2017 General Rifle Season

[milldozer]

Will the opener be Saturday Oct. 14th?

Cheers.

[bobcat]

Yes

[milldozer]

Great, thanks bobcat. 

[powderbounder]

For the eastside are they adding the two extra days again? Thanks PB

[bobcat]

This is the third year out of three for which the seasons have already been set, so yes, nothing should change from what it's been the last two years. The mule deer season will be October 14-24.

[Boss .300 winmag]

This is the third year out of three for which the seasons have already been set, so yes, nothing should change from what it's been the last two years. The mule deer season will be October 14-24.

That's to early, it's needs to start the weekend after that. 

[MtnMuley]

LOL, won't make a difference up here on what you see. Hard to kill what isn't there regardless of dates

[bobcat]

With how bad this winter is starting out, I'm already debating if I even want to buy a deer tag in Washington this year.

[timberfaller]

LOL, won't make a difference up here on what you see. Hard to kill what isn't there regardless of dates

    

Everyone I talked to during the general season asked the same question, "Where are all the deer at?  WDFW told us it would be as good as last year because their 3 point of better was working"

[MtnMuley]

LOL, won't make a difference up here on what you see. Hard to kill what isn't there regardless of dates

    

Everyone I talked to during the general season asked the same question, "Where are all the deer at?  WDFW told us it would be as good as last year because their 3 point of better was working"

Actually, the 3 pt. or better rule has greatly helped up here. The later season dates and added couple days to go along with back to back epic winter range fires, couple thousand extra doe tags, increased predation due to lack opportunity, and a horrible winter has gotten to where we're at now. Time for WDFW and Scotty boy to swallow some pride and help this herd out even if it might be too late.

[huntnphool]

LOL, won't make a difference up here on what you see. Hard to kill what isn't there regardless of dates

    

Everyone I talked to during the general season asked the same question, "Where are all the deer at?  WDFW told us it would be as good as last year because their 3 point of better was working"

Actually, the 3 pt. or better rule has greatly helped up here. The later season dates and added couple days to go along with back to back epic winter range fires, couple thousand extra doe tags, increased predation due to lack opportunity, and a horrible winter has gotten to where we're at now. Time for WDFW and Scotty boy to swallow some pride and help this herd out even if it might be too late.

 While I agree with most of that, I do not believe the additional two weekdays has had much effect at all. I've hunted the Methow the last four days of the general these last two years and have had very little company out there on those Monday and Tuesday's.

[Skyvalhunter]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

[7mmfan]

This will be the 2nd year that we don't hunt our usual local in the Methow. Not that the 1 or 2 deer we would potentially take would make a big overall difference, but its just sad to see the shape the herd is in compared to what we're used to. I'll keep killing Idaho's deer and blacktail at home.

[Skyvalhunter]

All I can say is write WDFW and voice your concern

[huntnphool]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

 

[bigmacc]

The Methow herd needs some help, period! The 3 point or better has helped but like what some have said,there are a lot of different factors that have contributed to the downfall of this once thriving herd. IMHO they need to go to a draw only, way to much pressure besides all the other issues. Go to a draw or let only a certain amount in there based on some sort of odd/even year of birth or wild ID ending number or make it to where you can only hunt it every other year and then another group hunts it the other. Something needs to be done, it,s a shame what has become of this herd and yes, there are some on here that knows this is the truth unfortunately.

[huntnphool]

The Methow herd needs some help, period! The 3 point or better has helped but like what some have said,there are a lot of different factors that have contributed to the downfall of this once thriving herd. IMHO they need to go to a draw only, way to much pressure besides all the other issues. Go to a draw or let only a certain amount in there based on some sort of odd/even year of birth or wild ID ending number or make it to where you can only hunt it every other year and then another group hunts it the other. Something needs to be done, it,s a shame what has become of this herd and yes, there are some on here that knows this is the truth unfortunately.

 I'd be okay with that, make Chili, Alta, Pearry, Gardner, Chewuch and Pogue draw only units. If you draw, you sit out the following year, similar to some of the Idaho draw only units. No point accumulation either.

[bigmacc]

The Methow herd needs some help, period! The 3 point or better has helped but like what some have said,there are a lot of different factors that have contributed to the downfall of this once thriving herd. IMHO they need to go to a draw only, way to much pressure besides all the other issues. Go to a draw or let only a certain amount in there based on some sort of odd/even year of birth or wild ID ending number or make it to where you can only hunt it every other year and then another group hunts it the other. Something needs to be done, it,s a shame what has become of this herd and yes, there are some on here that knows this is the truth unfortunately.

 I'd be okay with that, make Chili, Alta, Pearry, Gardner, Chewuch and Pogue draw only units. If you draw, you sit out the following year, similar to some of the Idaho draw only units. No point accumulation either.

