Archery High Buck Hunt August 15th-August 30th

[WashingtonBackcountry]

I would like the WDFG to add a draw tag in the "buck" category for a high buck hunt in the same areas as the general rifle high buck hunt from 8/15-8/30. If you agree please comment on the following link under the 2015 deer special permits by Feb 25th. Not sure how far the word goes but it would be good to get it on the WDFG radar. Thank you to all who comment.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/hunting_regulations/index.php

[shanevg]

Love this idea.  Probably won't happen this year or anytime soon, but you're right - sometimes all it takes is getting it onto WDFW's radar and they start thinking about it and maybe add it. 

Here is what I said for anyone who is willing to copy-paste it into the comment section.   If 20-30 or even 100 hunters all comment on a similar topic, they will hear about it.

"Would love to see WDFW add a high buck archery permit option.  Many states allow archery hunting in August in specific units.  Currently, WA does not have an archery unit in many of the high buck hunts and no August deer hunting in the entire state.  Would love to see a limited number of tags added as a buck or quality buck permit for an August 15-30 archery buck permit."

[theslice]

Submitted as well, great idea. 

[WA1232]

I also submitted this comment. Great idea, would be a fun hunt.

[jstone]

That is a great idea

[MarkTrail]

Be careful what you wish for. By adding more early opportunity you will end up losing something on the late season end. That being said, it would be run more in line with the other western states.  I say go for it.

[Ridgerunner]

I think the state has something that prohibits deer and elk seasons before Sept. 1st.  Good idea but I doubt it will get any traction. 

Lets create a new permit only high hunt for the sawtooth wilderness area.  Who's in on that?

[X-Force]

I think the state has something that prohibits deer and elk seasons before Sept. 1st.  Good idea but I doubt it will get any traction. 

Lets create a new permit only high hunt for the sawtooth wilderness area.  Who's in on that?

I was wondering about Sept. opening because when I looked at a local tribes regs their elk and deer seasons also started Sept 1st.

[UBA]

Great idea. Would have a lot better shot at getting one in full velvet. Seems they always rub the first week of sept.

[muleracks]

If velvet covered antlers is the goal, an earlier start makes good sense.  That is about the only reason I see for opening early.  The traditional Sept. 1st opening allows us to take our bows into the Wilderness areas with two weeks of hunting before the MF (high hunt) starts on Sept. 15th.

[shanevg]

If velvet covered antlers is the goal, an earlier start makes good sense.  That is about the only reason I see for opening early.  The traditional Sept. 1st opening allows us to take our bows into the Wilderness areas with two weeks of hunting before the MF (high hunt) starts on Sept. 15th.

Bucks are just more in the open in August while they are in velvet which is part of the reason.  I also know that at least Pasayten does not have an archery season (I honestly don't know about the other wilderness areas.)  That's the other reason for it.

[WashingtonBackcountry]

If velvet covered antlers is the goal, an earlier start makes good sense.  That is about the only reason I see for opening early.  The traditional Sept. 1st opening allows us to take our bows into the Wilderness areas with two weeks of hunting before the MF (high hunt) starts on Sept. 15th.

Bucks are just more in the open in August while they are in velvet which is part of the reason.  I also know that at least Pasayten does not have an archery season (I honestly don't know about the other wilderness areas.)  That's the other reason for it.

Yes, some of the the wilderness units are not open and I agree with Shanevg they are out in the open more. They tend to disappear once the velvet comes off. Hopefully there is enough people who comment on the WDFW site that they will consider it. I think I will try to pitch the idea at one of the local meetings.

[Bill W]

I was in on the high hunt a few years ago and one of the fellow hunters was a "twanger'.  He ended up with a P&Y mule deer in an area that's very popular and easy to get to.

[shanevg]

I'm well aware that archery hunters can hunt during rifle season but nearly every state in the west offers at least some limited early hunt options in August when success and opportunity is better for the relatively low success archers. I can't imagine that giving a limited number of tags for archers in any of those units would have any serious impact on populations but the opportunity to hunt deer in August would be awesome.

[kodiak 907]

Alaska's deer season starts August 1st and the bucks are in large bachelor groups and can be easy pickings. Summer coats make them very visible from a long way off.

But, harvesting a buck while his antlers are still growing isn't my thing. Filling the freezer with summer venison is awesome though.

There is nothing like a big pre rut blacktail buck. Prime cape and dark head gear.