Three point or better laws

[MichaelJ]

Both of you have very good points and I think there is truth about both of your theories.
Anybody been down to the two point only region in Idaho? 

Thanks, anybody know if we hunters can get together to voice our own opinions and such?  Who decides the seasons and dates and such?
I know in talking with a biologist (Bo Patterson I think, maybe Petterson) that he agreed with the two-point idea, but it seems that it's hard to push a big change like that...  Any ideas?

Michael

[WAmuleyHunter]

i dont think the two point thing will ever happen. And they just set the new seasons or changes for the next couple years. they do have meetings, and they post them on the WDFW site. I have been to several.  bio's and game managers and the state have their own plans, but they do listen to us on some things.  So just check their site and sometimes they but a bulletin in the paper also for the meetings.  And this two point only thing to thin out these monster two points, well that for an early season or general season wouldnt really work since most of these big two points, in the entiat area are being seen with the migration in nov and december. And while we are at it we might as well kill off all the monster 3 points in there also, so we just have nice perfect four points.   I think a small percentage of the "lesser" bucks breed the does, as Beau Patterson would tell you, as the does dont recieve them as much, and those migrators are usually right behind them, and breeding them on the way out on the migration.  So i dont think thats a real big problem.  I love the 3 point rule, its a great tool that we have now, if we wanted more big bucks, there would be less rifle permits, less late archery, and lots of closed roads, to give the deer all the best situations. But we know that isnt possible and wont happen,

[MichaelJ]

i dont think the two point thing will ever happen. And they just set the new seasons or changes for the next couple years. they do have meetings, and they post them on the WDFW site. I have been to several.  bio's and game managers and the state have their own plans, but they do listen to us on some things.  So just check their site and sometimes they but a bulletin in the paper also for the meetings.  And this two point only thing to thin out these monster two points, well that for an early season or general season wouldnt really work since most of these big two points, in the entiat area are being seen with the migration in nov and december. And while we are at it we might as well kill off all the monster 3 points in there also, so we just have nice perfect four points.   I think a small percentage of the "lesser" bucks breed the does, as Beau Patterson would tell you, as the does dont recieve them as much, and those migrators are usually right behind them, and breeding them on the way out on the migration.  So i dont think thats a real big problem.  I love the 3 point rule, its a great tool that we have now, if we wanted more big bucks, there would be less rifle permits, less late archery, and lots of closed roads, to give the deer all the best situations. But we know that isnt possible and wont happen,

Well there's one thing I definitely agree with you on, and that's the more closed roads...and that includes 4 wheelers... as for the two points, what would be the problem with introducing a two-point only late hunt?  Maybe 10-20 tags for each of the entiat units, aswell as the others around the valley...  Just curious as to why this wouldn't work?

Michael

[jackelope]

too many young deer getting killed before they have a chance to get to full maturity??? i don't know much about the entiat herd, but is there that many mature 2 points there that would justify a special season, or would the young, little 2 points all be getting harvested along with an occasional mature big 2 point? i don't know...just throwing ideas around.

[boneaddict]

There seem to be endemic areas that have a certian amount of dominant traits.  Speaking for the MEthow herd, one area I like to hunt has some huge three points, or almost every deer I see is a three point, no matter what age class, other than baby.  Then where my Dad lives, there is an area that is saturated with big two points.  There always have been, even before the three point or better law.  I've got more pictures or examples of them, I just need to dig them out.

[WAmuleyHunter]

there isnt a ton of monster two points, there is a lot more than we are used to seeing that is for sure. But another season of late tags for 2 points only will never happen, especially at 20 tags per unit, with 4 entiat units, thats 80 tags, you must be crazy if you have seen 80 mature monster two points.  there really isnt any room for another hunt, they wont put a late hunt any later then the late archery that goes to the 8th of dec. they dont need more people in the woods, i think we need less rifle permits and less archery permits. We need more trophy hunting i think. so a combo of the 3point rule and less people hunting on the winter range might make a terrific trophy unit. i know i would wait another couple years to draw an entiat tag knowing i had a better chance at a monster buck.

[MichaelJ]

Garret, I think you're right, it'll never happen and that's probably okay.  And no, I've never seen 80 big mature forkies, but on average every winter we do see anywhere from 10-20 monster two points...  Im just trying to find ways to get them out of the herd, cause it would obviously help the gene pool...

Less rifle/archery tags would be great, and I think that's a solid solution to bringing the mature buck population back up to par... 

Michael

[Machias]

I go to the three year meetings, but I get pretty frustrated.  They already have their minds made up on the course they are going to take and I believe the meetings serve to only try and placate us.  They get such diverse ideas and thoughts and you get plenty of anti hunters at the meetings and writing in.  In the end I go and voice my opinion, and will continue to do so, but honestly I believe I have NO impact at all in this state.

[boneaddict]

WAMULEYHUNTER  where is the picture of that monster two you saw this fall with your Dad?

[Ironhead]

I have been in unit 40 during the late controlled hunt and there are not many giant 2's around, but there are alot of 3x4's and 4's with crabby fronts that aren't getting harvested. I know this isn't a poular thought here but, I think Co has the best Mule deer management out of all the west. I know Nevada has good management but they don't have the 2nd choice units that CO has. Michael J has a good thought here also for a non draw state.

[WAmuleyHunter]

bone- i will get it posted up here for ya. you saw it on the other site didnt you?

[boneaddict]

Yes,  It was a good example of what we are talking about though.  Dandy buck.

[bobcat]

It's interesting how people in another state (Utah) do not think a 3 point minimum law is a good thing, and most here, do. I wonder why that is? Take a look at this:

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID6/14377.html

[slow]

I would like to see the game department employ folks that hunt and/or fish to help determine areas and requirements. Keep the anti-game biologist out of the employment of the game department. Let them work for PAWS or PETA.

[Hoytshooter]

Monster 2 points I have seen 1 that just stands out in my head.  I was hunting in the sinlahiken,  Came around a corner and saw a 35 inch wide fork and horn.  I had the binos on him for 15 mins and couldnt find an I guard.lol  Truly a giant,  in the 2 pt world.  I wish they would allow youth the any buck for archery.  just my 2 cents