WDFW!!!!!

[bradslam]

I'm one of the 4 rifle tag holders hunting in September and I have not been given any points back that I know of.  Of course, all of us got our bulls.  I didn't get to hunt the couple of bruiser bulls that I had located on Weyerhaueser land, but I made the most of the situation and in the end decided to pull the trigger on a smaller bull than I had planned.  In fact, I did that knowing I could still hunt in November (alongside 50 other permit hunters).  However, when I take an animal I accept the gift and try not to have any regrets.  I do see his point though about the WDFW adding a "do over" season.  Seems kind of strange they wouldn't just give points back like they have done in the past.

[nailbender]

I'm one of the 4 rifle tag holders hunting in September and I have not been given any points back that I know of.  Of course, all of us got our bulls.  I didn't get to hunt the couple of bruiser bulls that I had located on Weyerhaueser land, but I made the most of the situation and in the end decided to pull the trigger on a smaller bull than I had planned.  In fact, I did that knowing I could still hunt in November (alongside 50 other permit hunters).  However, when I take an animal I accept the gift and try not to have any regrets.  I do see his point though about the WDFW adding a "do over" season.  Seems kind of strange they wouldn't just give points back like they have done in the past.

Nicley put. 

If they were to give points back across the board, with exception for those who filled their tag... then great, done, move on. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

I'm one of the 4 rifle tag holders hunting in September and I have not been given any points back that I know of.  Of course, all of us got our bulls.  I didn't get to hunt the couple of bruiser bulls that I had located on Weyerhaueser land, but I made the most of the situation and in the end decided to pull the trigger on a smaller bull than I had planned.  In fact, I did that knowing I could still hunt in November (alongside 50 other permit hunters).  However, when I take an animal I accept the gift and try not to have any regrets.  I do see his point though about the WDFW adding a "do over" season.  Seems kind of strange they wouldn't just give points back like they have done in the past.

Nicley put. 

If they were to give points back across the board, with exception for those who filled their tag... then great, done, move on. 

We have a winner here! For all who tagged out be thankfull for the food you have and move on.   

[Chesapeake]

So i guess my situation is different. Yes i had a quality permit and a cow permit. I got kicked out of the area for the quality permit. If i get a cow i think i should still get my quality points back, as i never really had an opportunity to hunt my quality permit.

WDFW, I agree with you. Your situation is different to a degree. I think you should get your points back.
I was just trying to see what you thought about the "but you got an elk" bit. Doesnt sound like you got an elk yet though.

[MR5x5]

Pretty coveted tag.  Folks spend years positioning themselves for the draw, then countless hours and dollars preparing for the hunt.

It's not about "did you get one or not".

It's about changing the rules in middle, or after the game has been played.

Bad form WDFW.

[Chesapeake]

I don't know what I think.  I don't believe WDFW could give points back but lets switch this up and use a different unit.

Let's say the said unit was "Dayton" and during the early season all of the permit holders were forced to hunt one basin.  So the hunter decides with all of the pressure and the bulls he has been seeing he wants to use his tag and decides to take a 280" bull.  Only to find out at a later date they were going to give him two more weeks.  I have a feeling any permit holder would be a little upset. He thought he was making the most of his tag when others will get a second (most likely better opportunity).

He did harvest a bull and notched his tag (which I have a ton of respect for given the conditions).  It is hard to say how I would feel in the same situation, but I do see his point.

Jason,
I can tell you how I felt when I read that letter. Pissed off at WDFW! I wouldnt at all be surprised to hear others would feel the same in my situation.

Its maddening to have WDFW give the guys that failed at the hunt a "do over" while giveing those of us that succeded nothing.

Ill have to get ahold of my friend that had the same tag and took a 5x5 the same day I took mine and see how he feels about it. His partner had the tag also and they were still hunting when I left. Likely they both tagged out. They're a couple go getters.


