Tinemaha Elk

[Slugblaster]

Just got back from Big Pine and saw the whole herd all300 in a Alfalfa field on the west side of 395. My hunting partner is sending back his antlerless tag tomorrow for a refund. The DFG told him that they were working with the local ranchers to put up hi fences but we counted 8 open gates to the alflafa field.

 

[snoopdogg]

I'm not quite sure why your buddy is asking for a refund. Can you explain a bit more?

 

[Slugblaster]

The public hunting land is on the east side of the 395. The Elk are on private property on the west side and it dont look like they're going back. The DFG was offering refunds for that reason.

 

[Hogskin]

I don't understand why they don't "herd" them back over to the other side. And close the dang gates. I've heard about a lot of problems with the elk hunts in the owens valley. This is ridiculous.

I've been trying to draw one of those tags for years. If I'd finally pulled one this year and had your buddy's experience, I would NOT be happy. My condolences to your buddy.

Regards,
Paul

 

[DKScott]

This goes to an argument that I made on a previous thread. Premium big game tags should include some type of provision for reasonable access to private land. This is done in many countries. Otherwise, you have to,in effect, "purchase" the publicly owned animal from the landowner, often at exorbitant prices. At least the DFG has stopped keeping the tag money

Scott

 

[Dan Moss]

Slugblaster, I seen the same thing when went to scout this area 3 weeks ago. Early in the year when i found out the my uncle and I were drawn I started making calls. DFG said that there was a chance that these elk would move into these fields after the first two hunts took place. After scouting the area its pretty obvious that these animals live on the west side of 395. We were pretty disscouraged after our weekend journey to the area. I called DFG when we got back and ask them about the situation and if anything would change before season. I was informed that the S.O.L. letter was in the mail and that we could request a refund. I thought the idea was to maintain and thin the herd? Anyway it does not look good. But I am not going to send for a refund because a diffinetly will not kill one sitting at home. I will keep my fingers crossed that maybe we can get a bull to stray across the road.

 

[Slugblaster]

Dan if you wait that bull to cross the hiway you might as well by a lottery ticket too. Same odds. Good luck

 

[Dan Moss]

Slugblaster, You may have a good point there.

 

[Bishop]

Well me and my son got picked for period 1 in 2000. We both got our elk, and most of the other 12 hunters got theirs. There are usually herds of elk on both sides, but I wouldn't be surprised if they get chased across the 395 by the second or third period.

 

[spectr17]

Is that the alfalfa fields where they have the viewing turnout on the west side? If it is, every time I stop there the darn elk are off somewhere else.

Neat pics Bishop. What was the guy's name again in DFG you palmed the 2 Franklins to help get drawn?

 

[Bishop]

They were in the fields at Steward Rd. (east side of 395)just before you get into Big Pine. In fact they were about a two block drive from the motel we stayed in.

We got lucky in the draw. Put in a party tag and got picked #7 out of 10, so Cary got the # 8 tag.

 

[huntducks]

Last year I hunted doves same field there where 3 bulls laying in the middle the whole morning shooting did not seem to bother them.

 

[Slugblaster]

Bishop, if I show my hunting partner Bart that picture he'll sh#t. He still hasn't sent for the refund and is thinking of going up again this weekend. He's a glutton for punishment. He spoke to the lady at the DFG again who doesn't seem to know to much. She says ther's half of what we counted in the herd and that the gates to the Alfalfa fields were only open to let the elk go back across the hiway.

 

[tmoniz]

I've forgotten how many years now I've tried for that bull tag. Maybe preference points will help out.
We saw 2 dozen or more bulls on Monday November 4th in those same hay fields. In August I usually see them on the east side near the lake and willows along the river. I was told by a highway worker last year that if they are gone from those fields, small groups can be found farther west up in the sage.
One of these days I'm gonna hike up around that area to see if this is true. This last time, I must admit I was never aware that there were so many elk in that one group. So where are the other herds? Bishop? Lone Pine?