Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: jimmy z on July 19, 2011, 11:13:28 PM

Title: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jimmy z on July 19, 2011, 11:13:28 PM: Yes I have my Quality bull tag. But now I've started wondering about the ethics of it all. Our state has systematically created tame, mature bulls thanks to their great wisdom in trying to manage age distribution in breeding bulls. Also know as revenue building.

Think about it. These bulls from 2.5 yrs on are getting their picture taken and apples tossed to them all summer and fall. Come winter we push hay off a truck for them and and take more pictures. After 5 years of this these poor creatures see us coming, start to drool a little, and then we pop em. It's kinda like shooting a pet dog! And we drop our hard earned dollars for these coveted tags. To shoot tame bulls.

Just sayin! :twocents:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: lokidog on July 19, 2011, 11:20:24 PM: Feel free to sign your tag over to me.... :chuckle: Apple fed deer and elk are yummy!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: sebek556 on July 19, 2011, 11:22:05 PM: will you shoot a trophy class bull more than likely, will it be a trophy hunt nope. but hey its tasty meat in the freezer
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: RadSav on July 19, 2011, 11:34:11 PM: On the farm as kids we named everything. I fed the chickens every day. I came into the house one evening and asked dad, "Have you seen Red?" He said, "Yep, I left you a thigh and a leg." That used to be life in the real world. Never felt guilty about that. And never apologies for the way I was raised.

I'm sure if you try real hard you can find one that is running like heck away from you. Then you can track him down and tag him with a clear conscience :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: rtspring on July 19, 2011, 11:43:55 PM: Ever see how they slaughter cattle in the slaughter house?

I don't knwo where you hunt but the elk I know damn sure dont hang their tongue out looking for a treat no matter what time of year it is.

Something about putting it all together , the planning, the hunt, the pack out, makes the meat taste a whole lot better......
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Alan K on July 19, 2011, 11:45:51 PM: The indians slaughter the elk in most of our permit only units, so I wouldn't call them that tame! :yike:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: dreamunelk on July 20, 2011, 12:07:59 AM: HUH??????????????????????????????
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Atroxus on July 20, 2011, 12:43:39 AM: If you really feel bad about it, and need to donate the meat I have room in my freezer. ;)
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Elk whack master on July 20, 2011, 12:59:44 AM: Quote from: dreamunelk on July 20, 2011, 12:07:59 AM
HUH??????????????????????????????
:yeah: :o
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Swannytheswan on July 20, 2011, 02:30:36 AM: Quote from: RadSav on July 19, 2011, 11:34:11 PM
On the farm as kids we named everything. I fed the chickens every day. I came into the house one evening and asked dad, "Have you seen Red?" He said, "Yep, I left you a thigh and a leg." That used to be life in the real world. Never felt guilty about that. And never apologies for the way I was raised.

I'm sure if you try real hard you can find one that is running like heck away from you. Then you can track him down and tag him with a clear conscience :chuckle:

:yeah:
If you have trouble killing something "tame"(which I doubt these elk are) you better stop eating meat. I remember coming home from the 4th of july parade (when I was about 5 or 6)to my dad telling me hold the lead on our steer jumper(he liked to jump the fence) while he shot it in the head and I helped him hang it in the tree in the front yard and he would cut a slab of meat off and my sister and i would take to the house for my mom to wrap up and put in the freezer the meat we ate always came from an animal we raised, fed by hand, played with, some even we nursed from a bottle because their mother died we ate them just the same it was a way of life and most generations before us lived that way. This age of ppl being a afraid to kill animals for food is ruining this country and is what is making hunting a dieing sport it is this mentality that is behind all the anti hunting groups
:twocents:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: huntnnw on July 20, 2011, 03:05:37 AM: I kinda feel that way.. I drew the only muzzy tag one year and I dont have half the satisfation I got from a public land archery spike I got on a OTC tag. Fun and all to see all the bulls..but the whole hunt was not IF u were going to get a elk it was how big was it going to be.. Different story hunting up in NE WA.. hunting these parts its IF your going to even see elk in the season :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: RadSav on July 20, 2011, 05:32:10 AM: I've read quite a few stories on HuntWA since becoming a member where members spent 8 or 10 days hunting these draw only areas with no success. Most of these areas have had deer hunters in there kicking up the turf and causing a little hate and discontent for a month or so before the elk hunters get out. I doubt there are too many good bulls standing around looking for hand outs once the elk season starts. However, if you were able to find one with a "please shoot me" sign around his neck no one says you have to shoot him. Bump up your goals and find a bigger/smarter one if you like.

