY.
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on October 12, 2015, 10:13:01 AM
Spike only has done amazing things to these units as far as the number of mature bulls. But you must draw a big bull tag to reap the rewards..
I hunted 346 way back when it was any bull and you were lucky to find a branched antlered bull. I dont mind chasing spikes.
There are plenty of units that offer otc big bull permits atleast 3pt or better. It is what it is, we must play the cards we are dealt.
Its been awhile since I have had to apply for elk tags, but if you buy a westside tag to hunt those units, cant you only apply for hunts on the westside?
Post by: rtspring on October 12, 2015, 10:34:50 AM
Spike only has done amazing things to these units as far as the number of mature bulls. But you must draw a big bull tag to reap the rewards..
I hunted 346 way back when it was any bull and you were lucky to find a branched antlered bull. I dont mind chasing spikes.
There are plenty of units that offer otc big bull permits atleast 3pt or better. It is what it is, we must play the cards we are dealt.
Its been awhile since I have had to apply for elk tags, but if you buy a westside tag to hunt those units, cant you only apply for hunts on the westside?
Yes
Post by: rtspring on October 12, 2015, 10:36:05 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on October 12, 2015, 10:38:29 AM
True spike is BS, that I do not like...Wait til they put a spike length slot limit on them.....true spike less than 14". :stirthepot:
Post by: bobcat on October 12, 2015, 10:39:05 AM
Post by: Shank on October 12, 2015, 10:47:09 AM
There's a thread that talks about spike only and branch bull being shot. This guy cut off all the antler to make it a league spike. Problem solved..... :chuckle:It works both ways. 3pt min units if you accidentally shoot a spike duct tape a branch on.....then you have "branched" antlered bull!
Seriously though, spike only units are fine by me. I have seen a huge increase in the amount of big bulls in the area I hunt.
For example my brother shot a 6x6 in the early 90s for the day (any bull time period) it was huge, by today's standards it would be considered a small satellite bull.
Just sucks I've been applying for a decade to chase these big guys and still end up settling on chasing spikes. Oh well they eat better......right!?
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Post by: cooltimber on October 12, 2015, 11:10:09 AM
But I'll take a fat cow any day,sure I've taken big bull's but they don't have the flavor,some disagree!
If every one got big Bull's we'd just bitch about lack of elk.There is only so much land for so many elk in this state,i've got 15 pt's for a any bull tag at 69 yr's young I doubt I'll see one. Outfitter's in montana are about $5-9000,been on many, but I'm done paying big bucks for a pair of antler's.For me it's about the Hunt and friend's at the table talking about the hunt and next yr. :twocents:
Post by: elkfins on October 12, 2015, 02:54:23 PM
The true spike rule, however is the stupidest rule there is. Talk about an easy way to turn a normally honest and trustworthy guy into a poacher, game waster, criminal. Stupid... just stupid. :bdid:
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on October 12, 2015, 03:18:51 PM
Post by: tgomez on October 12, 2015, 03:34:18 PM
Post by: Buzz2401 on October 12, 2015, 03:34:52 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on October 12, 2015, 03:44:43 PM
Post by: 2labs on October 12, 2015, 04:00:47 PM
I like the spike only hunts. But would honestly like to see it go to a draw only type system even for general. Limit the amount of people in the woods and the hunting would be so much better for everyone when they get to hunt.
You start giving things to this state you won't get them back ever! Elk hunting will become a camping trip with 10 or 12 guys and one tag. :twocents:
Post by: js139 on October 12, 2015, 04:13:37 PM
They could increase the tags given in those units and stagger it so that there are more archery tags and less rifle tags. That could give guys the opportunity to draw more often if they want to hunt with a bow or wait a few years if they want to hunt with a rifle. They could go a step further and issue tags for units or groups of units specifically, similar to Idaho and you can apply for the controlled hunt or buy a OTC spike tag. That would make it so guys can must be confident that is where they want to hunt.
