The absurdity of WDFW draw system

[ellensburgpo]

Man, its that time of the year for this discussion already. At least this year it is civil and productive so far.

[B.G.hunter]

NE tag fell under the Clock I believe.   Twisp area did I know.   
I think I also could go for that.  Made you think when you bought your tag, thats for sure

I think the Clock and the yakima were together and the northeast was on it own.  I would also like it if they would go back to the five area system. There was the two on the west side, the Yakima, the Northeast, and the blue mountains. 

[ing]

If its a distribution issue then why not just drop the whole eastside/westside elk tags? Just make it an elk tag good for the whole state like deer is.  Then run the general elk seasons on both sides of the state at the same time.  People that hunt the west side will still hunt the west side and people that hunt the east side will still hunt the east side.  Then you can put in for whatever special elk tag you want to and still be able to hunt your regular areas.

[bearpaw]

If its a distribution issue then why not just drop the whole eastside/westside elk tags? Just make it an elk tag good for the whole state like deer is.  Then run the general elk seasons on both sides of the state at the same time.  People that hunt the west side will still hunt the west side and people that hunt the east side will still hunt the east side.  Then you can put in for whatever special elk tag you want to and still be able to hunt your regular areas.

So how about this:

Statewide General Elk Tag (hunt any general season, apply for your choice of LE areas statewide)
Eliminate Spike Elk Tags
Increase Permits in 2nd year and afterward for Any Bull in Limited-Entry Areas
Continue Cow Tags as WDFW determines necessary

[Woodchuck]

IMHO, that would be all but the end of the east side herds. 

[snowpack]

If its a distribution issue then why not just drop the whole eastside/westside elk tags? Just make it an elk tag good for the whole state like deer is.  Then run the general elk seasons on both sides of the state at the same time.  People that hunt the west side will still hunt the west side and people that hunt the east side will still hunt the east side.  Then you can put in for whatever special elk tag you want to and still be able to hunt your regular areas.

In this proposal would E side be 3 pt or better, or the westside allow spike?  My guess would be that if the E side was still spike then majority of the state would put Blues or Colockum as one of their Quality Bull wishes and then when not drawn would all head to the W side to look for bulls.  Not all, but I suspect a majority would.

[6x6in6]

Tagging for the annual humor of it all.   

[boneaddict]

If its a distribution issue then why not just drop the whole eastside/westside elk tags? Just make it an elk tag good for the whole state like deer is.  Then run the general elk seasons on both sides of the state at the same time.  People that hunt the west side will still hunt the west side and people that hunt the east side will still hunt the east side.  Then you can put in for whatever special elk tag you want to and still be able to hunt your regular areas.

In this proposal would E side be 3 pt or better, or the westside allow spike?  My guess would be that if the E side was still spike then majority of the state would put Blues or Colockum as one of their Quality Bull wishes and then when not drawn would all head to the W side to look for bulls.  Not all, but I suspect a majority would.

and hence why we have the system that we do

[coachcw]

I like the Idea of having a zone tag for instance breaking the state into 10-12 zones and making you buy a tag for the zone you want and only being able to apply for the zone that your tag is in . I think it would limit hunters in certin areas and distibute hunters in general areas . I also think that archery hunters on the east side shouldn't be able to shoot spikes ( and i'm an archery hunter ) giving the modern hunters a better shot. two to three rut tags instead of one allowing any tag holder to apply  and open to any weapon if they draw.  One last note only give out certin ouata's of tags for each unit if you snooze you lose , serious hunters would be on the ball anf the last minute warriors would lose out ( kinda like idaho ).

[bullcrazy]

 I feel lucky just to hunt. Every day in the woods is a blessing. I don't see this resource lasting as long as we all would like it too. Things are not perfect. And won't ever be...

[bearpaw]

IMHO, that would be all but the end of the east side herds. 

Not sure how you figure, with spike elk eliminated bull elk would multiply, then down the road bull tags could be increased. General season would only apply to areas that have a general any bull season currently.

[Woodchuck]

IMHO, that would be all but the end of the east side herds. 

Not sure how you figure, with spike elk eliminated bull elk would multiply, then down the road bull tags could be increased. General season would only apply to areas that have a general any bull season currently.

I misunderstood you. I thought you were talking about "open season" on branch bulls in units that are spike only now.

[steeleywhopper]

The system sucks, nothing but a money grab.

[Bean Counter]

..... and have been forced to put in for points each year since because I'm not that interested in hunting spikes and cows ...

Interesting dichotomy.

So did WDFW hold a gun to your head or is it a self imposed limitation?

[trophyhunt]

 

I like the Oregon system. Why not give 90% of the tags w/ the guys with the most points?  You know going in if you have a realistic chance of drawing and you can plan accordingly. If it takes to many points (years) to draw then you put in for a easier tag. There should be no complaints if you know it is going to take 17 years (I have 17 points) to draw. I don't like the fact that I have been putting in for that many years (for all species) and every year I get a Dear John letter. Just doesn't seem to be fair when you wait that long and someone has drawn the same permit 2 or 3 times. Washington easily has the worst system.

:yeah:I can't wait to draw so my hunting life doesn't evolve around this f up'd system. Once I do draw, the only time I will put in for the best hunts are when I draw the multi elk tag. I am talking about elk on the east side.