Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Elkpiss on October 27, 2020, 08:06:42 AM
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Anyone been in the Unit Deer hunting or F ing around that has seen a big bull? I have a buddy with the Rifle elk tag and he said he hasnt saw much for elk, sounds like the wolfs are exploding in there, he was there the entire deer season scouting and only saw wolfes... If anyone has a hot tip on a bull in the West im sure he would love to kill it.. Thanks
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PM responses are probably a good idea for this one.
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PM responses are probably a good idea for this one.
Thats what im assuming i would get back, my buddy is a good hunter just not seeing the bulls that you might usually see in the Blues.. Sounds like Wolves are getting populated, between them and the Native hunts the blues sounds like its on the Major Decline....
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It is very sad what has happened in the Blues.
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PM responses are probably a good idea for this one.
Thats what im assuming i would get back, my buddy is a good hunter just not seeing the bulls that you might usually see in the Blues.. Sounds like Wolves are getting populated, between them and the Native hunts the blues sounds like its on the Major Decline....
I had the Dayton Quality tag last year and it is BAD!!! Herds have been desimated and calf survival the two previous years has been minimal to none. Good luck!
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Guys that hunt reasonably hard in the blues get what they deserve. If you want it on a platter that was 10 years ago. Keep the faith and your nose to the grindstone and your bud will get it done!!
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You need a 700-1000 yd rifle to have a chance at the few left. They hang 3/4 down the canyon and no way to see them when you get down there. If you can shoot that far you have a chance....
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Guys that hunt reasonably hard in the blues get what they deserve. If you want it on a platter that was 10 years ago. Keep the faith and your nose to the grindstone and your bud will get it done!!
talk to him yesterday, sounds like all the tag holders are having a tough time. Not sure if it was Mt Cook or Beau he talked to but he said a outfitter and there are only 2 in the unit said they have seen 4 elk and 17 wolfs. that doesnt sound good... :yike:
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You need a 700-1000 yd rifle to have a chance at the few left. They hang 3/4 down the canyon and no way to see them when you get down there. If you can shoot that far you have a chance....
thats what he said he saw a decent bull the only bull he has saw and thought he might shoot it but couldnt get close enough.
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Its a relatively small area, with confirmed 5 packs overlapping the middle of the blues the wolf density has to be about the highest it can be.
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You need a 700-1000 yd rifle to have a chance at the few left. They hang 3/4 down the canyon and no way to see them when you get down there. If you can shoot that far you have a chance....
Funny...that’s what a camp told me last year before they went home for opening weekend because it had snowed. Also about 24 hours before I had 5 bulls at under 100yds**
** I didn’t range em so maybe what I thought was like 65 yards was really 950... :dunno::dunno:
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Theyre there Sawtooth, buck ridge, squaw peak, dexter ridge. Dive off the ridges to the bottom and stay in there and you will find a good one. Those elk are living in the bottom 1/4. I would spike in and stay spend your energy down low glassing the ridges. pm me for questions. :twocents:
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Heya -
Through scrubbing HuntWA posts, it seems like you know the area. Any 411 would be greatly appreciated.
I'm jumping in somewhat cold to 346 for spike elk next week with a buddy, his kid & father. My buddy has hunted but not harvested an elk before and his father won't venture out much past the lower meadows. He's camped in the area for years so knows it and has seen plenty of cow, but few spikes. We're staying at Union Creek campground.
I have a few places to look into but everything has been found via forums, onX, Google Earth & GoHunt... The weather wouldn't appear to have pushed the elk to lower elevations yet so assume they're still up high, yeah? What about high camps - I've read a few outfitters sometimes run drop camps moving the elk around a bit/
Thanks in advance,
Chuck
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I wouldnt waste my time for spikes in there. That would be like killing a unicorn.Lol. I spent a bunch of time and miles in there i would focus on spikes in the Dayton if possible. Although i did see one my partner and i laughed and thought we won the lottery.
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I wouldnt waste my time for spikes in there. That would be like killing a unicorn.Lol. I spent a bunch of time and miles in there i would focus on spikes in the Dayton if possible. Although i did see one my partner and i laughed and thought we won the lottery.
