Post by: TeacherMan on September 30, 2023, 09:13:04 PM
Post by: MADMAX on September 30, 2023, 09:32:41 PM
Post by: Screaminreelz on September 30, 2023, 09:59:15 PM
No other game animal that I know of make people crazy like elk do
Not unheard of unfortunately. Those people exist. Can't kill ther own they have to steal it from someone else. Goods friends of mine about 15 yes ago in Winston. 2 *censored*ty hunters couldn't track a cold had to steal a bull from a guy who worked his ass off to feed his family. Always carry a side arm and don't let people get away with crap like this.
Post by: Angus on October 01, 2023, 07:48:09 AM
Post by: jrebel on October 01, 2023, 07:56:18 AM
If it were not LEO greeting them, it would be a pile of other hunters and they would have packed my elk out for me and got a good butt kick'n.
With the above said....I'm sure there is more to the story.
Post by: boneaddict on October 01, 2023, 07:57:17 AM
My brother had someone try to steal his first buck as a kid as well. He came back and got the landowner and the landowner went and dealt with the guy. There are definitely real jerks out there.
That being said, I suspect this had to do with landowners and trespassing as well, but I guess we may never know.
Post by: C-Money on October 01, 2023, 09:01:25 AM
Post by: TeacherMan on October 01, 2023, 09:17:08 AM
I had someone take my deer. It was a meat buck. I got up to it and some guy was already there tagging it. He said better luck next time. I was just a kid so knew better than dieing over a deer. I ended up getting a much bigger buck, so the joke was on him.
My brother had someone try to steal his first buck as a kid as well. He came back and got the landowner and the landowner went and dealt with the guy. There are definitely real jerks out there.
That being said, I suspect this had to do with landowners and trespassing as well, but I guess we may never know.
I read all the comments and that was a general consensus, but with that said I play in all of that country and it may seam like there is a ton of private land but it’s down low. 95% of this country is national forest. I haven’t seen an elk in the valley since May. All the nice bulls I’m seeing during archery have been above 5000’. I’ll keep my ears open and ask one of my buddies who’s a sheriff next time I see him if he herd anything.
Post by: hunter399 on October 01, 2023, 09:57:12 AM
But a few times ....
I've had hunters watching me tag my buck.
Got on the old cell phone,called a friend to pick me up. And drive me the mile or two back to my truck.
Same on some gated areas as well.
Called a friend to bring in my game cart.
People sitting there watching you tag and drag.
Just waiting for me to leave it.
I don't know if any of them would of stole it.
But with all the story's of hunters coming back to find there tag on the ground and no deer.
Figured why take the chance.
When I was younger,few times I ran back to the truck.
Cause I figured someone would steal my buck if I didn't.
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 01, 2023, 10:29:39 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on October 01, 2023, 10:43:17 AM
Post by: bullfisher on October 01, 2023, 11:11:14 AM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
New a guy that did this once. Got his elk back with the help of a warden that way.
Post by: pashok23 on October 01, 2023, 11:48:36 AM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.good idea
Post by: LDennis24 on October 01, 2023, 12:18:27 PM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
This is genius!
Post by: HntnFsh on October 01, 2023, 12:25:23 PM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
Ive had to do something similar a few times. I havent had to worry about somebody trying to claim my animal very much. But the times I was concerned about it I removed a part that wouldnt be easily noticed. Just in case.
Post by: dewandgin on October 01, 2023, 12:34:49 PM
No other game animal that I know of make people crazy like elk do
Not unheard of unfortunately. Those people exist. Can't kill ther own they have to steal it from someone else. Goods friends of mine about 15 yes ago in Winston. 2 *censored*ty hunters couldn't track a cold had to steal a bull from a guy who worked his ass off to feed his family. Always carry a side arm and don't let people get away with crap like this.
