GMU 101 ITS FINISHED... (NEW PROPOSAL)

[TeacherMan]

Think about that statement. Bow hunters only get one unit during the rut rifle hunters get 105-124. Has nothing to do with being spoiled. The reason that 101 is a trophy unit is because rifle hunters haven't been able to hunt in it. Nothing against rifle hunters, I hunted rifle this year, I killd a nice buck in the rut, I realize how easy it is.

[PolarBear]

Now that I have thought about it a little, I say bring it on.  I don't hunt until the last week of late archery and I doubt if the rifle hunters will do much more than push the big bucks farther back into where I hunt.  Besides, most of the hunters that are looking for an easy rut hunt won't be getting out of their rigs in the cold except to piss.

[Backstraps]

My thoughts exactly PB!

[TeacherMan]

Thats so true   I have been in the woods so many times and had people drive buy talking so loud and listening to the radio that I can hear them 200 yds. into the woods. Oh and of course they never see you up in the woods. Makes you think...   All said and done PolarBear you are correct I will still get a nice deer next year, but I (personally) still think it will have an impact. My biggest buck was shot on the 19th in 101, but it wasn't on the road either.

[Sneaky]

Think about that statement. Bow hunters only get one unit during the rut rifle hunters get 105-124. Has nothing to do with being spoiled. The reason that 101 is a trophy unit is because rifle hunters haven't been able to hunt in it. Nothing against rifle hunters, I hunted rifle this year, I killd a nice buck in the rut, I realize how easy it is.

The rut doesn't even hardly start until the last day of the rifle season. It's always been that way. Bowhunters are allowed to hunt in the same units rifle hunters have already hunted in, and routinely take nice bucks. I really don't think it will have as much of an impact as people are thinking

You guys do have a point about the silly road hunters though. :p

[PolarBear]

The mulies will be rutting but the whities seem to start just before Thanksgiving.  They wont be all horned up for the rifle hunt.  I wonder how many big, rutting mule bucks will be shot because of temptation or misidentification?

[TeacherMan]

I thought the same thing...I've seen some pigs!!!!!!!! that time of year. Coming back over Boulder this year on our way back from 105 on the 12th of Nov we saw a FREAK of a buck standing in the road could care less about us. Not to many times you can get within 20 FEET of a true mature monster mule deer. The funny part my camera was sitting between the seats and I was so amazed by the animal I forgot it was even there. 

[Elkstuffer]

In regards to some of the comments on this post, I think we may have a anti among us or just a 12 year old that knows everything. Hopefully in time they will learn the purpose of a sportsman is to be a conservationist and preserve what we have for future generations.

I agree! Time to just ignore a certain few no-it-all posters.

[huntnphool]

BoneIt, I have been following each post on this forum and its becoming very clear that you are intent on stiring the pot at every opportunity. Please try and contribute something positive as its getting rather monotonous, thanks.

[Colville]

Hunting in 101 won't be destroyed with a later rifle hunt. But that's an argument that can be made for having a late whitetail hunt in all the units from 101 to the cascade crest. I think it's clear that the Dept isn't trying to stimulate mule deer by depressing whitetails or they would have made a B tag any whitetail out of the Methow. No one is going to eradicate the whitetails.

But, it's fair to say that some of 101 has more open ground and blocky access. What can happen with this hunt is a reduction in quality and hunters creating pressure where it never was historically potentially moving some of those deer archers have been chasing for a long time to private. The fact is that deer will survive and thrive in the 101 even with a late season but the overall quality and experience of the later archers will diminish. It's a battler between 2 separate user groups: Archers/Rifle, QM/Opportunity.

Everyone knows I tend to favor opportunity, but there are late opps now and I while this would improve distribution I don't think every single place that can sustain a late rifle hunt should necessarily have one but I don't have a reasonable measure by which to say which should/should not. In the end the game are a resource and lots of people don't mind chasing average deer.

[No Bull]

After reading every post in this thread, I’ve came to the conclusion that about 95% of the comments concerning the 101 area are how it affects the author  personally.( whining in some cases). It seems to me that  the contributors need to band together and promote the responsible utilization of this precious resource, and curb the childish attitude  of  I’ll fill my bag and the he-- with the rest of you. I have never hunted in this area and never intend too, but we have all seen the results of over utilization and then a hard winter or two. Hunting is a sport where a major part is the anticipation of seeing a large mature animal and matching wits with this animal, so don’t overuse this precious resource solely for personal gratification , ON A ONE TIME BASIS.

[Little John]

AMEN to that No Bull!!!!!

[Colville]

Hunting is a sport where a major part is the anticipation of seeing a large mature animal and...

That's the problem bull. In fact there is major disagreement about your premise. Surveys show that far more people are concerned with hunting opportunity rather than "mature" animals. People on hunting message boards tend to lien QM but they aren't the masses. They'd rather have decent odds at any buck than reduce opportunity but have more "mature" animals less frequently. There is no "we" in this respect in hunting there are decidedly opposed user groups both in quality and weapon type. Fact is that 101 or any other unit for that matter can be managed either way, just not both. Either QM limited late opportunity or max opportunity but reduced quality. They're equally valid, just diametrically opposed.

[TeacherMan]

I guess only time will tell, yes I've kept pretty good tabs on this post. Sorry if you think that I've been "whining" from my point I don't think I've been whining, I just feel really frustrated because I live in the area so some whining may have come out. Not on purpose, sorry for that Overall there isn't much that I can do. But Colville does some it up nicely when he stated that there are two types of hunts/hunting areas: QM areas, a better chance at getting a mature deer, not as many taken and areas that you have high success rates, few mature animals. The conservation side of me wants quality. I live in the area so I see these animals all the time and I know where to hunt. I can see where someone that only gets to spend 4 days a year in the field would just like to see an animal that they can shoot. I grew up in Auburn and I remember as a kid getting really excited seeing and harvesting a spike or any non-mature animal. I would rather let those animals go now and look for that mature animal, to me it's taking it to the next level and I have the time.

[finnman]

Good post Colville, certainly the truth that not all are "TROPHY" minded when it comes to hunting deer. Some tend to forget that for most hunters its about time with family, spent in a place they cherish and are happy to just get a deer.
Already looking forward to this fall!