King’s Outdoor World Blog

58 Comments Add your own

• 1. mike frazier  |  September 8th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

  that is a nice bull but where in eastern washington did he shoot it becuse most of the east side is spike only. I wonder if he had a speacial permit

• 2. AGCHAWK  |  September 8th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

  I believe that Mr. Agnew was in possession of our Governers Tag which allowed him the opportunity to hunt this BEAST of a bull.

• 3. Scott  |  September 8th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

  I was told it was the Washington Govners Elk tag. Also told it was Taken around Dayton, WA

• 4. ELKFVR  |  September 9th, 2008 at 1:05 am

  He purchased the eastern washington governor’s taq for a mere $63,000
  It was shot on the west side of the blues in the dayton unit

• 5. eric perkins  |  September 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

  Seriously.. $63,000 for a tag? That’s insane. Or, he’s just insanely rich. Either way.. insane!

• 6. local  |  September 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

  I’m nos so sure it was in the Dayton unit. I heard it was in the wenaha unit? Can anyone battle my claims with concrete info. What a bull !!!

• 7. Art  |  September 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am

  I was emailed six photos of this bull. Both alive and after harvest. The one shown above is not one of them. But the ones I have show the antlers much better. The photo above really doesn’t do this bull justice. The straight on photo is most impressive. The mass is incredible. Do you not have other photos to post? I I can send the photos I have if given the email address. Can’t attach photos here and can’t find an address on the site. Also, that area around Mill Creek Watershed, where this bull was taken, overlaps into Oregon and is known for huge bulls but it is very difficult to draw a tag. I know of three huge archery bulls from that area on the Oregon side and have pictures.

• 8. David King - King's Outdoor World  |  September 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

  Art,
  I do have some other photos. I agree that the front on photo shows the elk the best. Therefore I have updated this post and included that photo as well.

  ELFVR
  You are correct in regards to the tag that Dan Agnew had. It was the eastern Washington Governor’s tag.

  David King
  King’s Outdoor World
  Hunting Illustrated

• 9. mike frazier  |  September 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

  AFTER LOOKING AT THIS BULL IAM WONDERING IS IT A HIGH FENCE BULL.

• 10. ben smith  |  September 14th, 2008 at 2:57 am

  that is a monster, but i dont think any animal that costs more then normal tags,permits should be a legal record. fair chase is when any one can hunt it. not vary many people can pay $63,000 to hunt, if it realy did cost that much. if it didnt cost that much then,,, wow and congrats!!!! some one i know got one that scored 354 down in the blues with a permit and has video of one that would have scord over 400.

• 11. local  |  September 15th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

  ITS NOT A HIGH FENCE BULL!!!! But even so it is still the governors tag and I disagree with that. It shouldnt even be eligable for the record book. Oh well what can a poor bee farmer do?

• 12. chump  |  September 16th, 2008 at 1:33 am

  nice bull!!, Corey, did you guide?…nice…its not a high fence…its in the mountains , man!!
  chump….formally of Walla Walla.

• 13. Art  |  September 16th, 2008 at 10:08 am

  I always felt the record book was to honor and admire the animal NOT the hunter. Who knows, if it wasn’t for this expensive state wide tag and an army of scouts and guides this bull may of lived out his life and died with no one knowing he existed. At least now Washington will get the recognition of having monster elk and we all get to see a magnificent specimen. Who cares who harvested it, as long as it was legal.

• 14. mark mebes  |  September 18th, 2008 at 11:44 pm

  There has been a lot of talk around here this year about a set of 400+ sheds that were found in the area this spring. I also heard that “the guy that got the Governor’s Tag” was trying to find out where they were found. I wonder if this is the same bull. Good for him I say. If I had $63,000 for recreation that is how I would spend it. There are a few 400+ bulls in the blues, it is nice to see someone get one.

• 15. MIke  |  September 22nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm

  What the heck is a govorners tag, I do not see any reference to in in the rules.

• 16. Tyler  |  September 22nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm

  Don’t get me wrong this is a very nice bull. However it is very pathetic that a person has to pay 63,000 to buy this bull, that is not a fair chase hunt when you hire guides to find you an animal. It is a disgace that hunting has came to how big your wallet is.

• 17. branch bull '08  |  September 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm

  This bull was the governor’s tag for eastern washington. He was shot on Chase Mountain with the assistance from several guides. When the bull was found, the hunter was called, he flew in to Walla Walla airport, and then shot the bull the next day. He took the horns, and got back on his jet and left. I think it is wrong and disrespectful of the animal. If you can’t put in the time and effort to respect the animal, DON’T HUNT IT.

