The blues are closed...

[bobcat]

It depends on each individual permit. If it's an area where they could offer a later season, they might do that. That's what they did for me three years ago with the Winston early muzzleloader permit I had. They gave us two weeks to hunt in December. They could offer that as an option and if the person does not want to hunt the later season, then restore the points.

[jackelope]

So did the state give the archery tag holders an official answer about your season in the BLues(wilderness units)?  I have heard lots of rumors.

I was told today that nothing is official yet but archery hunts in the Wenaha are unlikely to happen at this point.

[jackelope]

It depends on each individual permit. If it's an area where they could offer a later season, they might do that. That's what they did for me three years ago with the Winston early muzzleloader permit I had. They gave us two weeks to hunt in December. They could offer that as an option and if the person does not want to hunt the later season, then restore the points.

Was that a cow tag?

I'd be hot if I drew an archery bull tag in the rut and I couldn't hunt. Especially if I was given a hunt in October or November or something like that after the rut.

[trophyhunt]

So did the state give the archery tag holders an official answer about your season in the BLues(wilderness units)?  I have heard lots of rumors.

I was told today that nothing is official yet but archery hunts in the Wenaha are unlikely to happen at this point.

That is a major bummer!! In the past I don't believe they give permits for the next year, just points back possibly?

[bobcat]

Yes it was a cow permit. That's why I said, it could just be an option and if you don't want to take it, get your points back and hope to draw next year.

[cbond3318]

The wake of all this needs to stay within this season.

[Big6bull]

I don't think it's fair to give them the permit for next year. We all take the risk hunting early archery. And should know before hand what the possible senarios could be. Points back for units that are 100 % unhuntable should be garenteed... Just my opinion

[Firedogg]

 I put this in the other thread about the Wenaha fire....

  This is how Oregon is handling their tag holders.


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.”

[Curly]

Since oregon has a preference point system, those guys will most likely be able to draw next year. In Washington, with the bonus point system the permit holders may never draw again in their lifetime..............
 

[BLUEBULLS]

I don't think it's fair to give them the permit for next year. We all take the risk hunting early archery. And should know before hand what the possible senarios could be. Points back for units that are 100 % unhuntable should be garenteed... Just my opinion

True for a lot of tags. I've literally been snowed out of an area before, as have others. I fell for the tagholders but that's the life when an event like this takes place.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Lewiston Tribune just had this on their 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."

[Drop-tine]

Is the lick creek unit closed for early archery? If not does anyone know if they are giving points back?

[MichaelD]

Last I saw about 70% was closed.  You can see the boundaries at the usfs site.  Sorry I don't have the link.  The tucannon fire closed the road from Pomeroy but I am not sure of the fire status this morning.  My brother said the opened the road out of pomeroy this morning.

[coldsteel3d]

Does anyone know if any of this wet stuff is making it all the way over there? Our hunt is supposed to open Saturday morning but they still have not let us know what our options are. 

[Drop-tine]

Ok thank you any information helps! Hope our points don't just get taken when we don't get to hunt the unit...