This bull was killed in the Umatilla National Forest in Washington State within a mile of a forest service road. No, it is not a ranched animal. It is illegal to ranch wild animals in this state. We don't have those ranched hunts that tether an animal to a tree for some weak kneed rich guy to shoot. We just have jerks who sell their souls for $$$ and lead these rich guys on a leash to the big elk that they have scouted and kept the animal in check FOR them.
The Governor's Tag helps to provide this state with much needed services for wildlife that we would not otherwise have. The person who buys the tag is getting a coveted trophy tag that any of us would love to be able to a have. I suppose when the guy doesn't go out and actually hunt for the animal like the rest of us have to, we get a bit ticked off, right or wrong. Maybe some changes need to be made to the way the tag(s) are used to prevent the controversy that apparently surrounds this years elk tag. It isn't just that this particular elk was taken; it was the way it was apparently done that has so many up in arms. Unfortunate. When this state went to the point system it made for big bulls but with a wait of 10-12 years between chances to get drawn, you have some angry hunters when this kind of crap comes down.
By the way... anyone who thinks we don't have big bulls here has never spent much time here and should stay where they are anyway. Specialists from other states should be just that... specialists in "other" states!
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