WA Archers, Time to Speak up!

[Fullabull]

OK, it's time. If you want things to change for Archery hunter here in WA, no is the time to speak up. The WDFW is offering the forum for everyone to tell them what they want.
My #1 suggestion is moving the early season Archery Elk season back to Sept. 8th to the 21st and leave it there!

Send in yours...

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/
June 18, 2014
Contact: WDFW Wildlife Program, (360) 902-2515
WDFW accepting proposals
for 2015-17 hunting seasons
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting proposals for changes in state hunting rules during the 2015-17 seasons.
Hunters and other members of the public can post their proposals on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/ , which includes a timetable for rule development.
The department also plans to host six public meetings around the state in August to discuss options for proposed hunting rules.
Dave Ware, WDFW game program manager, said changes proposed by the public will play an important role in shaping hunting seasons and associated hunting regulations for 2015-17.
“We want to hear people’s comments and concerns, especially those that address a significant conservation or management issue,” Ware said. “We don’t implement every proposal we receive, but we do take a close look at all of them and incorporate a lot of those ideas into the state’s hunting rules.”
Meanwhile, WDFW is also accepting public input on the state’s draft game management plan 2015-21, which lays out guiding principles for upcoming hunting seasons. Six public meetings – listed at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/game/2015/ – are scheduled around the state in June.
The public can also comment on key aspects of the six-year plan via an on-line survey, available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gmpobjectives through July 18.
Key issues considered in the draft plan include:
Promoting hunter recruitment and retention;
Managing predator/prey relationships;
Maintaining hunter access to timberlands;
Managing wolves after they are no longer classified as an endangered species; and
Possible new rules requiring the use of non-toxic shot.
Final recommendations for the six-year plan will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for a public hearing in August and adoption in September. Final rules for the 2015-17 hunting seasons will be submitted to the commission next spring.
This message has been sent to the WDFW News Releases & Weekender mailing list.
Visit the WDFW News Release Archive at:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/
To UNSUBSCRIBE from this mailing list: http://wdfw.wa.gov/lists/unsubscribe.html

[Jellymon]

Mines in. Asked to change early archery elk back to fixed, sept 8-21.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

   I'm done.

[Slow-1]

 I have put in my input for elk season to run september 8th-21st. I also expressed my opion that we need to stop the doe killing in GMU 407,418 and 437. There are not enough deer to contiune with this practice.

[stickbuck]

I did the same for a set season of the 8th-21st. Hopefully our suggestions will be heard.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[mxryder909]

Mines in, 8th-21st ELK!!! Yeah buddy

[pianoman9701]

Done and going to the June 24th meeting in the Couve.

[pd]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have to say the current general archery elk season (September 2th to 14th in 2014) is silly. 

One day after Labor Day is ridiculous (too much commotion in the woods, with camping families, motorcycles/ATVs, shooting practice on public lands).  The start of the season makes no sense at all.

Secondly, it is far too hot at that time.

I don't know if you can argue the length of the season (Idaho "A" tag is September 6th to 30th, but this ain't Idaho).  Good luck if you want to try that.

I recognize that archery is a different type of hunting (for elk, anyway).  You have to call the animal, and get close and personal.  I would have no objection to making the season a bit longer, and pushing it closer to the end of September.

Caveat: I am (currently) strictly a rifle hunter.  Never owned a bow in my life.  I simply concede the poorly designed archery season.

[brianmtsinc]

Done.  Sept 8-21st every year.   

[matt345]

4 proposals submitted.

Public Access to Private Timber Areas

Research and Funding regarding Elk Hoof Rot

Early Archery Seasons

2 Point Minimums for Blacktail Bucks

[BUTTER]

Done
2 submittals
1) archery season sept 8th till the 21st
Or
2) only one archery season sept 1st till the 30 th and no late season


I am sure some will have issues with number two but I think it would be sweet

[snarkybull]

Done
2 submittals
1) archery season sept 8th till the 21st
Or
2) only one archery season sept 1st till the 30 th and no late season


I am sure some will have issues with number two but I think it would be sweet

   i would trade the entire late elk season for another 5 days early in a heartbeat.

[Optimusprime]

Hey guys, I'm a fairly new hunter so I'm not too dialed in to why th e seasons are the way they are. Was the 8th-21st the old early season? I'm assuming most like it better be a use the elk are further into the rut?

[Optimusprime]

Hey guys, I'm a fairly new hunter so I'm not too dialed in to why the seasons are the way they are. Was the 8th-21st the old early season? I'm assuming most like it better because the elk are further into the rut?

[Rider]

I totaled up the cost of hunting in Washington and wondering what the hell I am thinking.

[bowhunter522]

I'm in 8th - 21st

[Expedition Scout]

8th - 21st done~

[Fullabull]

Optimus, Yes that was how it was before. then they changes to starting the day after labor day so now most years archers never get a change to come even close to hunting an rutting activity. Even with the 8th - 21st, you only get a few days as things start to light up. I believe WA is losing more archers because of this season as well as the way they have raised the prices on everything. Hunters put in for years trying to get drawn for a special permit when they can just go to another state and hunt elk in the rut and greatly increase their chance at success. If WA wants to keep hunters here in WA like they say they do, they need to make it more attractive to stay. Dates of the 8th - 21st would do that!

[nw_bowhunter]

I submitted for early elk dates. I requested Sept 8th-21st or 15th-30th.. Will submit a few others ideas for deer/elk

[nw_bowhunter]

Also, submitted for the removal of true spike rule and the one I want to see changed the most is the regulations on arrow weight restrictions.

[Styles]

Also submitted to evaluate early archery hunt dates!

[earlmarne]

done deal,thank you for the heads up

[washelkhunter]

Remember to tell them that hunters and fishers need to comped for a Discover Pass as well ok.   

[bowhiker]

Put my vote in for elk season changed back to sep 8

Sent from my SM-T210R using Tapatalk

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I have put in my input for elk season to run september 8th-21st. I also expressed my opion that we need to stop the doe killing in GMU 407,418 and 437. There are not enough deer to contiune with this practice.

You sound very familiar... :-)

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Keep hammering on the early elk season.  Its most likely already going to be on the agenda, as the members of the GMAC from the WSAA and WSB have hammered on the WDFW already... :-)  Oh and both of them are members on here.  ANother thing to hammer on is the Later archery deer opportunity in the 200 and 400 GMU's, its something the Archery Coalition is pushing for.  Right now we are limited to a few GMU's and its very overcrowded, that hurts hunter opportunity and the herds.  The survey helps, but emails, phone calls and showing up at the meetings is VER important also.  See you at the meetings. 

[DOsborn]

8-21 Sept fixed is good, I would also vote for moving it back to Oct, as it was years ago.

[tonymiller7]

I also submitted later archery elk.

[rover758]

Done.  Posted for Sep 8th for two weeks for #1 and Sep 15th for two weeks for alternative #2.

[huntnphool]

Got all my suggestions in.