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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: 180-GRAIN on September 14, 2015, 08:38:34 AM


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Title: Colockum B.S!
Post by: 180-GRAIN on September 14, 2015, 08:38:34 AM
So I decided to give archery in the Colockum a shot this year with a buddy. Opening morning I hiked about 2 miles up into a canyon and sat in a good looking area and started cow calling a bit. About 10 minutes into it I was hearing something on the hillside across from me that sounded like my wifes horses stomach sloshing when she rides it sometimes? About 5 minutes later I let out a couple calls and a cow popped into view about 200 yards across the creek from me and behind her was 2 spikes and about 5 other cows. I called again and the spikes both split from the herd and crossed the creek and started side hilling right to me. I was not hid real well so when the first spike got to 37 yards I pulled the bow back thinking he would spook for sure if I let him get to close. He ended up turning broadside when he stopped and I hit him behind the shoulder but a little low. He instantly whirled and dropped back into the creek drainage and I watched him run about 200 yards down into some thick brush in the creek and crash down into the creek. I guess this is where I made my mistake. I sat and waited for one of my buddys to get to me probably 25-30 minutes and started on the blood trail even though I had a general idea of where the elk went down. I then get a call on the radio from my other buddy that 2 kids were shooting a spike in the creek. Said he watched them shoot it twice while it was down and then they went down and pulled my arrow out of him and toss it in the brush. I started that way and he started confronting them as well. They told him a B.S. story of how it was running when they shot it and they didn't see an arrow or wound in it at all. Needless to say I followed the blood trail right to where this elk laid and then tried to calmly talk to these 2 kids maybe 20-23 and the kid started yelling and getting all pissed off. I ended up yelling back and telling him to calm his little ass down because we were not getting anywhere that way. He then claimed it was not my elk and there was no wounds I looked down and then pointed at the hole where my broadhead had been and told him my buddy watched him pull my arrow. His mouth dropped and all that came out was oh.  :stup:! I told the kid he could have the dam elk based on the fact that he claimed the elk was still alive when he shot it and there is no game laws saying anything about dispatching a wounded animal after someone else shoots it. I talked to a warden later that day and he said if he had been there when we had the altercation he would have gave me the bull.But since he was not there was nothing wrote in the laws that say the kids did anything wrong. He said ethically the kids were deadbeats but there was nothing he could do but go harass them in there camp. Anyhow put a damper on my first archery hunt and I figured this would be a good place to vent. I don't know about what everyone would do in this situation but for me if I dispatch a previously wounded animal I will give it back to the person that initially shot the thing. Biggest thing for me is just putting the animal down so it is not lost or wasted. But myself and all the people I hunt with would never tag an animal that is already down or that someone else has already basically killed, its just not right in my book. Anyhow would love to hear what you guys and gals think about this kinda thing.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 14, 2015, 08:44:18 AM
That's a pretty common theme in the Colokum. When you shoot an animal you better be running after it and get a tag on it before the next guy does........
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: MtnMuley on September 14, 2015, 08:45:17 AM
There's a reason many of us refuse to take part in Colockum elk hunts.   I don't ever want to be in that situation as I would handle it the wrong way and end up in jail for sure.  Sorry you had to experience this first hand.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: 180-GRAIN on September 14, 2015, 08:45:58 AM
That's a pretty common theme in the Colokum. When you shoot an animal you better be running after it and get a tag on it before the next guy does........

That what I had heard I just never really though it would be that bad?  :dunno:. I found out the hard way!
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: kckrawler on September 14, 2015, 08:46:03 AM
Unfortunately, this story isn't uncommon up in the Colockum  :bash:

A friend of mine had almost the same exact experience after putting an elk down. It turned into an altercation and eventually ended up with one of the thieves drawing his sidearm.

It's really unfortunate but anymore the bad outweighs the good as far as hunting up there goes... :twocents:
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: C-Money on September 14, 2015, 08:46:20 AM
I surprised kids that age were able to make it 2 miles off the road. Sorry about the poor experience.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: 180-GRAIN on September 14, 2015, 08:48:25 AM
Unfortunately, this story isn't uncommon up in the Colockum  :bash:

A friend of mine had almost the same exact experience after putting an elk down. It turned into an altercation and eventually ended up with one of the thieves drawing his sidearm.

