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Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Ron21 on July 01, 2018, 09:56:20 PM


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Title: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Ron21 on July 01, 2018, 09:56:20 PM
I was told that 2-3 years ago hunters heard lots of gobbles and saw some nice birds. I went several times this year and never heard a gobble and no sign of birds. Talked to several other hunters that had the same experience. Did they winter kill during the severe winter a couple of years ago?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on July 01, 2018, 10:03:22 PM
The safe zone was made.You can see hundreds of turkey in the safe zone all the way down Wenas to the large irrigated meadow (private property)Ask the dfw why they made the safe zone and why they don't exclude turkey from that zone..
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on July 08, 2018, 11:35:21 AM
I was told that 2-3 years ago hunters heard lots of gobbles and saw some nice birds. I went several times this year and never heard a gobble and no sign of birds. Talked to several other hunters that had the same experience. Did they winter kill during the severe winter a couple of years ago?

My lips are sealed 🤐 I got my bird and my dad got his in there


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: lucky7 on July 24, 2018, 07:29:54 PM
I heard the safe zone was made because an arrow flinger hit a passing car
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 24, 2018, 07:36:19 PM
There's never been more huntable birds in the wenas in my opinion.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on July 24, 2018, 07:47:43 PM
I heard the safe zone was made because an arrow flinger hit a passing car
I was told and i quote in disbelief by a warden:

IT WAS MADE BECAUSE ARCHERY HUNTERS WERE CAMPED THERE AND ON OPENING MORNING THEY KILLED A BUNCH OF DEER THERE..
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on July 24, 2018, 07:51:37 PM
There's never been more huntable birds in the wenas in my opinion.
You are right Karl lots of turkey in the Wenas area.Most will be on the borders of anti hunting property owners that feed them,one property owner off Jones rd. used to raise turkeys.