• 18. randy schmeusser  |  September 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm

  Who were the guides for this hunt?

• 19. Mike Posada  |  September 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 am

  Nice bull. Hey Dan, call me next year if you want to see a even bigger one. I bet you buy that tag again.

• 20. Brook  |  September 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am

  Get over the fact that Mr Agnew spent big $ for the opportunity to hunt this great bull! I can’t think of a better thing to do with money than to pursue a trophy bull! One guide, two guides, or 10..Fair chase is fair chase and it’s good to see Washington Guides come thru in a big way!

• 21. Jack  |  September 24th, 2008 at 9:45 am

  The sad part is the money does not go towards wildlife, but as with the rest of the tag money it goes directly into the general fund (which is spent on mostly Welfare and Police) and less than 2% is spend on anything to do with wildlife. This person killed this elk, but he did not hunt it…..he is not a hunter.

• 22. Kurt  |  September 24th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

  Actually the money does go towards wildlife per law see below. From what I have looked at it appears his tag was auctioned by RMEF at the 2008 Elk Camp in Reno.

  By law, the revenue from a particular species auction and raffle tags must be spent on management of that species. Given that, the expenditures (since July 1999) for deer and elk have been marked for special projects, including a buck mortality study on black-tailed deer, investigations of deer hair loss syndrome, elk augmentations, elk carry-capacity study, and elk calf survival investigations. Expenditures for bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goats has been primarily for annual surveys for these species (83%), with smaller costs associated with special research projects (8%) and raffle tag marketing (9%).

• 23. TDH  |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:20 am

  It is a great bull, and a fine example of what Washington can produce, no debate there.
  But there’s no way, in my opinion, that a big money auction tag hunt, unless the same rules/seasons would apply for it as everyone else, should be considered a Fair Chase.
  Fair Chase if you have Batman money to enter the extreme high dollar bid wars, so as to be able to BUY a bull, or buck of this caliber maybe.
  If it was a drawn tag it would be different.
  That is what keeps it Fair Chase…..everyone has a chance.
  This way you only have a chance if you’re willing to spend more than the next guy!
  Look at the antelope records.
  Govenors tag in Arizona is the current shared WR .
  The same guy who holds the record now, just killed another one this year, they’re saying may break his own, with….yep, another Govenors tag…..$60 some thousand worth, with the same guide outfit.
  That is Fair Chase?
  At least put one of those lil’ marks after the entry, that would let us know how much the guy bought it for…….
  Bottom line, I don’t blame the guides or the hunter, and not even the trophy, but the rules need to change to better define Fair Chase in my opinion.

• 24. Jon Hammermeister  |  September 25th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

  Whether he bought the tag or was drawn for the tag, he harvested a big bull. You get drawn for that tag and pay for a guide to get you in on a bull like that or spend the time to find him yourself either way it is hunting. Was he supposed to drive there instead of fly would that make it better. So what if he has enough money to buy the tag if he didn’t buy it someone else would.

• 25. Pat  |  September 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm

  From the background in an email photo I saw (not shown here) it looks to me that it’s in the Wenaha on Sawtooth Ridge. About a mile from the trailhead. Toward the top of that first big hole on the west side of the trail.

• 26. Local  |  September 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am

  Hey branch bull ‘08, are you a local? Had you seen this bull before?

• 27. wash bull  |  September 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

  FLAT OUT THIS IS NOT HUNTING!!!! Money talks and unfortunately this bull is a commodity. To hire someone to locate and sit on an animal until your arrival to place the shot lacks any type or form of morals or ethics. I’ts all about bragging rights and a complete lack of respect for the animal you pursue.

• 28. jd  |  September 26th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

  I’ve known Dan for many years as he was neighbor of mine in Centraila,Wa If you don’t know, he inherited some great wealth some years ago. It is not uncommon for Dan to spend an enormous amount of money for elk tags. Take a look at the jrecords, he holds the record I believe in the REMF auctions as well. Us normal folks would never get the chance to harvest these types of Bulls without the $$$$$$$.
  Good Hunting anyway.

• 29. randall  |  September 26th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

  clearly a magnificant animal, this bull was harvested on public land,( Umatilla National Forest, Walla Walla Ranger District), the debate over how hard this particular hunter worked for him is a fair debate, bottom line this part of the Northwest houses some large bulls that are drawing plenty of attention..

• 30. Marshal  |  September 27th, 2008 at 2:05 am

  that is a nice bull, I would personally have a hard time bragging about a $63,000 bull. In Oregon and Washington it is hard to draw tags for trophy units and these so called hunters with their governor’s tags go into the prime units and kill huge bulls with rifles during archery season. Thats what I call hunting!!!