 ....There ya go phool. I think a lot of folks agree that something needs to be done. This particular herd is getting slammed from a lot of different directions, more and more hunting pressure, huge increase in preditor numbers, fires, tough winters, human encroachment, loss of habitat, doe shoots. I like the draw only idea also, open those units up for a 2week season like they used to but only draw 100 to 150 tags per unit, 3point or better and then (whenever they think they need to) throw in some youth doe tags for the first week only. There are a lot of ideas out there and some are a lot different than others but like a lot of us have said.......something needs to be done

[bobcat]

The problem with making few units draw only is that the pressure then gets shifted to other units. So what really needs to happen is we need draw only for ALL mule deer hunting.

[huntnphool]

The problem with making few units draw only is that the pressure then gets shifted to other units. So what really needs to happen is we need draw only for ALL mule deer hunting.

 Then you put added pressure on the west side and whitetail.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Unless you have to pick your poison.

[DBLDWN]

Axe multi season tags, and declare east or west side tag just like elk.

[Jimmy33]

Axe multi season tags, and declare east or west side tag just like elk.

Agreed...and go to a draw system that mirrors Idaho. Copy their draw system word for word.


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[bigmacc]

Unless you have to pick your poison.

OK!

[bigmacc]

Axe multi season tags, and declare east or west side tag just like elk.

OK! again!

[bigmacc]

Axe multi season tags, and declare east or west side tag just like elk.

Agreed...and go to a draw system that mirrors Idaho. Copy their draw system word for word.


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Yes sir

[pcal]

 For those who want to kill off what is equivalent to black friday to the businesses in Twisp,Winthrop and stores in Eastern Washington by shutting down OTC muledeer hunting:  :bdid:I and my son seen 4 nice bucks on the few days that allowed us to,due to heavy rain and snow and fog.Talking to the group who skins deer for free (tips excepted)in Twisp they were down 30% from the last few years so those suggestion of gutting the local economy to help the deer might be not just wrong but way too extreme.I shot a nice 2x3 and less than 20 minutes later a 4x4 came through almost in the same path.My son shot a 5x5 that was leading the way of my buck and then filmed a 4x5 for 10 minutes with his cell phone that came up from the canyon below us.I have that buck video transfered to my phone as proof.We do need to go after the predators as I seen way more bear and cat tracks in my areas than in the past.

[huntnphool]

For those who want to kill off what is equivalent to black friday to the businesses in Twisp,Winthrop and stores in Eastern Washington by shutting down OTC muledeer hunting:  :bdid:I and my son seen 4 nice bucks on the few days that allowed us to,due to heavy rain and snow and fog.Talking to the group who skins deer for free (tips excepted)in Twisp they were down 30% from the last few years so those suggestion of gutting the local economy to help the deer might be not just wrong but way too extreme.I shot a nice 2x3 and less than 20 minutes later a 4x4 came through almost in the same path.My son shot a 5x5 that was leading the way of my buck and then filmed a 4x5 for 10 minutes with his cell phone that came up from the canyon below us.I have that buck video transfered to my phone as proof.We do need to go after the predators as I seen way more bear and cat tracks in my areas than in the past.

 Congrats on your success.

 Are you seriously suggesting that the priority of the herd be placed behind the local businesses? If the local businesses are that dependent on the hunting season, wouldn't that just be postponing the inevitable, with the herd declining year after year?

[wsmnut]

Axe multi season tags, and declare east or west side tag just like elk.

Agreed...and go to a draw system that mirrors Idaho. Copy their draw system word for word.

I'd like to see these changes  as well as see Fish and Game shorten the season a bit in recognition of a problem.  The communities of the Methow have adjusted and survived nearly snowless winters (fewer skiers, etc.) and the Carlton Complex fire.
They can handle a few less hunters leaving money behind. 
Question then becomes "Can the local game manager handle it?"  Does he recognize that there is a problem?  Doubtful.


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Yes sir

[huntnphool]

Can the local game manager handle it? Does he recognize that there is a problem?

@Mtnmuley

 ......Grabbing the popcorn!

[MtnMuley]

Ha. You're talking about a guy who in no way is what I would call a "game manager". He's far too concerned with his fisher, wolverine, grizzly, and wolf work to even be able to spell the word ungulate.

[Cuernos1]

Damn wolves can't count 3 pts

[bigmacc]

Damn wolves can't count 3 pts

Same deal with the cats and bears, We,ve seen more of both of them in the last 10 years than we have seen in the last 50!!

[bigmacc]

About 7 years ago(give or take) on a spring scouting trip in the Methow, we seen 2 cougars and a bear in a 4 day stretch, the bear had a fawn hanging out of its mouth that looked to be a week or two old as it lumbered down a small ridge. We went back later that summer(early sept.) into a different area at a different elevation and ran into 2 more cats. Now I,m hearing about Grizzly,s. Hopefully somebody gets this figured out.....