Come hunting season between the safe zones and the property owners that pushed for these safe zones where do you think most wild turkeys are gonna be?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 24, 2018, 08:46:44 PM
There are turkeys throughout the unit, not just down low.  Don't give them that much credit.  They don't migrate to a different area due to pressure.  They will live their whole life in a very small area.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on July 24, 2018, 09:08:05 PM
I agree Karl but the ones (that i chase) up around moms camp border the property all the way up.Yes there are turkey from top to bottom,never have i seen a turkey between Jones road and the elk fence bordering the private property to the east of the feeding station to the top of Clemens,I have seen hundreds on the property running along the Wenas to the edge of the safe zone.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on July 24, 2018, 09:11:38 PM
The Wenas is huge i have not been everywhere,the op asked i gave my op. if people don't like the opinion i gave give a location of this turkey haven and i will go check it out.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on July 29, 2018, 09:10:40 AM
It has been my experience that once the snow starts to fly they head down low then in the spring they head higher, common sense. Of course there will be birds that hang out low year round if there is a food source and a safe place to be. We have been hunting the same few canyons off and on the last 15 years. Just like any hunting you need to put your time in and pound the ground.
I hardly ever hunt the NE corner anymore. Lots of birds means lots of hunters and I prefer to be in an area where I don’t see anyone. Central Wa birds to me are more of a challenge and we  never see another hunter in the woods.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Hilltop123 on July 29, 2018, 11:15:05 AM
Some things I've learned about turkeys, from living here in the Wenas area for the last 15 years.
1. Turkey numbers are up, from 15 years ago. Considerably.
2. Just like deer and elk, there are 2 types of turkeys. Resident birds and migratory birds. We have a flock that migrates through here, that you can literally set your clock to. Normally no birds, right where I live, except for one week a year. Public ground birds tend to be migratory, private ground birds tend to be resident birds, I'm sure pressure is the reason.
3. Most hunters don't burn enough boot leather. With the gates we have up here for seasonal closure, most birds by the time season starts are miles from these gates, can you find a bird close to them, sure. But most of the birds close to these gates have been called at and harassed for at least a month prior to the opener. As soon as the toms start gobbling, there are people up here, schooling them to the sounds of hunters with turkey calls.
JMTCW
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: runamuk on July 29, 2018, 12:27:48 PM
Not in the Wenas but I lived where the turkeys migrated, and now work where there are migrating herds of birds. They dont always go low for winter. I had a herd show up at 4000 ft the end of summer to be joined by more herds it was insane how many birds wintered in a snowpark.  I falsely believed all the banter on huntwa about turkeys migrating low. I know better now.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: boneaddict on July 29, 2018, 12:39:20 PM
Just saw a couple flocks of this years crop.  🦃. Going to be a bunch of jakes in the spring.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on July 29, 2018, 07:41:04 PM
Just saw a couple flocks of this years crop.  🦃. Going to be a bunch of jakes in the spring.
Saw 5 Jakes this year in the area we hunt. Plus a few Toms and bagged a couple birds as well.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on July 29, 2018, 07:46:48 PM
Some things I've learned about turkeys, from living here in the Wenas area for the last 15 years.
1. Turkey numbers are up, from 15 years ago. Considerably.
2. Just like deer and elk, there are 2 types of turkeys. Resident birds and migratory birds. We have a flock that migrates through here, that you can literally set your clock to. Normally no birds, right where I live, except for one week a year. Public ground birds tend to be migratory, private ground birds tend to be resident birds, I'm sure pressure is the reason.
3. Most hunters don't burn enough boot leather. With the gates we have up here for seasonal closure, most birds by the time season starts are miles from these gates, can you find a bird close to them, sure. But most of the birds close to these gates have been called at and harassed for at least a month prior to the opener. As soon as the toms start gobbling, there are people up here, schooling them to the sounds of hunters with turkey calls.
JMTCW
Exactly 100% truth!
Most hunters do not burn the boot leather, I’m good with that. My dad and I (he will be 69 this year) put on 9-10 miles a day in there while hunting Gobblers this year. But we both bagged birds and it was worth it.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on January 07, 2019, 08:17:32 PM
While Elk hunting this past season we saw Zero birds in the hills this year. First year I never saw or heard birds in over 15 years while hunting.. We ran to Selah bout halfway through the season and spotted over 100 birds in one of the fields past the lake. So that was very encouraging that the birds are doing good, hope they winter good and can’t wait to locate them during Spring season.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: rainshadow1 on January 07, 2019, 09:48:21 PM
Good to hear. I hadn't seen them up there, but I'm new to this area.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Naches Sportsman on January 07, 2019, 09:52:14 PM
Saw several dozen a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: ribka on January 08, 2019, 05:29:41 AM
The safe zone was made.You can see hundreds of turkey in the safe zone all the way down Wenas to the large irrigated meadow (private property)Ask the dfw why they made the safe zone and why they don't exclude turkey from that zone..

The Wenas experiences a lot of poaching and trespassing. It’s good to see safe zones (escapement areas) for deer and turkeys there. The turkeys would be wiped out without safe zones there.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 08, 2019, 05:25:18 PM
That area is only open for half the turkey season already.Making that a safe zone covers all animals thru all types of harvesting even the beavers that dam the creek and are tearing the road out and also the bridge.

IF THEY WANT IT TO BE A SAFE ZONE WHICH INCLUDES HARASSING THE ANIMALS THEN WHY DO THEY STILL ALLOW CAMPING IN THE SAFE ZONE?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on January 08, 2019, 08:56:18 PM
Saw several dozen a few weeks ago.
Good deal


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: ribka on January 08, 2019, 10:21:39 PM
That area is only open for half the turkey season already.Making that a safe zone covers all animals thru all types of harvesting even the beavers that dam the creek and are tearing the road out and also the bridge.

IF THEY WANT IT TO BE A SAFE ZONE WHICH INCLUDES HARASSING THE ANIMALS THEN WHY DO THEY STILL ALLOW CAMPING IN THE SAFE ZONE?