The alternatives are much worse - No game and game habitat money and no hunting season.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 20, 2011, 05:47:02 AM: I think your forgetting a different mentality with the elk in the different time frames. It's not like you could throw a bunch of hay out during the hunting season and they come running. Just the same as you seeing these nice bucks on the mountains in the summer but when they lose the velvet they are a whole different creature and vanish into thin air for a reason.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: halflife65 on July 20, 2011, 06:16:01 AM: Not sure which tag you drew but let us know if you still think that they're tame after season is over. If you have some kind of tag that allows you to shoot an elk out in a pasture, then maybe but if you're bow hunting Peaches Ridge (for instance), you're going to find out that they aren't very tame at all, despite the fact that they are a feed station in the winter.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 20, 2011, 06:40:12 AM: If you don't kill one, somebody else will. Do it !!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: piledup on July 20, 2011, 06:54:05 AM: I've never heard of an elk in the woods being tamed. :twocents: :)
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: GoldTip on July 20, 2011, 06:54:22 AM: Quote from: jimmy z on July 19, 2011, 11:13:28 PM
Yes I have my Quality bull tag. But now I've started wondering about the ethics of it all. Our state has systematically created tame, mature bulls thanks to their great wisdom in trying to manage age distribution in breeding bulls. Also know as revenue building.

Think about it. These bulls from 2.5 yrs on are getting their picture taken and apples tossed to them all summer and fall. Come winter we push hay off a truck for them and and take more pictures. After 5 years of this these poor creatures see us coming, start to drool a little, and then we pop em. It's kinda like shooting a pet dog! And we drop our hard earned dollars for these coveted tags. To shoot tame bulls.

Just sayin! :twocents:

If you feel that badly about it, why not hunt one of the non hand fed/hay fed under 2.5 year old bulls that hasn't been tamed yet? That "qulity tag" of yours is also good for one of those.

Just sayin!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on July 20, 2011, 06:58:37 AM: Sounds like he got one of the tags around St Helens. I can assure you they are not tame.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Woodchuck on July 20, 2011, 07:07:03 AM: Sounds to me like maybe someone is trying to stir the pot. :twocents:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Curly on July 20, 2011, 07:12:53 AM: Quote from: BLKBEARKLR on July 20, 2011, 06:58:37 AM
Sounds like he got one of the tags around St Helens. I can assure you they are not tame.

No, he drew aGoose Prairie archery permit (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,77839.msg960877.html#msg960877). Since they are tame :rolleyes:, at least the longbow should help make it more of a challenge......... :twocents:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Elkpiss on July 20, 2011, 07:26:11 AM: Tame Bulls? Come on dude... If you have a soft heart about Killing a Animal thats fine, a Special permit is not about shooting a tame bull, its about great opportunity.. I would like to see one of those bulls come right up to you during hunting season, other then calling one in during the rut.. Give your tag to some one else.. :twocents: Tame bulls geesh...
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 20, 2011, 07:32:12 AM: WTF...... I thought I was extreme but dude your a little off key their now ....So I guess you threw that tag in the garbage .."A" :bdid: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: bearpaw on July 20, 2011, 07:34:13 AM: You have the option of turning that tag back in and hunting the general hunt areas. :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: tshoote30 on July 20, 2011, 07:57:08 AM: Quote from: Woodchuck on July 20, 2011, 07:07:03 AM
Sounds to me like maybe someone is trying to stir the pot. :twocents:

