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Author Topic: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.  (Read 32402 times)

Offline idahohuntr

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My personal, unofficial meeting notes from this weekends GMAC meeting...several very interesting things were discussed in relation to future hunting seasons/opportunities...some great news, some odd news, and some terrible news...depending entirely on how you feel about baiting, the point system, tags, season length etc... :yike:  :chuckle:

I-594: WDFW indicated that the Attorney General of WA has indicated that agencies with general LE Authority (which WDFW has) are exempt.  The exemption applies to the agency and all staff (including volunteers) on official WDFW business/duty.  The take away...I-594 will not impact hunter education courses being taught by official WDFW HE instructors in their official capacity.  WDFW is very sensitive/concerned about this issue and will continue working it...they were very concerned about potential impacts to hunter education but seem to be getting reassurance from the AG that it won't really impact their program.

Baiting:
This was the big topic...WDFW started the discussion by saying they were going to recommend elimination of baiting ungulates for hunting.  They would include some minor exceptions like active ag operations, food plots, hunters with disabilities...but generally support a ban.  There was substantial pushback from GMAC members uncomfortable with a ban and WDFW's recommendation.  WDFW then seemed to back track a little and may suggest a more middle ground option that imposes some regulation but doesn't ban it out right.  It was a little unclear to me exactly what they would recommend or present to the commission, but I believe they settled on backing off a solid recommendation for a ban...but who knows.  They did acknowledge that they received a ton of feedback supporting baiting in the last round of comments and that 6 years ago they proposed a ban only to have it squashed in the public comment period before the commission meeting.  So, folks like me that support baiting...keep the pressure up in respectful and intelligent communication and I think we still may have a shot at saving baiting...Many folks on GMAC really hammered away that if there are a few folks really abusing baiting (placing tons of apples, for example) that regulation would be reasonable and useful...a complete ban is not necessary to address the problem in many peoples minds.  However, there are those that believe baiting is unethical and not fair chase and so no regulation other than a ban is acceptable.  Most folks agreed that perhaps regulating quantity of bait would address some of the most serious complaints.

They will be recommending the following for 2015-17 seasons:
-Early archery elk will start the first saturday after labor day, and run for 13 days
-They will be adding at least 24 GMU's to early muzzleloader elk seasons...not certain which ones.
-Modern generalmule deer season will be extended 2 days, start 1st saturday after the 10th and go 11 days, ending on a tuesday
-Adding 14 new quality deer hunts in Region 5&6
-Eliminating 2pt restriction in the deer GMU's on the westide that have them (something like 4?)
Equipment
-Crossbows (including ones with scopes) will be allowed during modern firearm seasons, but not archery or muzzleloader seasons (except disabled archers can still use them)
-Mechanical broadheads will be allowed...although reps for the archery groups spoke up about issues with mechanicals and referenced studies where penetration was poor for mechanical broadheads shot at angles...after some discussion it sounds like WDFW may consider not recommending mechanical broadheads or possibly not allowing them for elk but allowing them on smaller game like deer.
-Allow semi-auto handguns (9mm or larger) in firearm restriction areas for big game hunting

Tags/Point System:
-They are going to revise the point system so approximately 25% of all quality tags will be set aside for the highest point holders.  They are not sure what the point cutoff will be...they originally thought maybe 10 pts or higher, but are now suggesting it may be a higher point total.  Because of logistics with license system it will not be implemented in 2015, but likely 2016.
-They are restoring antlerless whitetail opportunity in NE Wa for youth, senior, disabled and early archery and muzzleloader seasons.
-WDFW was very neutral on continuation of the 4pt restriction in GMU 117/121.  At minimum I think they will recommend any buck for youth in those GMU's, and really leave it up to the commission to decide.
-Cougar seasons likely extended a month, into April...quite a bit of discussion on harvest guidelines, sub-adult harvest, ability of wdfw staff to recognize sub-adult cougars etc.  You cougar hunters may have great interest and understanding of the issues but I dozed off a bit on this part  :dunno:
-Spring bear permits in NE Wa will be doubled
OIL Species
-Goat permits will increase by 1 or 2 in 2015, including a new hunt in Darrington area if I recall correctly
-Moose populations appear to be large, possibly seeing some evidence of habitat limitation in WA. Bull:cow ratios very good etc.  They are proposing several new hunt areas, they will create more hunt choices by splitting some seasons into October and November as opposed to one hunt choice with a 2 month season...but the biggest news is they will be increasing Moose tags by about 20% from a total of 130ish to 160ish tags (this includes antlerless tags too).  So everybodys odds of drawing a Moose tag will increase 20% in 2015!
-For Bighorn sheep/Mt. Goat Auction and Raffle tags, they are going to increase the number of areas with 2 or more permits and they will manage the herds on something like a 3 year harvest plan and so if in 1 year all the auction/raffle guys hit one unit then they will close it down for a couple years...but if the harvest doesn't congregate in 1 unit then it will allow more opportunity at different units for the auction/raffle guys.  Until now, many biologists have been reluctant to add a 2nd tag to units with only 1 tag because going from 1 to 2 tags could actually in theory increase harvest to 5 sheep if the auction and raffle guys hunted the same area. (*Thank you wingshooter for correcting this...I think I have it a little more accurate now)
-The Swakane Bighorn Herd will be managed a little differently...it will be allowed in an auction one year and the raffle the following year, always alternating years...kind of similar to how IDFG manages the Craig Mountain bighorn sheep tag.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2014, 07:59:55 AM by idahohuntr »
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood..." - TR

Offline hughjorgan

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2014, 09:25:03 PM »
Thanks for the update.

