Let the young bucks walk

[Fishcrazy82]

It'll never change because that's how people's mentality are. All I'm saying is that if you let one walk maybe it grows up.

[bobcat]

I'm all for limiting the harvest of deer in some way, rather than the free for all we have now. The unlimited tag system that we have was fine in the 70's. The human population was much less and land open to hunting was much greater. I'm not sure there is any other western state with totally unlimited numbers of deer tags for both residents and non-residents.

I don't want this to improve "trophy" hunting, but to provide a more quality hunting experience. I think limiting the number of hunters would actually help in recruiting young hunters, as they would have a much better experience when they are drawn for a hunt.

[Skillet]

I don't want this to improve "trophy" hunting, but to provide a more quality hunting experience. I think limiting the number of hunters would actually help in recruiting young hunters, as they would have a much better experience when if they are drawn for a hunt.

Fixed it for ya. 

Given this state's trending towards drawings as a revenue-generator instead of increasing opportunity, I wouldn't trust a draw-only system at all.

[Bean Counter]

I left WA for a permit only state and couldn't be happier. Last I checked WDFW board meeting minutes they do indeed listen to hunters and continue limitless tags partially in response to demand from hunters not to limit opportunity.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Hard to sale ... When you are young you just want to get your 1st deer ..Once you get older and have taken a few animals you kinda mellow out ...Killing is no longer an issue and you enjoy just being out there hunting and you may also be more selective  on what you want to harvest ..Some hunter could careless about putting some meat in the freezer where others may depend on it 

[pianoman9701]

Permit numbers and antler point restrictions are supposed to be based on scientific principles and game management goals for that particular unit or region. If you decide for yourself that you're going to hold yourself to a supposed higher standard and hold out for a trophy buck, that's your choice. But, all due respects, saying that everyone should do as you say for no other reason than because you say is BS. Show me your studies. Show me your reasoning for these assessments. Otherwise, you're just projecting your made up "standards" on someone else. And as a matter of fact, those standards may be working in direct opposition to the goals of the wildlife managers for that area. I shot a small buck this year and hadn't for a number of years. I hunt for meat and it was a success. Would I shoot a trophy buck if he came by? You bet. Would I enjoy eating him as much? Probably, but the wife wouldn't. You hunt your way and I'll hunt mine. I assure you that I'll support any legal way you choose to hunt and I expect the same from you.

[bobcat]

I don't want this to improve "trophy" hunting, but to provide a more quality hunting experience. I think limiting the number of hunters would actually help in recruiting young hunters, as they would have a much better experience when if they are drawn for a hunt.

Fixed it for ya. 

That's always what people seem to think would happen. I don't. Look at Oregon. They're draw only for mule deer, yet kids don't have a problem drawing tags. Many units can be drawn every year and many others, every other year. Why is our state so much different that we can have unlimited numbers of deer tags, while ALL other western states do not?

[buckfvr]

Theres plenty of us who pass all the time......................everyone I know passes, of course we live where we see whats really out there all the time.   

Bobcat.........really.....expand your world and look at more places.  There is many places that offer great experiences for those willing to hunt where the deer are.  Your head is so wrapped around the western wa experience Im going to suggest close to home and on the weekends......if you want success, prepare for success and get out there and go for it for real.

It seems unfathomable to go through a deer season and  fail.  Maybe not kill one, but have an opportunity to, but yes, pass on a chance at a legal buck.  Otherwise, you are doing something/many things wrong.   

[Fishcrazy82]

This wasn't about the permit system just saying that people don't have to shoot the first thing they see.

[vandeman17]

This wasn't about the permit system just saying that people don't have to shoot the first thing they see.

What about the people that only have a weekend to hunt, or the people that could care less about antlers and just want meat in the freezer? I think you are assuming that all hunters are trophy hunters with all this time on their hands to hunt. 

[Woodchuck]

Isn't that up to the individual? Do you want me telling what fish to keep or toss back?

[h20hunter]

This wasn't about the permit system just saying that people don't have to shoot the first thing they see.

Nope. Not up to you. If the animal is legal you may keep your opinion to yourself if the hunter should have filled their tag or not.

[DP]

Smokin' thread. I'm a wetside hunter primarily. Pass on most bucks early on, hoping for something larger, but primarily because it extends my season. I'm not just out to fill my tag as fast as possible, but would rather spend more days in the field. That said, if it comes down to it, I have no problem harvesting a smaller buck during late season. There are plenty of monster blacktails that make it through the season. If you're not harvesting any, it's not because of all the spikes that were shot. You just may not be that good. 

[RB]

Problem is if a guys lets one walk there will be one or more people behind him that will gladly harvest it and not think a thing about it. 

[jackelope]

It'll never change because that's how people's mentality are. All I'm saying is that if you let one walk maybe it grows up.

If that's how it works then I'm feeling like I've single handedly completely restored the mature mule deer population of Eastern Washington all by my self.