Dear WDFW....

[JPhelps]

Please remove the Western Washington late blacktail hunt from the modern firearm general season tag holders.  Make it permit only, get rid of it completely, or only allow youth to hunt.  Thank You

Sincerely,
Jason Phelps

[buck man]

 

[golfguy0912]

How come? Not trying to argue, just curious. I live on the east side and only hunted blacktails once last december with a muzzleloader and had no issues with people, animals or such.

[JPhelps]

In this area (Willipa Hills) I would venture to guess that 80% of the bucks killed are killed in these 4 days.

95% of the mature bucks (3-1/2 years or older) are killed on these four days.

The bucks are very vulnerable and will not leave the open cuts if a hot doe has been there.  I passed on two 2-points only for them to be shot by hunters behind.

Many die hard blacktail hunters around here also agree that the season needs to be removed.

[golfguy0912]

In this area (Willipa Hills) I would venture to guess that 80% of the bucks killed are killed in these 4 days.

95% of the mature bucks (3-1/2 years or older) are killed on these four days.

The bucks are very vulnerable and will not leave the open cuts if a hot doe has been there.  I passed on two 2-points only for them to be shot by hunters behind.

Many die hard blacktail hunters around here agree that the season needs to be removed as well.

makes sense.

[addicted2hunting]

Im archery

[Odell]

Whats the problem though? Is the herd suffering? Sounds like there are lots of deer. God forbid we get to hunt when the hunting is actually good. If the herd is doing fine, don't change anything. My .02

[JPhelps]

"herd is doing fine" needs to be defined.

It is our (mine and many other local hunters) opinion the herd is well below carrying capacity.  I have hunted in the same exact area for the last 20 years and the decline of deer numbers has been exponential.  Talking with guys like my grandpa and old timers that have hunted the area for 60-70 years say that the numbers were steady until the mid '90s.

[washelkhunter]

In this area (Willipa Hills) I would venture to guess that 80% of the bucks killed are killed in these 4 days.

95% of the mature bucks (3-1/2 years or older) are killed on these four days.

The bucks are very vulnerable and will not leave the open cuts if a hot doe has been there.  I passed on two 2-points only for them to be shot by hunters behind.

Many die hard blacktail hunters around here also agree that the season needs to be removed.

Im confused. So we are not supposed to be shooting the deer? And yes, i venture to say that you are just guessing. You make many generalized unproven statements here with no factual data whatsoever to support your assertion. 95% of what population density exactly?  Again 80% of what population density? Bucks are vulnerable!    Who's team you batting for here, HSUS, peta? You got nimby-itis?

[Curly]

Numbers of deer are down. 

I'd rather see them eliminate the taking of does for archery.

[Odell]

Thats why I'm asking. But anecdotal evidence of some people not seeing as many as they used to is not enough to shut down a unit. Also doesn't seem to match up with what you said about how many bucks are dropping. Must be lots around if people are having success. I've never been there so you would know better than me, just asking.

[grundy53]

"herd is doing fine" needs to be defined.

It is our (mine and many other local hunters) opinion the herd is well below carrying capacity.  I have hunted in the same exact area for the last 20 years and the decline of deer numbers has been exponential.  Talking with guys like my grandpa and old timers that have hunted the area for 60-70 years say that the numbers were steady until the mid '90s.

 

[grundy53]

In this area (Willipa Hills) I would venture to guess that 80% of the bucks killed are killed in these 4 days.

95% of the mature bucks (3-1/2 years or older) are killed on these four days.

The bucks are very vulnerable and will not leave the open cuts if a hot doe has been there.  I passed on two 2-points only for them to be shot by hunters behind.

Many die hard blacktail hunters around here also agree that the season needs to be removed.

Im confused. So we are not supposed to be shooting the deer? And yes, i venture to say that you are just guessing. You make many generalized unproven statements here with no factual data whatsoever to support your assertion. 95% of what population density exactly?  Again 80% of what population density? Bucks are vulnerable!    Who's team you batting for here, HSUS, peta? You got nimby-itis?

***********************No Name Calling****************

[JPhelps]

    Who's team you batting for here, HSUS, peta? You got nimby-itis?

I'm going to bat for the deer herd.  I never said we shouldn't be shooting deer (might want to do a little research).  I'm concerned about the deer numbers going into the future.  I think about my kids and the hunting opportunities they are going to have.

Probably not the right guy to question on my data.  I spend a little bit of time in the woods (scouting, hunting, work, etc...).  I am also very tied in to the hunting community and talk and pay attention to many hunters.  The numbers are guesses but I am very close.  I live on the edge of a tree farm that only allows access to it's employees and it is very easy to track what is killed.

[Huntbear]

Jason, First off, I am not trying to pick an arguement with you.

However, those 4 days can be very fruitful and may be the only time hunters get a chance to put meat in the freezer....

NOW, if you are willing to kill all late season rut hunting, then maybe we can talk.. but if you are going to allow the muzzy guys and the archery guys their late seasons when the bucks are STILL rutting, then your argument is completely invalid.  It comes across as trying to screw the modern guys, and with all the in fighting between the different groups, you think this will end well? 

This season used to coincide with the last 4 days of elk season.. was a lot less pressure on the deer, as most guys would only take a buck if the opportunity presented itself, not actively hunting the deer... 

Now, if you want to make a specific youth hunt, that is great, have always been for youth hunts... but then if it is truly about the herd populations, we need to stop all taking of does...  however, in my view, the Blacktail populations are exploding, with logging on private timberland and state land...  And yes you will get people killing a few big 3x or 4x bucks.. but the true monsters are still not getting wiped out...