Low number of cows taken

[Marko]

Has anyone noticed the low number of cows taken this year? Today there are only 206 cows taken out of 300 tags issued. I don't know what the usual take is in western states, but that seems very low for the short elk hunting history we have had here in Kentucky. During my son's hunt during the second weekend of cow season the elk seem to be getting "hunting smart".
What's it going to be like with 750 tags issued?!

 

[elkguy]

That's interesting. I know that the cow herds where I took people hunting got very hunter smart. They just went nocturnal. I have seen them do the same thing in Montana. During elk season you can't find an elk, but 2 weeks after it closes, elk are grazing in people's yards in the suburbs of Missoula.

I also know that in the past couple of years, several people drawn for cow tags in KY just chose to not hunt because they wanted a bull tag, and about 2% to 5% could not hunt because of work conflicts or health problems.

So, 750 cow tags next year might get 520 cows killed.

 

[Rev270]

Not as many elk as they think they are, the elk are concentrated in certain areas other areas have no elk at all. I wonder if any elk were killed out side of the elk counties I checked the border counties and none were telechecked. 1000 tags maybe to big of an increase. Plus these animals will get hunter smart same as they are in colorado. If they stick to the woods more they are going to be some tough critters to hunt.

 

[K9trapper]

Same thing I posted before. If you confine all the cow killing into a one week gun season, you're success rate will go down. The elk congregate heavily this time of year, so a lot of areas are void of elk now. There are only so many good places to hunt. Private land owners are also finding the value of these elk and charging for access.

In the future, if you don't pay, you'll have a tough time playing. With 1000 tags next year, the seasons had better be spread out more allowing everyone a turn on public land.

 

[Scott7m]

elk getting smart?????? i thought the only thing we had to do to kill an elk was decide what size hammer to hit them n the head with

 

[elkguy]

elk getting smart?????? i thought the only thing we had to do to kill an elk was decide what size hammer to hit them n the head with

I fully admit that it often appears to be the case. It just depends on how used they are to human traffic and if they have been harrassed or not, and on the season. Elk are not as crazy as whitetails, not even out west. Some of those of us that are used to hunting whitetails in the East just have a hard time comprehending elk behavior. I know when I moved to Montana and started elk hunting, I was amazed at how "stupid" (note the quotes), that elk, moose, pronghorn, big horn sheep, and especially muler deer were.

 

[Scott7m]

I fully admit that it often appears to be the case. It just depends on how used they are to human traffic and if they have been harrassed or not, and on the season. Elk are not as crazy as whitetails, not even out west. Some of those of us that are used to hunting whitetails in the East just have a hard time comprehending elk behavior. I know when I moved to Montana and started elk hunting, I was amazed at how "stupid" (note the quotes), that elk, moose, pronghorn, big horn sheep, and especially muler deer were.

surely mule deer ain't that dumb?

 

[RDL270]

Elkguy is correct. If your an avid whitetail hunter and go out west.....elk, pronghorn and muledeer are not the challenge that a mature whitetail buck is by a long shot. Not to say the above a piece of cake.....different tactics, hunting methods etc but as far as being as smart as a white tail.....not even in the same league. But I love to hunt all three.

 

[Scott7m]

Elkguy is correct. If your an avid whitetail hunter and go out west.....elk, pronghorn and muledeer are not the challenge that a mature whitetail buck is by a long shot. Not to say the above a piece of cake.....different tactics, hunting methods etc but as far as being as smart as a white tail.....not even in the same league. But I love to hunt all three.

lol........ no wonder it's all spotting scopes and spot and stalk....

 

[GMo]

I believe that next year's cow season is proposed for several weeks. I think a lot of people choose not to come hunt cows. I think they need to contact f&w up front if they're going to choose not to hunt cows and let those be re-drawn. Maybe they should have a seperate bull-cow lottery sale. I'm surprised they haven't to generate more $

 

[CSS archer]

Maybe they should have a seperate bull-cow lottery sale.

I think that's a good idea. Maybe Frankfort will read this and consider it????

Since you now have to apply online, it would be easy to have a choice of (1) either bull or cow (2) bull or (3) cow, maybe put 50% of the bull tags for the bull only drawing, 50% of the cows for the cow only drawing and the rest for whatever.

Then if someone drew a cow, they'd be more likely to be happy that they drew it and go hunt.

The rifle cow season was 2 weeks this year. I think that's plenty IMO. Any more rifle seasons and you might as well do away with fall archery turkey hunting in eastern KY, because of hunter orange requirements.

 

[Eastky Bowhunter]

Here is my 2 cents for what its worth.

I would like to see the tags allotted for certain weapons and for each EHU. So many for archery/crossbow. So many rifle/muzzle loader. Archery/crossbow harvest rate would much lower than the rifle/muzz harvest rate, there for more hunters would have the chance to hunt if they chose to hunt with archery equipment.

 

[predator]

I believe that next year's cow season is proposed for several weeks. I think a lot of people choose not to come hunt cows. I think they need to contact f&w up front if they're going to choose not to hunt cows and let those be re-drawn. Maybe they should have a seperate bull-cow lottery sale. I'm surprised they haven't to generate more $

I think that's a good idea. Maybe Frankfort will read this and consider it????
Since you now have to apply online, it would be easy to have a choice of (1) either bull or cow (2) bull or (3) cow, maybe put 50% of the bull tags for the bull only drawing, 50% of the cows for the cow only drawing and the rest for whatever.

Then if someone drew a cow, they'd be more likely to be happy that they drew it and go hunt.

The rifle cow season was 2 weeks this year. I think that's plenty IMO. Any more rifle seasons and you might as well do away with fall archery turkey hunting in eastern KY, because of hunter orange requirements.

Good ideas. They will read it now!!