I have a theory

[centaur]

After 8 days so far in the mountains without seeing an elk, I have a theory. I believe that there is a conspiracy that may go all the way to the White House regarding elk and bow season in the Bighorns. See, for the past three years I have hunted archery season without seeing an elk. I've hunted high and I've hunted low; no wapitis. Oh sure, I see them before season, and gun hunters blaze away at them during rifle season. I know that some, even on this site, have claimed to see elk during archery season, and some have even claimed to have killed one or two in the Bighorns with a bow, but I think that they are finding the few strays that Game and Fish missed during their roundup. I have heard (no personal experience) that people see elk in places like Kentucky, Michigan and other states that shouldn't have an elk within a hundred miles, and my theory is this: that Wyoming Game and Fish is in cahoots with those DNRs in other states to sell elk licenses, and that just before bow season, our G and F has a big elk roundup, takes elk from the Bighorns, and 'leases' them to the other states so that those states can sell elk licenses when people see elk in their area. Then, they round up the elk in time for the gun season in the Bighorns, so the rifle hunters can blast away.
Why do I say that this conspiracy may go all the way to the White House, who to my knowledge has never seen an elk or would know one if they saw one? Well, I have heard a whole lot of talk on the news about the White House  wanting to "redistribute elk". The "redistribution of elk" is big on their agenda, for reasons I don't understand. At least that is what I thought I heard.
I have looked at this very analytically, and I am sure my theory must be right; just as George Bush flooded New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, our Game and Fish is "redistributing elk". This must be brought out publicly and put to a stop. And when FerretWyo posts some picture of an elk he supposedly killed in the Bighorns, take it with skepticism; I think he may be following Game and Fish around, seeing what strays they might miss.
And I will be going back on the mountain next week to see if they accidentally missed one or two in my area. I ain't holding my breath.

[adeeden]

[Wulomac]

Well said!!!

[rastaman]

I feel your pain sir!  Good luck to you next week, and i hope at least a straggler finds himself (or herself) within about 15 yards of you in a clear shooting lane!    Keep the faith!

[steadman]

That explains it Pat!! I have seen one elk during the hunt here in UT, and this makes perfect sense. They bring them back just in time for the limited entry unit hunts here in UT. I'm just glad someone brought this out to the public!          

[Prairie Drifter]

[longbowben]

I feel the same after spending 9 days in the rockies and never hearing a bull bugle and driving 3000 miles round trip.  

[maineac]

That is good. Now if you can wrap the Bermuda Triangle, bigfoot and area 51 into it I think you would really have something you take the National Enquirer.

[Tim Fishell]

Pat, that is awesome!!  I for one know first hand that there are elk in the bighorns during September.  When we were there last year the owner of the Campground we stayed at killed one with his wheelie bow.  We seen the rack and the buckets of meat he brought back off the moutain with him.  He must be another one that follows the Game and Fish around looking for straglers!!    

[BEN]

     

that's GOOD!

[David Mitchell]

They did the same thing with bears in northern Maine last week--I know that has to be the reason I did not see any where I normally do.  The gubment agents might try to blame the change in game movement on Hurricane Earl, but we know better.  

[mcgroundstalker]

[Shinken]

Ditto


     


Shoot straight, Shinken

[Hess]

Crazy huh?  The only thing I really took home out of that is GW is to blame...

[wapiti792]

Pat I nabbed a stray in the Laramie Peaks area...hang in there. The Game and Fish left a few to feed the yeti's they did a swap with Canada for mule deer. Be on the look out for them as well  

[twitchstick]

Most of those elk in kentucky came from the utah round up we have before our archrey season. I didn't know a man could follow so much "yesterday's sign". It's been real tough here too,had an elk(or DWR paid actor) into about 50 yards last night and didn't even see it. I think your spot on with your theory.      

[twitchstick]

The DWR here puts out more deperdation/antlerless tags than there are elk on the unit I hunt,true story. Its hard to keep going out and not seeing any animals.

[Dave Bulla]

Ha!

Reminds me of the story I read where I think Slim Pickens walked up to the counter of a store after his elk hunt and asked them to sell him an elephant license.  The lady says "Huh? An elephant license???  Why sir, we don't have elephants in Wyoming, why would I sell you an elephant license?"

Slim comes back and says, "Well little lady, I just hunted my @$$ off for two whole weeks and never even saw an elk or elk sign but you sold me an elk license, so why not an elephant license?"

[myshootinstinks]

[DannyBows]