Depressing archery permits

[Kingpuck]

This is probably going to get flamed endlessly. Been looking through the regs and have a pit in my stomach. It is so frustrating to see the lack of archery opportunities. The gun guys need their time for sure but it feels like the season setters keep shunning the archery guys.

This sport has captured my imagination and quickly became a passion of mine. Hope it continues and they don't completely end archery hunting around here. Is there anything that a guy can do to help protect the season?

[earlmarne]

there was an archery foundation at the bighorn show.i didnt have any cash left to join but they sounded like they were standing up for our seasons and other such issues.i forget the name,but will do a little research n hopefully get back to you

[Button Nubbs]

I've always archery hunted but went muzzleloader for deer this year. You think archery tags are bad? Take a look at muzzleloader...

[jackelope]

there was an archery foundation at the bighorn show.i didnt have any cash left to join but they sounded like they were standing up for our seasons and other such issues.i forget the name,but will do a little research n hopefully get back to you

Washington State Bowhunters. .

[bobcat]

The archery seasons are the best out of all of them. They have great opportunities. That's why I'm archery hunting for elk this year. You get two weeks in September, and then about a 3 week late season. Many units are open for either sex deer and elk hunting. If you have both deer and elk archery tags, it's often possible to take any deer or elk that you see.

Sorry, but I just don't think there's any reason to say there's a lack of opportunity for archery hunters, in comparison to modern firearm and muzzleloader hunters.

Now if it's special permit hunts you're talking about, yes it's true there aren't as many special permits, but that's because with an archery tag you don't need a special permit for a good hunt, because of the generous general season opportunities that are already available.

[earlmarne]

there was an archery foundation at the bighorn show.i didnt have any cash left to join but they sounded like they were standing up for our seasons and other such issues.i forget the name,but will do a little research n hopefully get back to you

Washington State Bowhunters. .

thats the one.thank you.i spent quite a while talkin with the guy.seems they are really lookin out for our interests.i think i will send em some money this year

[dreamunelk]

there was an archery foundation at the bighorn show.i didnt have any cash left to join but they sounded like they were standing up for our seasons and other such issues.i forget the name,but will do a little research n hopefully get back to you

Washington State Bowhunters. .

I would suggest Washington State archery Association.  Better organized.  IMO WSB is not doing much for Archery.

Archers have never had a lot of permits because we had way more days in the fields.  IMO that is going to change because of how easy it is to start Archery hunting now.  Add to that the technology we now have and the distance we can shoot.  Just wait in the next three year package we will see this used against us by the Modern and Muzzleloaders.  I bet they will point out lighted knocks.  I am sure that some ethical archer will post him self taking one hundred yard shots with them.  Remember we use to have the more liberal season because we were handicapped by our equipment of choice.  It was not that long ago that any elk or deer taken with archery equipment was considered a trophy because of the difficulty.  That has changed drastically in the 30+ years I have been hunting.

I really do not want to see a bunch of permits.  I would rather see our early season changed to being set by an end date instead of a set start date.  This would at least keep us from starting so early in September.  With a set end date we would all benefit.  If we opt for permits we would just spend more money on a chance for a few of us. 

Yes, I am dreaming but, it would benefit us all if archers thought about the big picture instead of themselves.

[Ridgerunner]

Muzzleloaders get the short end of the stick with permits, but you need to remember the permits are allocated by number of hunters so it makes sense

[PolarBear]

I have been hunting archery for many years and even I feel the seasons are too liberal!  We have all of September, most ofNovember and all of December depending on species and unit.  What more does a guy want?  As far as permits, with all that time available why would you need permits?  I also don't get how some archery deer hunters who only wants a doe or little meat buck is unable to kill one in 3 1/2 months?   

[earlmarne]

I have been hunting archery for many years and even I feel the seasons are too liberal!  We have all of September, most ofNovember and all of December depending on species and unit.  What more does a guy want?  As far as permits, with all that time available why would you need permits?  I also don't get how some archery deer hunters who only wants a doe or little meat buck is unable to kill one in 3 1/2 months?   

i am very uneducated on the subject.i agree with you on that our deer season is plenty long with many opportunities.i was able to kill a little fella last year n it was my first season of huntin archery.i think that speaks a lot towards those regs being easily met.
now elk.i dont understand fully.but those that are more educated than i on the subject seem to think we got screwed due to it not being during the rut or too late or something.im not sure,and have been reading as much as possible to educate myself on the situation.
i do love that last year in the fall i had a few animals open at a time to me.that makes the odds a lot better.i get very jealous when talking with others back east n such though,that get like 5 doe tags along with one or 2 bucks.my friends in montana i think are able to harvest 3 or 4 too.
the way it sits now deer season is rather anti climactic.its over as soon as it started for me last year.but this year i am going to utilize my time to hunt down a respectable whitetail buck.i think that will really make the hunt more involved,more of a challenge and better fare for the freezer

[Chase 1]

there was an archery foundation at the bighorn show.i didnt have any cash left to join but they sounded like they were standing up for our seasons and other such issues.i forget the name,but will do a little research n hopefully get back to you

Washington State Bowhunters. .

x2.

The WSB has a new website under construction that should launch by the end of the month (the old one came down before the new one was ready). You will be able to get or renew your membership and also access all the information about the organization. The address is wsbowhunters.org  WSB has been on the front line fighting for archery opportunity for over three decades. A great organization and definitely worth of your $20 yearly membership.

[matt345]

The archery seasons are the best out of all of them. They have great opportunities. That's why I'm archery hunting for elk this year. You get two weeks in September, and then about a 3 week late season. Many units are open for either sex deer and elk hunting. If you have both deer and elk archery tags, it's often possible to take any deer or elk that you see.

Sorry, but I just don't think there's any reason to say there's a lack of opportunity for archery hunters, in comparison to modern firearm and muzzleloader hunters.

Now if it's special permit hunts you're talking about, yes it's true there aren't as many special permits, but that's because with an archery tag you don't need a special permit for a good hunt, because of the generous general season opportunities that are already available.

[jackelope]

The archery seasons are the best out of all of them. They have great opportunities. That's why I'm archery hunting for elk this year. You get two weeks in September, and then about a 3 week late season. Many units are open for either sex deer and elk hunting. If you have both deer and elk archery tags, it's often possible to take any deer or elk that you see.

Sorry, but I just don't think there's any reason to say there's a lack of opportunity for archery hunters, in comparison to modern firearm and muzzleloader hunters.

Now if it's special permit hunts you're talking about, yes it's true there aren't as many special permits, but that's because with an archery tag you don't need a special permit for a good hunt, because of the generous general season opportunities that are already available.

  again.

[hughjorgan]

This is probably going to get flamed endlessly. Been looking through the regs and have a pit in my stomach. It is so frustrating to see the lack of archery opportunities. The gun guys need their time for sure but it feels like the season setters keep shunning the archery guys.

This sport has captured my imagination and quickly became a passion of mine. Hope it continues and they don't completely end archery hunting around here. Is there anything that a guy can do to help protect the season?

What permits does archery not have compared to rifle? For all the rifle permits there is an opportunity for us as archers and it usually falls during a prime time to hunt. We also enjoy much better odds at drawing quality permits compared to those that choose to pick up the modern rifle and hunt.

[3dvapor]

Id gladly give up late archery for more special permits for elk and deer.  Would love to see some rut hunts for deer with limited numbers of hunters and great quality.  Same for elk,