[Elkcollector82]

Move the any buck gmu to a 2pt or better. Give out youth tags for any buck. Also make cougar hunting year round. Take the controlled hound hunts for cougar and expand there areas they can hunt. Not just a 2 mile radius.  Actually just bring back the hound hunting for cats and bears. But good luck on them granola eaters in Seattle area voting that back in.  if every hunter put in the effort to predator hunting. Like they do deer/elk hunting. That would even help out.  You look at what the other neighboring states do and see the game populations thrive. WDFW couldn't manage themselves out of a wet paper sack. Little lone manage the wildlife in Washington. Just my 

Rant over.

[hirshey]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

I think the fires, coupled with the extra days, and a coinciding early rut in 2015 really knocked back those big buck numbers up the Methow anyways... with no cover after the fire and the animals coming down early, what did we expect? I'm glad it won't be the following week... we don't need a "quality hunt" to coincide with general season dates.

[huntnphool]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

I'm glad it won't be the following week... we don't need a "quality hunt" to coincide with general season dates.

 Huh?

[hirshey]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

I'm glad it won't be the following week... we don't need a "quality hunt" to coincide with general season dates.

 Huh?

I feel like the general rifle season already is close enough in timeframe to see rut activity depending on the season, so I'm glad it is the week stated, rather than the following week. 2015 had so many big bucks harvested for a multitude of reasons, one being that it had high rut activity, making it almost a "general season quality buck tag" in my opinion.

[huntnphool]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

I'm glad it won't be the following week... we don't need a "quality hunt" to coincide with general season dates.

 Huh?

I feel like the general rifle season already is close enough in timeframe to see rut activity depending on the season, so I'm glad it is the week stated, rather than the following week. 2015 had so many big bucks harvested for a multitude of reasons, one being that it had high rut activity, making it almost a "general season quality buck tag" in my opinion.

 Ok, what gave you the idea I wanted the week the season ran changed?

[hirshey]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

I'm glad it won't be the following week... we don't need a "quality hunt" to coincide with general season dates.

 Huh?

I feel like the general rifle season already is close enough in timeframe to see rut activity depending on the season, so I'm glad it is the week stated, rather than the following week. 2015 had so many big bucks harvested for a multitude of reasons, one being that it had high rut activity, making it almost a "general season quality buck tag" in my opinion.

 Ok, what gave you the idea I wanted the week the season ran changed?

Didn't say you did... I was simply adding my speculations as to why there were "no more deer" there, and agreeing the two extra days were not the issue insomuch as a combination of other factors.

[huntnphool]

That's because there's no more deer left there.

 Regardless, the point is the additional two weekdays had little impact on that problem.

 As Mtnmuley stated, ridiculous amount of additional doe tags, back to back fires, lack of predation control, and I'll also add FAR TOO MANY LATE TAGS are the biggest issues.

I'm glad it won't be the following week... we don't need a "quality hunt" to coincide with general season dates.

 Huh?

I feel like the general rifle season already is close enough in timeframe to see rut activity depending on the season, so I'm glad it is the week stated, rather than the following week. 2015 had so many big bucks harvested for a multitude of reasons, one being that it had high rut activity, making it almost a "general season quality buck tag" in my opinion.

 Ok, what gave you the idea I wanted the week the season ran changed?

Didn't say you did... I was simply adding my speculations as to why there were "no more deer" there, and agreeing the two extra days were not the issue insomuch as a combination of other factors.

   

[hunter399]

If I had my way the east side of the state would be 4 point min for whitetail+muledeer,after about 4-6 years you would see some giants come from washington.And yes chose which side of the state you want to hunt deer like elk.

[bigmacc]

If I had my way the east side of the state would be 4 point min for whitetail+muledeer,after about 4-6 years you would see some giants come from washington.And yes chose which side of the state you want to hunt deer like elk.

Well, I don't know about a 4 point min. but I agree that something needs to be done. Yes some giants could come out of this state, they once did, and yes, every once in awhile they still do. Back in the days of my grandparents and great grandparents(1918-1950,s) they took some monsters out of this valley. 

[huntnphool]

If I had my way the east side of the state would be 4 point min for whitetail+muledeer,after about 4-6 years you would see some giants come from washington.And yes chose which side of the state you want to hunt deer like elk.

 Actually you wouldn't. A 4 point APR would focus all hunters on mature bucks, which would be detrimental to the herd.*

[MADMAX]

In regards to the Winthrop area

seems to me that most of the deer in the valley have figured out private land

Lots of does now never migrate, they stay on the valley floor all year

Many bucks were seen by my group during archery and rifle,they were  just standing behind no trespassing or no hunting signage

[dmoua]

If I had my way the east side of the state would be 4 point min for whitetail+muledeer,after about 4-6 years you would see some giants come from washington.And yes chose which side of the state you want to hunt deer like elk.

 Actually you wouldn't. A 4 point APR would focus all hunters on mature bucks, which would be detrimental to the herd.*

  I have yet to see any big bucks after the 4 pt min a few years ago.