Pardon me sir, but the proper term is "double unicorn" :tup:
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Theyre there Sawtooth, buck ridge, squaw peak, dexter ridge. Dive off the ridges to the bottom and stay in there and you will find a good one. Those elk are living in the bottom 1/4. I would spike in and stay spend your energy down low glassing the ridges. pm me for questions. :twocents:
I know the unit and the popular spots to hunt, its for my buddy who is there currently hunting the rifle tag and isnt turning any bulls up, he has only seen 2-3 bulls in the last week and half and they have been dinks.. he is grinding, he was down in happy valley today and nothing but wolfes.. if you have hot tip i am sure he would be all ears and check it out..
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just talked to my buddy, he hunted down happy V today and nothing but wolfs, he talked to Mt Cooks packer buddy and same for them.. little to no elk and lots of wolfs.. IDK just keep grinding and stick to the play book..
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They are there, my buddy picked up a bunch of big sheds in May. Gotta Go deep. PM me with email.
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How did your hunt go?
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it wasnt my tag but my buddies, He ate his tag. saw very few. lotta wolfs
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I spent a little time in there this season also. We saw a pack of 17 wolves.
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I spent a little time in there this season also. We saw a pack of 17 wolves.
you may have talked to him, he said something about 17 wolfs?
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I spent a little time in there this season also. We saw a pack of 17 wolves.
A pack of 17 wolves will clear that entire unit this year of what little is left ! If true the wdfw should be in there with helicopters and AR 's..........
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I spent a little time in there this season also. We saw a pack of 17 wolves.
Holy smokes. Pack of 17 wolves. Bet that was a sight to see.
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If they run em anywhere near a road in late September there sure won't be much left I can tell ya that!!
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I saw one nice bull come out of there this year. Nothing massive just a six point.
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Well one user group didn't have a problem finding them in the west wenha (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201207/a7aeeafd871baa0869975814f154d8a1.jpg)
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:(
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Well one user group didn't have a problem finding them in the west wenha (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201207/a7aeeafd871baa0869975814f154d8a1.jpg)
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Wtheck? Thats more than there were tags ?
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Well one user group didn't have a problem finding them in the west wenha (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201207/a7aeeafd871baa0869975814f154d8a1.jpg)
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Wtheck? Thats more than there were tags ?
user group, I’m guessing native. Especially with the snow. I lot of money for them with jerky and pepperoni sales!!
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and I am sure half of that meat was left :bash:
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I’ve got $100 that says that’s but a fraction of the late September/early October harvest...
“User group”...that phrase just rubs me the wrong way. See...”that’s more than there were tags”
Whatever, you got yer treaty. Burn it down.
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Waiting for the ''nothing illegal here, move on''. This kind of bs will never friggin end, growing numb to it, just like this crooked election. Talked to a warden a couple weeks ago about the yakama herd numbers, they are well aware of the ''Jerky" guy but say the elders won't do anything about it. If it's illegal to sell game meat, I'm not sure how anyone could get away with doing it on line? Just spent a half week in the bald hills area in the little naches/umptanum area, didn't see one elk myself, the group was able to get one cow. Lots of rifle shots on sat, few on fri. I say it again, wdfw should open up hunting in certain areas sept-dec any elk and any deer, any weapon. Can't beat them, join them.
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That's not all of them. There were plenty more taken out of there and the rest of the blues. A couple of mashers. To me it is sickening and wrong. We will be lucky to be hunting elk there in 10 years.
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makes me :puke:
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We will be lucky to be hunting elk there in 10 years.
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Between the "user group" and the wolves make it 3 years ! In Utah limited trophy area same thing was happening and Game Dept kept reducing tags until down to 4 and finally gave up - why let one user group get 90% of the harvest - they just turned it into a general tag. Happened in Margaret unit just a matter of time for the Blues too.
