My Concession Speech...

[ktc]

I am conceding. I hope I have to eat my words, but I am all but sure I won't. Another year passes by with an unsuccessful attempt at a big Utah bull. 13 points now. Never did I believe it would take this long. 24 years and no tag after religiously applying each and every year.

I would like to thank the DWR for the chance to apply every year. I guess this is what dreams are made of.

I would like to thank SFW for growing the greatest herd in the west. I would urge them to protect the herd from the opportunists. I am pleading with Don Peay and SFW to stop the stupidity in regard to 4.5 year old elk age objectives. If you can obtain 200 tags for raffle you certainly can stop this nonsense. I would like to thank the elk committee for making every attempt possible to screw up the greatest herd in the west. To those who drew with many points I wish you well. To those who cried about opportunity and drew, well......

This was the year to draw. While the DWR strives to meet age objectives the glory days have passed. To those who say the November hunt will not have the success of September, good argument to get more tags while killing 100%. Good strategy just like the dieing of old age argument.

Disappointment is the word of the day. In years past it was a disappointment not drawing, but this year is different. The future of trophy elk hunting in Utah will be changed. Previous years provided the hope to draw and get bigger and better bulls next year. As the age objectives are met quality will surely suffer and the long wait to draw will be worthless.

I will get to go on my first Utah trophy elk hunt this year. Hopefully the person who drew can make good on the tag. I will help him to realize something I probably will not get to experience. I can certainly understand the disappointment from those who begged to protect quality while waiting their turn.

I would ask those who accumulated another point to scream and yell about the elk committee decisions. I felt as though I had voiced my opinion and would cycle through the draw this year. My worst nightmare came true and I did not draw.....

 

[WARBIRDUM]

ktc,
I back you word for word you did not leave out anything that I was thinking I hope if they kill more bulls this year than planned cut tags and keep the qaulity Utah has now and please keep it this was for years to come. I will wait my turn and maybe some year will draw a archery elk tag just hope the bulls will be trophy class still when I do draw a tag.
Good hunting to you guys who drew this year it should be a great hunt.

 

[ktc]

Thanks Bird. I hope you get your chance next year. You deserve a tag.

It is now official. No draw. I really do not want to sound like sour grapes. I really am glad for those who drew because they are getting the chance of a lifetime. I just hope the quality still exists year after year for those patiently awaiting. My concern was not that I did not draw, it is feeling as though I had to draw THIS year due to the age changes. I hope the changes are recalculated.

I look forward to another year of great pictures of big Utah bulls from those who succeeded in the draw. Having points and viewing big bulls here on MM, in magazines, and on video is what keeps me excited and should keep those with bonus points chomping at the bit.

Good luck all....

 

[rutnbuck]

Come on Ktc Cheer up man I hate it when we cried for years. Hell come go with me. I will share my tag with ya. I feel so bad for u!! You make me feel guilty for drawing. Not
Rut

 

[ktc]

I am better today. Nothing a cube of beer won't fix.;-) Well, maybe I will fix it one more time tonight.

I bet you feel bad. I would. In fact I would feel so bad I would give my tag back. I think a revolt should take place and all tags returned immediately!

Where is your tag rut? Good luck and treat it as a once in a life time chance. I hope to see photos of the elusive 400 bull you have on your mind.

 

[rutnbuck]

WEll if i tell ya I would have to kill ya. Cause it is not every day u draw the only public tag on Summit Point Cwmu in San Juan county. I hear they kill some 375 plus bulls down there. And I heard of one that is the son of the mother that was the brother to the dad whos kin was like at least a 425-465 bull. Now with that said. I think it has been so long i think i will just frame the tag. Killing elk is easy but that damn tag is the tough one.
Rut

 

[Bura Nut]

ktc: I feel your pain in a different way........AZ isnt any better in that we wait and wait for years for just one tag and then with changes and increased tag numbers after the USO fiasco, the next couple years will show a decline in age class and quality.......then to make matters worse, landowner tags are being seriously talked about which in and of itself isnt necessarily bad but the program will allow tags that can be used on all public lands within the unit the private land is located.......doesnt look like AZ is managing for the long haul.........they see the increased revenues from all of this......... Thanks AZGFD...NOT....... Allen Taylor......

