Dear WDFW....

[jason4429]

How is the bear population doing in the willapa.

[bearbaito6]

BRING BACK HOUND HUNTING!!!

[julzzz]

 

[Pazn25]

With a post like this it sounds like 90% more hunters will be heading to this unit to find all these
"mature bucks" 

[JPhelps]

Billy,
That is a valuable response.  I saw 4 branch bucks in the last 4 days.  None over the 12" mark.  There were also some very good bucks killed around here this weekend (16"+ 3 or 4 points).

I agree we need to manage the predators better but until we are given the tools to do so I don't know how we can continue the way we always have.  There was a change to the predator population but there wasn't a change to season lengths or number of hunters.  It seems like things are inevitably going to decline.

I feel the seasons are pretty balanced for all user groups as they are (elk and deer).  Of course I can only speak for the units local to me.

[brokehunter]

I think the OP is missing something. And it has nothing to do with late buck. It's poaching. I've never hunted that particular area, but every time my buddy and I go out the evidence of poaching is astounding. And we hunt several different areas. Unfortunately I think due to the bad economy and other reasons it's nearly out of control. Want to know why you don't see the deer you used to? Blame poaching! That's my

And as for eliminating late buck? I feel just the opposite. I don't think they give us enough time. Only 4 days? Really? How about opening it till the end of the month!  I can't take the time off that most guys get to hunt, so late buck is always better. But 4 days isn't enough. Kind of sad if you ask me.

[mfswallace]

So my great granddad and his son and his son and his son have been hunting the same area for 4 generations, there has been a decline in the deer population according to them (great granddad not around).  Should I be thinking about trying to get our unit closed off??

I don't know what the best solution would be.  I would just like to see the deer hunting improved (older aged class bucks).-------"jphelps"
R we talking about trophy hunting or sustenance hunting??

[Rainstorm Hunter]

Something I have noticed in the last couple of years is the deer have been much more nocturnal during season.  I go out in the summer in much of my hunting area and see big bucks every single day.  Come season they just hide out in the thick reprod and or timber and dont come out during daylight hours.  There has been much more traffic in my hunting areas too.  Part of this area is in the willapa hills.

[Pazn25]

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.

If you dont agree with this late buck hunt then why are you out there adding to the amount of hunters hunting it?

[csaaphill]

 
Someones getting yelled at besides me lol.
I don't know either I know even in the eastern side there had been some decline in Deer, but they have always rebounded.
This year I seen tons of Mule deer and haven't seen them in these numbers in years.
Now don't get all freaky, but maybe a 3pt minimum rule for a while might help.
There is the WDFW web site and there is a contact page Phelps might try that or us all?
I might as well write an email to the wdfw head or one of our regions offices. I think just for a year or two a spike and 2pt only season might be in need. I seen tons of 2pts this year, and begining to feel they need the fear of man in them again so they won't stand there and tempt anyone. Meaning when they get to a 3pt they aren't as afraid of man so can be easy pickins. So changing the seasons around a bit might stir things up a bit. No I don't think closing a season would be the answer and allowing hound hunting again might help as well. I would be for changing the hunt methods and make it all just chose your weapon.
Anyways just some thoughts.

[JPhelps]

The goal is not necessarily to create trophy hunting but some protection for the young dumb bucks.

I took four days off to take my wife hunting.  This is her first year and my goal was to get her a shot.  We were targeting some specific bucks we saw during the summer.

[AKBowman]

I agree it is a balancing act of offering "opportunity vs maintaining the opportunity".

Do I have the right answers? I don't know    I'm just relaying what I am seeing with my own visual observations.  I feel that it is my job as a conservationist to say that I think there is an un-balance in the system somewhere.

Totally agree there is a large in balance in the system...it's called way too many predators over there. There's way way more cats than there used to be and infitely more bears, the yotes don't help either. I don't think the hunters killing bucks regardless of size or age of buck has nearly as much effect on the deer pops as was once thought. I find tons of cougar kills digging around in the reprod where four years ago they were few and far between. Hunters killing doe's is a problem and that should stop.

Having two modern seasons in the rut is ridiculous IMO. Early ends in per rut/ rut and late modern is during the rut / post rut. The late modern hunt should be middle of December post rut...have fun trying to find bucks then its not easy. I would like to see the seasons changed towards:

Early archery Sept 1-28
Early modern Oct 15-31
Late Archery November 15-Dec 15
Late modern Dec 25-31

Muzzy mixed in there somewhere

[jason4429]

How about a two point min. How about all these other options,besides less hunting opportunities? I can't believe someone that spends so much time in the woods would want take that away from another hunter.

[Sneekee23]

I was thinking the same thing Jason, but only make it 3 point or better.  Bring back logging on National Forest Land and bring back hound hunting = deer and elk for everyone.  I know wishfull thinking...

[kentrek]

Early archery Sept 1-28
Early modern Oct 15-31
Late Archery November 15-Dec 15
Late modern Dec 25-31

Muzzy mixed in there somewhere

this wont work with my idaho whitetail hunt... jk

i really like this season set up