Dear WDFW....

[Houndhunter]

Terrible idea, what two big things happened in the mid 90s that might be effecting our game numbers?

[jason4429]

This isn't rocket science. When did they outlaw hound hunting. One cougar kills more deer in one year,than a hunter will kill in is life and mature bucks are their easiest prey .

[BOWHUNTER45]

I am not sure I agree Jason ....So take away the late bow season too ?  It is only a 4 day season and yes they will kill a few big boys but they do not get them all ..every hunter wants an opportunity at a big deer ,,,Seems some areas are better than others when it comes to late buck ...The hottest part of the rut up here is from October 25 th thru Nov.10 th ... I know of a few big bucks killed this week but most got skunked and usually by late bow season it get a little tough around here ...but at higher elevations it gets real good and thats what I am banking on ... Snow pushing some of those mossybacks out of the higher elevations and right into my 30 yrd pin 

[ScottyG]

"I know a guy who has harvested 9 P&Y blacktail in the last 11 years.  He talks about the numbers declining just in the last 15 years."


Sounds like the area he hunts has really got a problem.

[jason4429]

What happened to the blacktails in California and they don't have a late buck season.we should be trying to be getting hound hunting back,not trying to eliminate another hunting opportunity.

[trophyelk6x6]

I wonder if blacktails could be managed as a trophy class? I wonder if they would even present themselves during day light hours during the rut to make it real. Then again if you think about it, blacktail hunting in Western WA is a cash cow for WDFW. Not too many killed, most guys are happy with a spike or two pt, and there are several thousand licesnes sold just for this season. How many BT road hunters just driving around enjoying the season. How many old timers that have nothing else to do or cant afford to do anything else rely on this hunt for their season. I wonder, these questions are a major debate either way.

[washelkhunter]

Terrible idea, what two big things happened in the mid 90s that might be effecting our game numbers?

I know, I know! Spotted owl protections put in place and the meteoric rise of the enviro/hugatree/nimby/clinton era. The death of sane resource management/logging.

[JPhelps]

I don't know what the best solution would be.  I would just like to see the deer hunting improved (older aged class bucks).

I believe it would have to be a unit to unit management system.  Some areas allow for better escapement and that in itself helps the deer population.

Around here the modern hunter is just to effective and there isn't any ground that isn't accessible.

[logger]

Terrible idea, what two big things happened in the mid 90s that might be effecting our game numbers?

I know, I know! Spotted owl protections put in place and the meteoric rise of the enviro/hugatree/nimby/clinton era. The death of sane resource management/logging.

   If the forest service would manage our ground and atleast log a little bit and i'm not talkin thinnings, the deer and elk would make a helluva comeback in those regions, they do not want to cut anything over 55 yrs old, that doesn't leave much avaliable timber, I think it would redistribute hunters back to f.s. ground who have left do to declining population.

[JPhelps]

"I know a guy who has harvested 9 P&Y blacktail in the last 11 years.  He talks about the numbers declining just in the last 15 years."


Sounds like the area he hunts has really got a problem.

He is the best blacktail deer hunter I know.  He takes the entire late archery season off and hunts where big deer live.  It is getting harder and harder for him to find these class of bucks.

[PLUVIUSWAPITI]

Jason, I hunted three days this late season and yes something needs to be done. Today I left Raymond , went to Smith crk to Fall river and then out Wilson crk. Then headed to Mill crk over towards Doty and back out Mill crk and did not see one deer all day long. I have talked to folks at the Montesano WDFW about two point or better and they said it won't work. They said that they don't want the spikes trying to breed the does.

[Jingles]

Will someone give me a legitimate reason why hunters have to pick one method  of hunting? Why not let the hunter buy a deer license and hunt with what ever he wants?  Works in other states why can't it work in WA?

[Whitpirate]

If we're going to really hammer on the rifle season I'm gonna be unpopular and say we need to go after the rut archery season for elk as well.  I know you love big bulls screaming in your face on your 30 yard pin but it is the same argument your making here.  Bow technology has outpaced rifle technology and we're looking at a diminishing resource.  I am at a loss on what to do other than take away ALL rut hunts which means escapement gets much better for all species but it will be unpopular with everyone.

[FLIZZ]

Dear WDFW, Don't allow archery hunters to take Does and make it 2pt minimum.

[JPhelps]

Will someone give me a legitimate reason why hunters have to pick one method  of hunting? Why not let the hunter buy a deer license and hunt with what ever he wants?  Works in other states why can't it work in WA?

That would be interesting the length and time of year the season(s) would land.