That is very ironic as about that time frame ago my brother and I were hunting the Winston unit and we were walking though a logged area into a clear cut and a small herd busted out with one small bull. We shot the bull and then as we were gutting it a hunter approached us and asked why we were gutting his elk and explained he had shot it and showed hair that he had kept. We talked with him and asked him where and when he had shot it and we gutted the animal and the only bullet holes were from the opposite side and through the lungs/heart area and he had said he shot from the other side and a high shoulder shot. He even got a ride back to his vehicle and we ran into his dad later in the hunt and dad didn't realize who he was talking with and told of how his son had a elk stolen from him. Hope it wasn't the same incident. There can sometimes be two sides to every story.
I have had a deer taken from me after I shot it and watched it drop but the guy insisted it had stood up and ran to him. I didn't argue but it was laying in the same clearing I shot it.
Stay safe out there this hunting season guys and gals.
Post by: MAVsled on October 01, 2023, 01:00:15 PM
6 Hispanics, one tagged my spike before I could get to it.
I shot at 200 yards, watched it go down.
Made sure it was down & dead, it was laying against a downed log.
Circled around the rockslide cliff to where I could hike down the 300 yards.
Reaching the lower ridgeline that leads down to the bull, heard a pistol shot then voices, Espanol echoing off the hillside.
I came up to the spike elk, still laying next to the downed log: "my bull..."
Didn't get to finish my words as one Hispanic guy moved his coat flap back, showing me his pistol. His hand ready to draw. That dark, deep look in his eyes. I noted what appeared to be prison tattoos on 3 of the other men's arms, necks too. Heck, 4 of them had what looked to be ancient firearms, like WW1 ancient.
I backed off quick, txt'd, radioed my buds :(.
After talking with them, we realized nothing I could do :bash:.
However, I circled uphill, around to the top of the rockslide, could see the 6 men below me processing the bull.....
...THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT IT. Counted my rounds.
F-it, hiked back to truck and drove back to camp.
Called in the incident to WDFW....nothing, no call back, no contact.
3 days later, shot and tagged a 2nd spike bull.
Post by: zwickeyman on October 01, 2023, 01:44:38 PM
Never have understood why anyone would want some else's Elk in the first place
Post by: elkrack on October 01, 2023, 02:49:17 PM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
New a guy that did this once. Got his elk back with the help of a warden that way.
Paul?
Post by: stickbuck on October 01, 2023, 03:47:11 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: MADMAX on October 01, 2023, 03:52:08 PM
Ugh
Post by: hunter399 on October 01, 2023, 04:01:04 PM
Shot buck
Tagged buck
Gutting buck ,seen the other hunter about 150 yards away , watching me. Said heck no ,called my buddy.
He took my buck and I to my truck.
And the tailgates lined right yup.
Other one same.
Shoot,tag,gut.
Except behind a gate.
I'd drag it a couple hundred yards, look back ,there he was watching me. Same drag,look back , watching me,and following me.
It took my buddy about an hour to show up with game cart.
So I did that for about an hour,cat and mouse.
Soon as my buddy showed up,he was gone. Surprising right.
As far as elk ,I've never harvested one.
So if I did,I'm not leaving without it,if possible.
Post by: metlhead on October 01, 2023, 04:08:59 PM
Post by: BKMFR on October 01, 2023, 06:35:43 PM
Post by: bullfisher on October 01, 2023, 06:59:36 PM
HA!.. no, good guess tho.Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
New a guy that did this once. Got his elk back with the help of a warden that way.
Paul?
Post by: elkrack on October 01, 2023, 07:41:36 PM
HA!.. no, good guess tho.Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
New a guy that did this once. Got his elk back with the help of a warden that way.
Paul?
He was gutting a bull on the west fork and had it stolen from him at gun point. I didn’t think he got it back though
Kinda crazy how many similar stories there are
Post by: TeacherMan on October 01, 2023, 08:24:29 PM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
If I ever have to leave an animal I’m definitely doing this. If I have someone or even a group ever try and take an animal from me may God have mercy on them…
Post by: Lumpy Taters on October 01, 2023, 08:29:28 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on October 01, 2023, 08:33:24 PM
Post by: HillHound on October 01, 2023, 08:36:44 PM
As disgusting as it is, its also one of the stupidest things for people to die over. There are things I wouldnt hesitate to die for or take another persons life for. But it wouldnt be possesion of a deer or elk!I would like to think I wouldn’t either but in most of these situations the offender is the one that decides whether they are going to live or die that day not you. Whether I’m willing to give my animal up or not somebody comes at me pointing a firearm At me they better be ready. Because I’m sure as hell going to be. I only point guns at things for one reason and one reason only. I’m assuming they operate the same therefore they are threatening my life and it is now them or me. And like you said I’m sure as hell not dying over an animal
Post by: MADMAX on October 01, 2023, 08:58:27 PM
Either way
You shoot them, your chits over too
Your life will change for what?
A fricken *censored* bag ?
Post by: bornhunter on October 01, 2023, 09:17:32 PM
Thankfully and fortunately I hunt on my own property. My tolerance for that crap ended years ago after spending years of my life overseas. You take from me like this and threaten, you will be dead, that fast, with everybody else in your party. So, for anyone on this site that may think stealing an animal and threatening another hunter is ok, watch out. I can deal with the consequences of my actions. Just another memory to live with.
Post by: salmosalar on October 02, 2023, 09:36:04 AM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
That is really smart. Damn!
Post by: johnbmyersii on October 02, 2023, 09:42:08 AM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.
My grandpa always told me if I had to leave an animal to cut a big notch out of one of the ears. Him and his hunting partners in the 70s, 80s, and 90s have guys a few times either take or try to take their elk. I never thought about taking the tongue but same effect if you take a piece of the ear.
Post by: birddogdad on October 02, 2023, 09:54:23 AM
1) two groups claiming same bull , guns, police involved in some farmland area there.. dont know outcome or if shots were fired...but definitely police engagement on that one
2) guy told story in same area when there were lots of hunters (20 years ago there were elk there). one guy on watch, shoots bull in ravine , guy runs from woods and tags bull never shooting a round...again, law involved but dont know outcome..
These are the hunters that really should be removed/ never allowed in woods again thru the system. they give us all a very bad name and leave those who would have the way of no hunting in the drivers seat with arguments.
I know i have personally found a lost elk and deer for other hunters (elk in WA and deer in other states back east when i was younger), had taken a number to contact them, asked to be called if they located while i hunted area. i found the critter and called them to come get bull. (far from were they were scouring) . Could have easily taken but were is the enjoyment in that???
Post by: Bullkllr on October 02, 2023, 10:00:33 AM
These are the hunters that really should be removed/ never allowed in woods again thru the system. they give us all a very bad name and leave those who would have the way of no hunting in the drivers seat with arguments.
Anyone who would do that is not a hunter; rather simply a thief.
Post by: birddogdad on October 02, 2023, 10:04:16 AM
These are the hunters that really should be removed/ never allowed in woods again thru the system. they give us all a very bad name and leave those who would have the way of no hunting in the drivers seat with arguments.
Anyone who would do that is not a hunter; rather simply a thief.
sorry , complete misuse of the word .. you are correct...
Post by: Gringo31 on October 02, 2023, 10:14:18 AM
If it was a big bull or buck, every time they looked at it would be a reminder of their own dark soul and what they took from someone.
I don't get it, can't imagine it and therefore am afraid how I would process it in real time.....
Post by: 300rum on October 02, 2023, 10:56:20 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 02, 2023, 11:01:05 AM
Post by: hunter399 on October 02, 2023, 03:23:51 PM
You gotta be a piece of work ,to try and steal someones harvest.
The elk ,I mean ya chances are not in any hunters favor.
Like myself ,id have no desire to take something like that away from anybody. Luck,hard work,or how ever they harvested.
Makes no difference,I'd rather eat tag soup over another hunters harvest.
Watching someone shoot,then trying to shoot it on the run,so you can make a claim. Trying to tag it before someone else.
Or just plain stealing it,and tossing the tag from the rightful owner.
Who does that. Just redonkuless.
Post by: ghosthunter on October 02, 2023, 04:58:16 PM
I have always marked my animal whether I was leaving it or not just in case someone tried to take it. I could Identify it.
Just good practice.
