Post by: yelp on January 20, 2011, 03:46:23 PM
Pat worked hard for years and his professional efforts are why we have quality and healthy Rocky Mountian elk, Mule deer and White-tailed deer herds in the Blue Mountains.
Pat has helped many hunters over the years with "where to hunt" when they draw those quality big bull and deer permits! He was a wealth of knowledge and was always helpful!
He will be missed for sure and to say thank you we are taking donations for a very special gift for him!
I am sending out some info to any friends, local hunters and guides that appreciate our Blue Mountain hunting !
(Yes I know there are no elk in the Blues) LOL :chuckle:.
PM me if anyone is interested in donating toward the special gift (can't tell you in case Pat is watching!) or attending his retirement dinner in Walla Walla on February 4th.
Thanks Everyone!
Post by: Woodchuck on January 20, 2011, 03:58:44 PM
Post by: Special T on January 20, 2011, 04:10:33 PM
Post by: jackelope on January 20, 2011, 04:12:13 PM
Post by: yelp on January 20, 2011, 06:03:45 PM
Post by: gunnarnewt on January 20, 2011, 08:30:40 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on January 21, 2011, 03:58:20 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on January 22, 2011, 04:36:12 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on January 22, 2011, 06:49:25 PM
Post by: yelp on January 24, 2011, 09:08:15 PM
Post by: nwhunter on January 24, 2011, 10:40:34 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on January 28, 2011, 04:05:44 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on January 28, 2011, 04:24:08 PM
Post by: yelp on February 03, 2011, 10:35:35 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2011, 10:37:31 AM
Post by: 400out on February 03, 2011, 10:39:33 AM
Post by: bucklucky on February 03, 2011, 11:27:29 AM
Post by: yelp on February 03, 2011, 03:53:12 PM
Mr. Fowler,
Thank You!!!
Darin Groom
Walla Walla, WA
Tucannon Muzzleloader
Post by: wsucowboy on February 03, 2011, 05:40:19 PM
Post by: yelp on February 03, 2011, 05:53:27 PM
WASHINGTON BLUES
Unlike the thick and steep terrain west of the Cascades, the Blues are more accessible and far more open, rendering resident elk more vulnerable to heavy hunting pressure than their coastal cousins. To maintain the bull-to-cow ratios and the number of mature bulls needed to achieve optimum elk populations in the Blues, only a relative few hunters will be able to bag branched-antler bulls each season. When hunters do draw a tag, they can expect a quality hunt.
It wasn't always so. Pat Fowler, district biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Blue Mountains District, remembers what he describes as "the hunter chaos days" prior to the implementation of spike-only bag limits in 1989.
"We used to have 18,000 elk hunters in the Blues," Fowler recalls. It was a low-quality hunt with a hunter behind every tree, and there was very low bull escapement. Post-season surveys would find only three to five bulls per 100 cows, and a 3-year-old would have been an ancient bull. Only 65 percent of the cows were being bred, and half of those were being bred late, which resulted in later calf births and lower calf survival. A lot of the time, you couldn't even tell there was a rut going on in the fall.
"Now we have 4,000 hunters, and you can have a quality hunt," Fowler adds, noting that bull ratios are as high as 15:100 and pregnancy rates among cows have increased dramatically. "The problem is, you have to shoot spikes, unless you draw a permit for any bull. If you get one of those, you'll have the hunt of a lifetime."
The lucky handful of hunters who drew permits this year for the Wenaha Wilderness and Mill Creek watershed stand a good chance of shooting bulls with 360 inches or more of measurable antler, according to Paul Wik, assistant wildlife biologist for the district. Wik says the Dayton and Blue Creek areas are also looking good for 2004. Private land may limit access to hunters in these two areas, so Wik encourages hunters who drew tags to scout early and scout often.
Washington's Blue Mountain elk seasons offer opportunity for rifle, bow and muzzleloader hunters, but few opportunities to bag a branched-antler bull with any weapon. The general spike-only rifle season runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 in Units 145-154 and Units 162-186. A handful of rifle and archery tags are available for any bull in Units 154, 162, 169 and 172. A spike-only muzzleloader hunt that spans Oct. 2-8 is offered for Unit 172, and a late-season bowhunt for antlerless elk is held Nov. 20 to Dec. 8 in Units 178 and 186.
In the 15 years since the adoption of spike-only bag limits, Fowler says, most hunters have recognized that the new regulations are good for elk and elk hunters.
"Having no adults in the population is not good management," Fowler says. "You'll never make everyone happy, but we have to do what is best for the elk herds, and this was definitely what was best for the elk herds."