I know a few of the LEO’s that work the valley and another major reason for the safe zones were the idiots  coming out trespassing and shooting toward occupied houses out there. How would you feel if a car pulled up and 3 “ hunters” jumped out and started shooting toward your house with your family inside?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 08, 2019, 10:48:21 PM
There's no houses over there that are not shielded by acres of trees.Besides if that was the case they could have made it a firearm free zone instead.100's of yards shotgun ok,archery ok,trapping ok.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: ribka on January 09, 2019, 09:26:50 PM
There's no houses over there that are not shielded by acres of trees.Besides if that was the case they could have made it a firearm free zone instead.100's of yards shotgun ok,archery ok,trapping ok.

Do you have a house up in the Wenas in the hunting areas and safe zones where you can of first hand experience  instead of speculation?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 09, 2019, 10:12:18 PM
I hunt there every year when the gates open till they close.I know this for a fact.
There are no houses in that safe zone.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: boneaddict on January 10, 2019, 06:22:28 AM
The fact that you are arguing with a guy that could spit on that gate from his front porch when the wind is right..... :chuckle:  priceless
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 10, 2019, 07:03:40 AM
The fact that you are arguing with a guy that could spit on that gate from his front porch when the wind is right..... :chuckle:  priceless
bahahaha! Yeah what does Ribka know!?!?!  Dang locals  :chuckle:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: ThurstonCokid on January 10, 2019, 07:05:20 AM
The fact that you are arguing with a guy that could spit on that gate from his front porch when the wind is right..... :chuckle:  priceless
Hahah seriously


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 10, 2019, 08:30:20 AM
I don't get it.

There are no houses or front porches that you can spit on a gate there.the safe zone is only about 400 yards wide by maybe 300 yards deep. Our discussion is about a specific safe zone,Not all safe zones.

Besides no one is arguing.So don't try and make more out of our discussion than needed.  :twocents:  :tup:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 10, 2019, 10:12:01 AM
The fact that you are arguing with a guy that could spit on that gate from his front porch when the wind is right..... :chuckle:  priceless
i would like one of your famous photos of a house in the safe zone at the Wenas feeding area.I spoke to a warden in that safe zone face to face,He told me that when they made the rule only a few years ago that they never even considered the turkey when they made that safe zone.

The safe zone is only on the fenced side of the Wenas in that area,and the road is only about 30 feet wide.If houses was the concern then wouldn't you think it would be on both sides of the road?Here in Yakima we have huge tracks of public hunting land closed right now(on the Wenas and up in Tampico) due to this rule and also because of a few that can fallow the rules.We all get punished but i guess that is the way now.Again there is no argument only a discussion of what is wrong on the Wenas.  :twocents:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: boneaddict on January 10, 2019, 10:42:40 AM
since this is just a discussion and not an argument....LOL

I think the safe zone came about mostly because of an elk slaughter that happened against the fence.  Not positive but I think it appeared about the time that happened.   People were lucky they werent shot in the melee.   

I dont think its a bad thing for turkeys, elk, sasquatch or anything else for that matter.  THere are many benefits that come from some safe zones.   

offhand, it might slow the wanton slaughter from tribal members 24/7/365 in the Wenas but thats just a thought.

and finally,  I might be happy if the entire Wenas was a safe zone.   I have what looks to be a .22 cal hole in the side of my house. 

