Free: Contests & Raffles.
Quote from: WABONEHNTR on February 10, 2015, 09:42:58 PMQuote from: idahohuntr on February 10, 2015, 02:06:44 PMQuote from: Jonathan_S on February 10, 2015, 01:48:55 PMI understand that idahohuntr, but you're talking about very small groups of elk in areas that have historically held much more along with whitetail populations that were 200% what they are now.I'm not sure I follow...moose are exceeding habitat capacity is what WDFW is finding some evidence of...therefore increasing harvest of adults (cows and bulls) to increase calf recruitment and avoid a skewed age structure doesn't seem unreasonable...particularly given the increase in the moose population.I really don't know where you are getting your information idahohuntr. There should not be a man on this planet that says "our" moose population is increasing. We are gaining moose in the cascades but definitely not in the NE. Lets use Winchester Creek/49 unit for example. There once was a day when you could not drive that road at 10mph because odds were very high that a moose would pop out in front of you. I dare you go up there today and tell me how many tracks you see. You could take that road at 70mph and not worry. We "HAD" the best moose hunting/populations in the country. These increased tag numbers would have been relevant 7-9yrs ago when the moose population were booming and the numbers where high. Today is a totally different ball game. More tags mean more $$, nothing else. Its very sad when a guy can talk about the good ole days and its only from 7-9 years ago. Pretty sad and our game dept should be ashamed of themselves. I get my information from biologists actively involved in mark-recapture estimates of moose in NE Wa. I'm sure its not equal across all units...but overall numbers are up...noticeably. Sorry if you don't also see this...I doubt your information is as reliable as actual data collection. As far as upping tags for money...I don't think thats it...20 tags would be what, about $6k?
Quote from: idahohuntr on February 10, 2015, 02:06:44 PMQuote from: Jonathan_S on February 10, 2015, 01:48:55 PMI understand that idahohuntr, but you're talking about very small groups of elk in areas that have historically held much more along with whitetail populations that were 200% what they are now.I'm not sure I follow...moose are exceeding habitat capacity is what WDFW is finding some evidence of...therefore increasing harvest of adults (cows and bulls) to increase calf recruitment and avoid a skewed age structure doesn't seem unreasonable...particularly given the increase in the moose population.I really don't know where you are getting your information idahohuntr. There should not be a man on this planet that says "our" moose population is increasing. We are gaining moose in the cascades but definitely not in the NE. Lets use Winchester Creek/49 unit for example. There once was a day when you could not drive that road at 10mph because odds were very high that a moose would pop out in front of you. I dare you go up there today and tell me how many tracks you see. You could take that road at 70mph and not worry. We "HAD" the best moose hunting/populations in the country. These increased tag numbers would have been relevant 7-9yrs ago when the moose population were booming and the numbers where high. Today is a totally different ball game. More tags mean more $$, nothing else. Its very sad when a guy can talk about the good ole days and its only from 7-9 years ago. Pretty sad and our game dept should be ashamed of themselves.
Quote from: Jonathan_S on February 10, 2015, 01:48:55 PMI understand that idahohuntr, but you're talking about very small groups of elk in areas that have historically held much more along with whitetail populations that were 200% what they are now.I'm not sure I follow...moose are exceeding habitat capacity is what WDFW is finding some evidence of...therefore increasing harvest of adults (cows and bulls) to increase calf recruitment and avoid a skewed age structure doesn't seem unreasonable...particularly given the increase in the moose population.
I understand that idahohuntr, but you're talking about very small groups of elk in areas that have historically held much more along with whitetail populations that were 200% what they are now.
Quote from: Rainier10 on February 13, 2015, 07:37:32 AMQuote from: benhuntin on February 10, 2015, 10:29:56 PM20 more moose tags=40 less moose sheds If it ain't broke, don't fix it!It appears to be a shed thing. Honestly though I would like to hear what some of the "moose regulars think" also.I would also like to hear what the "moose regulars" think. And would be courious to know what the definition of a "moose regular" is.
Quote from: benhuntin on February 10, 2015, 10:29:56 PM20 more moose tags=40 less moose sheds If it ain't broke, don't fix it!It appears to be a shed thing. Honestly though I would like to hear what some of the "moose regulars think" also.
20 more moose tags=40 less moose sheds If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
The only issue I have is they give way to many cow tags in a couple units but other than that I am glad to see more tags. Now we just need a few K-9 tags and all will be good.
I am sure happy you explained yourself ! I have been wondering for a while now if you were a Bio yourself
The complaining about the increase in permits just goes to show the lack of confidence in wdfw. I think a majority of hunters have lost confidence in them. Hopefully they can gain our confidence back soon.
Quote from: huntnnw on February 10, 2015, 10:28:22 PMI actually think it was good that Mica stayed the same at 7 tags...it was not good this past year. I know of 1 bull tag eaten and 2 cow tagshow much, if any, was that due to the Mica Peak motorized closure and people not willing to walk in for a moose?
I actually think it was good that Mica stayed the same at 7 tags...it was not good this past year. I know of 1 bull tag eaten and 2 cow tags