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I’ve seen it first hand in the blues, this unit! >:(
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Waiting for the ''nothing illegal here, move on''. This kind of bs will never friggin end, growing numb to it, just like this crooked election. Talked to a warden a couple weeks ago about the yakama herd numbers, they are well aware of the ''Jerky" guy but say the elders won't do anything about it. If it's illegal to sell game meat, I'm not sure how anyone could get away with doing it on line? Just spent a half week in the bald hills area in the little naches/umptanum area, didn't see one elk myself, the group was able to get one cow. Lots of rifle shots on sat, few on fri. I say it again, wdfw should open up hunting in certain areas sept-dec any elk and any deer, any weapon. Can't beat them, join them.
I agree 100%. I have said it before if you can’t beat them might as well join them and once all herds are decimated it will be the natives beating down WDFW’s door wanting to try to work with them on the management. I hate to see it happen but really either way it’s going to and we might as well put some meat in our freezers as well as all those guys that are selling jerky
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A couple more from the same camp. Nothing but bs (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201208/0b0fa1f93254c1cb3ab306846377f240.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201208/d876beaa75b34cff0152a7aa2f84d1d0.jpg)
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It’s obvious to me , re-negotiate the treaties to take away off Rez hunting rights :dunno:
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It’s obvious to me , re-negotiate the treaties to take away off Rez hunting rights :dunno:
So what are you offering em to give those up? $100,000 each ? $200,000 each?
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It’s obvious to me , re-negotiate the treaties to take away off Rez hunting rights :dunno:
So what are you offering em to give those up? $100,000 each ? $200,000 each?
There is no requirement to offer anything or 're-negotiate'. Congress can modify treaties anytime they would like for any reason (or none at all).
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It’s obvious to me , re-negotiate the treaties to take away off Rez hunting rights :dunno:
So what are you offering em to give those up? $100,000 each ? $200,000 each?
There is no requirement to offer anything or 're-negotiate'. Congress can modify treaties anytime they would like for any reason (or none at all).
This. Just take it away due to rampant abuse.
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First off, I'm with changing the treaties, wouldn't it be great to all be on the same page. But the natives look at those treaties as their constitutional rights, they will never give up those rights. It has to change with tribal leaders, like non native poachers, we can only hope time and education will take over ignorance and greed. This may take 100 more years with guys like the jerky guy and white trash guys like we saw down in Oregon that got caught recently. The natives give millions to demorats, there is a reason for this, the dems get down on their knees for the natives. Only one republican I've ever seen stood up to them, and he just passed recently. Even if by some miracle this state turned red, the greed and arrogance will continue with some tribal members. I will always believe there is one solution to get the tribes to the table and bargain for a real chance to save OUR wildlife, and that's play by their rules.
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I think I have thAt bottom bull on camera, would love another angle
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It looks like the top and bottom pic are the same bull.
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Same bull
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Well one user group didn't have a problem finding them in the west wenha (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201207/a7aeeafd871baa0869975814f154d8a1.jpg)
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Zero shooter bulls for a 20+ point unit. Good for the hunters if they are happy, but let’s not tout this picture as supporting the quality of the Blues. In a few more years the Blues will have so few elk it’s embarrassing. There are OTC hunts all across the West that make the Blues look like a joke from the perspective of opportunity. I feel bad for hunters that are stuck to only hunting WA and have 20+ points.
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We will be lucky to be hunting elk there in 10 years.
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Between the "user group" and the wolves make it 3 years ! In Utah limited trophy area same thing was happening and Game Dept kept reducing tags until down to 4 and finally gave up - why let one user group get 90% of the harvest - they just turned it into a general tag. Happened in Margaret unit just a matter of time for the Blues too.
Margaret is a soft spot... that hurts my heart..
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Kudos to those hunters that found some mashers - assuming it was fair chase and they are proud of and harvested for their own consumption.
A lot of tag owners didn't find these bulls ?????
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Kudos to those hunters that found some mashers - assuming it was fair chase and they are proud of and harvested for their own consumption.
A lot of tag owners didn't find these bulls ?????
