As a precursor to my comments, and any reflections that may arise from fellow members, may we remember that regardless of the hunting cloth we’re each cut from, we are of the same blood line. We are hunters and like any family, we will argue, disagree and at times, not even like each other.
The ultimate goal, like a family, is to not let our differences separate us and give the ultra-liberals the victory they so badly want.
This said, I agree with the limiting of cow elk harvesting in the 300 series GMU’s. My rationale has everything to with fair opportunity for each of the three hunting groups (bow, modern, muzzy). To cut straight to the chase, I have over 25 years of hunting the 328 and 329. As an elk camp with members with over 40 years at our site, few on this forum have more firsthand experience of the ‘Colockum’ changes than us. My point in saying this is not to brag, but perhaps give credibility to my premise. Collectively, we have several hundred years of 328, 329 history. We’ve seen it all up there, and no single change has been more significant to the muzzy and modern hunters than the implementation of open cow to bow hunters. The impact on the heard, post the archery season, is undisputable. By the end of archery, the elk have made a mass exodus to the reserve and stay there through the remaining seasons. Does this resultant equate to parity and fairness to the remaining groups? NO.
This change is four years over due.
We can all have our own opinions, but not our own facts. And to the elimination of all cow harvesting for a period of time: I’d support that type of move with the exception of those over an agreed upon elderly age and the disabled.
To close, those who claim they will stop hunting as a result of this potential change, I’d suggest you reflect how important this privilege is to you. We were once a camp that solely hunted modern. It killed us as at first to change our hunting identity but the Colockum devolved so we had to evolve. I hope you can do the same, we are all an important part of maintaining this areas carrying heard health.
I wish all health and hunting success.