WDFW Proposal Closes Hunting on 20 SQUARE MILES of public land

[elkboy]

This is a worrisome trend.  Just because black-tailed deer are not being taken in the blast zone doesn't mean that this will not be an excellent area in years to come.  As the vegetation becomes denser, and with greater shrub cover, deer will eventually increase, possibly to a high density.  I think they could address their concerns about hunter/Monument visitor interaction with a specific rule about hunting near roads in affected areas.   

[huntndad]

WDFW has introduced these proposed changes throughout the current 3-year season setting process and received responses of greater than 50% in favor of the proposals.  Additionally, the relevant landowners (USFS and Weyerhaeuser) are supportive of the changes. 


Take generic yes/no survey questions and use them to justify any agenda.

[fireweed]

"you have to pass it to find out what's in it"

[bigtex]

Bob we don't want to start closing public land that's a slippery slope.

This isn't closing public land to access. There are many GMUs that don't have a general elk/deer season that have a ton of public land, such as the Desert GMU. As WDFW said, elk hunting will continue in this area through a new elk area via a special permit.

[grundy53]

Bob we don't want to start closing public land that's a slippery slope.

This isn't closing public land to access. There are many GMUs that don't have a general elk/deer season that have a ton of public land, such as the Desert GMU. As WDFW said, elk hunting will continue in this area through a new elk area via a special permit.

Pretty sure he meant closing to hunting.
This closes the area to deer and bear hunting.

[fireweed]

Got an update yesterday: and it's more good news than bad
The new proposal has keeps most of the area in the Margaret Unit and only moves the controversial side hill around Coldwater (which the USFS has managed as a stay-on-trail rule area) into the Loowit.  Instead of nearly 13,000 acres closed to hunting (except for permit elk), the new proposal closes 4,000 acres to all hunting--including permit elk.  This 4000 acres is still too large an area, and should be chopped into.

[HntnFsh]

Thank you for the update fireweed. And I agree. Its still too much land taken away!

[CAMPMEAT]

If this happens I won't be deer hunting in wa for the 2nd year in a row

I'm with you. I haven't hunted deer in state for 3 years. Predators only.