Mule deer season

[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.