Can I say this is a suggestion from a bow hunter? I personally like to rifle hunt and don't mind the spike only system. That being said, I've got a bull tag this year and can't wait to get up there and hunt a big boy. I've waited 12 years for mine, so I'm ready to get my chance. Reducing the number to rifle hunters makes that wait even longer. I know there are those that have waited longer than me. I think the spike system works though. Me and my group hunt hard and we see lots of elk. Granted those elk aren't always shootable, but at least it gets you going and you can click that safety off.
The only thing I dislike about the spike system is the risk of shooting a 2 point by accident. We saw a spike last year standing 20 yards in front of the Jeep on the road. Fortunately, this was the day before the season opened. We looked at him for a good 2-3 minutes. Then he turned his head and he had tines sticking off the back and was actually a 2 by 2. I would have shot him so fast. That is my biggest fear with the current system, but how do you fix that. I just have to take that extra second or two to confirm it is legal.
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on October 13, 2015, 10:19:26 AM
They could increase the tags given in those units and stagger it so that there are more archery tags and less rifle tags. That could give guys the opportunity to draw more often if they want to hunt with a bow or wait a few years if they want to hunt with a rifle. They could go a step further and issue tags for units or groups of units specifically, similar to Idaho and you can apply for the controlled hunt or buy a OTC spike tag. That would make it so guys can must be confident that is where they want to hunt.
Can I say this is a suggestion from a bow hunter? I personally like to rifle hunt and don't mind the spike only system. That being said, I've got a bull tag this year and can't wait to get up there and hunt a big boy. I've waited 12 years for mine, so I'm ready to get my chance. Reducing the number to rifle hunters makes that wait even longer. I know there are those that have waited longer than me. I think the spike system works though. Me and my group hunt hard and we see lots of elk. Granted those elk aren't always shootable, but at least it gets you going and you can click that safety off.
The only thing I dislike about the spike system is the risk of shooting a 2 point by accident. We saw a spike last year standing 20 yards in front of the Jeep on the road. Fortunately, this was the day before the season opened. We looked at him for a good 2-3 minutes. Then he turned his head and he had tines sticking off the back and was actually a 2 by 2. I would have shot him so fast. That is my biggest fear with the current system, but how do you fix that. I just have to take that extra second or two to confirm it is legal.
No I wouldn't call my self a archery hunter, I'm in Idaho so we get a few choices. I have heard New Mexico is like this, or was. My buddy grew up there and it was draw only. He said every couple years you could get a tag if you hunted with a bow. If you hunted with a rifle, it would take longer.
I didn't mean reduce the rifle tags to give more to archery, I meant increase the number of tags overall, and then stagger them so guys have a choice to either get in the woods more often with a bow or wait a few more years to get a rifle bull tag.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on October 13, 2015, 10:25:29 AM
Banking on just happening across an animal with a limited amount of time to ensure a proper target in the brush and trees is a recipe for frustration if your hunt is all about meat on the ground. Otherwise, there is still plenty of fun and learning to be had in those units, whether spike or true spike. But such can be had in other units without the same restrictions.
Post by: Wapiti4570 on October 22, 2015, 09:31:04 AM
A true waste of animals and creating criminals for no reason.
Post by: Rick on October 22, 2015, 02:34:16 PM
I hunt 346 now and its not unusual to see a branched bull just about every day of the season.
I'd rather hunt spikes every year ,than go to a draw system and only get to hunt elk when drawn.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on October 22, 2015, 04:27:18 PM
Post by: steeleywhopper on October 22, 2015, 05:10:41 PM
I will be hunting in the Clockum this year so i can spend time with family and friends, next year West side Archery.
spike only sucks....
Post by: Landowner on October 22, 2015, 05:45:34 PM
But I'd be okay getting rid of spikes only in the Blues. Go to 4 or 5 point minimum.
WDFW has created a large geographic trophy area in the Blues for those fortunate enough to get a big bull permit. But for anyone who doesn't get one, and there are very few who do, the elk hunting pretty much sucks.
Post by: rsarkks on October 23, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
Post by: kball4 on October 27, 2015, 05:19:34 PM