:yeah: If not the WTF!! why put in for the the tag in the first place if you feel that way :dunno: :dunno:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jackelope on July 20, 2011, 08:17:54 AM: One of my top 10 wierd threads I think I ever read on here.
:dunno:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on July 20, 2011, 08:19:45 AM: Hike the 7.5 miles into the wilderness with only the stuff you can carry... then come back and tell me the bulls up there are "TAME".....
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: stickbuck on July 20, 2011, 09:06:56 AM: Tame? Really? I can't wait to read your post at the end of the season to hear how your hunt went for the tame elk. If the big bulls are so tame, how is it that special elk permit holders in Washington State only had a success rate of 39% while the statewide harvest for elk was not even above 10%.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: steen on July 20, 2011, 09:24:35 AM: When I shot my quality bull it was not tame and only 7 out of 21 tags were filled. I'd say that was hunting hard. The sheep we have in the back yard may be hand fed also but we will have a heck of a time catching it when the time comes to cut it's throat.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 20, 2011, 10:05:21 AM: You knew what you were applying for when you submitted. Fill your tag or don't, but if you don't, you're dumb. No wild elk is tame and any bull is a trophy. Be happy with what you have and remember that many of us didn't get drawn for that tag because you did.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on July 20, 2011, 10:34:30 AM: Quote from: RadSav on July 19, 2011, 11:34:11 PM
On the farm as kids we named everything. I fed the chickens every day. I came into the house one evening and asked dad, "Have you seen Red?" He said, "Yep, I left you a thigh and a leg." That used to be life in the real world. Never felt guilty about that. And never apologies for the way I was raised.

I'm sure if you try real hard you can find one that is running like heck away from you. Then you can track him down and tag him with a clear conscience :chuckle:

And a Shot in the dirt at his feet would most likely get you that. reload and....
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM: I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 20, 2011, 10:47:55 AM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM
I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.

:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :tup:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: deerslyr on July 20, 2011, 10:48:17 AM: I guarantee jimmy z will not shoot anything bigger than a rag horn during this hunt, if he even fills his tag. If he indeed kills a good bull come hunting season ill eat my words, but with the mentaility that these bulls are "tame" hes gunna have a hell of a time getting one with in archery range :twocents:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 20, 2011, 10:51:00 AM: Quote from: deerslyr on July 20, 2011, 10:48:17 AM
I guarantee jimmy z will not shoot anything bigger than a rag horn during this hunt, if he even fills his tag. If he indeed kills a good bull come hunting season ill eat my words, but with the mentaility that these bulls are "tame" hes gunna have a hell of a time getting one with in archery range :twocents:

Not if you make "kissy" sounds and hold out apples at arms length! :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: tshoote30 on July 20, 2011, 10:51:31 AM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on July 20, 2011, 10:51:00 AM
Quote from: deerslyr on July 20, 2011, 10:48:17 AM
I guarantee jimmy z will not shoot anything bigger than a rag horn during this hunt, if he even fills his tag. If he indeed kills a good bull come hunting season ill eat my words, but with the mentaility that these bulls are "tame" hes gunna have a hell of a time getting one with in archery range :twocents:

Not if you make "kissy" sounds and hold out apples at arms length! :chuckle:

:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: fair-chase on July 20, 2011, 11:05:42 AM: :chuckle:

Here is a way to break up the boredome on those tame elk hunts...

CAUTION: CRUDE LANGUAGE
http://youtu.be/g2bNiQebJDA (http://youtu.be/g2bNiQebJDA)
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: MLBowhunting on July 20, 2011, 11:32:22 AM: well tell us how it goes during the season. you may just change your mind
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Elkslayer on July 20, 2011, 12:09:29 PM: If you think these elk are tame go out on the truck at the feeding station and jump off during one of the tours! The elk will scatter as soon as your feet hit the ground. Just because an animal is fed supplemental feed it does not make it tame!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: gaddy on July 20, 2011, 12:28:28 PM: here elky, elky
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BurleyDog on July 20, 2011, 12:31:51 PM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on July 20, 2011, 10:51:00 AM

Not if you make "kissy" sounds and hold out apples at arms length! :chuckle:

shhh!!!! Don't reveal my secret bear hunting strategy!

Tame elk? :dunno: Weird thread for sure!
Title: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: slim9300 on July 20, 2011, 12:48:58 PM: It would be funny if you couldn't kill a mature bull.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: MuleySniper on July 20, 2011, 01:05:30 PM: Big bull Steve:
Well Ralph, you'd better be headed off here pretty soon, spike elk season's upon us and you're just not safe here anymore. Don't worry though, since I'm hand fed and tame, I'll stick around and watch the ladies for another week or so until the branch bull season opens up.

