Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Dutch Oven on October 19, 2015, 06:31:14 PM

Title: This guy a shooter?
Post by: Dutch Oven on October 19, 2015, 06:31:14 PM: First time poster, long time lurker. I have been a deer and elk hunter for 10 years. Haven't killed any animals, but really enjoy the opportunity to get outdoors with my friends and old man and thoroughly enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I like reading and following the Washington Hunting Forum and have learned a lot about hunting and appreciate the thoughtful conversations. So here's my first question...In a spike only unit (like Little Naches), is this guy a shooter? If I'm reading the regs correctly, it says drop the hammer if you see this guy. Is that correct?
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: bobcat on October 19, 2015, 06:34:58 PM: It appears to be a legal bull but I'd need to see him turn his head to be sure there's not a second point on that one side.
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: JJB11B on October 19, 2015, 06:40:02 PM: it does look like there is a second point on the right side, below the ears though
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: SniperDanWA on October 19, 2015, 07:21:36 PM: Looks like a stub on the right side. I wouldn't drop him without a better view.
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: nw_bowhunter on October 19, 2015, 07:27:43 PM: I enlarged picture and looks ok to shoot but still would like a another picture to be100% sure.
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: Old Man8383 on October 20, 2015, 03:40:41 PM: Long before I'd stress over how many points, I'd wonder why he's thin and rough coated. If the date on the photo is correct then: Post rut condition? Sick? Do I want to waste my tag on a bull like this??? I eat what I shoot, so questions such as these are always foremost in my mind. In your photo it shows only that he is a spike on the right side.
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: nwwanderer on October 20, 2015, 04:06:08 PM: Ditto on the little guys condition, just because the state says yes does not make it a good decision
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: bobcat on October 20, 2015, 04:11:27 PM: Maybe I'm not as good an elk hunter as most, but when it comes to elk I can't afford to be picky. If it's a legal bull I'm taking it. Unless it's so obviously sick that it's not at all fit for human consumption. But in that case I'd probably shoot it anyway just to put it out of its misery.

In this case, I'm not sure I'm seeing an unhealthy elk. No it may not be the biggest and fattest elk I've ever seen, but it's only a spike. I can't imagine the meat being inedible. If it were that bad, that's when you grind it all into hamburger.
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: Bean Counter on October 20, 2015, 04:36:06 PM: If you're hunting a spike unit I don't see why this wouldn't be a trophy for that unit. I say: close eyes + slam trigger! :tup:
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: Humptulips on October 20, 2015, 04:37:17 PM: Sweet, that guy could be standing on the crest and be legal no matter which way he jumped.
:IBCOOL:
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: HuntNFish94 on October 21, 2015, 09:01:30 AM: Quote from: Old Man8383 on October 20, 2015, 03:40:41 PM
Long before I'd stress over how many points, I'd wonder why he's thin and rough coated. If the date on the photo is correct then: Post rut condition? Sick? Do I want to waste my tag on a bull like this??? I eat what I shoot, so questions such as these are always foremost in my mind. In your photo it shows only that he is a spike on the right side.

He's probably growing into his winter coat, I see deer this time of year like this where we hunt and it's just their winter coat coming in that makes their coat look like that. If he had patches of no hair that's a different story..
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: Jonathan_S on October 21, 2015, 09:29:42 AM: Quote from: Old Man8383 on October 20, 2015, 03:40:41 PM
Long before I'd stress over how many points, I'd wonder why he's thin and rough coated. If the date on the photo is correct then: Post rut condition? Sick? Do I want to waste my tag on a bull like this??? I eat what I shoot, so questions such as these are always foremost in my mind. In your photo it shows only that he is a spike on the right side.

Not many hunters see multiple legal elk in spike only units. Oftentimes still shots make animals look haggard since their skeletal systems are in motion, causing the scapula and hips to extend and protrude.

Everybody on here eats what they shoot ;)
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: elkfins on October 21, 2015, 11:33:47 AM: Bang.
Title: Re: This guy a shooter?
Post by: C-Money on October 21, 2015, 11:38:12 AM: I'd like a head turn, and as long as he is smooth above the ears on the Rt side...bang!! Trophy spike!!