Hey Deer I got this email today. Looks like a guy had better draw this year because next year it will be like hunting a general tag with all the hunters and their spotters covering every inch of the unit.
Wenaha Unit Trophy Bull Tags Proposed for Increase
The ODFW staff is again proposing to increase the any bull tag Wenaha hunt. Historically, twenty tags were offered for this prestigious hunt and now it has proposed to raise the allocation from 70 tags to 90 tags. In addition to these tags, auction and raffle tag holders, as well as members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation will also be allowed to harvest bull elk. Unfortunately, bull quality (a function of age) appears to be dropping. These tags provided Oregon elk hunters an opportunity to hunt older age ?trophy bulls? and are very popular. In 2014, over 3,000 hunters applied for Wenaha trophy bull tags. Many hunters accumulate preference points for an opportunity for a ?dream bull in Oregon?.
The Wenaha Unit elk herd is well below management objectives at 2,600 animals in 2015; 60% below the 4,300 target level. While calf survival has improved to 22 calves per 100 cows the past two years, bull survival declined to 10 bulls per 100 cows in 2015. Bull ratios averaged in the 20?s per 100 cows from 2004 through 2011. The Wenaha Unit has a bull objective of 15 bulls per 100 cows.
The Washington Wenaha Unit north of the Oregon border still produces trophy bulls and they authorized 34 tags in 2014. Oregon hunters that want a chance at mature bulls need to comment on this proposal. Tag numbers must be reduced, not increased, to maintain trophy quality mature bulls.
What can you do? Testify at the big game regulation meeting held at the ODFW Salem office June 5, 2015 or send letters or email with your views to the Fish and Wildlife Commissioners at
[email protected].