Offline fair-chase

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2014, 09:27:46 PM »
It was sounding pretty good until this part...

Quote
Tags/Point System:
-They are going to revise the point system so approximately 25% of all quality tags will be set aside for the highest point holders.  They are not sure what the point cutoff will be...they originally thought maybe 10 pts or higher, but are now suggesting it may be a higher point total.  Because of logistics with license system it will not be implemented in 2015, but likely 2016.

 :bash: :bash: :bash:

Is WDFW hell bent on reducing hunter recruitment, or just making sure the rate of points creep exceeds the rate of monetary inflation???

If this is implemented WDFW can kiss my families annual $600 tag/license donation goodbye.

Offline fair-chase

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2014, 09:28:56 PM »
Oh, almost forgot... Thanks for keeping us informed Idahohuntr.  :hello:

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2014, 09:42:43 PM »
Thanks for the update. :puke:
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Offline huntnnw

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2014, 09:48:34 PM »
There is lots that they could do to improve draw odds, but it doesnt line their pockets :bash:

Online Bob33

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2014, 09:54:26 PM »
Thank you. :tup:
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Offline Special T

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2014, 10:00:28 PM »
Hats off to you Idahohnter for your summery of the meeting you attend. I wish every member that attneded WDFW meeting reported back like you do.  :tup:

I have one question.
Was allowing 9mm & up semiauto hand guns for hunting in restricted areas? Please explain.
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself. 

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Offline bearkautz

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2014, 10:17:59 PM »
thanks for the nifo !!

Offline idahohuntr

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2014, 10:27:41 PM »
Hats off to you Idahohnter for your summery of the meeting you attend. I wish every member that attneded WDFW meeting reported back like you do.  :tup:

I have one question.
Was allowing 9mm & up semiauto hand guns for hunting in restricted areas? Please explain.
I'm not super familiar with it, but right now the rules basically only allow revolvers to be used in the firearm restricted areas over in Western Washington during a modern firearm season (I believe these areas are mostly around urban places?)...anyways, WDFW felt that there was no reason a semi-auto handgun couldn't be allowed as well, thus the change.  Only effects firearm restricted areas.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood..." - TR

Online Bob33

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2014, 10:39:55 PM »
This applies to firearm restriction areas.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-28-248

(d) Modern firearm tag holders may hunt during established modern firearm seasons with bows and arrows; crossbows; muzzleloaders; revolver-type handguns; or shotguns, so long as the equipment and ammunition complies with department rules.
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Offline Lucky1

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2014, 11:06:03 PM »
Thanks for the detailed report!
Can you recommend a good way to contact the WDFW to support keeping bating legal. I did comment during their comment period. I would like make sure they know that they will be losing tag sales and a management tool if they do enact a ban.
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Offline bobcat

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2014, 11:28:52 PM »
Thanks for the report. That's a lot of big changes coming, some I like and some I don't like. A couple of the issues will have a major effect on my hunting plans for next year.

Offline UrbanTrapper

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2014, 11:31:25 PM »
Any idea who in the GMAC is pushing the ban on baiting and why?

Offline idahohuntr

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Re: Game Mgmt. Council Meeting Notes - 2015-17 season proposals, baiting etc.
« Reply #14 on: December 07, 2014, 11:46:45 PM »
Any idea who in the GMAC is pushing the ban on baiting and why?
Not really GMAC, although I'm sure some members support a ban...a minority of them.  The issue is being raised by hunters directly to WDFW Commissioners who have asked WDFW to make a recommendation on the future of baiting.

Obviously the commissioners are a good place to send comments on the baiting issue... commission@dfw.wa.gov .  Another person worth sending comments to might be Jerry Nelson (Jerry.Nelson@dfw.wa.gov); it seems as though he will be the one presenting information to the commission.  PLEASE...In sending comments, particularly to Jerry, be respectful and kind.  He, like all the other WDFW staff at this GMAC meeting, are very professional, really nice guys, enjoy hunting, etc.  They have a tough issue to tackle and I really believe based on his and other staffs willingness to evaluate things carefully that we can help them find a solution better than a complete ban.  It will not in any way benefit those in support of baiting to send over the top angry or disrespectful emails to these folks and will in my opinion be very counter-productive.  However, pointing out all the reasons to maintain baiting, the potential impacts to hunter participation/recruitment/retention, etc...sure can't hurt.   
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood..." - TR

 


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