 

[WapitiBob]

Every time I read a post like this I am very thankful orygun has a genereal elk hunt. The hunting isn't what I would like but it's better than nothing.

24 years is insane.

 

[c3]

Utah has a general elk hunt too! KTC is just complaining like myself

If he would put in for units with reasonable odds instead of applying for units with 1 in 40 odds, if you are max point holder, he would also be able to draw with those 13 points.

The key is that many of us with max or near max points think we can't waste them on a unit that only has had a few 400" bulls harvested. No, we have to continue to put in for the premium of the premium units, in hopes of that once in a life time 400" monster.

When we all started this nonsence, a 350 bull was the magic bull we were after. Well you can have your 350" monster on every unit in the state, even with as few as 6 points.

The scale has been raised and I find it quite humerous that we still complain and grumble, when we again after all these years get the big fat rejection letter.

KTC, I feel for you. I'm 0 for 20 as well, but quit with the complaining

We made a choice and they had horrible odds even with your max points. Now it's time to live with it. No one is forcing us to put in for these units we keep after.

This stupid lottery system we've created is making all of us loose sight of what this game is all about in the first place.

So my dreams will live on for another year, big deal

Cheers,
Pete

 

[ktc]

I switched units to ensure the draw this year. No I did not draw so goes life. Yes I can hunt the general season if I choose.

I used my points and went for the "guaranteed draw" to no avail. So I will admit the odds last year were not 1 in 40 as you assume, they were 100% 4 times over last year. I have no idea what you speak of in terms of odds or the area I applied. I can only guess you are assuming I applied for the Pahvant. I did not. Thanks for speaking on my behalf to clear the air.

When I hear people speak of 350 bulls or 300 bulls when the system started I cannot argue this was not true. I will say that when I started driving the first car I drove was a '77 Chev. I guess I should still be driving that, using my Commadore PC since that was the first one I used, and never bought a cell phone since they were not around when when my first phone call was made.;-)I guess good enough is good enough. No need to improve.

 

[ktc]

Oh and Bura,

Thanks, I have watched from the sidelines what the USO did tou you folks of Arizona. I hope you do not witness the inevitable decline of quality due to the USO ruling.

 

[utahheadgear]

The quality elk of Utah aren't going anywhere because of a few more permits and lower age class objectives, if in fact that is what you are saying.
Just because the age class objective of any particular unit is 4-5 year old bulls doesn't mean there aren't any big bulls there. This is an average let's not forget. Some of the biggest bulls killed each year come from units with lower age class objectives. It is true that you may have to HUNT a little harder to find that monster bull, but he'll still be there, and in the mean time many more folks will get the opportunity to experience the thrill of the HUNT. Yes that's right I said hunt. Which means that some of us will come home without an elk, heaven forbid, but at least more will have the chance to try, which is what hunting is all about.
In Arizona they have less elk, more hunters and still kill more 400" bulls than we do in Utah. Granted their circumstances aren't exactly the same as ours but I still beleive that it shows that we have at least some room in this state to allow more HUNTING without giving up the awesome quality bulls we have come to be known for.

 

[ELKMASTER101]

YA YOU APPLY FOR THE TOUGHEST POINT ZONE.
AND YUOU CRY WHEN YOU DON'T GET DRAWN.
all i see in the future, is nothing for you,
We should issue you a new name "Sally" Sally Whiner,

 

[ktc]

Oh come on MasterBates101, Sally? Is that the best you have? Who is "we"? Can you not stand alone? You may want to reconsider your own name before you worry about mine. If I were to label myself "ELKMASTER" I surely would not follow it up with 101. That is high school stuff Bates. Maybe 401 if that helps ya any. Maybe 501 if you truly are the master.

I stick my neck out and the best you can do is Sally. You can see the future? Tell me more Swami. Tell me where was the TOUGHEST POINT ZONE? What is the TOUGHEST POINT ZONE? Where did I apply? You tell me? Let me narrow it down for ya Wasatch, Manti, Beaver. YA that is it.;-) YA!

