Proposal to eliminate harvesting of cow elk for archery hunters in 8 game units

[4fletch]

WDFW proposal to eliminate harvest of cow elk in 8 game units over 5,000 archery hunters will lose the right to harvest a cow elk over the next 3 years there will be a public meeting held for public comments March 16 th at 11:20 at the Red Lion hotel in Wenatchee at 1225 North Wenatchee Ave

[bowhunterforever]

What units?

[4fletch]

I wasn't informed

[jrebel]

Dumb.....

[ghosthunter]

I am for it. But I am a muzzy guy for elk.
In fact I would like to see no cow tags for three years for anyone. And than come back with half as many if they start back up.

[ghosthunter]

There are a lot of folks who will not even buy a tag if there is no chance of hunting cows.
Which might be good all around.
In fact my camp of six hunters will not muzzy hunt elk this year unless someone draws a cow tag.
Hunting spikes is like hunting unicorns.
Would rather set up a deer camp a week early and hunt grouse,yotes than hunt for spike only.

[bobcat]

I can understand why some hunters don't like this change, but I'm all for it. The numbers are down, best way to bring them back up is to reduce antlerless harvest. They might even increase enough by next year to allow some special permit archery cow elk hunts.

[jrebel]

My biggest gripe is how many cow permits they gave out last three years.  Feast to famine because we don't know how to manage our game appropriately.  This state sucks   I hate saying it but the longer I live here the more it sucks.  I use to be a huge advocate......but they sure do make it harder every year.   

[JWEBB]

I think it's a great idea but I believe they should do this with muzzy and rifle as well

[lord grizzly]

I dont believe you have a “right” to harvest a cow elk. If you did it would be a lot harder to take away and manage. Keep stuf in perspective, it helps

[92xj]

Split all cow tags between the three weapons, don't take away 100% from one and while keeping the same for the others. And I love the amount of animal counters we have on Huntwa. You guys are the professional know everything.

[Stein]

I would say manage the harvest in the way that is beneficial to the herd size objective, regardless of how that impacts one user group.  Without the discussion of the biology, it reduces the discussion to a zero sum game.

Unfortunately, if I had a magic window into the future 15 years and I saw the WDFW regs and residents had to draw for an elk tag I wouldn't be surprised.  There are an absolute ton of hunters in this state and relatively small herd numbers.  Even if nobody shoots a spike, the raw pressure that puts on the herd immediately post rut takes its toll I would imagine.

That said, a secondary goal should be a balance of opportunity between the seasons.

[Crunchy]

You guys are missing the big picture here.  They are trying to stock pile some elk for the wolves. Has nothing to do with our future elk harvests.  OK I can take my tinfoil hat off now.

[bolsen]

Hopefully units 506 and 530 are included. The elk numbers here are terrible!! They have to do something and this would be a start.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Has anyone read this proposal to see what it actually says or is all this discussion based just on what someone (apparently a third party?), said is going to happen?

I ask, not to be scarcatic or confrontational, but am basing my question on this response when the OP was asked a specific question:

What units?

I wasn't informed