I dont have any fight in this game as even though I live just down the road from it, I don't hunt it.   I found it humorous that you were "argueing" with someone who does live there though.  nothing personal   
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 10, 2019, 11:42:26 AM
Which slaughter bone? The muzzy one about 12 years ago or the late archery one in 2014 :chuckle:  the archery one was terrible.  Wounded cows walking the fence line by the road.  Guys crouched along the road in waiting as their buddies pushed the brush.  Was pretty disheartening to watch.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: jackelope on January 10, 2019, 12:02:47 PM
I'm just here for all the turkey honey holes...aside from that, I drove through the Wenas once...
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: PlateauNDN on January 10, 2019, 12:04:49 PM
 :yeah: I got the popcorn. :chuckle:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Hilltop123 on January 10, 2019, 12:06:16 PM
Which slaughter bone? The muzzy one about 12 years ago or the late archery one in 2014 :chuckle:  the archery one was terrible.  Wounded cows walking the fence line by the road.  Guys crouched along the road in waiting as their buddies pushed the brush.  Was pretty disheartening to watch.
It's just not those two, occurrences. I've witness twice now, cows getting trapped in the dog legs of that fence, with hunters shooting away. I'm not talking about down along the main road, these are further up the hill. If your familiar with how that fence jogs in places, then you know exactly where I'm talking about. There is a residence right over the hill from that spot and now one that was built on the north side of Wenas Rd. There may not be homes within the footprint of the safety zone, but there sure are homes on the border of the safety zone. JMTCW
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 10, 2019, 12:10:25 PM
Yep.  Below newland and 39 is one.  Back behind the fifes camp.    The few I was referencing were ON the road by the hay shed.  Bad bad bad
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on January 10, 2019, 12:34:44 PM
Only 10 miles to bag a Big Gobbler. I'm in and probably a few of my closest cousins.  :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: boneaddict on January 10, 2019, 01:11:00 PM
Which slaughter bone? The muzzy one about 12 years ago or the late archery one in 2014 :chuckle:  the archery one was terrible.  Wounded cows walking the fence line by the road.  Guys crouched along the road in waiting as their buddies pushed the brush.  Was pretty disheartening to watch.

I think it was the muzzy one that started the ball rolling.   The archery reenactment of it certainly was a hit as well. 

I think we even had a thread on here about a  stand facing the fence in one of those doglegs, so yes Hilltop!   Can you imagine thats your hunting blind.  Staring at a fence. LOL

Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on January 10, 2019, 09:19:33 PM
I guess its fair to say then you would agree with rules on how close to a fence you can hunt.
Yep.  Below newland and 39 is one.  Back behind the fifes camp.    The few I was referencing were ON the road by the hay shed.  Bad bad bad
yep they are close..to the road,maybe they should make the other side a safe zone and maybe make new rules stopping hunters from hunting or harvesting say 300 yards from the fence.

Sometimes i can't believe how some hunters tear down what another hunter is doing or did that was totally within the law.So what a guy had a blind facing a fence.  :bash: lots of elk and deer run the fence lines but be careful if they make a new rule elk will get much much harder to get.Hunters were successful and some did not like it and pushed for a safe zone.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Dan-o on January 10, 2019, 09:27:28 PM
Which slaughter bone? The muzzy one about 12 years ago or the late archery one in 2014 :chuckle:  the archery one was terrible.  Wounded cows walking the fence line by the road.  Guys crouched along the road in waiting as their buddies pushed the brush.  Was pretty disheartening to watch.

I think it was the muzzy one that started the ball rolling.   The archery reenactment of it certainly was a hit as well. 

I think we even had a thread on here about a  stand facing the fence in one of those doglegs, so yes Hilltop!   Can you imagine thats your hunting blind.  Staring at a fence. LOL

I was right in the middle of the muzzleloader massacre.

It was like being in a civil war re enactment.   
You would literally hear volleys of shots as the elk ducked in and out.

It was INSANE.

And it was a pretty disgusting atmosphere.

I will never forge that there was a game warden standing out in the middle of one of the meadows.    I could hear muzzy bullets tumbling around, and I wondered how he had the nerve to stand out there.    I literally sat it out in a fold in the hillside.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on February 03, 2019, 03:32:46 PM
With any luck I will be in the Wenas May 4th for a week. Get after them again in the honey hole.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: ribka on February 03, 2019, 06:24:08 PM

No
Offense meant. But can’t believe your a mod on here with your knowyand experience


I guess its fair to say then you would agree with rules on how close to a fence you can hunt.
Yep.  Below newland and 39 is one.  Back behind the fifes camp.    The few I was referencing were ON the road by the hay shed.  Bad bad bad
yep they are close..to the road,maybe they should make the other side a safe zone and maybe make new rules stopping hunters from hunting or harvesting say 300 yards from the fence.