Spike bull Ralph:
Sounds good Steve. I appreciate all your help. Man, I can't wait to grow up big like you, then I can become tame and enjoy all the fruits of being a big bull. It must be nice to be hand fed fresh fruits and have all the fine timothy hay a bull can eat.

Big bull Steve:
Don't worry little Ralph, if you can survive not being killed during the general season and just make it 5 or 6 years, you too will soon know what it is like to be a pet and enjoy the good life of being a big dumb hand fed tame 350" bull.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: huntnfmly on July 20, 2011, 01:11:34 PM: hoochy mama cow mary: hey spike bull ralph i will wait for you
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: RadSav on July 20, 2011, 01:24:14 PM: Quote from: Woodchuck on July 20, 2011, 07:07:03 AM
Sounds to me like maybe someone is trying to stir the pot. :twocents:

I thought the same thing.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: wastickslinger on July 20, 2011, 01:28:50 PM: It must take a lot of work for the Bulls in the Blues to get hand fed. Dedication I guess. Must be a huge group of sportsman that pack in 10-15 miles every weekend with lots of apples. :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: wsucowboy on July 20, 2011, 01:38:23 PM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM
I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.
:yeah: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Whitenuckles on July 20, 2011, 01:39:59 PM: Quote from: wsucowboy on July 20, 2011, 01:38:23 PM
Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM
I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.
:yeah: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4:
:yeah: :yike:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jrod on July 20, 2011, 04:39:09 PM: You must have the woodland park zoo quaility buul tag im thinkin :dunno: never been around any kinda elk that was fond of me at all! seems like they always run away from me and stuff! maybe ive always been around mean ones :dunno: i wanna come hunt with you where all the nice elk live ;)
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 04:55:21 PM: Okay, I'm not a Hippie! I love the woods but I'm not a tree huger! And I'm always looking for trouble!

But honestly, Since I started elk hunting, 1988, it seems to be much easier than ever to find and photograph big bulls in the hunting woods during hunting season. Just look at all the guys packing nice cameras and spike tags. 15 years ago I was jacked up before every elk season Now I get that way every 5 years or so if I'm lucky, cuase I get to chase a big bull. What I am saying is it's easier to shoot a nice bull now than it was in 1995. And based on my experience the last few years , they seem a little tame. -- And I will not take anything smaller than a 6pt or I will go home empty. And yes I use a longbow and will have a blast in the nile this fall! -- but then again I like catching rainbow stockers too!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: rb2506 on July 20, 2011, 04:56:41 PM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM
I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.

:yeah: :stirthepot:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: rb2506 on July 20, 2011, 05:00:20 PM: really???
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: 6x6in6 on July 20, 2011, 05:02:14 PM: Quote from: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 04:55:21 PM
Okay, I'm not a Hippie! I love the woods but I'm not a tree huger! And I'm always looking for trouble!

But honestly, Since I started elk hunting, 1988, it seems to be much easier than ever to find and photograph big bulls in the hunting woods during hunting season. Just look at all the guys packing nice cameras and spike tags. 15 years ago I was jacked up before every elk season Now I get that way every 5 years or so if I'm lucky, cuase I get to chase a big bull. What I am saying is it's easier to shoot a nice bull now than it was in 1995. And based on my experience the last few years , they seem a little tame. -- And I will not take anything smaller than a 6pt or I will go home empty. And yes I use a longbow and will have a blast in the nile this fall! -- but then again I like catching rainbow stockers too!
The reason you see more is due to the implementation of the spike only. There are A LOT more mature bulls now than there was in the 80's and early 90's.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 05:08:34 PM: Quote from: Whitenuckles on July 20, 2011, 01:39:59 PM
Quote from: wsucowboy on July 20, 2011, 01:38:23 PM
Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM
I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.
:yeah: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4:
:yeah: :yike:

Quote from: r benn on July 20, 2011, 04:56:41 PM
Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2011, 10:46:47 AM
I'm sorry but you really sound like a tree hugging hippie right now.
I just call em like I see em.

