Archery season and the rut

[deerhunter_98520]

What can we do as hunters to get the archery hunt closer to the rut again? Ive been archery hunting but only 7 years and the way things are going in another 7 years we will be hunting in august...  is there anything we can do to change these season dates towards the end of sept? Do we just need to write to the Wdfw?

[Dbax129]

I always thought it was based on a start day 1st Saturday of the month or something like that.  And next year it will be like 7 days later than this year?  I'm sure somebody else k owe better.

[pianoman9701]

It starts the Tuesday following Labor Day.

[deerhunter_98520]

Has it always been like this? I've never payed attention to that... Always heard people complaining about the start date getting earlier and wondered if there was anything we could do to change it

[pianoman9701]

No, it used to be set dates of Sept. 8-20, I believe, or 21.

[bobcat]

Next year it will start on the 8th

[Nice Racks]

I think it's ok just as it is.  No it's not prime rut time, it's hot and dry, but still fun.  If it was in the rut a lot of other hunters may possibly change over to archery and then the woods would be very crowded and we would be complaining about that.  Put a "rut" special tag category out there and people would complain about that.  Don't get me wrong, I would love a chance at the rut, but too many things may have to change for that to happen, and the we would complain about that too. I like living in a state with over the counter elk tags. Just my 

[jackelope]

Next year it will start on the 8th

This.

[grousetracker]

the season used to start sept 1-14 every year not as many bow hunters either. if wdfw gives a later season to the bow hunters the other weapons want better seasons also.

[deerhunter_98520]

I hear what your saying...I would just think being the hardest out of the 3 weapons you would think you would have the best season....don't get me wrong I think its a good season

[bowguy]

Years ago it was 1-14 then 8-21 now it's a rolling set date as the day after Labor Day. We all know the rut don't start on a certain date so we will never have that rut hunt guarantee. Last 2 years have had bulls in close and responding to cow calls on eastside of state. I say keep the schedule way it is how often you get to hunt bulls?

[deerhunter_98520]

Every year on the wetside I hunt bulls 

[Bean Counter]

I have to wait every 4-7 years....

but when I draw, I get THIS on public land, with low hunting pressure, all over the unit... 

[deerhunter_98520]

That's the problem here...every raghorn gets shot and they don't make it that big that often....I know where 2 are and one is in a new weyco pay to play area I won't be hunting and another should be that size this year if he wasn't shot last year

[mxryder909]

Im not complaining, just keep an eye out for a mule while your hiking or in your stand. I took a cougar, and a spike bull within an hours time. 2nd day into the elk season.
Just need to find them, follow the kitties tracks and you'll see them.