End of the Monroe Spring Bear Tag... NOOOOOO

[luvmystang67]

It looks like Monroe is coming to an end.  Glad I was able to draw twice and fill two tags while it was available.



http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2017/08/aug0417_12_presentation.pdf

[h20hunter]

So my closest unit is Skagit. Shucks.

[bknilvr00]

Seems like a poorly validated pile of horse pucky to me. An entire unit closed so that it may spread out the hunting pressure? Are they gna bump permits up in the surrounding units? Seems rather short sighted to stop it completely vs lowering the number of permits available.

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[h20hunter]

Ok all you north western peeps....ve prepared for a "i drew a bear tag and need help" thread....coming to hunt wa spring of 2018 by yours truelly!

[D-Rock425]

 

[luvmystang67]

Did anyone draw more than 2x?

There are so many bears in that unit.  I expect it'll open back up again in the future.  Too much money at stake...

[h20hunter]

Nope.  Drew once. 2013. Killed an 8 1/2 year old boar.

[carpsniperg2]

Looks like Skagit is going to be flooded next year. Hoping I will have time next spring so I can burn some points and hopefully add another Skagit bear to the wall.

[bobcat]

Just like they eliminated the Capitol Forest spring bear permit several years ago- for absolutely no reason. At one time there were 100 permits, and I believe that was reduced to 50, and then just eliminated entirely. I doubt the bear population was reduced significantly, as success rates were relatively low. It makes no sense to go from 100 permits to ZERO. At least have 10 or 15, what would it hurt?

[saylean]

That's silly not to have a spring tag for that unit.

[Seahawk12]

"Reducing hunting pressure is recommended".
So, when did "reducing" become completely eliminating?
I don't hunt predators, but I think this is complete bs.
The state changed the regs for hinting bear a few years ago and the population has increased.
They have used the increased black bear population as one of the arguements for introducing more apex predators (griz) into Washington.
Their stories and justifications shift around to whatever suits their interests at the moment.
My only question is how are they going to exploit the problem of an exploding black bear population in the Monroe area in the next few years?

[h20hunter]

Bring back bait!

[Jpmiller]

Bring back bait!

Wouldn't that be nice. Sorry to see the unit closed. What a bummer.

[grundy53]

Ridiculous. They couldn't put a dent in the population in that area without baiting or dogs. Yet they want to reduce hunting pressure from boot hunters?

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[Pegasus]

My guess is that you will see a select group of hound hunters allowed to do the hunting along with their clients within a year to "manage" the population explosion.

[h20hunter]

I would pay to go on a hound hunt.

[Jpmiller]

I would pay to go on a hound hunt.

As would I. Always thought that would be a really fun experience. If I could do it without going to Idaho all the better.

I'd rather not lose the tags to gain the hounds though.

[kckrawler]

That's a real bummer. I drew twice, came real close, but never notched a tag.

I sure did enjoy driving up in areas that were not gated 20 years ago with the wife and kid and showing them my old high school stomping grounds....

[Jharristealth]

Man this just stinks. Have a few points built up but have never drawn this. Was hoping to chase bears some day in the spring in my fall spot. I noticed there was a change in land ownership in a general part of this area. Wonder if the new timberland owners have anything to do with the proposed change?

[Turner89]

I asked a game warden why they don't let the elk populate in 448. He told me the only reason is that the game dept doesn't want to pay the cost of managing the elk. That may be why they did away with it