New spring bear guidelines in 2018?

[DOUBLELUNG]

I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted.  It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is.  Just my 2 cents

Those bears eat way too many elk calves. I lived in Waitsburg and I have seen the damage that those bears do to the elk over there in the Blue's. I'm sorry but when there's 18 bears working one draw where cow elk are calving it's no good for the elk.  Choot em Elizabeth Choot em!

I suspect (purely my own speculation) that you have hit the nail on the head.  Washington has one of the largest bear populations in the lower 48, and they take a LOT of newborn fawns and calves that could grow up to be wolf food.  Increasing the deer and elk newborn survival will provide more forage for wolves, reducing wolf-livestock conflict and allowing the numbers to increase faster toward recovery criteria.  There might even be enough deer and elk leftover for hunters to take a few more, especially if the wolves nuke the coyotes in their pack territories.

[Katmai Guy]

I would like to see more permits for areas already being hunted and more areas opened up to spring  permit seasons, but I feel a general spring season will ruin the quality of the bear hunting experience.  My question is "why are deer and elk so much more important to have good hunting for than bears or say cougars?  It's all hunting and you can eat them all so what's the big deal?

[ctwiggs1]

A lot of suburban bear stories this year in the news.  OTC spring bear would be great. 

[ctwiggs1]

I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted.  It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is.  Just my 2 cents

LOL I highly doubt the wenaha will get over hunted.  99.99% of hunters won't make it .25 miles off the road

[buglebrush]

The reason they haven't gone OTC spring had nothing to do with management, and everything to do with money.   

[snake]

The entire state is infested with bear.  OTC please. 

[high country]

The reason they haven't gone OTC spring had nothing to do with management, and everything to do with money.   

Agreed. They could skirt this by selling a spring only tag. 6 bucks per drawing or 30 bucks per tag.....the tag would be the winner. If over harvest is a concern,  go to the late season cougar hotline type check in.

[winshooter88]

We talked about this a couple years ago in a GMAC meeting, the WDFW says it is worried about to much sow harvest in the spring with over the counter tags. without the use of hounds or baiting it is hard to tell sows from boars and there isn't much chance of hound hunting or baiting returning so the odds of spring over the counter bear tags is extremely slim.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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[trophyhunt]

I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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100% agree!

[lewy]

 

[jackmaster]

I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!

[trophyhunt]

I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!

Baiting permits would sell like hot cakes, but not sure if they want to battle the libs and anti's on this.  We need the conservation vote to pass in this state, where 60% or more is needed to mess with hunting and fishing laws to be passed.  Like the ban on baiting and dogs.

[ctwiggs1]

I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!

*sows - but I think that was banned by initiative, so unless you can get enough signatures on to get another one on the ballet, and then get enough people in King County drunk/high enough to vote in your favor on election night, it isn't happening in this state.

[buglebrush]

I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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100% Disagree on it being overhunted.  Isn't it funny how Washington and Idaho share a border, but everyone assumes that what works just across the border would never work here.  Just like the comment about too many sows getting shot.  I guess hunting just across the state line gives you super powers to discern between boars & sows.  Stop believing the lies!