Draft rule proposals regarding Game Regulations for the 2014 hunting season

[Bigshooter]

WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

Dear Wildlife Enthusiast,

Draft rule proposals regarding Game Regulations for the 2014 hunting season are available for review at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development.html#13-24-098

These proposals will be presented and public testimony will be taken at the March 7-8, 2014, Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting at the Moses Lake Civic Center, located at 401 S. Balsam St., Moses Lake, Washington 98837. The Commission will consider amending or adopting these regulations on or after the April 11-12, 2014 meeting.

If you would like the Department and Commission to consider your written comments regarding these recommendations, please submit them to:  WILDTHING@dfw.wa.gov , subject: Game Regulations 2014 or by mail to: WDFW, Attn: Wildlife Program, Game Regulations 2014 Public Comments, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091, by February 14, 2014 .

Also, remember to get your hunting camp photos submitted to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's 3rd-annual Big Game Regulations Pamphlet Cover Contest. Be sure to submit your photos in by March 1, 2014 .  For more information or to submit your photo, go to http://wdfw.wa.gov/sharephotos/contest.html

Thank you for your interest and participation in the management of Washington's wildlife.

Sincerely,
Wildlife Program Customer Service
306-902-2515

[dreamingbig]

A few things jump out... An additional 2 early mf season rut elk hunts for the eastern Washington unit and an increase in little naches mf cow permits from 250 to 500 but still no archery cow permits?  Wow!


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[Mr Mykiss]

Is the Colockum supposed to be a trophy unit? Is the goal eventually for there to only be bull elk running around in the Colockum?

[Elkaholic daWg]

Is the Colockum supposed to be a trophy unit? Is the goal eventually for there to only be bull elk running around in the Colockum?

True Spike.............
I see your point, but no it seems to be a N/A trophy farm! Not enough bulls so they want to bring down the cow numbers. Now just WHO is responsible for lack of bulls where this needs to be done?? Not us with our 2MR  :bash:quality permits spanning 3 GMU's!!!

[idahohuntr]

Looks like multiseason deer tags will be $39 cheaper in 2014.

[snowpack]

I see they opened up some new goat permits.  They also are creating some now 'elk areas', but didn't see where they will come into play for 2014.

[deltaops]

I am confused with this one..

(2)(a) It is unlawful to hunt any wildlife at night or wild ani-
mals with dogs (hounds) during the months of September, October, or
November in any area open to a modern firearm deer or elk season.

Does that mean no more hunting birds or waterfowl that is open for deer or elk during MF with dogs?

Or are they going to change the season for birds and waterfowl?

From what I read, it sounds like hunting for birds and what not with dogs will be very limited now. 

Maybe I am reading it wrong.

[snowpack]

I wonder if the key word for that is 'hounds'.  So they would be cutting off coon season in those months with hounds...but can you use non-hound dogs for hunting coons?  Take a bunch of pointers and spaniels?

[bobcat]

Does that mean no more hunting birds or waterfowl that is open for deer or elk during MF with dogs?

It says "wildlife" and "wild animals" and does not mention birds. So my guess is this has nothing to do with bird hunting.

[huntnphool]

 This is BS!!! They have stated that the herd in the Methow Valley is in good shape, and they know that backing the general deer season up to Oct. 11-19 will result in less deer being killed. So rather than giving us back a few of the days in the general hunt, that they took away in '05, they continue to give out increased late permits in the Valley.

Either the herd is in good enough shape to sustain more general season pressure or its not! If they can't give back general season days then why in the hell are they issuing additional tags for the migrators? IMO this is counter productive and does nothing to help the herd.


 On a couple different notes, its kind of cool to see a muzzy and archery only hunt for moose, two tags for each.

 Also, it looks like they have increased the number of goat tags offered this year, as well as putting the Asotin sheep tag back up there.

[Rainier10]

 On a couple different notes, its kind of cool to see a muzzy and archery only hunt for moose, two tags for each.

 

How does that work, can you only put in for one or the other or can you put in for an archery tag and an any weapon tag or a muzzy tag and an any weapon for your choices?

[huntnphool]

 On a couple different notes, its kind of cool to see a muzzy and archery only hunt for moose, two tags for each.

 

How does that work, can you only put in for one or the other or can you put in for an archery tag and an any weapon tag or a muzzy tag and an any weapon for your choices?

Looks to me that you apply and simply have to use the weapon for the season you drew. 2 muzzy tags and 2 archery tags.

[snowpack]

 On a couple different notes, its kind of cool to see a muzzy and archery only hunt for moose, two tags for each.

 

How does that work, can you only put in for one or the other or can you put in for an archery tag and an any weapon tag or a muzzy tag and an any weapon for your choices?

Kind of looks like it is a safety deal, since it is being coordinated and held in a USAF survival training area.  You apply as normal, just have a new hunt to apply for, and you are restricted in weapon choice.

[huntnphool]

 On a couple different notes, its kind of cool to see a muzzy and archery only hunt for moose, two tags for each.

 

How does that work, can you only put in for one or the other or can you put in for an archery tag and an any weapon tag or a muzzy tag and an any weapon for your choices?

Kind of looks like it is a safety deal, since it is being coordinated and held in a USAF survival training area.  You apply as normal, just have a new hunt to apply for, and you are restricted in weapon choice.

Yeah, but they are earlier too.

[Rainier10]

 On a couple different notes, its kind of cool to see a muzzy and archery only hunt for moose, two tags for each.

 

How does that work, can you only put in for one or the other or can you put in for an archery tag and an any weapon tag or a muzzy tag and an any weapon for your choices?

Kind of looks like it is a safety deal, since it is being coordinated and held in a USAF survival training area.  You apply as normal, just have a new hunt to apply for, and you are restricted in weapon choice.

Yeah, but they are earlier too.

That is a great new option.

[actionshooter]

I wonder if they intend to add 6 new goat permits for unit 621 or if they will be issued as needed for problem goats? Wonder if it will be archery only like it was in the Olympics?

[Ridgerunner]

New high hunt area too.  I like the additional goat tags!

[dreamingbig]

The more I read the proposal the more fired up I get.  I still can't believe they are increasing the rut hunts for modern firearm from one to three but don't have a similar tag for archery and muzzleloader.  Why not open it up for all three user groups!


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[pd]

Looks like multiseason deer tags will be $39 cheaper in 2014.

They already are (buy your permits now, to seal the deal).

[trophyhunt]

I can't find where they show the special permits for deer and elk?  Can someone post the link? 

[trophyhunt]

I can't find where they show the special permits for deer and elk?  Can someone post the link?

?

[hughjorgan]

I can't find where they show the special permits for deer and elk?  Can someone post the link?

?

Click on the link posted by big shooter , then click on CR-102 - filed as WSR 14-03-135 on January 22, 2014, scroll down to page 68...

[trophyhunt]

I will give it a shot, thanks!!


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[180-GRAIN]

Those olympic goat tags should be good! been a few years since there was a hunt in that area, should be some really good goats taken outta there this year.

[Fullabull]

Same old, same old...Archery gets the short end of the stick and will continue to be that way until everyone decides to just not hunt here any longer 

They keep talking about making things even between groups but it sure is not that way!!!

I'm really beginning to believe what people say about the rules follow the money...

[bearpaw]

The Parker Lake Area has been closed to hunting for many years. Glad to see they worked out a deal with the Air Force to provide more hunter opportunity, good job WDFW. 

[bobcat]

The Parker Lake Area has been closed to hunting for many years. Glad to see they worked out a deal with the Air Force to provide more hunter opportunity, good job WDFW. 

They added four tags for the new area but deleted four of the 49 Degrees North tags. So not really much increase in opportunity. Mostly it's two archery tags and two muzzleloader tags replacing four rifle tags.