Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: boneaddict on August 10, 2009, 12:11:50 PM
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I find it interesting that Selway B tags or A for that matter are still available. Only 7 B tags left, but these are generally SOLD OUT by the first of January. Think the wolves are NOT MAKING AN IMPACT. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Funny thing is... I have a buddy whose uncle outfits in there and they have had some banner years the last two years... .with some big bulls too.... :dunno:
I'd LOVE to hunt the early rifle hunt in there! But you Have to have stock to do it....
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I was always dieing to nail that tag so I could go hunt it, but I was always too late. Now I can and am SURE I don't want it. :chuckle:
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There are still some elk for those who know where to find them, just not near as many as there used to be, and hunters are being very wary. First thing I usually get asked by hunters looking for an Idaho hunt "Is your area affected by the wolves?"
Many outfitters are having problems selling hunts.
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Make sure you add that when you talk to that commission. Its very visual as to what is in the future for Washington in regards to the economy.
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I testified that point on Saturday. But many more letters need to be sent so that there is broad public support for hunters thoughts. Anyone can message me for a list of email adresses, only takes a few minutes to send letters by email. :twocents:
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Shoot me that list. I want to add a note to all of them highliting that point about tags and the economy. It should make for a quick note. THen I think I'll go buy that tag for plan B ;)
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I saw last week the numbers went up... I guess a bunch off tags got turned back in :bdid:
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Shoot - if I were down there and had nothing better to do, I'd buy either tag in a heartbeat.
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I was thinking about picking up an A tag and a B tag and hunt the entire fall in Idaho.
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Divorced or laid off?
;)
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I was thinking about picking up an A tag and a B tag and hunt the entire fall in Idaho.
Now thats a hell of an idea. :tup: I like it.
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I've got most of the time off already, and hell I am threatened about divorce even if I mow the lawn twice a week....so.............
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Wolves??? or economy?
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Wolves??? or economy?
both issues are playing a big part, sales are harder to make due to economy, and hunters are avoiding central idaho due to wolves, those outfitters and small towns are taking a double hit. I know one small town idaho restaurant owner that finally couldn't pay the bills and was forced to close the doors. Outfitters board told me some outfitters are filing for non-use, no hunters and they can't afford the licensing cost.
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My folks sold their outfit at roughly the right time, about 5 years ago. The wolves were starting to show up in elk-affecting numbers, a few hard winters in a row hadn't hit yet, and the economy was still not in the news as a problem. The guy that bought it didn't have his heart into it, so it's up for sale again, and I'd be surprised if he sells it at all. I personally feel that the clients are more attracted to the luxury-hunting lodges in Colorado and Wyoming for the same price as a 15 mile horse ride and wall tent in the mountains; I see that as a bigger obstacle to the backcountry outfitters than the wolves. Unfortunately the wolves are in the news, and rightly so because the are seriously hurting the elk numbers, but I don't think that they are the true reason for declining client numbers: they are just an excuse. Any outfitter worth their salt can and will put a client on elk even with the wolves.
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Add in the price increase for Non-Residents and that hurts as well. I am a Non-res that hunts Idaho, and with the hunts going the way they have been the last few years, this will be our last hunt in Idaho unless we come up with a new gameplan. No sense in paying even more money when the # of elk are declining.
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I know a group who was going every year (for several years), They don't anymore. The wolves and the cost are the 2 reasons they don't go anymore.
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I have a buddy that works as a fisheries biologist for MT right now. He did some work for Idaho 2 summers ago and said he was in the Selway for a couple of projects. Told me that the wolf situation was downright depressing. No elk anywhere (and he said he was exactly where they "should have been" in July/Aug), and wolf sign out the ying-yang. :bash:
