A Proposal for Washington's Mule Deer

[GoldenRing270]

I really didn't want this to turn into another "bashing thread" and was hoping we could stick to discussing realistic positive changes to help Washington's mule deer.  Unfortunately, it is difficult to discuss the management of our fish and wildlife without certain topics coming up.

I had originally proposed that we end the harvest of mule deer does and was looking for ideas as to how we could get the regulations changed. Small changes in the right direction could have a big influence for the future of our mule deer herd. I deleted my original post because by the second page of this thread I was already responding to comments that I felt distracted from the intent of the original message.

Anyway, there are some great ideas being tossed around. Carry on with the discussion.

[bearpaw]

 

The first thing wildlife managers do in other states to reduce a population or slow population growth is to increase antlerless harvest. Take antlerless harvest away and herds will grow.

This is especially needed after a hard winter greatly reduces herds.

[vandeman17]

I am all for ANY LOGICAL changes to how mule deer are managed. Every year I think about one of my old man's favorite sayings

"What is the definition of insanity?"

[huntnphool]

 But, but........that will throw the buck to doe ratio off......and, and.....I don't care about antlers, I just want the meat.....so don't take away my opportunity.....or, or.....I have to hunt every year, I don't care.

 I remember a thread a few years ago where several members, bone and myself included, were chastised by members on this forum for admitting that our families.......for years, purchased doe tags.......and never filled one of them.

 It will be interesting to read the comments a few years later, when someone suggests removing opportunity for everyone.

[jdb]

I'm all in on what ever it takes to fix Washington mule deer populations but they haven't allowed does to be taken in the entire 300 series gmus for over a decade and that population is still declining. I really feel more drastic measures need to be taken.

[Mr Mykiss]

I'm in.
Draws for almost all eastside mule deer units on buck tags...God help me...like Oregon does.

[Naches Sportsman]

I'm all in on what ever it takes to fix Washington mule deer populations but they haven't allowed does to be taken in the entire 300 series gmus for over a decade and that population is still declining. I really feel more drastic measures need to be taken.

Not all. There's a few gmu's that allow the harvest of does.

Just 342-364 if you aren't counting the Indians.

[time2hunt]

We need serious predator control in the 300 units. Between the coyotes, cats , bears and wolves it’s lucky anything has survived.


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[jdb]

We need serious predator control in the 300 units. Between the coyotes, cats , bears and wolves it’s lucky anything has survived.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

agreed!

[jdb]

I'm all in on what ever it takes to fix Washington mule deer populations but they haven't allowed does to be taken in the entire 300 series gmus for over a decade and that population is still declining. I really feel more drastic measures need to be taken.

Not all. There's a few gmu's that allow the harvest of does.

Just 342-364 if you aren't counting the Indians.

pretty sure 340 and 368 have no doe harvest either but regardless I think everyone knew the point I was trying to make.

[ribka]

I'm in.
Draws for almost all eastside mule deer units on buck tags...God help me...like Oregon does.

And they need to shut down roads lock gates in wintering grounds to slow down the slaughter by certain groups

[jdb]

 

[Mr Mykiss]

A organized plan is what we need, submit next year and maybe, just maybe at the next 3 year season setting process we could see our ideas proposed for the regs. A lot of work to do. A live document would be the way to go at the moment and then when we submit and show up it would help to look like this>>>

[vandeman17]

I would be happy to travel to any location to take part in something similar to above

[jdb]

So how do we make this happen?