Post by: yelp on February 03, 2011, 06:21:57 PM
Elk of the Flipper Hole 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM9ZpjU8kbU#)
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 08:05:28 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2011, 08:07:40 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on February 04, 2011, 08:09:10 AM
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 08:48:19 AM
Most hunters do not realize how hard Pat worked as an advocate for the health and quality of the Blue Mountains elk herd, with a relatively powerless handful of supporters within WDFW. Without his convictions and tenacity, the herd would not be what it is today. This man bore an incredible load of grief, both from within WDFW and from hunters, for MANY years, virtually single-handedly. He should truly be thanked by every hunter interested in the wildlife resources south of the Snake River in WA.
Well said.
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 11:48:34 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2011, 11:52:10 AM
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 12:07:05 PM
That's what I was thinking from your video, but your HD camera was shaking too bad! :chuckle:
:chuckle: I shook so bad! LOL not sure though it may be the same bull. :dunno: .But the pic hint was more about what maybe in store this evening. Its awesome!
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2011, 12:09:11 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on February 04, 2011, 12:11:13 PM
Post by: runamuk on February 04, 2011, 02:20:29 PM
I remember that video a couple years ago. Never undertood your song choice..... :chuckle: Anyhow, great bulls. I was wondering if any of those 3 hawgs became famous. If I'm thinking straight, at least one did......
hey his song choice was great in my opinion......and those bulls .... sigh
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 06:24:55 PM
We wanted to do something special for Pat for his retirement. The 2007 sheds of the 2008 446" bull that Dan Agnew shot on the governors tag were picked up by a local fellow and he donated them to us (WOW) so that we could have an elk mount done for Pat. Pat will have the state record non-typical sheds mounted in his living room. The gentleman that donated them to us know how hard Pat worked all these years for sportsman and made one request that he get them back when Pat passes on. I am still floored by the generosity. Awesome. Anyways..I have some new pics of the bull..but here is a sneek peak. With donations from family, friends, fellow employees and sportsman we are almost there to have it all paid for. :IBCOOL:
Post by: runamuk on February 04, 2011, 06:52:39 PM
Post by: 400out on February 04, 2011, 07:04:49 PM
Well the party is getting started...right now. I am going to let the cat out of the bag.NO Way thats awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We wanted to do something special for Pat for his retirement. The 2007 sheds of the 2008 446" bull that Dan Agnew shot on the governors tag were picked up by a local fellow and he donated them to us (WOW) so that we could have an elk mount done for Pat. Pat will have the state record non-typical sheds mounted in his living room. The gentleman that donated them to us know how hard Pat worked all these years for sportsman and made one request that he get them back when Pat passes on. I am still floored by the generosity. Awesome. Anyways..I have some new pics of the bull..but here is a sneek peak. With donations from family, friends, fellow employees and sportsman we are almost there to have it all paid for. :IBCOOL:
Post by: 400out on February 04, 2011, 07:08:10 PM
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 07:27:49 PM
I need to know did anyone get old Agnew to pitch in :dunno:
I tried looking for his contact info..I thought he was on here at one time. It would be great.
Post by: 400out on February 04, 2011, 07:40:43 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on February 04, 2011, 08:08:12 PM
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 08:21:25 PM
Post by: nwhunter on February 04, 2011, 08:43:57 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on February 04, 2011, 08:46:29 PM
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 08:50:51 PM
That is one of the nicest gestures among sportsmen I've heard of!! You can only imagine what those sheds mean to the guy who found them besides what they are worth!! I bet Pat's eyes will bug out right before they tear up. I'm sure some of you know he finally drew a Blues tag in 06, I believe it was , and held out for a monster with a muzzleloader and ended up not filling his tag. After all those years of building that herd to what it is him having a true monster on his wall is awesome.I'd like to shake the hand of the guy who gave up those sheds. nwhunter
I totally agree with you NWhunter.
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 08:53:25 PM
Thats way cool Yelp.. When You get drawn you should look that guy up. with all those sheds I have a feling he knows where some biguns are.
The guy that donated the sheds drew a big bull tag in 2009 I believe..he is pictured here with his bull.