:yeah: :stirthepot:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: YoterHunter on July 20, 2011, 05:10:32 PM: the old saying goes like this .if god didnt want them killed he wouldnt have made them out of meat.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 20, 2011, 05:13:01 PM: Quote from: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 04:55:21 PM
Okay, I'm not a Hippie! I love the woods but I'm not a tree huger! And I'm always looking for trouble!

But honestly, Since I started elk hunting, 1988, it seems to be much easier than ever to find and photograph big bulls in the hunting woods during hunting season. Just look at all the guys packing nice cameras and spike tags. 15 years ago I was jacked up before every elk season Now I get that way every 5 years or so if I'm lucky, cuase I get to chase a big bull. What I am saying is it's easier to shoot a nice bull now than it was in 1995. And based on my experience the last few years , they seem a little tame. -- And I will not take anything smaller than a 6pt or I will go home empty. And yes I use a longbow and will have a blast in the nile this fall! -- but then again I like catching rainbow stockers too!
YEAH WE KNOW ...You just got on here to stir up sheeeeet huh !!!!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :yeah:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 20, 2011, 05:13:57 PM: ALL AND YOU DONE THAT !!! :tup:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: frostman on July 20, 2011, 08:08:29 PM: This is the Bambi syndrome. We have muliple generations of kids and people (Jimmy?) who think animals talk and are being taught man is evil.
Be careful of assuming a 6 pt bull will just be standing there waiting for you to get bull fever because you feel guilty about something. You will wind up putting bbq sauce on that "Quality" bull tag of yours. In this state ANY elk is a trophy.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: MuleySniper on July 20, 2011, 08:13:33 PM: It would be pretty sweet to find a hungry tame one. I'd lure it right into the back of my truck before I shot it. That would be one hell of an easy pack out! :chuckle:
MS
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 20, 2011, 08:13:58 PM: Quote from: jimmy z on July 19, 2011, 11:13:28 PM
Yes I have my Quality bull tag. But now I've started wondering about the ethics of it all. Our state has systematically created tame, mature bulls thanks to their great wisdom in trying to manage age distribution in breeding bulls. Also know as revenue building.

Think about it. These bulls from 2.5 yrs on are getting their picture taken and apples tossed to them all summer and fall. Come winter we push hay off a truck for them and and take more pictures. After 5 years of this these poor creatures see us coming, start to drool a little, and then we pop em. It's kinda like shooting a pet dog! And we drop our hard earned dollars for these coveted tags. To shoot tame bulls.

They are still free range and not high fence hunts.

Just sayin! :twocents:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 09:05:22 PM: I always got into bulls in the days before draw tags. Always had a good hard hunt. And yeah, I missed a few(alot) but I killed enough. And I only feel a little guilty if I have to shoot em more than once.

What I am saying is Hunting was better here in the late eighties and 90's prior to the pay to draw. The hunting woods are always great, but we should all get to chase all the bulls. - and quit calling me a hippie - I'm bald!!!!!

And none of my hunting buddies are hunting the draw area with me.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Swannytheswan on July 20, 2011, 09:59:16 PM: Quote from: 6x6in6 on July 20, 2011, 05:02:14 PM
Quote from: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 04:55:21 PM
Okay, I'm not a Hippie! I love the woods but I'm not a tree huger! And I'm always looking for trouble!

But honestly, Since I started elk hunting, 1988, it seems to be much easier than ever to find and photograph big bulls in the hunting woods during hunting season. Just look at all the guys packing nice cameras and spike tags. 15 years ago I was jacked up before every elk season Now I get that way every 5 years or so if I'm lucky, cuase I get to chase a big bull. What I am saying is it's easier to shoot a nice bull now than it was in 1995. And based on my experience the last few years , they seem a little tame. -- And I will not take anything smaller than a 6pt or I will go home empty. And yes I use a longbow and will have a blast in the nile this fall! -- but then again I like catching rainbow stockers too!
The reason you see more is due to the implementation of the spike only. There are A LOT more mature bulls now than there was in the 80's and early 90's.
:yeah: and the reason you don't get jacked up every year is the law of diminishing returns!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: akirkland on July 20, 2011, 10:11:16 PM: Quote from: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 04:55:21 PM
Okay, I'm not a Hippie! I love the woods but I'm not a tree huger! And I'm always looking for trouble!