• 31. Montana old school hunter  |  September 27th, 2008 at 1:56 pm

  The antlers on this bull show a lot of Red Deer characteristics.

  I wonder if this bull was an escapee from the Idaho game farms? It should be genetically tested.

• 32. Kerry  |  September 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

  So this guy simply paid $63,000 to fly in and pull the trigger on a truely magnificent animal. Absolutely pathetic IMO and this is EXACTLY what is wrong with “hunting” today and this guy deserves no recognition what so ever.

• 33. Del Jones  |  September 28th, 2008 at 12:20 am

  Also you can get this same tag your self yes if your lucky and only cost a few dollars i put in every year for them a local guy I know has drawn at lest 2 or 3 of them in a raffle just rember any animal is a trophy rember that fists buck that forked horn biggest animal you ever set eyes on and the memories will last forever no matter what the size my wifes elk hunt called dozen or more 300 class bulls no she didnt get one but I will rember that moment on each bull for ever and the look and smile on her face when they where 20 yards away

• 34. Matt  |  September 28th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

  One heck of a bull! I just wish they would spook few of these bulls over into Idaho. Does anyone know if you can archery hunt without a special permit in the area or for that matter is it spike only all over Washington? Rifle and archery?

• 35. neverendingelkhunter  |  September 29th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

  Jealousy in the hunting world is incrediable! This bull was taken legaly and fair chase. If anybody had the same kind if $$ as the hunter i would gaurentee you that they would do the same thing as he did. Just recognize the bull for what it is. Maybe some day we all will draw a permit and be lucky enough to hire some dedicated individuals to help locate and spot a “toad”. Being that most of us do not live where we have access to public property so close to home. With the price of fuel most of us can not travel every weekend and evenings to scout. Therefore if some one can afford to pay some one to scout for them, what better way is there to “fuel the economy”?

• 36. legal hunter  |  September 30th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

  I have to agree that this is a nice bull. You know what would even be nicer, if the WDFW allowed other paying hunters to get opportunities like this. i am not talking about people who can afford $63,000 for a tag, but those who have put in for many years for a branch antler bull tag and have never been drawn. I bet those people at the WDFW office often get drawn for big bull tags….Amazing how that works! The point system in the state is a joke, but apparently money can by anything, even a Boone and Crocket bull elk. Amazing what happens when you know someone that works for the WDFW….You get a nice trophy bull!

• 37. Fishm@n  |  September 30th, 2008 at 9:03 pm

  I agree with both sides on this one to certain degrees. I think at the very least the guy could have worked harder for it regardless of how wealthy he is. Most of us elk hunters work so freaking hard to get close to any elk that the ease of this kill makes it hard to swallow.

  That said if this was $63 grand spent at an RMEF auction then it is money VERY WELL spent and to the good of all elk and wildlife habitat.. if you don’t believe that you’re not very well informed or are perhaps living under a rock.

• 38. wyohunter29  |  October 1st, 2008 at 1:39 pm

  This bull is a huge bull by any standards. I myself would not pay that kind of money for an elk. He apperantly has the cash flow to be able to spend that kind of money so be it. I just believe that a hunt like that is not in the true essence of hunting. He didn’t have to hunt for that bull he had someone find it for him. That to me is not hunting. I can’t take anything away from the bull it is huge.

• 39. Dan  |  October 1st, 2008 at 8:13 pm

  I’m tring to figure out if some of you are upset about the killing of such a great animal or that someone paid a huge sum of money for the tag, guides, and travel to hunt a huge animal. It’s never boring to go after spikes and 3 points all the time, but if you had the money to go on a big trophy hunt, wouldn’t you do it. Is it any different than an Africian safari lion hunt or a marlin fishing trip in mexico. At least he spent the money in state, which the money from big hunts like this keep our hunting tag prices lower, and was taken in a spike only unit where he wasn’t stealing it from other possible hunters.

• 40. AARON  |  October 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm

  THAT IS WHY WASHINGTON IS SO SCREWED UP. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY AND WHAT WE CAN CHARGE FOR THAT INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY MANAGING OUR GAME. ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS GET THE HIGH DOLLARS AND TRY TO BUST PEOPLE FOR STUPID STUFF. I THINK EVERY GAME WARDEN IN WASHINGTON JUST HAS A SHIP ON THEIR SHOULDER

• 41. jkh  |  October 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

  It is a nice bull, but at what cost? It is a shame to take such a magnificent animal. The rich get to buy these tags and that is just wrong. Even worse is the fact he hired people to track it for him and learn where and when it traveled. How sporting…NOT!! To try and build the herds from good genetics is now gone. I feel that a person needs to hunt in the unit in which he lives and stay out of our back yard with your fat pocket book. This is a real crime.

