Mule deer season

[blackdog]

Would you support mule deer modern rifle season opening a week later than usual?

[SWHUNTER]

No. Why?

[WAcoueshunter]

No.  Can't see a scenario where that's a good idea. 

[mburrows]

Negative

[crabcreekhunter]

Nope.  No way.  Bad idea.

[Bigshooter]

Yes.  It use to run into mid November or maybe later up until the mid 90's and then they shortened it because of a couple bad winter kills.  I don't think running it to the end of October is going to hurt anything.

[bearpaw]

Would you support mule deer modern rifle season opening a week later than usual?

Does that mean opening a week later and closing a week later for the same length season, or opening a week later and closing the same time for a shorter season?

[jdb]

I would support them closing mule deer hunting in all 300 series gmu's

[blackdog]

Same length season, just a week later.

[bobcat]

I would support them closing mule deer hunting in all 300 series gmu's

 

[cbond3318]

I would support them closing mule deer hunting in all 300 series gmu's

 

I assume you would exclude 381, 379 and 373 from this closure?

[WAcoueshunter]

Yes.  It use to run into mid November or maybe later up until the mid 90's and then they shortened it because of a couple bad winter kills.  I don't think running it to the end of October is going to hurt anything.

Yeah, I disagree.  End of October flirts with the migration and rut.  2015 was an early migration/rut and it was a slaughter with a season that ended on 10/26, just once.  Would be just that much worse with a 10/31 end date every year.  There's a reason the Quality tags start on 11/1.  Maybe wouldn't make a big difference in those units that don't have a migration.

[WARHORSE]

Not a chance!!! The herd is still hurting from the last later season!

[The scout]

I defanitely think something needs to change, but I wouldn't think it would be fair if only we would change our seasons. The natives would have to change as well, wich imop will never happen. It would end up exactly like the salmon runs in the local rivers, sportsman get there season's cut back year after year yet salmon numbers keep declining. Weird

[csaaphill]

Yes.  It use to run into mid November or maybe later up until the mid 90's and then they shortened it because of a couple bad winter kills.  I don't think running it to the end of October is going to hurt anything.

but depending though. I do kind of remember deer season being longer into almost NOV then elk starting in Nov instead of late Oct. so yeah maybe.
I think it started about where it does now around the 9th or so then running into about the 26th or so. Elk would start about the 7th and go into the end of close to end of NOV so again yeah maybe.

[Skyvalhunter]

It was just changed later during the last evaluation process for the current time frame. Why would anyone want to decimate the herd when it is in trouble as it is. Some of them need to be closed as it is

[grundy53]

No, it would be a slaughter. Our herds can't take that.

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[fishngamereaper]

No, it would be a slaughter. Our herds can't take that.

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[Igor]

Are there any reliable statistics on numbers of deer hunters on the East side now vs. say 35 years ago?  Deer season used to be 5-6 weeks long, or so, and run until Nov 12-13 on the East side.  Are the problems we are experiencing with low numbers of mule deer due to increased pressure by virtue of more hunters, or something else?

[grundy53]

Are there any reliable statistics on numbers of deer hunters on the East side now vs. say 35 years ago?  Deer season used to be 5-6 weeks long, or so, and run until Nov 12-13 on the East side.  Are the problems we are experiencing with low numbers of mule deer due to increased pressure by virtue of more hunters, or something else?

Loss of habit, lack of predator control, too many doe tags, fires burning up winter range.

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[JimmyHoffa]

I've read on here before where if someone hunts muleys and doesn't get one then they head back west for blacktail for the last week.  So, if that is the case I could say maybe if the blacktail get a break.  (But I doubt the blacktail need a break like the muleys--or so I've read on here.)  The hunters could still hunt blacktail in the first week and probably only plan to shoot a big one since muley season is the next week.

[Gringo31]

This suggestion would only increase harvest rates for the first year or two.  After that, it would go down the drain......as well as quality.   

[bearpaw]

The big issue I see with being a week later is that the deer begin to rut and depending on weather may be migrating. After this hard winter and other recent issues negatively impacting the deer herds, I would think herds probably need a chance to rebuild numbers. I would think that currently we would be better off reducing harvest for a year or two rather than potentially increasing harvest with a later season. When herds build back up that would be a good time to increase opportunity until the herds take another hard hit and then if might be a good idea to reduce harvest again so they can rebuild numbers.   

[ctwiggs1]

The big issue I see with being a week later is that the deer begin to rut and depending on weather may be migrating. After this hard winter and other recent issues negatively impacting the deer herds, I would think herds probably need a chance to rebuild numbers. I would think that currently we would be better off reducing harvest for a year or two rather than potentially increasing harvest with a later season. When herds build back up that would be a good time to increase opportunity until the herds take another hard hit and then if might be a good idea to reduce harvest again so they can rebuild numbers.   

Dale, it sounds like you're calling for effective wildlife management.  In Washington.

[Ironhead]

Are there any reliable statistics on numbers of deer hunters on the East side now vs. say 35 years ago?  Deer season used to be 5-6 weeks long, or so, and run until Nov 12-13 on the East side.  Are the problems we are experiencing with low numbers of mule deer due to increased pressure by virtue of more hunters, or something else?

We also have rifles and scopes capable of shooting 1000 yards plus, range finders, excellent optics, your avg. hunter is more hardcore, bows are shooting well over 300 fps, more accurate muzzleloaders. Over all, hunters are a lot  more technologically advanced than we were 35 years ago. 

[Larry S.]

No. See other similar comments. I watched what happened in 2015. I'd rather the season always be about "hunting" than "shooting." Do not lengthen or move the dates.