But honestly, Since I started elk hunting, 1988, it seems to be much easier than ever to find and photograph big bulls in the hunting woods during hunting season. Just look at all the guys packing nice cameras and spike tags. 15 years ago I was jacked up before every elk season Now I get that way every 5 years or so if I'm lucky, cuase I get to chase a big bull. What I am saying is it's easier to shoot a nice bull now than it was in 1995. And based on my experience the last few years , they seem a little tame. -- And I will not take anything smaller than a 6pt or I will go home empty. And yes I use a longbow and will have a blast in the nile this fall! -- but then again I like catching rainbow stockers too!
Easier to shoot a nice bull? If its easier you will post a pic of that nice 6pt, right? :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: link on July 20, 2011, 10:35:43 PM: You ever watch that stupid show on the outdoor channel called "jimmy bigtime"? You kind of sound like Jimmy Bigtime. :chuckle:
Kill a bigun Jimmy! If your ethics will allow you to kill one of those tame six points. :tup:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Recurve-Elk on July 21, 2011, 01:35:44 PM: I have seen plenty of big bulls in my time of elk hunting. Trust me, upon realizing I am there they get the he** out of my way. They are far from tame animals. I suppose in some units they are some what domesticated due to feeding, and if this is your case I guess I can understand where you are coming from. However I can tell you for sure that the bulls in the taneum/manastash. Well they are not tame. I spooked a big 5x5 one year, it was out of there like a train, breaking down small trees in order to run away.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Recurve-Elk on July 21, 2011, 01:46:01 PM: And on a side note, if you are hunting these bulls with your longbow like you said, and you still feel this way!!! Holy cow you are a very seasoned hunter. I am lucky to see a bull once a hunting season. With in recurve range, well that has yet to happen so to me I think you owe yourself this hunt, sounds like you have studied elk a lot and you deserve a big bull this year. Very few people have the thought that washingtons animals are tame, it sounds like you have just become such a seasoned hunter, that the animals are unaware of your presence! Just a thought.

Go stick yourself a trophy! :archery_smiley:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: dreamingbig on July 21, 2011, 02:38:59 PM: Like said, use your bow and go stick one!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: one-eyed Ross on July 21, 2011, 02:46:17 PM: So, during some times of the year there are elk herds in my pasture...and my border collie tries to put them in with the sheep (which doesn't work well and I worry for my border collie!)...

Anyway, these things are used to dogs, used to being around people, but they sure seem to have a calendar or day planner or something...when it's hunting season, they use their Klingon cloaking device and disappear...same with the bucks. Only bulls and bucks I see are at night, eating on the apple trees....

Now, if I ever get a chance to pop one during hunting season, i won't feel guilty, bad, or like I'm not "hunting"...If I walk around my 73 acres and the tree farms north, west and south of me, I've earned it...
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Kowsrule30 on July 21, 2011, 02:55:02 PM: I drew a "quality" tag in 2008 for elk.... I paseed up more spikes in 3 days then I've ever had incounters with spike hunting..... Passed a few rag horns.... All the mature bulls were harder then hell to get on and blew a bunch of stalks before I shot a nice 6X on the 3rd day.... I worked my ass off getting him.... He sure wasn't walking around saying you have a "quality" tag take me out of the herd!!! :dunno:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: rgalanti21 on July 21, 2011, 03:08:30 PM: I do see the bad side of this concept but that backstrap has got to be tasty! Quality tag does not equal trophy hunt, but it's still a good time to remember!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BLUEBULLS on July 21, 2011, 06:10:50 PM: Glad to hear they're tame now. I was actually thinking about shooting the first 320" bull I saw this year but now that I know they're tame I think I'll walk around and with my tape and some grain and measure them up before I shoot.

I wonder why they've always ran from me in the past? maybe they've been thinking I was gonna brand them and make them mine for good :chuckle:

All joking aside, I've spent a lot of time chasing elk and any elk that knew what I was didn't stick around for a second. There are a lot more bulls now than there were 15-20 yeasr ago and when they're running around with a twinkle in their eye they are a little less wary but far from tame. If you don't want them to act like that then use a bow in modern season.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 21, 2011, 06:15:41 PM: Quote from: jimmy z on July 20, 2011, 04:55:21 PM
Okay, I'm not a Hippie! I love the woods but I'm not a tree huger! And I'm always looking for trouble!

