Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Westsideelkchaser on September 10, 2024, 11:17:45 PM
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Had a nice bull that was on private property 250 yrds from state owned property open to hunting that I started calling to the bull and he was fired up came running right in to the public side…this is where it gets fun yes the bull was on land I could shot him on but I knew once I arrowed him he would run towards his cows on private so I wanted to call him close enough so I could have him hopefully die by a well placed shot on public land… the property owner next to this private land came out yelling and eventually chasing the bull to his property stating he was also archery hunting…he physically got around the elk on his buddies property and ran them to his saying hey I don’t think he’s coming in to your calls when he clearly came 100’s of yards to my calling…so how do you handle a so called man that thinks he owns the animals…was a very nice bull but no giant so I’m not sure to stir the pot with him or do my own thing and think that’s acceptable because you own land near elk
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Sounds like he interfered with your lawful hunt and potentially harassed wildlife. However unless you have the incident on video there really is no way to prove it. You could file a report with wdfw LE but I wouldn't expect much of an outcome. Sorry for your bad experience!
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I would say play tough , go there every day you can and get that bull just to prove a point :twocents:
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I'd go where there's less or better yet no private
Almost a guarantee that bull would die on private if you did stick it and it's pretty apparent the landowners wouldn't let you recover it...seems you'd be wasting the season away.
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I don’t know about you but that kind of behavior runins hunting for me. I am out there first most to enjoy the outdoors and maybe harvest an animal.
Anything you do in this situation except walk away won’t work out for you. Game Wardens are not going to help even though they should. There is already so much turmoil between property owners and hunters. I doubt they would do anything but encourage you to go else where. Even with video he could come up with 100 excuses that he was just enjoying his property. As long as he was on his property.
He could say he was pushing elk that were damaging his property. Hazing on private property has been in the WDFW playbook for years.
My advice move further away and call or just go else where. Don’t let this guy ruin the little time you have to hunt.
Good luck
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I've shot a few elk on private in the last decade including a nice bull. The stress of other people comes with the territory. I've had people seriously mess my hunts up and I've also messed someone else's hunt up (that was an accident).
Sounds like the neighbor is selfish, but honestly I feel like there is more of that than the opposite these days. Plan for it.
The hard work of elk hunting is inescapable. Either you're dealing with people or you're dealing with the pain and suffering of the back country.
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In that situation you video it and call fish and game to ticket the guy for hunter harassment.