Post by: MADMAX on October 02, 2023, 05:13:57 PM
But you have to drop down into a canyon and up the other side to tag it snowy and slick
3/4 of the way up the other side
You hear 2 shots ring out and you haul butt up a snow covered hill to find 2 unscrupulous bastages that saw the bull go down and then ran up to it and shot it twice in the neck as it layed on the ground and tagged it
As we encountered
You say hey I just dropped that bull
And they say tough chit
It was alive when they came up on it
and “I shot it and tagged it”
“You dont like it too bad
Go back to Washington “
Game warden was called and couldn’t determine due to damage from shots
Great way for a young guy to get his first elk :bash: and it was all I could do to keep him from kicking their arses
Meats not worth dying for
Beware these 2 guys
I hope their proud of themselves
Post by: johnbmyersii on October 02, 2023, 07:30:30 PM
Post by: MADMAX on October 02, 2023, 07:35:04 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on October 02, 2023, 07:49:26 PM
Post by: jason stevens on October 02, 2023, 07:53:14 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 02, 2023, 08:02:59 PM
Might not take one point blank but a 500 yd butt shot is guna sting...not to mention that bullet hole through your rifle and the 4 flat tires on your truck..
Its been happening for years..when I worked in kitittas many moons ago there was a few calls every fall of disputes about down animals or just plain threats and theft..
People are nuts. Always have been always will be...
15-20 years ago I'd probably blow it off and move on..
Now...my patience for stupid is zero so I'd have serious issues if you try and take what's mine..
As for the original story,.... sound's like possibly private property issues...
Be interesting hear what the real story is,..
Post by: TeacherMan on October 03, 2023, 02:11:14 PM
Post by: metlhead on October 03, 2023, 05:48:54 PM
Post by: actionshooter on October 03, 2023, 07:35:03 PM
Always immediately take the tongue of a downed animal and stick it in your pack. It would be somewhat difficult explaining to a game officer why "your" harvest has no tongue and the complainant possesses it.My dad always told us this when we were young.
Post by: ghosthunter on October 04, 2023, 12:14:24 AM
Post by: TeacherMan on October 04, 2023, 09:10:23 AM
Ummmm a new use for AirTags :chuckle:
Just about spit my coffee out 😂
Post by: MAVsled on October 04, 2023, 09:57:30 AM
Then it happened to me, see earlier post.
Must mention one thing. When it occurred, it really SHOOK ME UP inside!
Especially after I left the scene. For the next 2 days, weird feelings, emotions welled up inside my mind, pits in my gut. At first anger, depression and even felt like packing up elk camp and going home. But I stayed, being around hunting friends in camp helped.
Hunting the area again days later was surreal.
Putting down another spike bull, about 400 yards away from the scene, I ran to where the bull was at 100 yards away. Out of my sight horizon, Bull dropped at 110 yards downhill.
Was relieved the next season not to see those Hispanics in the woods again.
Couple years prior, saw this same group during deer season. Witnessed these guys poaching a doe in lower, eastern unit 360.
Called it in, drove few miles down to the Naches ranger station. My partner & I gave written statements to LE...but nothing came of it.
Post by: TeacherMan on October 04, 2023, 12:21:38 PM
Post by: adamR on October 04, 2023, 02:57:10 PM
If I'm at my kill sight and someone comes up with a gun and tells me they are taking it, you've just threatened my life. It's not about the meat anymore...
Post by: MADMAX on October 04, 2023, 03:38:00 PM
It's one thing to walk up to a downed animal that someone else is tagging; sucks, but not much you can do...
If I'm at my kill sight and someone comes up with a gun and tells me they are taking it, you've just threatened my life. It's not about the meat anymore...
Absolutely agree
Thing that sucks with Elk hunting is you shouldn’t have to wear a pair of tennis shoes in order to get to your animal that you dropped
Post by: bugs n bones on October 04, 2023, 03:58:22 PM
It's one thing to walk up to a downed animal that someone else is tagging; sucks, but not much you can do...