It's really unfortunate but anymore the bad outweighs the good as far as hunting up there goes... :twocents:

It was funny the kid that was all pissy actually said Im mad because I have been a part of B.S. like this before and I don't want to get in a fist fight over an elk. Makes you wonder what the hell he's done before this?
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: gaddy on September 14, 2015, 08:48:47 AM
I wonder how proud of their hunting skills they are and what kind of stories they will tell.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 14, 2015, 08:50:08 AM
Happens every year multiple times in the Colockum.  I have talked to two hunting parties who both hit the same animal two years in a row, they were decent about it and the guy who tagged it year 1 let the other guy have it year 2.  A typical "good" Colockum elk story goes "the elk came by me and I made a good hit right behind the shoulder.  I immediately got on the blood trail but soon it petered out.  A guy in a tree stand told me which way they went, I went that way and a guy in a ground blind pointed me where they went after that.  I headed that way and ran into a guy stillhunting who saw the elk had blood on it, and heard it crash - he was waiting to see if anyone showed up to follow up.  He showed me where my elk was and helped me gut it."  A typical "bad" Colockum elk story goes just like yours.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: Jrzbullelk on September 14, 2015, 09:38:26 AM
This is very sad and common up there I have had this happen to me twice, the first time I was only 12 years old and had the guy point his rifle at me in order to get me to leave and the second time was 5 years ago and the people took the head, backstrap and hind quarters before I could get to it, it was about 3 hours before I got to that one but all in all I figure just run towards the animal after you shoot and hope for the best.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 14, 2015, 09:47:59 AM
Haven't hunted the Colockum in over a decade just because of this.  Had it happen to me twice, first time I got a little heated, but the second time I just told the jackwagon that he was a sorry excuse for a hunter and walked away, never to return....
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: mdbuck5x5 on September 14, 2015, 10:24:42 AM
Damn Jay I'm sorry man that's ridiculous! You sure handled it way better than I think I would have! Unfortunately this type of crap happens all over it sounds like. I've heard some stories and seen stuff happen in my area but it never seems to be real til it happens to you personally I guess!
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: ribka on September 14, 2015, 10:44:55 AM

Happened to me in the Nile

I have noticed more and more unethical slobs getting into archery hunting. Too bad


If anyone threatens you or points a gun call the gamie or sheriff immediately. Let the person hear and see you contacting LEO




So I decided to give archery in the Colockum a shot this year with a buddy. Opening morning I hiked about 2 miles up into a canyon and sat in a good looking area and started cow calling a bit. About 10 minutes into it I was hearing something on the hillside across from me that sounded like my wifes horses stomach sloshing when she rides it sometimes? About 5 minutes later I let out a couple calls and a cow popped into view about 200 yards across the creek from me and behind her was 2 spikes and about 5 other cows. I called again and the spikes both split from the herd and crossed the creek and started side hilling right to me. I was not hid real well so when the first spike got to 37 yards I pulled the bow back thinking he would spook for sure if I let him get to close. He ended up turning broadside when he stopped and I hit him behind the shoulder but a little low. He instantly whirled and dropped back into the creek drainage and I watched him run about 200 yards down into some thick brush in the creek and crash down into the creek. I guess this is where I made my mistake. I sat and waited for one of my buddys to get to me probably 25-30 minutes and started on the blood trail even though I had a general idea of where the elk went down. I then get a call on the radio from my other buddy that 2 kids were shooting a spike in the creek. Said he watched them shoot it twice while it was down and then they went down and pulled my arrow out of him and toss it in the brush. I started that way and he started confronting them as well. They told him a B.S. story of how it was running when they shot it and they didn't see an arrow or wound in it at all. Needless to say I followed the blood trail right to where this elk laid and then tried to calmly talk to these 2 kids maybe 20-23 and the kid started yelling and getting all pissed off. I ended up yelling back and telling him to calm his little ass down because we were not getting anywhere that way. He then claimed it was not my elk and there was no wounds I looked down and then pointed at the hole where my broadhead had been and told him my buddy watched him pull my arrow. His mouth dropped and all that came out was oh.  :stup:! I told the kid he could have the dam elk based on the fact that he claimed the elk was still alive when he shot it and there is no game laws saying anything about dispatching a wounded animal after someone else shoots it. I talked to a warden later that day and he said if he had been there when we had the altercation he would have gave me the bull.But since he was not there was nothing wrote in the laws that say the kids did anything wrong. He said ethically the kids were deadbeats but there was nothing he could do but go harass them in there camp. Anyhow put a damper on my first archery hunt and I figured this would be a good place to vent. I don't know about what everyone would do in this situation but for me if I dispatch a previously wounded animal I will give it back to the person that initially shot the thing. Biggest thing for me is just putting the animal down so it is not lost or wasted. But myself and all the people I hunt with would never tag an animal that is already down or that someone else has already basically killed, its just not right in my book. Anyhow would love to hear what you guys and gals think about this kinda thing.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: Gringo31 on September 14, 2015, 11:15:02 AM
I hope I'm never in this situation. 