Since you have the ability to look into the future, I do not want to see what Utah elk look like in 5 years, tell me something important. Something that really matters. Give me some life altering information buddy.

 

[schmalts]

Better luck next year. Well i fell in the same cat as you did. I was hoping for the nonres bonus tag in Dutton with 9pts archery since it went to a 6 point holder last year. well i guess that guy with 11 points killed me. next year.....

 

[ktc]

Hey Schmalts,

I was wondering how you fared. Keep an eye on what is happening and plan your hunt accordingly. There are definitely killer bulls here. Stay away from units where spike and general hunts are overlapping and the bow hunt will be good to you.

Unfortunately I have got in a pissing match here, but its all in fun. I think. I tried to move areas to use my points, but 512 other people are in the same boat as I am. So goes life.

Thanks for the good luck. You too. There is always the convention.;-)

 

[CATMAN]

Well fellers I also got the big UN on my application and KTC.....chit man age objectives don't matter...their not gonna make a difference on the herd....some of you will have to go empty is all. lol Is that what you wanted to hear after 24 yrs of putting in? Me either..I was hoping IF I ever draw...I would have a chance at a real nice bull. I don't want my once in a lifetime elk opportunity to end up with a no bull at the end because I wouldn't shoot a 4 yr old bull. Good luck to all those who drew a tag. My daughter did draw a youth elk tag so not all is bad. Might just be her once in a lifetime utah elk opportunity

 

[studpile]

Eloquent speech....I find it hard to believe you went to school where you did sometimes KTC....lol Well...when you went I should say. ;-) At least you know where the Chukars are at...not much of a consolation prize, but at least you'll get some kind of shooting this fall right?

 

[ELKMASTER101]

KTC.
"SORRY"
ya your right I'm just a beginner at this elk thing.
or i feel as though i am.
Your quest in a hunt of a life time, takes time and endurance, it takes a special bread of person to pass on the likely, and go for the gusto.
The accumulation of points is the best way to out rank the meek, your do.
Hopefully you have other options for hunting this year.
Good luck,
Sorry again about my mean streak.
By the way i do have balls to stand alone.
and i have only been doing this elk hunting thing for 11 seasons now.
never once have i not been granted a license,
yes some times i did'nt get drawn, but i played with,
colorados other options, over the counter tags,rifle or bow

 

[ktc]

CAT,

Good luck to your daughter. You will have fun on that hunt.

I had some 4 year old horns around here from Wyoming a few years back. I would show you a picture, but I do not know what happened to them. Probably a chew toy for the neighbor's dog or something.

Pile,

Was that school we attended? Ridgemont High....Those were the days. See what "school" did to me?

Not to worry master. It is all good. Yes, I have other options available. Won't be shooting a big 'un, but there are chukars, deer, and a LE elk tag along hunt.

 

[Silentstalker]

KTC,

I am sorry to hear that you did not draw out on your tag. I was really hoping you would. Keep after it and it will come. I don't believe your quality will suffer as much as you think. But then again what do I know. You know my stand on opportunity. I wish you the best and hope you have a great hunt with your friend that drew. I hope to help some friends out in the future. Have a great day!

Chad

 

[ktc]

Thanks Chad. We will have a good hunt. I just wish I was shooting instead of watching, but I guess that is the next best thing.

I am over it now. Hopefully more tags can be issued with maintained quality, but what do I know? Time will tell.

 

[Someburro]

Sounds good, but New Mexico and Arizona have been hunting November elk for many many years and it hasn't hurt their herds.

 

[Prism]

I throw in the towel as well. I thought just maybe the DWR made a mistake. I really "felt" like I was going to draw this year. Oh well.

Congrats to you who drew and good luck in the draws next year to those of us who didn't.

I'm somewhat nervous about the new management plans as well. I know that Arizona and New Mexico don't massacre the elk on their November hunts, but they don't have the snow and winterange country we do. I think it will be pretty hard on the elk if we have any snow. If we don't have the snow it will be a real tough hunt.

C'mon Arizona!!!