If I'm at my kill sight and someone comes up with a gun and tells me they are taking it, you've just threatened my life. It's not about the meat anymore...
Post by: HillHound on October 04, 2023, 06:04:06 PM
Post by: MADMAX on October 04, 2023, 06:17:07 PM
I like the ear off thing too though
Post by: TeacherMan on October 04, 2023, 08:14:23 PM
Every elk I have shot and had to pack I always gutted them then take head out with me to grab pack boards and lockup in truck
I like the ear off thing too though
Awesome if it’s legal in your state. Many places head has to be the last thing packed out. I got a hefty ticket when I first moved to AK for doing this. Game warden watched me do it. I had even left $1000 worth of Sitka gear and my .338 near the animal (I could see the 1/2 mile across the Tundra back to my truck). Alaska said if they allowed it it would cause want and waste. Other words people would just take the straps and head and not put the effort into taking the rest I guess…
Post by: MADMAX on October 04, 2023, 08:35:25 PM
Legal up there on taking the tongue or ear ?
Post by: HikerHunter on October 05, 2023, 05:54:00 AM
I did have two guys block my path on a high country solo hunt once. I was glassing a spot I had scouted two weeks prior and they came in 30 minutes after me all loud and walking through the middle of it. I thought they would keep going but they stopped so I went over to say hi and that I was going to the next basin over. They turned, blocking my path, and said no you're not. I was confused at first but then quickly realized that these guys thought they owned the mountain. 15 years later, I'm glad I walked away. I can imagine what would happen if they try that with a hot head.
Post by: LDennis24 on October 05, 2023, 07:33:03 AM
Every elk I have shot and had to pack I always gutted them then take head out with me to grab pack boards and lockup in truck
I like the ear off thing too though
Awesome if it’s legal in your state. Many places head has to be the last thing packed out. I got a hefty ticket when I first moved to AK for doing this. Game warden watched me do it. I had even left $1000 worth of Sitka gear and my .338 near the animal (I could see the 1/2 mile across the Tundra back to my truck). Alaska said if they allowed it it would cause want and waste. Other words people would just take the straps and head and not put the effort into taking the rest I guess…
This has been a problem in the Watershed and now if Abel sees you come out with a head before the meat you will have to put the head down where you are and go back for the meat. He does not allow you to take the head before the meat. Too many people never went back for the rest.
Post by: JDArms1240 on October 05, 2023, 01:06:48 PM
Post by: RockChuck on October 05, 2023, 08:36:01 PM
Every elk I have shot and had to pack I always gutted them then take head out with me to grab pack boards and lockup in truck
I like the ear off thing too though
Awesome if it’s legal in your state. Many places head has to be the last thing packed out. I got a hefty ticket when I first moved to AK for doing this. Game warden watched me do it. I had even left $1000 worth of Sitka gear and my .338 near the animal (I could see the 1/2 mile across the Tundra back to my truck). Alaska said if they allowed it it would cause want and waste. Other words people would just take the straps and head and not put the effort into taking the rest I guess…
This has been a problem in the Watershed and now if Abel sees you come out with a head before the meat you will have to put the head down where you are and go back for the meat. He does not allow you to take the head before the meat. Too many people never went back for the rest.
I don’t see this in the watershed rules? I don’t recall it being a Washington rule either but I could be mistaken.
Post by: tvandy45 on October 06, 2023, 12:14:43 PM
On the flip side, I came across a fresh kill while archery hunting this year. in oregon Appeared to be a nice bull with 3 game bags left. I ended up running into the guys on the way down the mountain as they were coming back up. They looked haggard, tired and worn out...I asked if they needed help getting the last load and they both looked like they were gonna cry after I offered. Went back to the kill with them, loaded up and we walked out to the gate together.
I ended up shooting nice 4x6 bull with my bow the very next day. I'm a firm believer that the Lord blesses those who bless others.
Post by: dilleytech on October 06, 2023, 01:34:18 PM
I cannot understand the type of person that would take the head and leave the meat. Antlers are great, but they’re not gunna be very good on the dinner plate.
Because people will steal a rack, maybe less likely if locked in a truck?