• 42. Ron  |  October 5th, 2008 at 11:35 pm

  I also have six pictures of the bull, they gave credit to someone named Butterfeild, maybe that was who took the pictures. They say the Bull was killed in the Wenaha.. The Wenaha Tecan wilderness is in Ore. and Wash.I Don’t Know Dan Agnew but Believe everyone who says he killed it.I hunted this area forty or more years ago when I was in High school.They kill some nice bull there every year, it’s hard to draw a tag.I am currious about the 466 inch Oregon Bull. Does anyone have info or was it a rumor?

• 43. Ron  |  October 5th, 2008 at 11:46 pm

  I will guarantee you he didn’t fly in and shoot this elk. He’s a lucky man who has the money to do what he enjoys. He won this on a Raffle tag. I am not sure how much it cost but under Five dollars.At least I read it was a Raffle and not Auction.Face it thats the way it is now a days. Any wild Bull that big wasn’t dumb. We have a couple big old bulls in our neighborhood. They don’t come to calls, and they survive about five different hunts ever year.Very few people have ever laided eyes on anything but their tracks.Neither is as big as this bull.

• 44. loren lehman  |  October 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am

  The bull taken in the blue mt. by Dan is a great Bull. I have a friend that shot a bull this year with his bow that might beat Dans bull as the new state record.

• 45. EOElkhunter  |  October 9th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

  I don’t know Washington’s unit names but the Wenaha unit is in Oregon. Although Wenaha does border Washington near Dayton.

• 46. AARON WILSON  |  October 9th, 2008 at 5:19 pm

  MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN FENCED IN!

• 47. Buck  |  October 11th, 2008 at 12:30 am

  Wow what a bull. I know one of the guides and this hunter came in two weeks prior and scouted the area for 3 days before yes receiving a call an flying over once they had spotted the bull. I do think its crazy that he paid 63,000 for the tag but if i could do it and get a monster like this why not especially when the money goes to the rocky mountain elk foundation. I love the comments about the people claiming he isn’t a hunter and what is a governers tag? haha why are we so negative and such haters. If there is one place people can go and not be judged buy status and the money you have in this world, it is out hunting geared up in the same camo as the guy next to ya both smothered with deer scent enjoying the serenity of nature and all that comes with it.

• 48. Curtis  |  October 11th, 2008 at 9:13 am

  I have a book called “Idaho’s Greatest Mule Deer”. The book tells the story of the biggest mule deer taken or found dead in the state of Idaho. The book is great and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to see big mule deer. I bring it up because as you read through this book you will not find many stories that start out about how the hunter paid thousands for the Gov’s tag and then hired an outfitter to find a trophy for him. Most of them are hunters that didn’t have that kind of money and hunting was something they did only during the season. Now you go buy a hunting magazine and the first few paragraphs on each animal might as well be an add for the outfitters used for the hunt. As for Dan’s money going to a good cause I would disagree. The money will help to manage the elk herds but all that means is they will restrict more areas to keep you and me from shooting the big bulls so that in a few years Dan can over pay for another trophy like he has done in the past on the San Carlos. It isn’t fair chase when you have guys like Dan or the guy that shot the “Spider Bull” who can buy trophies as they have.

• 49. ANDREW  |  October 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pm

  First off I would like to congratulate Dan on a awsome bull. All you jealous people that like to make stuff up and belittle people for their accomplishments make hunters look bad. The only way to shoot a big bull in that area is to buy the gov. tag or draw a tag. If a guy has money let him spend it he earned it. Im sure the trucks you drive around with their huge lift kits and over sized tiers and alumminum wheels and any other assesories cost more than 63 thousand dollars . And for what you probable dont eaven take them off the pavement! All you haters get a life!!!!!! So I see Dan shot another bull this year that scores over 400″ let the bashing start all over?

• 50. William D. Ward`=  |  October 17th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

  What a bunch of jealous sore-heads…

  Bill

• 51. Zach  |  October 21st, 2008 at 3:43 pm

  YAY another guy that paid big bucks to go shoot him. He paid 63 thousand dollars for the govonor tag. He had guys scout him for him and when they found where he was they called him and he went out and shot it. IT WAS IN THE FIRST HALF AND HOUR THE MORNING WHEN HE WENT HUNTINg.

