A Proposal for Washington's Mule Deer

[Skyvalhunter]

What is your suggestion we do?

[Mr Mykiss]

It’s not up to me what YOU do. Not sure you were even asking me...I dunno I’d say call your local biologist, attend public comment meetings and comment on the proposed game laws
Or just complain online and not really do anything.

[fishwhackin]

There are a lot of good ideas in this thread and an obvious concern for the mule deer population.  It was mentioned before about the ups and downs and that couldn't be any more true and natural.  I personally think that we need to continue with the harvest as is.  We can give into the predators and "offer" our thoughts to WDFW and help maintain the same numbers we currently have or we can continue to harvest mule deer and get the numbers a little lower.  What happens when the numbers get a little lower?  Well, those wolves and cougar will have to find something else to eat and/or become ill and naturally pass on reducing their numbers where they are at a low (Lower wolf numbers would make several people happy).  When this happens, the mule deer numbers will bounce back for a few years until the predators become healthy again due to the bounty of food.  Of course we will experience good and bad years for hunting success but it will maintain itself until either WDFW takes the tags from us themselves which will do nothing if they do not have a plan already in place and being executed for the predators.  My point is:  Until WDFW implements appropriate predator management, we should never give away our permits or opportunities.  This will only increase the abundance for the predators that will thrive due to their current mismanagement and we will gain nothing.  Don't be fooled by thinking that the numbers will bounce back because of no hunting.  It will be self-defeating.

[huntnphool]

There are a lot of good ideas in this thread and an obvious concern for the mule deer population.  It was mentioned before about the ups and downs and that couldn't be any more true and natural.  I personally think that we need to continue with the harvest as is.  We can give into the predators and "offer" our thoughts to WDFW and help maintain the same numbers we currently have or we can continue to harvest mule deer and get the numbers a little lower.  What happens when the numbers get a little lower?  Well, those wolves and cougar will have to find something else to eat and/or become ill and naturally pass on reducing their numbers where they are at a low (Lower wolf numbers would make several people happy).  When this happens, the mule deer numbers will bounce back for a few years until the predators become healthy again due to the bounty of food.  Of course we will experience good and bad years for hunting success but it will maintain itself until either WDFW takes the tags from us themselves which will do nothing if they do not have a plan already in place and being executed for the predators.  My point is:  Until WDFW implements appropriate predator management, we should never give away our permits or opportunities.  This will only increase the abundance for the predators that will thrive due to their current mismanagement and we will gain nothing.  Don't be fooled by thinking that the numbers will bounce back because of no hunting.  It will be self-defeating.

 You have not read the wolf plan.

[Gringo31]

One more time...

Management of predators to benefit prey populations will be considered when there is evidence
that predation is a significant factor inhibiting the ability of a prey population to attain
population management objectives. For example, when a prey population is below population
objective and other actions to increase prey numbers such as hunting reductions or other
actions to achieve ungulate population objectives have already been implemented, and
predation continues to be a limiting factor. In these cases, predator management actions would
be directed at individuals or populations depending on scientific evidence and would include
assessments of population levels, habitat factors, disease, etc.

[Skyvalhunter]

There in there lies the problem, when the evidence is presented a deaf ear is turned in that direction. Do you actually believe for one moment they are going to go against their pre set quotas? When you set your population objectives so low your rear is always covered.

[fishwhackin]

I am aware of the wolf management plan.  I shouldn't have tried to water down my thought.  Get over it and just keep hunting.  It is obvious that the wolves are here to stay and expand as the WDFW desires.  My point was, keep hunting deer and the population decreases which will decrease the wolf population as a follow on (which seems to be what the majority here wants).  Give up hunting opportunities and you create a buffet to allow the wolves to thrive.  Maybe it is more clear now that I put it that way?  We just have to accept there will be up and down years in regards to quality of hunts until WDFW changes their mind.  How do you change their mind is a whole other topic.  Research "common sense conservation/Missouri" and see how the hunters there persuaded the game department.  Until we stand together as a hunting community to protest (not just rant) the WDFW, it will not change.  A year or two with minimal tag and permit sales will get their attention very fast.

[Mr Mykiss]

Two more days dudes
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/2018-2020/index.php

Anyone been calling your local bios??

[Utah]

Release the hounds!   Give enough doe tags per unit to increase buck to doe populations!