But honestly, Since I started elk hunting, 1988, it seems to be much easier than ever to find and photograph big bulls in the hunting woods during hunting season. Just look at all the guys packing nice cameras and spike tags. 15 years ago I was jacked up before every elk season Now I get that way every 5 years or so if I'm lucky, cuase I get to chase a big bull. What I am saying is it's easier to shoot a nice bull now than it was in 1995. And based on my experience the last few years , they seem a little tame. -- And I will not take anything smaller than a 6pt or I will go home empty. And yes I use a longbow and will have a blast in the nile this fall! -- but then again I like catching rainbow stockers too!
Pics !!!
We love PICTURES !!!
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: huntnnw on July 21, 2011, 11:25:37 PM: I don't think the elk are tame in anyway..but I kinda understand what he is saying..there is really no fear of not tagging a elk with some of these bull units..its how big. The thing with OTC units is you hope to just see elk and tag one, low success rates and a probability of not getting something..these units have so many elk that u pretty much pick one if its what ya want and take the shot... u might physically work for it..terrain wise,but if ya get out and do it your not going home empty handed. Just look at the Blue mt units...if you dont shoot a decent bull down there..either you didnt hunt or had standards so high you ate the tag.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: RadSav on July 22, 2011, 12:33:00 AM: Quote from: link on July 20, 2011, 10:35:43 PM
You ever watch that stupid show on the outdoor channel called "jimmy bigtime"? You kind of sound like Jimmy Bigtime. :chuckle:
Kill a bigun Jimmy! If your ethics will allow you to kill one of those tame six points. :tup:

Had that guy in the booth this past ATA. Shook my hand and said, "You don't know who I am?" When I said "No" he got a big smile on his face and said, "I'm the most famous hunter in the world - That you have never heard of." Still to this day I'm not sure if that is his motto or if he was making a statement. Seemed like a nice guy.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: BLUEBULLS on July 22, 2011, 06:39:42 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on July 21, 2011, 11:25:37 PM
I don't think the elk are tame in anyway..but I kinda understand what he is saying..there is really no fear of not tagging a elk with some of these bull units..its how big. The thing with OTC units is you hope to just see elk and tag one, low success rates and a probability of not getting something..these units have so many elk that u pretty much pick one if its what ya want and take the shot... u might physically work for it..terrain wise,but if ya get out and do it your not going home empty handed. Just look at the Blue mt units...if you dont shoot a decent bull down there..either you didnt hunt or had standards so high you ate the tag.

I disagree. there are plenty of Blue mountain tags that get eaten every year and it's not because the people don't hunt.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: PlateauNDN on July 22, 2011, 02:38:34 PM: Quote from: BLUEBULLS on July 21, 2011, 06:10:50 PM
Glad to hear they're tame now. I was actually thinking about shooting the first 320" bull I saw this year but now that I know they're tame I think I'll walk around and with my tape and some grain and measure them up before I shoot.

I wonder why they've always ran from me in the past? maybe they've been thinking I was gonna brand them and make them mine for good :chuckle:

All joking aside, I've spent a lot of time chasing elk and any elk that knew what I was didn't stick around for a second. There are a lot more bulls now than there were 15-20 yeasr ago and when they're running around with a twinkle in their eye they are a little less wary but far from tame. If you don't want them to act like that then use a bow in modern season.

:lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: :lol4: I better start buying some alfalfa and apples this is gonna be a heck of a year! Thanks for the heads up jimmy now I don't have to wear out another pair of boots! :tup: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jimmy z on July 22, 2011, 05:39:45 PM: <object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="
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Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: washelkhntr on July 22, 2011, 05:43:26 PM: Great, now we have tame elk. Once the Dept gets wind of this we will have even more catagories to apply in.

:chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 22, 2011, 09:40:46 PM: In all seriousness, this thread reminds me of one a few years ago, too bad, after not getting a 6X with your longbow during the permit season, we will probably not hear from you again.
Anybody who thinks that the Elk are tame, definately either is a much better woodsman/Elk hunter than I am, and a vast majority of elk hunters in Washington, or is hunting at NW Trek.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: swampman on July 23, 2011, 11:48:04 AM: Ya, I would feel kind of bad. But then I would think about all the times I spent hundreds of dollars on tags and gear over the years, only to get skunked.. And then I would drop the hammer on that old boy, and WHOOHOO! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: MADMAX on July 23, 2011, 11:50:14 AM: *censored* some day I would love a dumb easy one near the road
Please !
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Elkpiss on July 26, 2011, 04:31:56 PM: Any word on the tame elk? :dunno:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: 6x6in6 on July 26, 2011, 04:42:32 PM: Quote from: Elkpiss on July 26, 2011, 04:31:56 PM
Any word on the tame elk? :dunno:
I think the consensus is summed up in your sig line. :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: jake on July 27, 2011, 08:02:16 AM: you'll find out just how tame they are when you are chasing them in the woods..... god speed
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: grundy53 on July 27, 2011, 08:13:17 AM: Quote from: jake on July 27, 2011, 08:02:16 AM
you'll find out just how tame they are when you are chasing them in the woods..... god speed

:yeah: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: wsucowboy on July 27, 2011, 10:06:53 AM: I'm still thinking your a hippie. :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 10:19:44 AM: I'll be over scouting in the Umtanum this weekend. When I was a kid, if the horses got spooked we used to calm them by scratching them behind the ears and calmly talking to them while feeding them carrots and sugar cubes, sometimes giving them kisses on their nose. Think this will work on these 'tame' elk? I'm going to try and will let everyone know how it goes.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 10:24:24 AM: Quote from: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 10:19:44 AM
I'll be over scouting in the Umtanum this weekend. When I was a kid, if the horses got spooked we used to calm them by scratching them behind the ears and calmly talking to them while feeding them carrots and sugar cubes, sometimes giving them kisses on their nose. Think this will work on these 'tame' elk? I'm going to try and will let everyone know how it goes.

Don't forget the kissy sounds.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 10:26:34 AM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 10:24:24 AM
Don't forget the kissy sounds.

That's actually what I use during the whitetail rut. That and slappin' my leg and hollarin' "here boy!"
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 10:55:29 AM: Quote from: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 10:26:34 AM
Quote from: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 10:24:24 AM
Don't forget the kissy sounds.

That's actually what I use during the whitetail rut. That and slappin' my leg and hollarin' "here boy!"

That's how we did it back in NH. I felt so bad about killing those ones, too. All of 'em. Every single one gave me guilt pangs. I think I still hate myself.
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: tshoote30 on July 27, 2011, 11:00:47 AM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 10:55:29 AM
Quote from: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 10:26:34 AM
Quote from: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 10:24:24 AM
Don't forget the kissy sounds.

That's actually what I use during the whitetail rut. That and slappin' my leg and hollarin' "here boy!"

That's how we did it back in NH. I felt so bad about killing those ones, too. All of 'em. Every single one gave me guilt pangs. I think I still hate myself.

:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 11:02:53 AM: One year, this big 5x5 brought me an apple. Played fetch with him for about a half hour before I shot him. I still feel kinda bad about that
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 27, 2011, 11:10:43 AM: Quote from: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 11:02:53 AM
One year, this big 5x5 brought me an apple. Played fetch with him for about a half hour before I shot him. I still feel kinda bad about that

LOL :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: Atroxus on July 27, 2011, 06:42:21 PM: Quote from: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 11:02:53 AM
One year, this big 5x5 brought me an apple. Played fetch with him for about a half hour before I shot him. I still feel kinda bad about that

Does 30 minutes of pre-kill fetch tenderize the meat? If so, would an hour of fetch be better? ;)
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: wsucowboy on July 27, 2011, 06:47:29 PM: Quote from: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 11:02:53 AM
One year, this big 5x5 brought me an apple. Played fetch with him for about a half hour before I shot him. I still feel kinda bad about that
Did you get him to jump into the bed of the truck before you shot him :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: CamoDup on July 27, 2011, 06:59:48 PM: ..... then gut himself on a tree :chuckle:
Title: Re: feel kinda bad about shooting tame bull elk.
Post by: CedarPants on July 27, 2011, 08:38:33 PM: I bet him $500 he couldn't catch the apple while hanging upside down from a gambrel with his eyes closed.