You are correct, any animal harvested by someone else is an animal a tag holder didn’t find :chuckle:
It’s winter time, not even similar to a tag holder experience
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It’s winter time, not even similar to a tag holder experience
You think they were not in the unit during the season?
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When the snow flies and elk are more concentrated, yeah it's easier. But when you have a golden ticket in your pocket for the rest of your life, yeah, its much easier to kill bulls whenever. If these tribal members got their one bull for meat to feed the family, good job! But if they are killing multiple bulls in a special area that has already taken a huge down turn, shame on them.
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It’s winter time, not even similar to a tag holder experience
You think they were not in the unit during the season?
They were.....just not in an area you can get into in December.
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How do you shoot a bull like that and then just hack the head off?
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How do you shoot a bull like that and then just hack the head off?
they don’t have to wait 15-20 years to draw.
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How do you shoot a bull like that and then just hack the head off?
they don’t have to wait 15-20 years to draw.
I get that but that is still a pretty epic bull. I am not sure I could shoot one of that caliber every five years even if I could hunt bulls all year long every year with a rifle.
I know it happens, guys shoot an animal, hack the head off and then realize after the shock wears off what a great animal they harvested and then the search for a cape begins. Shoot that cape was worth a ton to a guy that ruined one on the shot, on the pack out or that spoiled in the heat and they needed to replace it.
Great bull and I am happy for them as long as it was all done legally. Either way it is too bad they just hacked the head off.
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It's a different perspective. If you shoot multiple large bulls every year, your perspective will be much different than a guy that may get one chance in his lifetime to hunt the unit, much less get a shot at a great bull.
Either way, what an incredible bull.
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If you guys haven't figured out yet that OUR license dollars are paying WDFW to reduce OUR tag numbers so there's more elk/bulls for Umatilla/Nez Perce to shoot in late-September/early-October and December/January then I don't know what to tell you.
-We could go round and round but Wik told me no less than 4 times when I last spoke to him "they don't report, we can't do anything about their harvest".
-Hating on the natives? Facts are facts jack...this is what's happening.
-Also a fact, you and I (probably) could not begin to imagine what it would be like to be born into the native culture/life/lifestyle today...Google some statistics, it'll blow your mind.
**I no longer apply for elk tags in WA and when I draw a deer tag with my kids when their old enough to hunt I will exit the license pool completely.
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If you guys haven't figured out yet that OUR license dollars are paying WDFW to reduce OUR tag numbers so there's more elk/bulls for Umatilla/Nez Perce to shoot in late-September/early-October and December/January then I don't know what to tell you.
-We could go round and round but Wik told me no less than 4 times when I last spoke to him "they don't report, we can't do anything about their harvest".
-Hating on the natives? Facts are facts jack...this is what's happening.
-Also a fact, you and I (probably) could not begin to imagine what it would be like to be born into the native culture/life/lifestyle today...Google some statistics, it'll blow your mind.
**I no longer apply for elk tags in WA and when I draw a deer tag with my kids when their old enough to hunt I will exit the license pool completely.
speaking the truth!!
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Play by the same rules. Same hunting seasons, open the gates they are given keys to, same fishing seasons, allow any American to open a casino. No more special treatment.
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Play by the same rules. Same hunting seasons, open the gates they are given keys to, same fishing seasons, allow any American to open a casino. No more special treatment.
you are such a racist!!!
:tup: :tup: Wouldn’t that be a change for the best!
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Maybe some day... something has to give at some point
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I hate to bring this up, but we pay for all of this! Every Penny!! How much are you paying each year for your Washington license and all your special permit applications and so on as you watch your quota numbers tank into the toilet. Ask the natives how much their licenses cost. Zero! All the biologists and all the enforcement you are paying for and getting close to nothing in return. Yes the natives have their own biologists, enforcement, and so on but your tax dollars are paying for all of that too. It is going to get way worse before it ever gets better. Your quality and bull quotas are going to get lower and lower until it hits close to zero (actually that has already happened). I would say that eventually it will all have to give, but not in this liberal state. Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them. But we as a group of hunters have given into the bonus point nightmare that makes you think you just cant get out because you have so many points when actually as your points increase, your draw odds are going down but you are hooked mentally thinking you cant walk away. So you all will still put your money up and fund this craziness and complain along the way until everything goes belly up!! Just my two cents :twocents:
Like I have said before, The American Western Hunter will soon be a thing of the past unless you are very wealthy. It wont happen overnight but I sure would hate to see things in 20 to 30 years from now the way it is currently going. 40 years ago I was hunting and we have been moving this way ever since. For instance, all of the old time ranch owners that felt like they were stewards of the land have passed away and all of their ranches have been taken over by their kids or sold to corporate ranches and all of my 10 separate land owners that I used to hunt on have turned into hunting clubs or leased hunting. If you wanted to hunt these properties now you have to pay a bunch and the cost is going up and up yearly. In some ways technology has improved hunting but in the long haul it will be its demise. 40 years ago natives were hunting but all they wanted was a fat cow a year to feed their families. Now with the demand for big bulls and trophy hunting that has been pushed ever harder with all of your favorite outdoor channel shows, pod casts, and so forth it has increased the desire for the native to hunt big bulls. Those antlers are worth a ton :twocents:
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Agreed, things don’t look good. Very depressing when you stand back and think about it all.
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I hate to bring this up, but we pay for all of this! Every Penny!! How much are you paying each year for your Washington license and all your special permit applications and so on as you watch your quota numbers tank into the toilet. Ask the natives how much their licenses cost. Zero! All the biologists and all the enforcement you are paying for and getting close to nothing in return. Yes the natives have their own biologists, enforcement, and so on but your tax dollars are paying for all of that too. It is going to get way worse before it ever gets better. Your quality and bull quotas are going to get lower and lower until it hits close to zero (actually that has already happened). I would say that eventually it will all have to give, but not in this liberal state. Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them. But we as a group of hunters have given into the bonus point nightmare that makes you think you just cant get out because you have so many points when actually as your points increase, your draw odds are going down but you are hooked mentally thinking you cant walk away. So you all will still put your money up and fund this craziness and complain along the way until everything goes belly up!! Just my two cents :twocents:
Like I have said before, The American Western Hunter will soon be a thing of the past unless you are very wealthy. It wont happen overnight but I sure would hate to see things in 20 to 30 years from now the way it is currently going.
wow, you nailed it! I’m one of those high point holders that can’t disconnect myself from that point system. Brutal honesty!! And especially agree with the cost, even taxidermy work is getting STUPID! They can charge what they want, turn customers away, and charge 1,200 to 1,300 for a damn hair on tan for a bear!! That used to be 300-400 dollars! The taxi’s have waaaaay too many customers now, it’s a shame. I’ve been saying it for the past 13 years, once I zero out, I’m done. I now sit at 26 points, it’s like a heroin addiction.
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I hate to bring this up, but we pay for all of this! Every Penny!! How much are you paying each year for your Washington license and all your special permit applications and so on as you watch your quota numbers tank into the toilet. Ask the natives how much their licenses cost. Zero! All the biologists and all the enforcement you are paying for and getting close to nothing in return. Yes the natives have their own biologists, enforcement, and so on but your tax dollars are paying for all of that too. It is going to get way worse before it ever gets better. Your quality and bull quotas are going to get lower and lower until it hits close to zero (actually that has already happened). I would say that eventually it will all have to give, but not in this liberal state. Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them. But we as a group of hunters have given into the bonus point nightmare that makes you think you just cant get out because you have so many points when actually as your points increase, your draw odds are going down but you are hooked mentally thinking you cant walk away. So you all will still put your money up and fund this craziness and complain along the way until everything goes belly up!! Just my two cents :twocents:
Like I have said before, The American Western Hunter will soon be a thing of the past unless you are very wealthy. It wont happen overnight but I sure would hate to see things in 20 to 30 years from now the way it is currently going.
wow, you nailed it! I’m one of those high point holders that can’t disconnect myself from that point system. Brutal honesty!! And especially agree with the cost, even taxidermy work is getting STUPID! They can charge what they want, turn customers away, and charge 1,200 to 1,300 for a damn hair on tan for a bear!! That used to be 300-400 dollars! The taxi’s have waaaaay too many customers now, it’s a shame. I’ve been saying it for the past 13 years, once I zero out, I’m done. I now sit at 26 points, it’s like a heroin addiction.