I can't imagine.....



It's situations like this where I feel (strongly) the only fix is a good butt whoopin.  I feel it's good for them to experience learning experiences to help curb bad behavior.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: gunnarnewt on September 14, 2015, 11:20:19 AM
That's exactly why I quit hunting the Clockum. Happens every year. I quit when the guy trying to claim my spike started fumbling with his pistol. Sad what some people will do for a notched tag.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: X-Force on September 14, 2015, 11:25:00 AM
It was crazy in there this weekend.

Saw an older Ford drive 3/4 of a mile off the road down open country to get an elk out.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 14, 2015, 11:38:54 AM
That is ridiculous, especially in archery season.  Not to many shots with a bow will drop them in their tracks.  Generally you have to spend some time waiting for them to die before you go after them so they don't run farther.  Better to make a good track with two sets of eyes, than to run right were you think the elk is only to find you were mistaken and have to start tracking again.  My buddy did that last year and almost lost his bull, he was in the wrong area looking for an elk for hours because he rushed in where he thought it was.   

If you made a good shot that was fatal, that elk is yours period.   
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: Muleyslyr on September 14, 2015, 08:19:27 PM
Wow that is really messed up! I was up there this weekend and could not believe how many guys and camps there were everywhere. I was by myself and was able to stay away from the crowds. I've never experienced anything like that or even known of that happening, but I could definitely see how it could happen. Sad sorry indeed.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: trophyhunt on September 14, 2015, 08:40:50 PM
Sorry to hear this, really messed up people out there.  I think I would have taken the elk and them knowing your friend saw them pull the arrow out I bet they would have walked away.  That was your elk, you prob did the best thing to avoid big trouble but not sure I would have used my head as well as you did. 
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: Bango skank on September 14, 2015, 08:46:00 PM
It turned into an altercation and eventually ended up with one of the thieves drawing his sidearm.



The second that happened my self defense instincts would have kicked in and the idiot would have gotten blasted.  We dont need people like that in the gene pool
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 14, 2015, 09:14:15 PM
I feel sorry for you, but you'll get a bigger bull. This is the reason why I stopped hunting anything near these areas close to puget sound.
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: Eric M on September 16, 2015, 08:26:44 PM
That's exactly why I quit hunting the Clockum. Happens every year. I quit when the guy trying to claim my spike started fumbling with his pistol. Sad what some people will do for a notched tag.

Claude Dallas would've put this guy in the ground haha
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: JODakota on September 16, 2015, 08:36:08 PM
That's exactly why I quit hunting the Clockum. Happens every year. I quit when the guy trying to claim my spike started fumbling with his pistol. Sad what some people will do for a notched tag.

Claude Dallas would've put this guy in the ground haha

Ian Tyson wrote a great song about him lol
Title: Re: Colockum B.S!
Post by: hollymaster on September 16, 2015, 08:48:24 PM
That's a pretty common theme in the Colokum. When you shoot an animal you better be running after it and get a tag on it before the next guy does........
:yeah: I stay away from the zoo.  :bash:
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