Sometimes i can't believe how some hunters tear down what another hunter is doing or did that was totally within the law.So what a guy had a blind facing a fence.  :bash: lots of elk and deer run the fence lines but be careful if they make a new rule elk will get much much harder to get.Hunters were successful and some did not like it and pushed for a safe zone.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2019, 06:40:41 PM

No
Offense meant. But can’t believe your a mod on here with your knowyand experience


I guess its fair to say then you would agree with rules on how close to a fence you can hunt.
Yep.  Below newland and 39 is one.  Back behind the fifes camp.    The few I was referencing were ON the road by the hay shed.  Bad bad bad
yep they are close..to the road,maybe they should make the other side a safe zone and maybe make new rules stopping hunters from hunting or harvesting say 300 yards from the fence.

Sometimes i can't believe how some hunters tear down what another hunter is doing or did that was totally within the law.So what a guy had a blind facing a fence.  :bash: lots of elk and deer run the fence lines but be careful if they make a new rule elk will get much much harder to get.Hunters were successful and some did not like it and pushed for a safe zone.

He’s not a mod on this forum, Ribka.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Nwgunner on February 03, 2019, 07:48:38 PM
Just curious as to how so many hunt wa members knew this slaughter was going to happen and were present to watch.  And to have a game warden standing there the whole time?  Was this posted on a flier somewhere inviting people to come watch the festivities?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: PlateauNDN on February 03, 2019, 08:08:20 PM
The area it occurred is a bottle neck and wintering ground. Like shooting fish in a barrel.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Dan-o on February 03, 2019, 08:54:49 PM
Just curious as to how so many hunt wa members knew this slaughter was going to happen and were present to watch.  And to have a game warden standing there the whole time?  Was this posted on a flier somewhere inviting people to come watch the festivities?

Fair question.

Here's what I know/saw:

I hunted that exact area for several years before the massacre.   Sometimes we'd run into an elk or two.  Sometimes not.

That particular year, we showed up on que and walked into our usual starting spots, with a plan to rendezvous at 9:00.

When first light came, there was a shot.... then a couple shots... then a couple more... and more and more and more......

I'd say there were 200 MUZZLELOADER shots fired with 1 mile of me in 2 hours.

It was crazy and it was a massacre.

I believe 40something elk were killed within a 1 mile by 1/2 mile area.

As mentioned,. the elk were essentially trapped by the fence and a phalanx of hunters.

I witnessed the game warden standing out there..... while I was hiding in a fold in the hill side.

It was nuts.

I heard later that some locals had been watching a herd in there that summer.

As a west side guy, I was blissfully ignorant.

I was glad they made it into a safety zone after that.
It was a pretty horrible display.

I still don't know how that game warden had the stones to stand out there while I was literally hearing muzzleloader bullets tumbling thru the sky.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on February 03, 2019, 08:56:18 PM

No
Offense meant. But can’t believe your a mod on here with your knowyand experience


I guess its fair to say then you would agree with rules on how close to a fence you can hunt.
Yep.  Below newland and 39 is one.  Back behind the fifes camp.    The few I was referencing were ON the road by the hay shed.  Bad bad bad
yep they are close..to the road,maybe they should make the other side a safe zone and maybe make new rules stopping hunters from hunting or harvesting say 300 yards from the fence.

Sometimes i can't believe how some hunters tear down what another hunter is doing or did that was totally within the law.So what a guy had a blind facing a fence.  :bash: lots of elk and deer run the fence lines but be careful if they make a new rule elk will get much much harder to get.Hunters were successful and some did not like it and pushed for a safe zone.
You can't believe who is a mod Ribka?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on February 03, 2019, 09:02:11 PM
Just curious as to how so many hunt wa members knew this slaughter was going to happen and were present to watch.  And to have a game warden standing there the whole time?  Was this posted on a flier somewhere inviting people to come watch the festivities?

