Big thanks to Pope, Todd and others

[Gamblin Guy]

Pope/Todd and anyone else that worked with the GMAC to get our archery elk seasons moved back to a reasonable starting date, just wanted to say thanks.

I was very skeptical that the change would be made, my hat is off to you all.

 

[popeshawnpaul]

Thanks, it's been a long 6 years to get this accomplished.  While I'm happy we made much progress in my focused objective with the early elk season start date, I'm more frustrated that I couldn't get Alta or another unit for late mule open to increase opportunity and decrease pressure on swakane.  Next package!

Thanks to Ren Sarnes.  He was with me at every meeting and we equally fought this through this package.  I'm proud at how WSAA & WSB have been able to work together for this package.  That cooperation greatly helped all bowhunters, whether they know it or not.

Right now, we will need members to start looking at other issues to fight for.  In the interim,  I'm concerned about the increased muzzy opportunity and how it will affect resource allocation.   

[huntnphool]

I'm more frustrated that I couldn't get Alta or another unit for late mule open to increase opportunity and decrease pressure on swakane.  Next package!

 Adding Alta would make the most sense, remove pressure from Swakane and Pogue late hunts.
 

[4fletch]

Humongous thank you guys for the hard work Time and $ you guys do for us

[Eli346]

Thanks guys. Your work is not going unnoticed here and in the politico game.

[D-Rock425]

Thanks guys.

[Todd_ID]

Thanks for the thumbs up guys!  Shawn is right. We need more opportunity for the late season hunters. But the more important part is that it's VERY GOOD that we're now working with WDFW and not in an adversarial role against them. Hunters have always known what should be done to properly manage a population: now we've proved we can work with the agency in a way which keeps hunters happy AND manages wildlife. 

[Skyvalhunter]

I'm more frustrated that I couldn't get Alta or another unit for late mule open to increase opportunity and decrease pressure on swakane.  Next package!

 Adding Alta would make the most sense, remove pressure from Swakane and Pogue late hunts.

Time to reduce the permits and pressure on the Alta unit herd and let it try to come back to even a shadow of what it used to be.

[wsmnut]

I'm more frustrated that I couldn't get Alta or another unit for late mule open to increase opportunity and decrease pressure on swakane.  Next package!

 Adding Alta would make the most sense, remove pressure from Swakane and Pogue late hunts.

Time to reduce the permits and pressure on the Alta unit herd and let it try to come back to even a shadow of what it used to be.

I agree with Skyvalhunter.  Adding pressure to Alta would be a huge mistake.  That unit needs a lot of time to even remotely begin to recover.  I hope to live long enough to see it get back to half of what it should be.

Wsmnut

[pianoman9701]

Huge success, guys. My WSB membership money was well-spent! 

[popeshawnpaul]

I'm more frustrated that I couldn't get Alta or another unit for late mule open to increase opportunity and decrease pressure on swakane.  Next package!

 Adding Alta would make the most sense, remove pressure from Swakane and Pogue late hunts.

Time to reduce the permits and pressure on the Alta unit herd and let it try to come back to even a shadow of what it used to be.

I agree with Skyvalhunter.  Adding pressure to Alta would be a huge mistake.  That unit needs a lot of time to even remotely begin to recover.  I hope to live long enough to see it get back to half of what it should be.

Wsmnut

You can simply take some pressure off by adjusting other weapon type pressure.  Bowhunters kill very little even in a late general season. 

[UBA]

If the Alta isn't what it used to be then what is the Swakane going to turn into?  The pressure up there is crazy.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well like some of the Quality buck units they end up transitioning to Buck permits due to the lack of trophy animals. It happened with East Okanogan and others. This will happen to Alta. Having over 10 preference points for quality deer Alta unit is not even in my top 5 anymore. Not to say there are not respectable bucks there as I know places that hold them but I know the unit well. Just like last year you have these guys with high preference points that draw the unit not knowing enough about the unit. They end up shooting a legal buck or none at all do to holding out for large buck. 

[boneaddict]

Awesome job guys.   Proud to be a member of the WSB.  If you are a bow hunter, you should have a membership. 

The alta is vey sick.   Predator permits should be the only permits issued for that unit for the next three years.  Yes I can find and kill a big deer there, but it's in pitiful condition at the moment. 

And I was around when that was a late archery hunt.   Those were certainly the days. 

[huntnphool]

I'm more frustrated that I couldn't get Alta or another unit for late mule open to increase opportunity and decrease pressure on swakane.  Next package!

 Adding Alta would make the most sense, remove pressure from Swakane and Pogue late hunts.

Time to reduce the permits and pressure on the Alta unit herd and let it try to come back to even a shadow of what it used to be.

 Let's start by issuing 1900 doe permits in knee jerk prediction of a "possible" devastating winter huh?

 How about the increase in quality buck permits over the last two seasons throughout the Methow?

 Yeah, a late archery season is what's really going to destroy Alta right?