Let 'em go- so they can grow.

[SHANE(WA)]

The 4pt for whities may not happen statewide, but there is a very good chance next season that a unit in north eastern wa is going to be.And another thng that will happen in the near future, and is going to get the rifle hunters panties in a wad is the area in the deer park, clayton and chattaroy will be closed to firearms,I cant wait 

[Dadsbirddog]

The hair loss problem of the last few years really put a damper on a good healthy deer population. I felt bad for shooting any deer. I wish we had a 3 point or better rule as well. Where I hunt elk it used to be any bull so if you didnt draw a cow tag your chances were nill. Ever since they went to a branched antler bull requirement the hunting has been much better

[asotin]

A 4-point mulie rule would be a horrible idea. Where I hunt there is a very strong genetic line of 3 pointers that never turn into 4s or better. Other than maxing out at 3x3 they have great mass and spread, and to take them completely out of the mix would be absurd. Not only would you be taking nice shooter bucks out of the hunt but you would be encouraging that genetic line to grow and spread by leaving them the dominant herd bucks in the area.

[buckmaster_wa]

Asotin, I hunt down there on the snake river breaks and I have noticed over the years that there is a very bad Two point genetic down there. I have seen at least five different two point bucks that were over 24" wide. One of which was probably close to 28". I just got back from five days of huntin the snake and saw about 25 two points, six three points and three that were four point or bigger.

[SHANE(WA)]

YEP, game dept needs to do something with the muley 3 pt min rule, way too many big forks running around. I saw a forky on the ronde one year steelheading that was close to 30" and had close to 20" tine on each side, stupid, passing them genes on year after year.

[huntnphool]

I personally would love to see fewer hunters in the woods.  The folks that are giving up because of too many regulations are casual and not the hardcore or true hunters anyway.  I have said for years that a large portion of the "hunters" in the woods these days shouldn't be there.  The true hunters are not the folks who are showing disregard for property, game and local laws, it is the half assed hunters that are the largest portion of violators.  If increasing point restrictions will lower the number of half assed hunters in the woods, I'm all for it.  The major bonus is more and bigger bucks, it is a win-win situation.

I have been writting and emailing F&W for years asking for a 4 point restriction in certain units in the Methow but its always politely explained to me that it won't work. I have pointed out the success other states have had in certain units doing this and they continue to say the same thing. I'm sure there are those of you with doubt too but check out the 4 point only units in Montana for example, they are now the most applied for hunts in the state and the amount of big bucks is unreal.

 I was actually told by someone at F&W that "if there were a 4 point restriction, then only mature bucks would be harvested"  Don;t they understand that it would allow those young bucks to mature so there would be more of them? Rather than that 2 year old buck being harvested this year, maybe he would make it to 4 or 5 before he was dropped. If he is going to be harvested I would much rather have him at age 4 than age 2.

 There is a problem over there right now that this would not address either and thats the amount of genome deficient 2 and 3 points. These bucks simply dont have the 4 point gene and will never have the head gear to qualify for a 4 point restriction. I think there should be a permit for maybe youth or seniors or handicap that targets these bucks. These are just my opinions and I'm not claiming to have all the answers, I am not trying to ruin everyone elses hunts either, just posting what I would like to see happen.

[boneaddict]

young bucks sperm works better than no bucks sperm.......

Its an honest plea and I respect it.  I usually turn down alot of deer every year for the one I want and then I have self imposed or harder limits (trad bow) versus 06, just to make it more fun and challenging.  ANyway, if you don't have the need to kill something, let it walk.  Might be there next year.  For those that its their first deer, third or whatever, enjoy, its your season.

[PA BEN]

Tried to pass-em up, but, it's been a hard hunt here around Chewelah. Full moon and clear nights have the deer moving at night. I've hunted every day scene the 1st of Oct. because I drew a moose tag. Saw some bucks before season opened for deer, but, only saw two spikes two days ago, could have shot both of them. I have two daughters out of the house who grew up on deer meat, both of them need some meat and aren't sure about moose meat, but, they need meat. So, I dropped the hammer on a spike last night. Head shot at 30 yds. I'll cut it up for them, they are so happy to have some deer meat. When I lived over here, (moved away 3 1/2 yrs ago), all my kids hunted, (5 daughters) started them hunting when they were 9 years old. That's all the meat we ate in our house. It's nice to have the horns, but you can't eat horns.

