Post by: CementFinisher on June 06, 2011, 11:29:48 PM
Post by: PolarBear on June 07, 2011, 01:37:01 AM
Post by: windygorge on June 07, 2011, 05:05:33 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 07, 2011, 05:36:49 AM
Post by: grundy53 on June 07, 2011, 05:46:33 AM
Post by: windygorge on June 07, 2011, 05:48:23 AM
Post by: PolarBear on June 07, 2011, 08:03:09 AM
Post by: CementFinisher on June 07, 2011, 05:52:40 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 08, 2011, 11:28:51 AM
sounds like young bulls.
My thought too.
Seems to be lots of young ones bouncing around in that jungle. Not sure how old they need to be to finally get that last growth spurt. I usually see the ones like you descibe more often as you get farther from the park--hoko, dickey. When you get in the park (hiking), you can see the older bulls that get high, wide, and heavy. Sometimes they wander out.
Post by: dreamunelk on June 08, 2011, 01:20:23 PM
Some forage issues in Clear water will affect younger bulls because they are with the groups. Basically they are competing with the group for forage. A security over forage thing. If they get older they will begin to live apart forsaking the security of the group. If the area they choose has the minerals and other necessary for good horn growth they will get big heavy ones. Also some years (like a drought year) they may have smaller mass because of poorer forage quality.
While working in the Clear water this year I seen several P&Y bulls. Most from a helicopter. They were in the crap holes. Funny things is I seen several less than 100 yards from the main lines. Just in areas that most would not dare to go and only the ones who do their home work will find.
Post by: dreamunelk on June 08, 2011, 05:37:03 PM
This is definitely a sign of a young bull. Each time a bull sheds its antlers it loose a little bit (Think 10ths of millimeters) of the out side pedicle. This is what give the spread.
Even tho I have stated that forage is limited in these GMU's the herds are in good shape. A little skinny in the winter. However during key antler growing times there is lots of forage. So it is possible that a 2.5 year old bull could have a spindly 5 point brush rack. Also it is not unheard of for a spike to develop a 3 point rack. All about nutrition as I keep saying.
There is actually far more than I have time to write at the moment that affects antler growth. Just remember there is no one answer and usually many factors involved. Nature is often simple but most often very complex and complicated and there are always exceptions.
Post by: windygorge on June 08, 2011, 08:19:04 PM
Yikes, almost mist the key word: Narrow!
This is definitely a sign of a young bull. Each time a bull sheds its antlers it loose a little bit (Think 10ths of millimeters) of the out side pedicle. This is what give the spread.
Even tho I have stated that forage is limited in these GMU's the herds are in good shape. A little skinny in the winter. However during key antler growing times there is lots of forage. So it is possible that a 2.5 year old bull could have a spindly 5 point brush rack. Also it is not unheard of for a spike to develop a 3 point rack. All about nutrition as I keep saying.
There is actually far more than I have time to write at the moment that affects antler growth. Just remember there is no one answer and usually many factors involved. Nature is often simple but most often very complex and complicated and there are always exceptions.
:yeah:
Post by: Coastal_native on June 08, 2011, 09:06:19 PM
Post by: PolarBear on June 08, 2011, 11:31:16 PM
Post by: CementFinisher on June 09, 2011, 05:38:36 PM
If you're hunting the clearwater and not satisfied with the trophy quality of the antlers...keep heading south in the Clearwater GMU. Eventually you'll drop down into a major river valley that's seems almost "park-like". Shoot the first bull you see...you probably won't be disappointed. :chuckle:
Sounds like your describing about 5 min south east of the womans prison. I get frustrated with that area so thick not sure how to hunt it.
Post by: dreamunelk on June 09, 2011, 06:55:18 PM
Actually there is a honor camp there. Unfortunately only males. Although I did pass a female employee that was pleasing to the eye. If she would have stuck her thumb out I would have stopped. Not sure what the dog she had on the leash would have thought.
Post by: Coastal_native on June 09, 2011, 07:10:05 PM
Post by: Westsidebowhunter on June 09, 2011, 08:12:00 PM
Post by: CementFinisher on June 10, 2011, 03:57:11 PM
Post by: dreamunelk on June 10, 2011, 04:31:34 PM
Not! They have nothing to do with antler growth. Again minerals and nutrition! A few other reasons but, I am to lazy to look up at the moment. Most likely answer for a weak or sponge (rotten) tip is for some reason growth was not completed. And guess what the most common reason for this is................Nutrition.
Just about every ungulate has internal parasites. Considered common in western WA. Not a problem for them unless their immune system is down or wait for it......................nutritional distress!
Seen lots of bulls from the dickey and no rotten horns.
Post by: Webfoot on June 10, 2011, 07:29:51 PM
It is not hardly worth the drive to come up here and hunt anymore.
The only good thing to come of this is that they are getting easier to pack out of the deep holes.
Happy Hunting
John
Post by: CementFinisher on June 10, 2011, 08:33:27 PM
Post by: THINK_N_ELK on June 10, 2011, 09:13:21 PM
Most of the elk up here are so inbred, diseased and sick from drinking swamp water that they have shrunk down to where they are midgets. A large bull will weigh somewhere south of 125# and his rack will typically be a five point with about a 12 inch spread, that is if his horns are not rotted off.
It is not hardly worth the drive to come up here and hunt anymore.
The only good thing to come of this is that they are getting easier to pack out of the deep holes.
Happy Hunting
John
Just like there is no more ELK in the Blues, Right? ;)
Post by: CementFinisher on June 11, 2011, 07:17:36 PM
:rolleyes: :chuckle: :DOH:Most of the elk up here are so inbred, diseased and sick from drinking swamp water that they have shrunk down to where they are midgets. A large bull will weigh somewhere south of 125# and his rack will typically be a five point with about a 12 inch spread, that is if his horns are not rotted off.
It is not hardly worth the drive to come up here and hunt anymore.
The only good thing to come of this is that they are getting easier to pack out of the deep holes.
Happy Hunting
John
Just like there is no more ELK in the Blues, Right? ;)
Post by: windygorge on June 12, 2011, 05:20:49 AM
This young little 6x7 Clearwater bull is insulted by the suggestion that his family line has poor genetics and narrow short racks. :chuckle: (Not one of mine, but I'm the current owner...would love to put a cape on it eventually)
typical rack you would see. the result is poor nutrition :o