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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: colockumelk on July 23, 2009, 12:37:31 PM


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Title: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 23, 2009, 12:37:31 PM
Since many areas in Eastern Washington have problems with spike recruitment, and us bowhunters can shoot antlerless anyways, do you think that to help give the spikes a break the state should make it Antlerless only for bowhunters in Eastern Washington?  BTW I am an avid bowhunter. 
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: dreamingbig on July 23, 2009, 01:03:05 PM
After the changes they made to the seasons, my answer is NO.  I don't understand why everyone thinks it is so easy for bowhunters to harvest an elk.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 23, 2009, 01:09:02 PM
I was just curious.  Personally I'll shoot a cow over a spike anyday.  In fact I don't even try for spikes.  I see far more cows on the ground than spikes so IMHO I think give the spikes a break since 90% of the elk killed by bowhunters are cows anyways. 
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: HUNT on July 23, 2009, 01:28:08 PM
The spike will probably be shot in rifle season if you pass it up with your bow anyway.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 23, 2009, 04:33:21 PM
Ouch I wonder who voted for spike only and why?  That's harsh.  They have obviously never hunted with a bow before.   :dunno:
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: elkaholic on July 23, 2009, 08:35:21 PM
wasnt me  :dunno:
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 23, 2009, 08:58:49 PM
It was probably Todd_ID, Bucklucky or Boneaddict.  Those guys hate bowhunters :)
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 23, 2009, 08:59:15 PM
Nope I bet it was MichaelJ.  That is one road hunting SOB :chuckle:
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: Missing on July 23, 2009, 11:03:57 PM
I like the spike or cow option but I'm not real excited about the true spike rule :yike:
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: dreamingbig on July 24, 2009, 06:06:14 AM
Those who voted for the spike only option are not funny.  Brutal.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: ing on July 24, 2009, 07:13:17 AM
I'm just glad that I get to hunt elk.  Dont really care if I'm shootin at a spike, cow or branch bull. 
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: mossback91 on July 24, 2009, 07:41:45 AM
Well I dont think we should give the minority anything special so shoot the same thing as everyone else!!

Some archery areas are spike only already correct?

Shooting cows damages the herd growth more than shooting a couple spikes
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: NW-GSP on July 24, 2009, 08:31:24 AM
This is going to be my first year hunting archery and my first year going for elk, Im not waiting for a spike, the first cow I can get a clean shot at is going down.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 24, 2009, 02:50:43 PM
Well I dont think we should give the minority anything special so shoot the same thing as everyone else!!

Some archery areas are spike only already correct?

Shooting cows damages the herd growth more than shooting a couple spikes

Yeah but if it went to spike only for archery it would not be fair.  Success % for archers is 10% as it is being able to shoot spike or antlerless.  If it went to spike only the success rate would drop to 1%.  I bet those who voted spike only have never hunted with a bow.  In any case rifle hunters with cow tags harvest more cows per year than bow hunters do. 
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: saylean on July 24, 2009, 02:53:35 PM
Where I hunt its "true spike" only nowadays, but if I had a choice, I would stick a cow any day...

hence why I applied for that 2nd deer tag (doe). Good eating...and you cant eat horns anyway.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: viper55 on July 24, 2009, 09:57:32 PM
They should just open it up for any elk.  Then make the late season spike or cow only.  The early season is so short that if the weather is hot we know how that affects them.  Oregon has just one season on the east side for bow hunters and it is any elk in most spots, some ares are draw only.  I think a lot of us would shoot a cow just as soon as a huge bull.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: letmhunt on July 24, 2009, 10:09:37 PM
why would you want to shoot a spike anyway? cows i guess ok, they should make it three point or better and cows. every big bull ive shot taste better than any cow that i have tasted. Im sorry they shouldnt make it 3pt or better unit, because everybody would shoot 3pt and 4pt bulls then it would end up like the winston, nothing but small 5pt baby bulls!  :beatdeadhorse:
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: cle elum bowhunter on July 24, 2009, 11:00:27 PM
I vote to keep it the same.  2 years ago my hunting buddy shot his spike (first and only bull ever) the day before he was diagnosed with cancer.  Only elk he was within range of that year.  Glad that option was there for him.
Title: Re: Cow's or Spikes
Post by: colockumelk on July 27, 2009, 10:08:25 AM
viper I love your enthusiasm for it being open for any elk, however, if they made it any elk or 3pt min etc.  Then everyone would switch to Archery and the woods would be filled far too many guys. 
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