Free: Contests & Raffles.
In Washington state there is zero chance of any wilderness or deep in a national forest bull ever of reaching 490" with all of our predators. The only way an elk will get that big is lounging on a golf course, stealing hay from livestock and eating apple orchard leftovers. I'm sure it was legally killed but a killing a pet elk in town isn't exactly the story I would like to tell. It will look good on the wall and in the record book where no story is required it's just a number on a line.
Not only have I been busy hunting but I have refrained from commenting much. This is the most disgusting topic I've seen in a long time on this forum, the jealousy, the narrow minds, the self centeredness, the bitterness, and the ethics hypocrisy displayed in this topic is completely off the rails, what a dumpster fire. I am embarrassed that this topic exists on a website that I am involved with. If this topic had been a "success topic" posted by the hunter who took the animal about 50% of the posts would already be removed. The only reason I have not personally removed many of the posts is because it is more of a discussion (it wasn't posted by the hunter as the story of their hunt) and as long as discussions are civil it is the forum policy to allow them to continue.There are many of us who enjoy looking at photos of game and hearing the stories of how they were taken. Well you can bet the bitterness of this topic guarantees this forum will have fewer pictures to look at and stories to read in the future. All of the negative posts really took this topic deep in the mud.Thank you to all the members who made positive comments and didn't try to impose their own personal ethics, maybe there are enough positive comments that future stories and photos will continue to be posted.Casey Brooks,If you want to share the tale of your hunt it is very welcome here, we would love to hear the story directly from you. In spite of the negativity of some members, many of us appreciate the amount of time and effort you obviously put into hunting this bull. Its obvious to me that you invested a lot of time and effort or it wouldn't have taken you until the end of the season. No doubt it was far more complicated than being able to hunt a public land bull with no restrictions on where you can hunt. I will personally moderate the topic and remove any negative comments, this forum does not allow negative comments in "success topics" posted by the hunter. If you're not interested in posting the story or if you have signed an agreement for your story I fully understand. Either way, I want you to know that there are many of us who would truly enjoy hearing your story, and congratulations on being lucky enough to take most likely the best free ranging bull ever taken.Regards,Dale DenneyForum Owner
Dale, With all due respect, I would like to respond to your post.I am one of the commenters that may be on the negative side of this. I am also one of the members who invests as a business sponsor to support the HW forum. Its a beautiful bull, and fairly certain it was killed legally.Because I choose to defend my passion for hunting, and the future of hunting for the average person, from a style of "hunting" that most definitely threatens normal hunters, does not make me a bad person!!I see high dollar trophy hunters on an equal level of threat to hunting as are anti's, and predators. I do not know the man involved, am positive he is a good man, but to say he is anything but a TH is most likely false. How many times do you need your name in a record book for sheep in WA state? (While thousands of us who also love to hunt will never get to shoot just 1.) THAT is disgusting for ya! Am I jealous or is he greedy?? "Jealousy"....enough with the comments from many members. Sure a few may be jealous, BUT Greed has a whole lot more to do with these type hunts. Because some disagree, does not mean they are jealous."Photos" on HW..... Yes, I'm sure some will not post photos because of this type thing. There are wayyyy more folks who won't post pics on (or join) HW because of all the "Elites" on here. (ie; calling smaller bucks they shoot, meat bucks) Those bucks, and any deer are trophys to most folks, as they should be. ALSO, I have noticed quite a drop in pics shared since the removal of the photo contests. Thats on you guys IMOAnd, Ive said it on here many times, If these wealthy folks really cared about conservation, and being a GOOD sportsman, they would donate to the species conservation without the need to shoot multiple OIL critters (5 sheep, maybe more) while most never get the chance. its more like they are supporting conservation.......so they can just shoot another sheep the next year....oh yeah it HAS to be bigger than last years.
I have refrained from commenting so far. I met Casey a few years back when he drove up my driveway during turkey season. Of course there were turkeys all around my place. He said he did not need a guide but would like to hunt my leases and only pay me if he shot a gobbler. Casey had been hunting most of the season and this was near the end of May. He pulled out his phone and started showing me all the bull elk he shot with a bow.He said they all came from Indian Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. $17,000 to $25,000 per hunt. Lots of stories about the Rez bulls. I finally agreed to take him to one of my leases down by Fruitland the next morning and turn him loose. Next morning I get up , get the coffee on , and get ready to take him to my lease. And I waited , and waited, and waited. NO SHOW. I won't give you my impression of the hunter after meeting him. I also talked with a friend/farmer that has land and lives up the Addy/ Cedonia Road. He had the same experience with Casey except I think Casey hunted his land. The farmer never saw him again. That was my experience with this hunter. What would you think?? Carry On......