Fires and Wenaha East Archery bull tag

[Firedogg]

 Here is how Oregon is handling the tag holders on that side of the line...

" The following is an update from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The ‪#‎GrizzlyBearComplex‬ information office can’t answer questions about tags and permits. If hunters have questions about Bull Elk tags, they should call the ODFW Licensing Division at 503 947 6101.
We expect to have information from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife later this week, and we will pass it along.
“ODFW has called Wenaha Branch Bull Hunters (256R1) and told them they can exchange their tags free of charge prior to the start of archery season for a general elk archery tag. Those who decide to exchange will get all of their original preference points reinstated and a new point issued as if they were unsuccessful.
In order to take advantage of this the following needs to happen PRIOR to August 29th:
· Exchange 256R1 one bull elk tag for general archery elk tag at any ODFW office with POS capability
· Exchange will be made for free
· If the person has not bought their tag yet they should still come into an ODFW office so we have a record of them declining their 256R1 tag and purchasing a general archery elk tag.
Licensing/Controlled hunts will provide hunter with the proper way to document this transaction – would suggest that we include a signature as a record.”

[blackveltbowhunter]

I haven't worked the numbers so this may have no relevance, but wouldn't Oregone he different due to the preference point system and not a bonus point. Most of the tag holders are probably at or near max points. So for them exchanging their tag could make sense as they will probably be looking at a draw again in the next few years. I could be.completely wrong though.

I like Grundys idea.

My thought was similar to coldsteel in that they could offer the tag holders.the option to "extend" their hunt. Although I would rather have it go through the end of the year. Banking on getting the woods back open by then. Maybe let them hunt the the other season with a lesser weapon? Or whatever weapon was open but limited to archery when no season open.  They could hold as an option with the points refund for those tag holders who would rather do that.

[nwhunter]

Its a bad deal all around with these fires and I feel bad for the folks who have these extremely coveted tags. I drew a Wenaha archery tag in 2007 the year after the last big fire when people who had tags didnt get to hunt during archery. Would it have been fair if I hadnt gotten to hunt that year because the previous guys had gotten a rain check? No and it also wouldnt have been the same hunt if there were twice the guys in there that year either if they had let us all hunt. Sure these are big units but trust me ALOT of the tagholders are spending most of there time in the same general areas and it is really a hunt you want to be special and not bumping into the other tagholder all the time. If there werent any of these fires and you had a tag and got in an accident today and broke your legs and couldnt hunt I'm sure you would be real happy if the state would let you get your points back because you couldnt hunt right? I really feel bad for you guys, heck I feel worse for Dave the outfitter and the mess he is in with hunts he has booked and trails and camps that will be a mess for years because mother nature threw us a nasty curve ball. Take your points back and hope you draw in the next few years it will be even better because thats all your gonna get and really thats all you should expect.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Just saw this on the Lewiston Tribune FB feed

Some hunts may go up in smoke: Massive wildfires have state agencies scrambling to adjust as hunting seasons arrive. http://bit.ly/1UhyreN

Some bow hunters in Washington could miss out on elk hunts in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness because of fires there, but Idaho has no plans to cancel or alter any of its hunts near the many blazes plaguing the Clearwater region.

The Umatilla National Forest has closed the entire Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area in the Blue Mountains, where a pair of branch-antler archery bull elk hunts are scheduled to start Sept. 5. Paul Wik, district wildlife biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at Clarkston, said it looks probable hunters who hold the lottery-awarded permits won't be able to hunt.

"At this point, we are assuming that the wilderness will not open back up for public entry in time, unless the weather changes," he said.

The department is working to restore special permit preference points to people who drew permits if they are not able to use them. Washington has a system where hunters build up points over time that give them more favorable drawing odds. Wik said if the area remains closed and the hunt has to be canceled, those holding the permits would relinquish the permits and likely be able to use the preference points in next year's drawing.

"We will reinstate points they used to draw the tags," Wik said. "We are still working through that process at the headquarters level."

[Woodchuck]

I feel for the folks with these permits and the sad part is, if the reinstate points it only makes point creep that much worse. Just can't win. 

[2MANY]

Its a bad deal all around with these fires and I feel bad for the folks who have these extremely coveted tags. I drew a Wenaha archery tag in 2007 the year after the last big fire when people who had tags didnt get to hunt during archery. Would it have been fair if I hadnt gotten to hunt that year because the previous guys had gotten a rain check? No and it also wouldnt have been the same hunt if there were twice the guys in there that year either if they had let us all hunt. Sure these are big units but trust me ALOT of the tagholders are spending most of there time in the same general areas and it is really a hunt you want to be special and not bumping into the other tagholder all the time. If there werent any of these fires and you had a tag and got in an accident today and broke your legs and couldnt hunt I'm sure you would be real happy if the state would let you get your points back because you couldnt hunt right? I really feel bad for you guys, heck I feel worse for Dave the outfitter and the mess he is in with hunts he has booked and trails and camps that will be a mess for years because mother nature threw us a nasty curve ball. Take your points back and hope you draw in the next few years it will be even better because thats all your gonna get and really thats all you should expect.

Oh my.

[coldsteel3d]

If I got in an accident and broke my legs I'd still figure out a way to be in the woods!  I'd make some kind of all terrain wheel chair! Or maybe ride a horse! But atleast I would have the opportunity to be in the woods or get my points back!

[71Shovelhead]

My Buddy has a Tucannon tag and we are scheduled to pack in with Dave Waldren on September 5th. We have been watching this situation very closely. Not sure whats going to happen. WDFW doesn't seem to know for sure what they are going to do. Oh well it only took 20 years to draw who knows.

[jackelope]

If I got in an accident and broke my legs I'd still figure out a way to be in the woods!  I'd make some kind of all terrain wheel chair! Or maybe ride a horse! But atleast I would have the opportunity to be in the woods or get my points back!

Can't have any wheels on the ground in a wilderness area.

[SkookumHntr]

Jackalope, work on not being a dip *censored*!

[jackelope]

Jackalope, work on not being a dip *censored*!

It was more intended to be a joke, to go with his joke. Hence his and my . 
But thanks for the tip.
Since we're on the topic though, and I'm being called a dip-something, you do know that that is a fact I assume, that wheeled anything inside the wilderness boundaries is illegal.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

If I got in an accident and broke my legs I'd still figure out a way to be in the woods!  I'd make some kind of all terrain wheel chair! Or maybe ride a horse! But atleast I would have the opportunity to be in the woods or get my points back!

Yep horse would work great in the wilderness. No wheels........

[idahohuntr]

Sounds pretty clear the only option will be reinstate points...no tags next year or hunt extension - which is what I expected and have been hearing.  If I were a tag holder - I would hold onto my tag to the bitter end and pray for substantial weather changes before season closes...unless you have a huge number of points and thus a reasonable shot at getting the tag again.  Sadly - looking at draw odds, if you only have 10 or so points, your odds of drawing this tag again, factoring in point creep...not real good.  Looking at the numbers, Wenaha East tag holders drew with 5, 5, 8, 9, 14, and 17 pts.  The guy with 17 and maybe the 14 would be about the only ones I would consider making sure I got my points back.

[SkookumHntr]

My weather ap on my phone has rain and the lows getting like really cold Wednesday and Thursday! It says lows 45 in centralia with rain? That would be snow in the mountains! Couldnt be !?

[buglebrush]

Didn't read the whole thread, but in my mind the best way to do this would be to reissue next year plus the regular amount.  Certainly wouldn't hurt to have double the amount for one year.  Same amount overall.  Should be simple really.