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 08:59:02 PM
http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/Kings-Outdoor-World/HI41web/2009072901/12.html (http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/Kings-Outdoor-World/HI41web/2009072901/12.html)
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 09:44:05 PM
Post by: BENCHLEG on February 04, 2011, 09:50:57 PM
Post by: yelp on February 04, 2011, 10:05:06 PM
he has done more for washingtons elk herd, than wdfw has. that man should get a medal. :chuckle: good luck pat. :) WE APPRECIATE YOU. :twocents:
I totally agree with you.. :)
Post by: 400out on February 05, 2011, 09:43:58 AM
Thats way cool Yelp.. When You get drawn you should look that guy up. with all those sheds I have a feling he knows where some biguns are.That's a under statement Ross That guy KNOWS where they are! At all times ;) not just the elk either ;) I know this guy and for him to hand over those shed is definitely a noble gesture! He refuse a monstrous amount of money after he found them
Post by: yelp on February 05, 2011, 10:07:36 AM
Thats way cool Yelp.. When You get drawn you should look that guy up. with all those sheds I have a feling he knows where some biguns are.That's a under statement Ross That guy KNOWS where they are! At all times ;) not just the elk either ;) I know this guy and for him to hand over those shed is definitely a noble gesture! He refuse a monstrous amount of money after he found them
Just remember guys.."There are no elk on the blues!!" :rolleyes:
Post by: 400out on February 05, 2011, 10:25:33 AM
I believe all ingnorant souls will drive over here anyways so let them I'm going to the colockum thats just less people to contend with ;)Thats way cool Yelp.. When You get drawn you should look that guy up. with all those sheds I have a feling he knows where some biguns are.That's a under statement Ross That guy KNOWS where they are! At all times ;) not just the elk either ;) I know this guy and for him to hand over those shed is definitely a noble gesture! He refuse a monstrous amount of money after he found them
Just remember guys.."There are no elk on the blues!!" :rolleyes:
Post by: Ironhead on February 05, 2011, 11:09:24 AM
What a gesture by the shed donator and all the peeps involved with the party and the beautiful mount.
Yelp, youre welcome at my campfire anytime. Gives me that warm fuzzy feeling to know there are still people out there that care about someone other than them selves.
Way to go to all involved.
Post by: colockumelk on February 05, 2011, 03:54:06 PM
Thats way cool Yelp.. When You get drawn you should look that guy up. with all those sheds I have a feling he knows where some biguns are.That's a under statement Ross That guy KNOWS where they are! At all times ;) not just the elk either ;) I know this guy and for him to hand over those shed is definitely a noble gesture! He refuse a monstrous amount of money after he found them
Just remember guys.."There are no elk on the blues!!" :rolleyes:
There's a whole thread that proves otherwise. :chuckle:
Post by: yelp on February 05, 2011, 07:17:16 PM
Post by: yelp on February 05, 2011, 08:33:02 PM
Post by: Scott on February 05, 2011, 08:42:50 PM
Post by: 400out on February 05, 2011, 10:36:58 PM
Post by: yelp on February 06, 2011, 08:25:53 AM
Are those all that guys shed :o
That ain't nothing..I have seen some guys down there with a specific room filled to the ceiling with elk sheds. Amazing though one of the guys wante do an arch way for the event so he brought his sheds down..Pretty Awesome!
Post by: yelp on February 06, 2011, 08:34:38 AM
Pat,
Thanks for all you have done. We will miss you. Hope you have an Awesome retirement!
Good Hunting!
Scott and Kathy
Post by: rosscrazyelk on February 06, 2011, 12:41:01 PM
Post by: yelp on February 09, 2011, 11:13:03 AM
Post by: yelp on February 09, 2011, 11:16:38 AM
To Fellow Hunters,
I would like express my gratitude and appreciation for all of the
compliments I received on this website. Developing and implementing a
management plan for the Blue Mountains elk herd has been a challenge
over the last 36 years, and I have the gray hair to prove it. Luckily,
we were able to implement a management plan that re-established a
healthy age structure in the bull elk population and dramatically
improved breeding ecology in our elk herd. This management
accomplishment would not have been possible without the moral and
financial support from Washington hunters. As we all know, hunters are
the backbone of wildlife management because they provide the financial
support for all of our game management programs through license-tag
sales, P-R funds, and hunter organizations like the RMEF, Mule Deer
Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, and SCI. All citizens of Washington
benefit recreationally and economically from the funding hunters provide
to maintain our wildlife resource. The WDFW would not have accomplished
this major change in elk management without your support.
I would also like to thank my fellow biologists and enforcement
personnel in the district and region that have strongly supported our
elk management program. They have worked beside me under difficult
conditions for many years to protect the resource. A special thanks to
Nick for donating the antlers for the mount that is now displayed in a
place of honor above my fireplace. It takes a very special person to
donate a world class set of antlers.
God bless, and I thank all of you for an amazing career. It would not
have been possible without the support of hunters and my fellow
biologists and game wardens.
Pat Fowler, District Wildlife Biologist (ret.)
Post by: tenderheart on February 09, 2011, 12:19:58 PM
Post by: jackelope on February 09, 2011, 12:32:06 PM
Post by: yelp on February 09, 2011, 12:34:53 PM
There are at least 1000" of antler on that there wall! :yike:
Post by: jackelope on February 09, 2011, 12:53:52 PM
:)
Post by: yelp on February 09, 2011, 01:50:11 PM
Post by: bucklucky on February 09, 2011, 07:25:11 PM
Post by: Wacenturion on February 10, 2011, 02:47:25 PM