I'm right there with ya! Its like being in an abusive marriage. Cant leave because your in love with it all, while its kicking ya in the #$@#'s over and over again. Last year I was lucky enough to draw my quality tag with 13 points. This year I drew my bull tag with 14 points and my cow tag with 7 points. So I am done with it all!!! But the guy with a ton of points is like the guy trying to get off of Meth! Easy to say but hard to do that is for sure and I wouldn't begrudge a guy for putting in for ever! But man are we screwed!!!!
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How do you shoot a bull like that and then just hack the head off?
Because all they care about is the price of the antlers. The hide shoulder mount don't mean poop. What do you think the going rate on those antlers will be??
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Depends if it’s the beginning of the month or end of the month.
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I hate to bring this up, but we pay for all of this! Every Penny!! How much are you paying each year for your Washington license and all your special permit applications and so on as you watch your quota numbers tank into the toilet. Ask the natives how much their licenses cost. Zero! All the biologists and all the enforcement you are paying for and getting close to nothing in return. Yes the natives have their own biologists, enforcement, and so on but your tax dollars are paying for all of that too. It is going to get way worse before it ever gets better. Your quality and bull quotas are going to get lower and lower until it hits close to zero (actually that has already happened). I would say that eventually it will all have to give, but not in this liberal state. Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them. But we as a group of hunters have given into the bonus point nightmare that makes you think you just cant get out because you have so many points when actually as your points increase, your draw odds are going down but you are hooked mentally thinking you cant walk away. So you all will still put your money up and fund this craziness and complain along the way until everything goes belly up!! Just my two cents :twocents:
Like I have said before, The American Western Hunter will soon be a thing of the past unless you are very wealthy. It wont happen overnight but I sure would hate to see things in 20 to 30 years from now the way it is currently going.
wow, you nailed it! I’m one of those high point holders that can’t disconnect myself from that point system. Brutal honesty!! And especially agree with the cost, even taxidermy work is getting STUPID! They can charge what they want, turn customers away, and charge 1,200 to 1,300 for a damn hair on tan for a bear!! That used to be 300-400 dollars! The taxi’s have waaaaay too many customers now, it’s a shame. I’ve been saying it for the past 13 years, once I zero out, I’m done. I now sit at 26 points, it’s like a heroin addiction.
Little off topic but many taxi are doing 300-400 max for hair on tan of bear hides. Whoever is charging 1300 is just ridiculous. Be worth it for you to send to Idaho or maybe even just eastern wa. I picked one up this year was around 300 and it’s perfect
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I hate to bring this up, but we pay for all of this! Every Penny!! How much are you paying each year for your Washington license and all your special permit applications and so on as you watch your quota numbers tank into the toilet. Ask the natives how much their licenses cost. Zero! All the biologists and all the enforcement you are paying for and getting close to nothing in return. Yes the natives have their own biologists, enforcement, and so on but your tax dollars are paying for all of that too. It is going to get way worse before it ever gets better. Your quality and bull quotas are going to get lower and lower until it hits close to zero (actually that has already happened). I would say that eventually it will all have to give, but not in this liberal state. Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them. But we as a group of hunters have given into the bonus point nightmare that makes you think you just cant get out because you have so many points when actually as your points increase, your draw odds are going down but you are hooked mentally thinking you cant walk away. So you all will still put your money up and fund this craziness and complain along the way until everything goes belly up!! Just my two cents :twocents:
Like I have said before, The American Western Hunter will soon be a thing of the past unless you are very wealthy. It wont happen overnight but I sure would hate to see things in 20 to 30 years from now the way it is currently going.
wow, you nailed it! I’m one of those high point holders that can’t disconnect myself from that point system. Brutal honesty!! And especially agree with the cost, even taxidermy work is getting STUPID! They can charge what they want, turn customers away, and charge 1,200 to 1,300 for a damn hair on tan for a bear!! That used to be 300-400 dollars! The taxi’s have waaaaay too many customers now, it’s a shame. I’ve been saying it for the past 13 years, once I zero out, I’m done. I now sit at 26 points, it’s like a heroin addiction.
