Owens elk hunt in trouble for archers?

[Rmoor]

Joe,

How about adding a second choice to the elk application?
The second choice would be cow only. If drawn for your second choice you don't loose your points.

Rmoor

 

[fishnhunt]

Joe,

How about adding a second choice to the elk application?
The second choice would be cow only. If drawn for your second choice you don't loose your points.

Rmoor

For that to occur there would have to be left over cow tags in California...Last I checked there never were any that were not taken in the first round of drawings!!

 

[coyote 1]

This year I got my guides license and a construction job in the town of Independence. I spent 40 total days scouting and guiding in the Owens Valley. On those days I kept records of all of the elk that were seen. I went thru my records today and come up with these results. Note: I saw the same elk numerous times over the season. I only counted the elk which I could verify were not seen/ counted before. My numbers could even be higher than what is charted. <o></o>
<o> </o>
Over the 40 days I saw 467 elk. <o></o>
The most I found in one day was 182 elk. <o></o>
Sex Breakdown is: 139-bulls (branched antler elk), 34- spikes, 249-cows, 45 calves<o></o>
Break down per zone: Lone Pine- 141, Independence- 77, Tinnema(s)- 165, Bishop- 84<o></o>
<o> </o>
I was trying to compare my results with the biologist’s results but I have not been able to meet with him. (I am not working in Independence anymore). If the Lone Pine zone gets broken down next year into two zones then the results would look like this: Lone Pine-99, Whitney- 42. The mountain High zone will be in the Tinnemaha zone. I personally did not see any elk where that new zone will be. The biologist Mike told me he saw more than 40 elk in that zone. <o></o>
<o> </o>
It is my personal belief- there are more than 600 elk in the Owens valley. I feel the number of bull tags should be increased for the applicants and the number of cow tags should be decreased. It will be up to the commission to set the final tally. <o></o>

 

[DFGELK]

One thing to keep in mind when you review OV tag allocation is that this zone is unique in that it is the only area in the state where there is a mandated cap at the number of elk (Fish and Game Code). This is 490 elk, this is one reason you see a higher antlerless harvest in these zones.

Joe

 

[Bill in SD]

I agree about having bull or cow tags and not either sex. I am mostly concerned that there will be "huntable" elk in the new units. I remember hearing years ago there was a unit and all the elk would cross the 395 during the hunting season out of the unit. Of course you cannot control where the elk go.

Thanks
Bill

 

[Bill in SD]

Elmacho, would you send me a PM or email billiamsd@hotmail.com I'm curious to what you witnessed, if you do not mind.
Thanks
Bill

 

[coyote 1]

Hey Bill
The only place the elk cross 395 is in the Tinnemaha zones. You can find very good elk on either side of the highway in those zones. The southern zones have the aqueduct following the highway. The elk will only cross where the bridges are. I never saw one cross 395 that way. There are some zones which are easier to bow hunt than others. I have not been in the mountain zone. The elk are three miles up the slope. The multi zone tag will be the best bet but it will be the tag with the most applicants. Pre season scouting will tell you where the elk hang out. Anyone who scouts at least 3 times before the season can find where the elk are. You will need to figure out which zone before the drawing in June. Good Luck.
Jerry

 

[Bill in SD]

Jerry, thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I also sent you a pm. Oh, looks like I can't? Would you send me a pm, my question is what is the hub bub from the archery hunt? I wanted to keep it private.
Bill

 

[Bill in SD]

I got my questions answered. Thanks
Bill