4 pt. restriction 117/121

[stigalla]

As a property owner in 117 I've seen the before and during effect of this regulation. I have mixed feelings of it being lifted. Although I will now have more freedom to cull my heard by harvesting any buck who's genetics don't fit the bill, but I am also very aware of the army of Orange that will be in the gmu this year.. I will say I am glad my choice of hunt will no longer be dictated but an unspoken symptom of this will be an increase of trespassing and overall termoil for the private property owners in the area.

[huntnnw]

Wasn't there a point where it was any whitetail buck was to help the mule deer herd from the more aggressive more territorial whitetail.  To slow the whitetails movement west.  I may be mistaken.

I feed about 25 mule deer and 30 whitetail every winter and spring two times a day.. The mule deer are the aggressive ones.. Even yearling mulies chase mature whitetail bucks away from the food. Have never seen a whitetail show aggression towards a mulie without getting put in it's place.

  Anytime I have mulies on cam they push the whitetails out

[TommyH]

Youth any buck option would be my vote.

[benhuntin]

No one is gonna make any of you shoot less than 4 points. All you have to do is make your own min. And stick to it, Problem Solved.

[blindluck]

I wish they would make the mule deer 4 pt min the three point rule has made some great bucks the last few years, in my opinion.

[skeeter 20i]

I wish they would make the mule deer 4 pt min the three point rule has made some great bucks the last few years, in my opinion.

I've seen quite a few really big two points that will never see a third point, same area every year same few deer that are always two points.  Seems the genetics for the third point have been shot out of that area.

[combs338]

I wish they would make the mule deer 4 pt min the three point rule has made some great bucks the last few years, in my opinion.

I've seen quite a few really big two points that will never see a third point, same area every year same few deer that are always two points.  Seems the genetics for the third point have been shot out of that area.

[buglebrush]

I am curious how many of you actually live in 117?  And I am not talking about those that live in Spokane.  Not that your opinion doesn't count if you don't, but I am just curious.  Everyone I know that, like me, actually lives here loves the restriction.  The only gripe we have is that there needs to be more antlerless harvest to keep the herd balanced.  And I for one love it if a few of the out of area people go somewhere else.  There should be a longer season only open to those who are actually residents of a particular area.   With the short season in Washington it is ridiculous how many people are out in the woods at the same time. 

[benhuntin]

I am curious how many of you actually live in 117?  And I am not talking about those that live in Spokane.  Not that your opinion doesn't count if you don't, but I am just curious.  Everyone I know that, like me, actually lives here loves the restriction.  The only gripe we have is that there needs to be more antlerless harvest to keep the herd balanced.  And I for one love it if a few of the out of area people go somewhere else.  There should be a longer season only open to those who are actually residents of a particular area.   With the short season in Washington it is ridiculous how many people are out in the woods at the same time. 

Where do you suggest everyone else go, and why do you think you get to tell people to leave your unit?  It's people like you that give locals a bad name. Everyone has a right to hunt any public land so live with it.

[baldopepper]

I am curious how many of you actually live in 117?  And I am not talking about those that live in Spokane.  Not that your opinion doesn't count if you don't, but I am just curious.  Everyone I know that, like me, actually lives here loves the restriction.  The only gripe we have is that there needs to be more antlerless harvest to keep the herd balanced.  And I for one love it if a few of the out of area people go somewhere else.  There should be a longer season only open to those who are actually residents of a particular area.   With the short season in Washington it is ridiculous how many people are out in the woods at the same time. 

I live in 121 and I can't say everyone around me is thrilled about the restriction.  From a "greedy" point of view I like it, it's kept the number of hunters down for the early general season for sure.  But, I look at it from a couple of other points of view.  Several of the local small businesses in the area used to look forward to the deer hunt as kind of a top off to help them get thru the year financially.  They've felt it hard and, frankly, say it's not gotten any better as the restrictions wore on.  Secondly, I'm not convinced it's really helped the herd.  The majority of the deer I'm seeing taken are barely legal 3 points with eyeguards making them legal. Seems for the most part we've just held off shooting them for one more year.  Personally I think the reduction in hunter pressure and the mild winters have contributed far more to the rebound than the APR. Theres a lot of public ground in 121 and I think hunters from any area should be encouraged to hunt it.  May seem like a lot of hunters, but our numbers (and influence) continue to decline and finding more reasons to discourage young hunters is not a wise thing in my opinion.  Just my

[buglebrush]

I am curious how many of you actually live in 117?  And I am not talking about those that live in Spokane.  Not that your opinion doesn't count if you don't, but I am just curious.  Everyone I know that, like me, actually lives here loves the restriction.  The only gripe we have is that there needs to be more antlerless harvest to keep the herd balanced.  And I for one love it if a few of the out of area people go somewhere else.  There should be a longer season only open to those who are actually residents of a particular area.   With the short season in Washington it is ridiculous how many people are out in the woods at the same time. 

Where do you suggest everyone else go, and why do you think you get to tell people to leave your unit?  It's people like you that give locals a bad name. Everyone has a right to hunt any public land so live with it.

I never told anyone to leave the unit, nor did I say people shouldn't hunt.  I was simply making the observation that if the 4-point restriction sends some people elsewhere to hunt I will enjoy the less crowded woods, and most of the local hunters I know feel the same way.  A lot of comments on the thread were trashing the 4-point restriction, and I was just curious if that was coming from locals or not.      

As I stated it doesn't mean your opinion doesn't count I was just curious if what I was hearing was actually from locals or people that are driving up to hunt.  Sorry if that makes you all defensive.

[buglebrush]

I would like to see the youth and seniors go to any deer and stay 4point min for the rest of us. At least till 2019. I like the challenge my self

This is exactly what I would prefer. 

[TheHunt]

  I love the restriction!  IMO every area should have a 4 point restriction with antlerless opportunities to keep the herd balanced.  Also have a youth/senior any deer tag. 

Why don't they do a 6 point restriction instead of spike on elk?  Seems like a no brainer to me!

I am with you on that idea.   

[skeeter 20i]

I would like to see the youth and seniors go to any deer and stay 4point min for the rest of us. At least till 2019. I like the challenge my self

This is exactly what I would prefer.

 

[stigalla]

I never told anyone to leave the unit, nor did I say people shouldn't hunt.  I was simply making the observation that if the 4-point restriction sends some people elsewhere to hunt I will enjoy the less crowded woods, and most of the local hunters I know feel the same way.  A lot of comments on the thread were trashing the 4-point restriction, and I was just curious if that was coming from locals or not.      

As I stated it doesn't mean your opinion doesn't count I was just curious if what I was hearing was actually from locals or people that are driving up to hunt.  Sorry if that makes you all defemoosive.
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I out right own MY land in 117.. as much as I dislike the hoards of Orange it's good for the small town of Newport/old town... It also allows the heard to be managed in a way that will decrease road kill. As a resident you CANT say you haven't noticed a rise of deer on the side of the road. Like previously stated if you want 4pts take 4pts or better.. but the does and stunted deer need to be harvested too. if anything the easley targeted immature bucks will be harvested while the old timers will continue to hideout and thrive..