[deaddog]

sounds to me like the trophy hunter want it all there way. trophy or nothing for any one, incredibel. now we have hunters attacking hunters for what they legaly shoot! incredibel. and you want fewer hunters in the woods, why so you can have it your way. incredibel! the fewer hunters the stronger the antis will be and thats what you would do so you have a better opp for your trophy! incredibel and very very stupid. time to remember what hunting is all about and if you cant, and you care so much about the point count ,maybe you should be the one to quit hunting! this is not directed at anyone, just grist for the mill.   THIS MESSAGE IS APPROVED BY DEADDOG

[singleshot12]

Gene pools become weak when most of the mature dominant 4 points are harvested. The cull bucks and mature 2 points are the ones hunters should concentrate on taking out to better the herd long term.

[PA BEN]

sounds to me like the trophy hunter want it all there way. trophy or nothing for any one, incredibel. now we have hunters attacking hunters for what they legaly shoot! incredibel. and you want fewer hunters in the woods, why so you can have it your way. incredibel! the fewer hunters the stronger the antis will be and thats what you would do so you have a better opp for your trophy! incredibel and very very stupid. time to remember what hunting is all about and if you cant, and you care so much about the point count ,maybe you should be the one to quit hunting! this is not directed at anyone, just grist for the mill.   THIS MESSAGE IS APPROVED BY DEADDOG

VERY WELL SAID

[cully]

Long time lurker here, but I would like to add my 2 cents on this one. As long as we hunters, hunt with the spirit of conservation and the respect of the game we pursue, it doesn't matter if one hunts for legal game size or the trophy. I know great hunters who shoot the first legal buck that come there way and others who let alot pass and go sometimes years without making a kill on the buck they want. But, we all are hunters and need to protect the sport by supporting each other in our endevors. Deaddog is spot on, some of us are making it too easy for the anti's with the infighting and thoughts made into public statements that are not fully developed.

I've seen years with lots of good sized bucks and lean years also. They always come back, even the mulies. Besides, most of us know they don't get big by being stupid our easy targets. I would venture to say, most hunters would not even know they are there.

[deaddog]

There's not as many hunters in the woods these days and we are losing more and more all the time. Put a point restriction on and we will lose the last of the hold outs who are getting disgusted with all the rules and cost of hunting we have now.

I personally would love to see fewer hunters in the woods.  The folks that are giving up because of too many regulations are casual and not the hardcore or true hunters anyway.  I have said for years that a large portion of the "hunters" in the woods these days shouldn't be there.  The true hunters are not the folks who are showing disregard for property, game and local laws, it is the half assed hunters that are the largest portion of violators.  If increasing point restrictions will lower the number of half assed hunters in the woods, I'm all for it.  The major bonus is more and bigger bucks, it is a win-win situation.

WOW    Folks that give up are not true hunters, not hardcore hunters and you have said for years that a large portion should not even be there! wow I had to think about that a few moments and I think that may be the most egotistical ,ignorant, self serving thing ive ever heard or seen put in print!

[huntnphool]

You don't need to put your 2 cents in Cully, its only a penny for your thoughts Well said and welcome to the site

[MichaelJ]

There's not as many hunters in the woods these days and we are losing more and more all the time. Put a point restriction on and we will lose the last of the hold outs who are getting disgusted with all the rules and cost of hunting we have now.

I personally would love to see fewer hunters in the woods.  The folks that are giving up because of too many regulations are casual and not the hardcore or true hunters anyway.  I have said for years that a large portion of the "hunters" in the woods these days shouldn't be there.  The true hunters are not the folks who are showing disregard for property, game and local laws, it is the half assed hunters that are the largest portion of violators.  If increasing point restrictions will lower the number of half assed hunters in the woods, I'm all for it.  The major bonus is more and bigger bucks, it is a win-win situation.

WOW    Folks that give up are not true hunters, not hardcore hunters and you have said for years that a large portion should not even be there! wow I had to think about that a few moments and I think that may be the most egotistical ,ignorant, self serving thing ive ever heard or seen put in print!

People are selfish by nature... you have your beliefs and you want to impliment or maintain a system that benefits YOUR beliefs... He has HIS beliefs... you don't like 'em, then TOUGH *censored*!  But quit with the personal attacks, you can respectfully disagree but we don't need more personal attacks on this site.  Get off your high horse there partner!
 

Michael