Fair question.

Here's what I know/saw:

I hunted that exact area for several years before the massacre.   Sometimes we'd run into an elk or two.  Sometimes not.

That particular year, we showed up on que and walked into our usual starting spots, with a plan to rendezvous at 9:00.

When first light came, there was a shot.... then a couple shots... then a couple more... and more and more and more......

I'd say there were 200 MUZZLELOADER shots fired with 1 mile of me in 2 hours.

It was crazy and it was a massacre.

I believe 40something elk were killed within a 1 mile by 1/2 mile area.

As mentioned,. the elk were essentially trapped by the fence and a phalanx of hunters.

I witnessed the game warden standing out there..... while I was hiding in a fold in the hill side.

It was nuts.

I heard later that some locals had been watching a herd in there that summer.

As a west side guy, I was blissfully ignorant.

I was glad they made it into a safety zone after that.
It was a pretty horrible display.

I still don't know how that game warden had the stones to stand out there while I was literally hearing muzzleloader bullets tumbling thru the sky.
No offense intended but what your saying is that you were 1 of the hunters that used to use that (fish in a barrel) bottle neck area to hunt.It was ok when you used it but when people were able to fill their tags within a 1.5 to 2.0 mile stretch of hunting land it was to much to stomach?

Ummm since elk are in herds this is not unheard of.  :twocents:

Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Dan-o on February 03, 2019, 09:09:45 PM
Just curious as to how so many hunt wa members knew this slaughter was going to happen and were present to watch.  And to have a game warden standing there the whole time?  Was this posted on a flier somewhere inviting people to come watch the festivities?

Fair question.

Here's what I know/saw:

I hunted that exact area for several years before the massacre.   Sometimes we'd run into an elk or two.  Sometimes not.

That particular year, we showed up on que and walked into our usual starting spots, with a plan to rendezvous at 9:00.

When first light came, there was a shot.... then a couple shots... then a couple more... and more and more and more......

I'd say there were 200 MUZZLELOADER shots fired with 1 mile of me in 2 hours.

It was crazy and it was a massacre.

I believe 40something elk were killed within a 1 mile by 1/2 mile area.

As mentioned,. the elk were essentially trapped by the fence and a phalanx of hunters.

I witnessed the game warden standing out there..... while I was hiding in a fold in the hill side.

It was nuts.

I heard later that some locals had been watching a herd in there that summer.

As a west side guy, I was blissfully ignorant.

I was glad they made it into a safety zone after that.
It was a pretty horrible display.

I still don't know how that game warden had the stones to stand out there while I was literally hearing muzzleloader bullets tumbling thru the sky.
No offense intended but what your saying is that you were 1 of the hunters that used to use that (fish in a barrel) bottle neck area to hunt.It was ok when you used it but when people were able to fill their tags within a 1.5 to 2.0 mile stretch of hunting land it was to much to stomach?

Ummm since elk are in herds this is not unheard of.  :twocents:

Like I said, I hunted that area for several years before the massacre.     Often, there were no elk down there at the ML opener, which was way earlier way back then.

Yes, my partner and I both shot elk in the massacre.

Previous years had no such massacres, because there weren't a bunch of elk down there.    Sometimes a couple.   Sometimes none.   Never like the year of the massacre.

I had no idea there were a bunch of elk down there that year, nor that a bunch of folks knew that and were all gong to show up.

And yes, I'm glad that after that one crazy incident that they made it a safety zone.    It was unsafe and unsporting.


P.S.   As far as I know, nobody set out to do something unsporting or unsafe.   I didn't know 60 other people would be there that year.   I bet none of the others anticipated such a crazy convergence, either.     But I am glad that the authorities dealt with it ASAP.

Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2019, 09:37:34 PM
Seems like that pretty much covers any questions.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on February 03, 2019, 09:55:08 PM
What exactly is your intention in these last couple of posts jackelope?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Nwgunner on February 03, 2019, 10:17:00 PM
Thanks for your reply DanO.  To have that many muzzleloader hunters concentrated in such a small area while the heard is there is unreal.  Someone must have called in the Calvary.
Title: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2019, 10:21:28 PM
What exactly is your intention in these last couple of posts jackelope?

My last couple of posts?

1st one was to clarify to Ribka that you were not a mod here. Seemed to me like he thought you were.

2nd one was to acknowledge  that I saw Dan answer all your questions.

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

What’s your point in questioning the intention of my posts?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Dan-o on February 03, 2019, 10:42:28 PM
What exactly is your intention in these last couple of posts jackelope?

My last couple of posts?

1st one was to clarify to Ribka that you were not a mod here. Seemed to me like he thought you were.

2nd one was to acknowledge  that I saw Dan answer all your questions.

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

What’s your point in questioning the intention of my posts?
first was Ribka did not clarify who he thought was a mod yet but you assumed he meant me,second you are a mod but i was not aware that when all of your answers were answered on a subject that that was the end.

I personally can't believe you are a mod on this forum with your constant personal attacks on some members.   :twocents:

You said yourself you don't even hunt this area(drove through it once) you said.I have lived the Wenas specific for 35 years.

When hunters are glad that an area is shut down to hunting because it is their opinion that something unsporting was done but totally legal is beyond me.

Elk run in herds so basically saying that it is wrong for this so called slaughter to happen is anti productive and caters to the anti crowd.of course this is all just my opinion and i realize that you and i are not buddies therefore i am wrong and your buddies are right.   :twocents:




So what you're saying is that it's a good idea for 60 hunters to corner a herd of elk with the aid of two converging elk fences, so that they have no avenue of escape.   And that it's ok if it's so crowded that guys are literally running to try to outflank each other because of this manmade corner where two elk fences meet.

And having a man made set of fences concentrate that many muzzleloader rifle hunters, with people taking shots in all directions, is a good thing.

Got it.

P.S.   Nobody is taking away hunting opportunity.    This area is like 1 mile by 1/2 mile.      It does nothing to threaten hunting in the Wenas.    It just take into account that two elk fences converge and leaves elk no avenue to escape if there are very many hunters.

Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Oh Mah on February 03, 2019, 10:46:19 PM
let me use your logic

your saying that the state should limit the number of hunters in a gmu and make new rules about hunting near a fence? is that about where your at?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2019, 08:16:45 AM
Thread locked.  Cleaned up and unlocked. Let's try to keep it on topic of either the turkey hunting that it started out with or the reason behind the safe zone.

No calling specific members out.  Short leash lots of eyes watching now.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: KFhunter on February 04, 2019, 08:44:14 AM
TAG
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Cougartail on February 04, 2019, 08:51:35 AM
The "safe zone" is also a predator safe zone. :twocents:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: jackelope on February 04, 2019, 08:53:57 AM
Thread locked.  Cleaned up and unlocked. Let's try to keep it on topic of either the turkey hunting that it started out with or the reason behind the safe zone.

No calling specific members out.  Short leash lots of eyes watching now.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: h20hunter on February 04, 2019, 09:19:01 AM
Hello
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 04, 2019, 09:20:25 AM
Hello
  :hello: :sry: :chuckle:
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2019, 09:21:35 AM
 :hello:

Good times.  Looks like the Monday morning mod meeting can be called to order.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on February 04, 2019, 08:56:41 PM
Sure glad the thread was pretty shredded. Take it to the Elk section next time, just my opinion.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Dan-o on February 05, 2019, 09:56:26 PM
In the mean time, I will say this:

While I don't spend as much time there as some, the Wenas has a special place in my heart.    Some of my favorite space to wander.

In my limited experience, birds are spread out all over.