Its really quite surprising to me that they are offering the extension in the first place. Several of the muzzy guys filled tags on the hunt. It sounded like a war zone down below Bear pass toward Grizzly opening morning. Hikers I talked to reported several tents of hunters on top of Bear Pass. We had area to hunt and folks were filling tags.

Now WDFW hates me didnt get any chance to hunt. And yeah, he knew going in about fire danger. But now he's trying to get his points back on a hunt that didnt happen, and they gave the muzzy guys an extension for a hunt that folks harvested animals on. Not sure I understand that line of thinking.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Well fire danger never really was an issue. My permit was for the wilderness. The issue was the actual fire that was started by lightening. There was no fire danger until the fire started.

I do understand the issue. I also think 2 weeks is excessive. We only have a 7 day ML season, why 2 weeks at the end of the year???

[bobcat]

I do understand the issue. I also think 2 weeks is excessive. We only have a 7 day ML season, why 2 weeks at the end of the year???

My guess is that they want lots of elk killed.

[Chesapeake]

I do understand the issue. I also think 2 weeks is excessive. We only have a 7 day ML season, why 2 weeks at the end of the year???

My guess is that they want lots of elk killed.

Bobcat, I fully suspect you are more right than we will ever know. WDFW was talking of bartering a deal with Wyco for access for the extended hunt. I'm much more inclined to believe Wyco bartered the deal with WDFW for the extended hunt to make sure a high percentage of them 70 muzzy cow tags and 14 bull tags get filled. Or WDFW themselves wanted the cow tags filled for their herd reduction plans.

Hunters have complained for years of fire closures and WDFW hasnt budged. Now this year they pull this. I'm betting it wasnt complaining hunters that swayed the panel.

All this herd reduction work in the SW corner seems to really be working good. The units I hunt seem to have much less elk than even 3 years ago. I'm guessing the 2012 harvest reports will tell the tale. Probably not too many more years left of this freezer filling herd reduction plan.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I am going to can a whole elk in january, it will last the family longer... The days of a slam dunk elk hunt is going by the wayside.

[Chesapeake]

I am going to can a whole elk in january, it will last the family longer... The days of a slam dunk elk hunt is going by the wayside.

It was fun while it lasted. Where did you get a can big enough to hold a whole elk??

[Wea300mag]

On a positive note, I shot my Bighorn several times over the weekend and it is dead on. Bring on a big old lead cow. 

[Chesapeake]

On a positive note, I shot my Bighorn several times over the weekend and it is dead on. Bring on a big old lead cow. 

I generaly try to avoid the big lead cows. Dont like to take all that survival experience out of the herd, and they dont eat nearly so well as a nice 3 1/2 year old or so. I look for a full bodied cow with a shorter head. The big lead cows and older cows have long heads.

But yeah, go get you a freezer full!!

[dscubame]

Oh my

[Deer slayer]

I do understand the issue. I also think 2 weeks is excessive. We only have a 7 day ML season, why 2 weeks at the end of the year???

My guess is that they want lots of elk killed.

Bobcat, I fully suspect you are more right than we will ever know. WDFW was talking of bartering a deal with Wyco for access for the extended hunt. I'm much more inclined to believe Wyco bartered the deal with WDFW for the extended hunt to make sure a high percentage of them 70 muzzy cow tags and 14 bull tags get filled. Or WDFW themselves wanted the cow tags filled for their herd reduction plans.

Hunters have complained for years of fire closures and WDFW hasnt budged. Now this year they pull this. I'm betting it wasnt complaining hunters that swayed the panel.

All this herd reduction work in the SW corner seems to really be working good. The units I hunt seem to have much less elk than even 3 years ago. I'm guessing the 2012 harvest reports will tell the tale. Probably not too many more years left of this freezer filling herd reduction plan.

That is exactly what its about guys.  Just look at the coweeman and Lewis River and the decline in population.  They even pointed out to you where they want you to hunt.  Weyco.  Its about knocking the herd down and due to the land being shut down that didnt happen early on.  Weyco makes the desicions on the elk hunting in the SW portion of the state.   Just my thought.