Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: vandeman17 on July 18, 2011, 11:54:11 AM

Title: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: vandeman17 on July 18, 2011, 11:54:11 AM: My buddy and I went up to check his trail camera this weekend and on the drive in and out, we saw 9 different bulls and 3 different bucks. While it was really cool to see all the bulls, some that will most likely be over 300"s, it is so crappy knowing that I won't have the chance to hunt them and that I have to look for a true spike. We did see two spikes but both had a knob on one antler so I am pretty sure they will fork. :bash: I am not trying to start a thread about the pros and cons of spike only units but more just ranting about how frustrating it is. Maybe I should move to Montana... :chuckle:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: Alan K on July 18, 2011, 12:15:03 PM: Yeah, it sucks. I don't think I'll ever be able to hunt somewhere with a maximum.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: vandeman17 on July 18, 2011, 12:19:20 PM: Quote from: Alan K on July 18, 2011, 12:15:03 PM
Yeah, it sucks. I don't think I'll ever be able to hunt somewhere with a maximum.

Especially a true spike! That makes it even harder. It was still really cool seeing all those bulls though and all within 100 yards of us or closer. :tup:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: piledup on July 18, 2011, 12:22:14 PM: You can always go to a different spot and give me your location :chuckle: :lol4:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: vandeman17 on July 18, 2011, 12:30:14 PM: Sounds like a great trade to me... :o :chuckle:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: stickinmaster on July 18, 2011, 03:59:32 PM: There are plenty of us with a spike on the hit list! heck they taste better anyways :dunno:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: jrod on July 18, 2011, 04:10:03 PM: Quote from: stickinmaster on July 18, 2011, 03:59:32 PM
There are plenty of us with a spike on the hit list! heck they taste better anyways :dunno:
I agree Stickinmaster!! True unicorn are very good eatin :drool:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: Kowsrule30 on July 18, 2011, 04:15:14 PM: Yep..... I'll be spike hunting as well this year..... The most sought after trophy in WA!!!!
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: gaddy on July 18, 2011, 04:27:10 PM: im sure hoping to see one this year. last one i saw in range was the year before they went spike only.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: wall of wood camp on July 18, 2011, 04:47:42 PM: They are out there just have to look extra hard at those horns to make a decision if its legal or not and they usually don't give you much time we managed to find a few true spikes last year and they didn't need to be true i dont think i could hunt that side with the true spike restriction. they are setting things up for more animals to be left to rot because of a missed growth someone didn't see from the angle they were at in that split second they had to decide.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: YoterHunter on July 18, 2011, 05:55:26 PM: i agree with wall of wood camp.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: buglebuster on July 18, 2011, 09:55:49 PM: I agree that the true spike rule is stupid, last november while out chuckar hunting in the quilomene we saw no joke probably 30 1x2 hardly any true spikes in the massive groups of elk everywhere. Only saw 2 branched bulls, and they weren't that big.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: str8meat on July 19, 2011, 04:28:21 AM: it stinks hunting spike only, but they are out there
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: dreamingbig on July 19, 2011, 06:31:33 AM: Spike only with an archery tag might be one of the hardest tags to fill.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: vandeman17 on July 19, 2011, 06:35:06 AM: Quote from: dreamingbig on July 19, 2011, 06:31:33 AM
Spike only with an archery tag might be one of the hardest tags to fill.

I couldn't agree more! :bash:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 19, 2011, 08:38:28 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: MIKEXRAY on July 19, 2011, 10:01:48 AM: I also agree, spike only with archery is a tough living. I did it last year & only saw cows and large bulls. Mike
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: dreamingbig on July 19, 2011, 01:13:52 PM: I did it last year as well. I found one and came oh so close but a fickle wind ended the game. They show up like crazy when you have a bull permit or can shoot cows. I will be looking for one again this year while being the designated caller for pops. Should be a good time.
Title: Re: hoping to see a.... spike?
Post by: colockumelk on July 19, 2011, 02:15:01 PM: Quote from: buglebuster on July 18, 2011, 09:55:49 PM
I agree that the true spike rule is stupid, last november while out chuckar hunting in the quilomene we saw no joke probably 30 1x2 hardly any true spikes in the massive groups of elk everywhere. Only saw 2 branched bulls, and they weren't that big.

That is the point of the "True Spike" thing. To provide a means of escapement for the yearling bulls. Over the last ten years the overharvest of yearling bulls has destroyed the bull to cow ratio. It is the WDFW's last resort before they are forced to go Special Permit only for that unit. IMHO they are going to be forced into that route anyways. Time will tell.