Good luck to all.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Limhangerslayer on February 05, 2019, 10:37:23 PM
Well h-e double hockey sticks!  Im glad now I know there be elk and thunder chickens in the Wenas!  I'm taking over karl's spot away!
Title: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on February 06, 2019, 12:32:59 PM
Well h-e double hockey sticks!  Im glad now I know there be elk and thunder chickens in the Wenas!  I'm taking over karl's spot away!

Been birds in there for quite a few years. You just have to find them in small pockets.


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Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 07, 2019, 11:11:54 AM
Well h-e double hockey sticks!  Im glad now I know there be elk and thunder chickens in the Wenas!  I'm taking over karl's spot away!
Hahaha!  Tear it up! I leave the local birds alone.  Populations are low enough as it is without me killing one
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: boneaddict on February 07, 2019, 11:44:21 AM
Me too, and maybe why I am partial to the safety zone protecting a breeder population.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Rainier10 on February 07, 2019, 11:48:12 AM
Me too, and maybe why I am partial to the safety zone protecting a breeder population.
I was going to post earlier that is a benefit of the safety zone.  Gives the wildlife a place to rest and not be harrassed.  The land can only hold so many animals so at some point they will leave the safe zone, there will be a surplus and that is what we get to hunt, the surplus animals that the land can't hold.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: boneaddict on February 07, 2019, 11:48:55 AM
 :yeah:  Zactly!
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Rainier10 on February 07, 2019, 12:03:29 PM
It's the same with private property.  They don't stay on it all the time.  You have to own a ton of private property to hold turkeys or elk on it year round.  At some point they are going to wonder off that private property/safe zone or the population is going to get to a point that the area won't carry that many animals and some will migrate off.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: snake on February 07, 2019, 06:36:21 PM
I have witnessed many similar slaughters.  I  have witnessed the harvesting of hundreds of salmon in extremely short periods of time. Many times where the river bottle necks. Creating a trap. (poor things) Men on both sides of the river. People being hit by cannon balls, people fighting.  Sometimes i go to these places for a whole season and the slaughter never happens.  I do not believe these places should be shut down or turned into a safe zone.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: ribka on February 07, 2019, 06:55:25 PM
Well h-e double hockey sticks!  Im glad now I know there be elk and thunder chickens in the Wenas!  I'm taking over karl's spot away!
Hahaha!  Tear it up! I leave the local birds alone.  Populations are low enough as it is without me killing one

I know where there are a few pockets of birds and also choose not to hunt them same goes for the deer, that get Pounded by poachers and tribal hunters year round. Have gal bucks on my
Property and leave them alone. Hope the deer
And turkeys recover.
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: Dan-o on February 07, 2019, 07:55:16 PM
Well h-e double hockey sticks!  Im glad now I know there be elk and thunder chickens in the Wenas!  I'm taking over karl's spot away!
Hahaha!  Tear it up! I leave the local birds alone.  Populations are low enough as it is without me killing one

I know where there are a few pockets of birds and also choose not to hunt them same goes for the deer, that get Pounded by poachers and tribal hunters year round. Have gal bucks on my
Property and leave them alone. Hope the deer
And turkeys recover.

You have gal bucks on your property?

Is that how they choose to identify, and what is their preferred pronoun?
Title: Re: What happened to the Wenas area?
Post by: PlateauNDN on February 07, 2019, 07:57:36 PM
Well h-e double hockey sticks!  Im glad now I know there be elk and thunder chickens in the Wenas!  I'm taking over karl's spot away!
Hahaha!  Tear it up! I leave the local birds alone.  Populations are low enough as it is without me killing one

I know where there are a few pockets of birds and also choose not to hunt them same goes for the deer, that get Pounded by poachers and tribal hunters year round. Have gal bucks on my
Property and leave them alone. Hope the deer
And turkeys recover.

I've seen some nice bucks on your property and boy did I wish 1 was on the other side if the road. Don't worry, he lived. I yelled and him and his ladies took off sprinting south. :chuckle:
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