Post by: birddogdad on April 15, 2024, 10:14:08 AM
Post by: millerwheeler on April 15, 2024, 12:25:16 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 15, 2024, 12:29:12 PM
Post by: ducks4days on April 15, 2024, 01:41:44 PM
Most units and tags numbers have been in a heavy decline last 8 plus years no surprise
Have the elk herds been in a similar decline that matches the opportunity loss, or have tags been reduced for no reason?
Post by: bobcat on April 15, 2024, 02:46:40 PM
Post by: GOcougsHunter on April 15, 2024, 03:28:43 PM
Most units and tags numbers have been in a heavy decline last 8 plus years no surprise
Have the elk herds been in a similar decline that matches the opportunity loss, or have tags been reduced for no reason?
per the game status report https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/02474/wdfw02474.pdf
Population monitoring indicates that the surveyed portion of the Mount St. Helens elk herd has
declined by approximately two-thirds over the past 15 years. While the Department’s objective
within the Mount St. Helens Elk Herd Plan did call for a reduction of approximately one-third, the
population is now significantly below that target. Accordingly, opportunities to harvest antlerless
elk have been significantly reduced in recent years. Additionally, estimates of calf:cow ratios
during this period suggest calf recruitment rates are at a level that should promote population
growth or stability. Despite reductions in antlerless hunting opportunities and apparently robust
calf recruitment, the population has not shown any indication of reversing its downward trend
Post by: Bowhunter3 on April 15, 2024, 04:03:15 PM
Post by: Bowhunter3 on April 15, 2024, 04:47:15 PM
been hunting 560 GMU for years, cow tags have been reduced to this year i dont even see a drawing for modern firearm.. glad i have all those points paid in~ what BS!!!
If anyone needs a view of uneducated selfishness………
Post by: kentrek on April 15, 2024, 05:49:50 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on April 15, 2024, 06:12:10 PM
They should have reduced those cow tags years ago
Due to hoof rot and piss poor management several years ago when there were literally thousands of cow tags handed out over about a 3 year period. :bash:
Post by: HntnFsh on April 15, 2024, 06:13:54 PM
Post by: jason stevens on April 15, 2024, 06:44:51 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on April 15, 2024, 09:41:38 PM
been hunting 560 GMU for years, cow tags have been reduced to this year i dont even see a drawing for modern firearm.. glad i have all those points paid in~ what BS!!!
Yep, all cow tags anywhere near St. Helens are gone. Sad.
Post by: birddogdad on April 16, 2024, 06:46:26 AM
All the units around Mt. St. Helens had cow permits eliminated this year. Along with archery general season antlerless season.
yeah but they still have youth tags and i bet master hunter tags too.... seems to me that it should be all or nothing rather than group selection.. would rather see the over 65 guys get the "only" chances as their trips in the woods seem to slip away too soon....
Post by: bobcat on April 16, 2024, 06:52:09 AM
All the units around Mt. St. Helens had cow permits eliminated this year. Along with archery general season antlerless season.
yeah but they still have youth tags and i bet master hunter tags too.... seems to me that it should be all or nothing rather than group selection.. would rather see the over 65 guys get the "only" chances as their trips in the woods seem to slip away too soon....
I see 5 youth antlerless elk permits for 560, that's it.
Post by: birddogdad on April 16, 2024, 10:54:08 AM
yep, last season i think there were 8 total cow tags for area. never shows master hunter stuff.. i know farmers on north side use them in 560 every year... 5 elderly tags vs kids who have lifetime to hunt was my statement there... i will go a step further and say maybe over 75 yo hunters, not assisted shooting. those guys may never have a chance again to harvest, cow gives a fighting chance on public lands......All the units around Mt. St. Helens had cow permits eliminated this year. Along with archery general season antlerless season.
yeah but they still have youth tags and i bet master hunter tags too.... seems to me that it should be all or nothing rather than group selection.. would rather see the over 65 guys get the "only" chances as their trips in the woods seem to slip away too soon....
I see 5 youth antlerless elk permits for 560, that's it.
Post by: nwmein199 on April 16, 2024, 12:03:25 PM
yep, last season i think there were 8 total cow tags for area. never shows master hunter stuff.. i know farmers on north side use them in 560 every year... 5 elderly tags vs kids who have lifetime to hunt was my statement there... i will go a step further and say maybe over 75 yo hunters, not assisted shooting. those guys may never have a chance again to harvest, cow gives a fighting chance on public lands......All the units around Mt. St. Helens had cow permits eliminated this year. Along with archery general season antlerless season.
yeah but they still have youth tags and i bet master hunter tags too.... seems to me that it should be all or nothing rather than group selection.. would rather see the over 65 guys get the "only" chances as their trips in the woods seem to slip away too soon....
I see 5 youth antlerless elk permits for 560, that's it.
I think its better to give tags to youth over old timers. My thinking is the 75 year old hunter has many, many hunting seasons under their belt and during the times of great herd numbers and less hunting pressure. Keep youth tags around to get the kids into hunting (we need a higher percentage of the population as hunters and so get them started early). Also the way things are going with herd numbers and wildlife commissions, its looking like the youth hunters will not get 60 years of hunting in like the 75 year old hunter has already been lucky enough to experience. :twocents: