Washington State Mule Deer Hunting Future (poll)

[huntnphool]

Good stuff guys, both ways.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Go to 4 point or better modern, 3 point or better archery, no doe tags for anyone. Start managing the predators.

[trapp01]

I voted no. I fear reducing opportunity to hunt (draw only) would reduce hunter recruitment, which is the future of the sport, also reducing revenue. Draw only for mule deer would only bolster buck to doe ratios. If you really would like to see herd numbers rise then slash antlerless hunts and increase predator harvest.

[lunchbox]

I've lived in Okanogan county for 39 years and it's the worst i've ever seen it for mule deer numbers. Even across the river in Douglas county it's bad real bad!!

[Smokepole]

Cut back on doe tags.  Hunt more predators.  Get rid of wolves entirely.  Reduce special hunt opportunities temporarily.  Kill the high buck hunt for a couple years.  Cut back the duration of archery seasons.  Open the general rifle season earlier, and reduce it to 7-9 days for mule deer.

Also increase fines for poaching and wildlife harassment.  Use high fines to curb mortality from domestic dogs. 

We need to do a lot of these things to protect the mule deer.  They aren't very adaptable.   

[Bigshooter]

I voted yes because something needs to be done.  But I don't see how reducing buck harvest grows herds.  In fact I've read tons of the opposite to be true, that to many bucks can hurt herd health.  The Gunnison Basin in CO is a prime example of that.  CO in general is a good example.

[Deerelk37]

Increase predator harvest. Perhaps by allowing bait again or offering second tags to those few who do harvest a predator. Manage the wolves with a regional quota (has anyone see the map of "packs"?)

 I am in favor of choosing east or west or reducing mule deer rifle to even one weekend through the following friday. Tbh I am in favor of anything the game dept will actually do...before it's too late. I haven't hunted mule deer since 2015-I can't ask to solve a problem, if I am part of it.

[huntnphool]

 I hope those of you proposing wolf hunts, don't want more wolves in this state than we have now.

[Special T]

The Crux of this problem is evident in so many peoples posts. A huge component of this issue is not under sportmens control. Many are mistaken that we can effect some meaningful change by altering the small portion we can control. If only it were that easy.

Part of the issue  IMO is that many are willing to dedicate a huge amount of time to hunting Deer and Elk but that is not the case with predator hunting, with exception of a few hunters.

[Deerelk37]

The Crux of this problem is evident in so many peoples posts. A huge component of this issue is not under sportmens control. Many are mistaken that we can effect some meaningful change by altering the small portion we can control. If only it were that easy.

Part of the issue  IMO is that many are willing to dedicate a huge amount of time to hunting Deer and Elk but that is not the case with predator hunting, with exception of a few hunters.

I have had the same thought lately. I plan on doing some coyote hunting this winter, I figure I need something to do and anything to help the deer and elk populations I am down for. I went out bear hunting for the first time this year but didn't see a bear. I would harvest one every year if I could. It was kind of a daunting task this year as I had no clue where to start. If anyone on here would be willing to take me out next year or give me some pointers I would graciously oblige. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I voted no mainly because of the "hope and change" lack of specificity in the poll mentioned previously.  That doesn't mean I would not favor certain changes.  I do believe we can continue to hunt buck mule deer every year under 3-point or better, without negatively affecting herd size or herd health.  I would like to see multiseason deer permit hunting done away with for mule deer, with relatively small harvest opportunities with depressed herds we don't need one subgroup with greater opportunities.   

I would like to see herd management prioritized over the current emphasis on opportunity and resource allocation.  Currently, herd managers have their hands tied by efforts to equalize success between user groups, that means it is nearly impossible with mule deer specifically to have archers have enough success without allowing antlerless harvest.  Same goes for pressure for increased harvest opportunities for youth, senior, disabled, and enough antlerless and second deer permits areas to get hunters to buy the special permit applications ($$$).  All of those are fine when numbers are high, the problem is they don't go away when numbers are down.  Prioritize protecting the reproductive segment of the herds over equalizing success between user groups and providing doe harvest opportunities.

I would like to see all mule deer hunting, general and special permit, end before the rut.  Over time this will increase the quality of general hunt trophy opportunities; more important, it will allow deer to breed and not expend precious energy avoiding hunters right before going into winter.  Better condition deer after November means higher winter survival, heavier birth weights, and may allow better mate selection by does.  Bona fide agricultural damage can be addressed on a case by case basis administered by WDFW's damage control specialists. 

I would like to see all public land winter ranges closed to motorized access December through March.  Including snowmobiles.  It continues to amaze me that this state - including the USFS - allow running snow mobiles on crucial winter ranges.   

I would encourage more mule deer hunters to take up serious predator hunting - if you want predator control, that is the ONLY way it is going to happen given Washington's human population.  The government isn't going to do it. 

I would like to see the USFS have success in not diverting their resource management funding to firefighting.  Open canopied forest stands are both resilient to crown fires, and produce a LOT more nutritious forage than overstocked, closed canopy timber.  Log the diseased stands while the trees are still alive, manage the reprod/regen to NOT create another closed canopy stand.  Cool understory fires are great for mule deer - stand replacing, soil sterilizing hellfire is not. 

Full disclosure: I do not voluntarily limit myself, but am willing to share being limited with everyone.  In the meantime, I will continue to apply for whatever opportunities are available, and use them when I draw.

[ian_padron]

Is this thread going to be forwarded to WDFW? Because it definitely should.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[NoBark]

I'd have to say that without taking other steps first, it's just wishful thinking.   If you can't limit predators by having a season and limit on how many predators we allow, if we can't do away with the multi-season deer tag that puts additional pressure on a declining resource, if we can't count on help in helping the deer herd from anyone BUT hunters ( and I believe this is the case ) I'm afraid it will be a simple case of hunters limiting themselves until there are virtually no deer left.

[Mr Mykiss]

WA mule deer hunting is a joke, anyone who knows anything knows that. Hell, even OR makes WA look bad!!

[jagermiester]

I voted no because I believe that the does need to be protected from predators. We all need to start hunting cats 
Seriously though there is no coming back from such a drastic change as what is being proposed. Deer numbers fluctuate but we are the true conservationist. Support habitat change, lobby to bring back hound hunting. But take away hunting opportunities does not breed future hunters and without future hunters we are all screwed.
In one year 100 deer can turn into 150
year two 250
year three 400
Kill a cat