Multi Season Deer, is it worth it??

[Pathfinder101]

I drew it the first year it was offered and did just what you suggested in your post... fell right back into my "comfort zone".  I got it on the "redraw" though, and didn't even realize I had been drawn until well into archery season, so I didn't really get to bow hunt.  Went out a couple of times with the muzzy, but didn't see anything worth stalking.  Shot a buck during modern season right exactly when and where I would have done it with a $40 tag.  Haven't put in for it since.

But....

This season I had tabs on several nice bucks that were in stalkable positions during both bow and muzzy seasons.  I had work obligations on opening day, and by the time I got out to my spot, they had disappeared.  In the 3 days I got to hunt this season, the only thing I saw was 3 points, so I shot one on the last day of the season so the freezer wouldn't be empty.  Now I am seriously considering getting the multiseason tag this coming year to get a crack at one of those bucks before they dig foxholes and disappear.  Still not sure though, I am a high school teacher and my time off in the fall is limited.  I don't know that I can hunt enough to make a $180 tag "worth it"...

[Rickyrebar]

Save you money & time. Put in for a Montana tag. Washington state is DEAD.

[Selkirk]

It would be worth it to me...if I didn't remember how it used to be.  When I started hunting, if you wanted to hunt archery you would buy an archery stamp.  If you didn't score, you would hunt modern.  Late muzzleloader hunting meant you had to buy a muzzleloader stamp.  It was simple and not too expensive.  Then the state scrapped that system and made us choose a weapon.  They gave us great archery and muzzleloader hunts at first to draw hunters away from modern firearm hunting (which they said was putting too much pressure on the herds).  Hunters switched to bow-only hunting in droves (myself included).  Over the next few years, the bow seasons began to get shorter and most of the either-sex seasons became buck/bull only.  Then they decided to offer us a  chance to hunt with bow/modern/muzzleloader (like we always could until they took it away).  All we had to do was pay an application fee, win a drawing, and pay the money.  Yippee!!!  I just love having something taken away and then sold back to me at a much higher price.   

[washelkhunter]

It would be worth the $185 if you got a tag for each season for deer. Im ok with the cost for 1 elk.

[Pathfinder101]

Save you money & time. Put in for a Montana tag. Washington state is DEAD.

Not after their price hike.  $180 I can scrape up.  $600-and-some for a deer I can't (and I love to hunt Montana).

[Stizz]

This year was my first year with the multiseason tag, and I wouldn't hesitate a second to fork out the 180 again. To be honest with you I still have my tag in my pocket...but I was able to hunt archery whitetails, general rifle and late buck blacktails, late archery, and some muzzleloader mixed in, passing on some good bucks along the way. All in all I think i've spent more hours in the woods and learned more about deer than any other season i've ever hunted. To me thats what makes the money worth it, and I know right now that even if i end up not filling that tag during the rest of archery it will still have been worth every penny. 

[RadSav]

This year was my first year with the multiseason tag, and I wouldn't hesitate a second to fork out the 180 again. To be honest with you I still have my tag in my pocket...but I was able to hunt archery whitetails, general rifle and late buck blacktails, late archery, and some muzzleloader mixed in, passing on some good bucks along the way. All in all I think i've spent more hours in the woods and learned more about deer than any other season i've ever hunted. To me thats what makes the money worth it, and I know right now that even if i end up not filling that tag during the rest of archery it will still have been worth every penny. 

Well said. 

The squaw and I have shot fewer animals in years that we have had the multi-season tags.  But that has to do with the fact we feel more comfortable passing on marginal animals when we know there is still time to take that one great buck.  By the time late archery deer comes around we can take a look in the freezer and decide whether we have enough to get us through to next season.  If it looks like we need the meat we go ahead and take a late eater.  Either way our seasons have been filled with adventure and time in the woods together.  Even if sometimes the business suffers because we are alway "Gone Hunting!"

[csaaphill]

is the multi season only for deer, or both deer and elk?
OR do you have to put out another $180 for elk if drawn?
so $360 then?
a bit steep for me if that is how it goes.
If I could afford it though It'd be worth it.

[RadSav]

is the multi season only for deer, or both deer and elk?
OR do you have to put out another $180 for elk if drawn?
so $360 then?
a bit steep for me if that is how it goes.
If I could afford it though It'd be worth it.

You need to apply seperate for multi-deer and multi-elk.
There were 8,500 deer permits and 1000 elk permits drawn.
Price was $180.00 + $2.00 for the dealer fee if I remember correctly. 
So $364.00 if you were drawn for both.

I personally find good deer much harder to find than good elk.  So we really like the fact that the deer permits are easier to come by.  Though a multi-elk in our future would be a definate reason to throw a party.  So far neither the squaw or myself have been drawn for the multi-elk.  We're not that lucky   2012 was the first year we have both gotten a multi-deer.  That too was reason for a party even if it was pretty much a guarantee.

[grundy53]

To me it's worth it. I've bought it every year I've drawn it. It allows me the opportunities to hunt deer basically from September 1st through December 31st if I want. What more could a guy ask for. It really helped this year since my son was born September 12Th my hunting season has been more sporadic to say the least. So I'm glad I have a more spread out season to take advantage of the few opportunities I get to go out hunting.

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea it's worth it buy it so the state can put more money in the general fund

[Southpole]

Now that the state is handing the multi season deer tag out like candy, I won't put in for it anymore. I've seen waaay more hunting pressure during muzzle loader and archery season in the units that I hunt, where as a few years ago I would hardly see anyone at those times. Modern rifle is still crazy thick with people. I don't mind paying the money for it, but for me it's about the new crowds. What's the use of a "specially drawn" tag if the state is giving them out to everyone. 

[boneaddict]

Yes and no.  Peace of mind that there is more season to come.   I have bought it TWICE and needed it NIETHER time.  Thats not the WDFWs fault.   

Problems I think are happening....you have more bowhunters in the field that aren't proficient with their weapon.  More injured deer, etc.   

[MtnMuley]

I've got drawn 2 years in a row. Worthless as far as I'm concerned. With the cost of the tag, gas, food etc, you can buy 1/2 a beef. I wouldn't shell out the money.

Then why the hell even apply in the first place.

[bobcat]

I've got drawn 2 years in a row. Worthless as far as I'm concerned. With the cost of the tag, gas, food etc, you can buy 1/2 a beef. I wouldn't shell out the money.

Then why the hell even apply in the first place.