• 52. Rob  |  October 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm

  Curtis, I must disagree with you. What your saying about “Idahos Biggest Mule Deer” makes no sense. Do you use a good pair of binoculars when your hunting?!?!? I bet those guys in your book didnt have 1000$ Swarvoskis… Dont tell me you wouldnt buy the nicest scope you could afford if it helped your chances in the field. Unfortunatly for us and fortunatly for him he can afford a 60k$ governers tag, if I had that kinda spare cash you bet your ass I would do it. As for the money not benefitting the average hunter, thats ridiculus if people like you controlled permits and such, the elk herds would be diminished in a matter of years. The people that you say will restrict more area, are why bulls like this are around. Without them the sport of hunting woud not exsist…. (sorry for the rant)

• 53. carnivore  |  October 24th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

  Well it looks like Mr. agnews bull is not so big anymore. the pther bull that had rumors about it was shot on tuesday Oct 21 in the same unit. It scores 451. It is the one that the WDFW is passing the pics around trying to get a good price for next years govenor tag.I do not know if the guy is going to turn it in or not. He was just an average Joe that said when he drew out the anybull tag after aquireing points that he would just be happy to shoot any bull bigger than a 3 point. Now that is a true trophy not paid for just a good bull shot by an average Joe

• 54. cross tha creek  |  October 29th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

  My last comment was not approved for posting, so I will try to reword my comments. I don’t know if my first comment was considered an “attack” on this guy or what…but I was simply relaying the information that I recievd from the Wildlife Enforcement Officer, from which area the bull was taken. Long story short, this guy had lots of help from the hired guide service, as well as help from a hired helicopter, to haze the bull onto the open hillside. This bull was not taken honorably or respectfully. This man does not deserve the right to get it scored, it wasn’t a fair chase by any means. I am also told, that this guy is in trouble for his actions. This is not an attack on the man, just telling the truth about the hunt….

• 55. raggey  |  October 30th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

  Carnivore is right…the “other” big bull (who’s prior year’s sheds have been senn by everyone) was taken in the same general area over a week ago. However, this year that “other” big bull is a 7 x 7 typical (not the 8 x 8 non-typical that he was last year) that will socre in the 415-420 range. This bull will likely be the new #2 typical in Washington as the current typical record (the Gunnier bull scoring 420 5/8 net) appears safe but we all will wait for the offical score. He will not socre close to 451 (I’ve seen the pics).

• 56. ben  |  November 13th, 2008 at 3:44 am

  this is a great trophy to anyone. BUT i think faire chase should also be faire chance for every hunter.for it to be a true record then the tag should be atainable to all hunters that buy tags and draw permits, not just the rich guys. i dont think ther is anything wrong with what this guy did, i just dont think it should be in the same books. i know he can hunt with any wepon but since when can u not use hunters ornge during rifel season, more rule bending for the guys with money? to many records are being broke with this gov tag in many states not just here.

• 57. cross tha creek  |  November 17th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

  I can’t believe no body has any comments about my last inquiry…I see “Ben” wrote about hunter orange and rule bending….but it wouldn’t have mattered if all these guys had tied cow bells around their necks!! With the aid of the helicopter to haze this bull out, and all the horses used with the guide service…. I know who he is (the guide) I find it incredibly disturbing that no one else has heard of this, or maybe has and just don’t believe it!?!? I ask you all….why would a Wildlife Game Enforcement Officer lie to me about this!?!? In fact two different Game Enforcement Officers gave me this information. I am only a hunter with no inside ties or anything like that…I just talk to the Watershed Enforcement guys and Wildlife Enforcement guys… I am amazed that I haven’t seen more on this story. Everything was confiscated and he faces charges and fines!!!! That poor Bull had no chance against those odds!! He was trapped between a helicopter, men on horseback (guides), the actual hunter with the rifle, not to mention some of the terrain!!! I am sickened by the whole thing…….

• 58. raggey  |  November 20th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

  “…the poor bull had not chance against the odds, he was trapped between a helicopter, men on horseback (guides), the actual hunter with a rifle, not to mention some of the terrain”…man, if that’s your story on this hunt you have got some incredibly bad information and have no clue as to what actually happened.

  This bull was killed after being seen by the outfitter, guide and hunter from a pickup within a 1/2 mile of a FS road in the first 1/2 hour of daylight on the hunter’s first day of hunting after arriving in camp the night before. Yes, the hunter had a rifle and the terrain was steep but a Helicopter? Men (guides) on horseback?A trapped bull with no chance or place to go?

  Maybe another year, maybe another hunt, maybe another tag holder, maybe another guide service but certainly not this year’s hunter or his hunt for this bull! BE SURE you have your facts straight before you gossip and spread lies such as this.

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