Little off topic but many taxi are doing 300-400 max for hair on tan of bear hides. Whoever is charging 1300 is just ridiculous. Be worth it for you to send to Idaho or maybe even just eastern wa. I picked one up this year was around 300 and it’s perfect
ill pm you, but there is a taxi on here that quoted me 750 just to deflesh and pull the fingers out.
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Depends if it’s the beginning of the month or end of the month.
Love it!!!! Even though it is sad! But oh so true!!!
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I hate to bring this up, but we pay for all of this! Every Penny!! How much are you paying each year for your Washington license and all your special permit applications and so on as you watch your quota numbers tank into the toilet. Ask the natives how much their licenses cost. Zero! All the biologists and all the enforcement you are paying for and getting close to nothing in return. Yes the natives have their own biologists, enforcement, and so on but your tax dollars are paying for all of that too. It is going to get way worse before it ever gets better. Your quality and bull quotas are going to get lower and lower until it hits close to zero (actually that has already happened). I would say that eventually it will all have to give, but not in this liberal state. Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them. But we as a group of hunters have given into the bonus point nightmare that makes you think you just cant get out because you have so many points when actually as your points increase, your draw odds are going down but you are hooked mentally thinking you cant walk away. So you all will still put your money up and fund this craziness and complain along the way until everything goes belly up!! Just my two cents :twocents:
Like I have said before, The American Western Hunter will soon be a thing of the past unless you are very wealthy. It wont happen overnight but I sure would hate to see things in 20 to 30 years from now the way it is currently going.
wow, you nailed it! I’m one of those high point holders that can’t disconnect myself from that point system. Brutal honesty!! And especially agree with the cost, even taxidermy work is getting STUPID! They can charge what they want, turn customers away, and charge 1,200 to 1,300 for a damn hair on tan for a bear!! That used to be 300-400 dollars! The taxi’s have waaaaay too many customers now, it’s a shame. I’ve been saying it for the past 13 years, once I zero out, I’m done. I now sit at 26 points, it’s like a heroin addiction.
Little off topic but many taxi are doing 300-400 max for hair on tan of bear hides. Whoever is charging 1300 is just ridiculous. Be worth it for you to send to Idaho or maybe even just eastern wa. I picked one up this year was around 300 and it’s perfect
ill pm you, but there is a taxi on here that quoted me 750 just to deflesh and pull the fingers out.
My last bear hide was 450$ including skinning feet and everything. That quote is ridiculous.
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My 2017 bear was still cheap, with a local taxi, not any more. I’m driving to Idaho Thursday to save a bunch of money, and I refuse to be extorted by local taxi’s.
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Yeah I had a miniature bull hide tanned by a taxi up out of Davenport and it came back shaved too thin and almost tore in spots and I paid over $700 in the end. It was a rip off but I wanted the hide back as it was unique. Super soft hair.
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Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them.
Tags have been cut and numbers are down in many areas, but I would not use what gets posted to this forum as a good surrogate for what was or was not harvested. :twocents:
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Look at the elk section in the forum this year. Usually in late October/early November the section was full of quality tag holders and Bull tag holders success pictures. This year it had a couple only. Most of the quality units and bull units slashed their tag numbers in the last 5 years and most of the super so-called lucky guys that drew a tag ate them.
Tags have been cut and numbers are down in many areas, but I would not use what gets posted to this forum as a good surrogate for what was or was not harvested. :twocents:
Correct
But with tag numbers reduced it makes it easier to follow. I believe both modern tags went unfilled, auction and raffle tags moved out of the area and harvested elsewhere, and I know personally that two watershed tags went unfilled also.
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I saw a rifle bull pic from this year. I'll see if I can get permission to post it and some background info on how the hunt went.