Washington General Season Deer Harvest: 1997-2017

[Rainier10]

Hey Super Mod why is everything on a downward slide?

Are you asking me?  This is the second reference to "super mod" I have seen today but the first time I have seen it right after one of my posts.

So if it is directed at me can you be more specific because looking at both charts in this thread I don't see that "everything" is on the downhill slide.

[Oh Mah]

I was wondering the same on all 

Why the super mod and wheres the down hill slide it is consistently up and down with a peak in 2015-16.

1 could argue better reporting by hunters that care and maybe even better managing of the game. 

[jackelope]

Sarcastic "Super mod" comments in attempts to insult someone are uncalled for and against forum rules. If you have an issue with a mod or the moderation of a thread or a post, feel free to pm one of the guys in red. Otherwise, the insults are not ok. Please keep that in mind moving forward.

[Rainier10]

Thanks Josh.  That is very true.  I think most of the mods have thicker skin but that doesn't mean that we should tolerate that type of behavior and I certainly wouldn't let a comment like that go if directed at a member here.  If they weren't directed at the mod team I would have deleted them.

Back on topic I will say there are a ton variables that affect harvest numbers and hunter success percentages.  It is only my opinion but based on commission meetings I have gone to, town hall meetings with the WDFW, master hunter meetings, hunter education meetings and private email dialogue that I have participated in I really do think that for the most part our WDFW employees are doing the best that they can as far as managing wildlife and people.

[Jpmiller]

Back on topic I will say there are a ton variables that affect harvest numbers and hunter success percentages.  It is only my opinion but based on commission meetings I have gone to, town hall meetings with the WDFW, master hunter meetings, hunter education meetings and private email dialogue that I have participated in I really do think that for the most part our WDFW employees are doing the best that they can as far as managing wildlife and people.

I was led to believe wdfw was trying to end all hunting and wild game populations 

[JimmyHoffa]

Back on topic I will say there are a ton variables that affect harvest numbers and hunter success percentages.  It is only my opinion but based on commission meetings I have gone to, town hall meetings with the WDFW, master hunter meetings, hunter education meetings and private email dialogue that I have participated in I really do think that for the most part our WDFW employees are doing the best that they can as far as managing wildlife and people.

I was led to believe wdfw was trying to end all hunting and wild game populations 

Well, Conservation NW does have an agent on the commission so the ending hunting part isn't really much of a reach.  A previous commissioner (Jennings) was anti hunting and anti fishing, too.

[Rainier10]

Back on topic I will say there are a ton variables that affect harvest numbers and hunter success percentages.  It is only my opinion but based on commission meetings I have gone to, town hall meetings with the WDFW, master hunter meetings, hunter education meetings and private email dialogue that I have participated in I really do think that for the most part our WDFW employees are doing the best that they can as far as managing wildlife and people.

I was led to believe wdfw was trying to end all hunting and wild game populations 

In all seriousness you can juggle or just interpret the numbers to reflect whatever you want them to.  I am a half full kind of guy so I see it as they are trying.  I also think that without their efforts we would be in a whole lot more dire shape than we are now.

[Bob33]

I am surprised that the overall harvest rates have been flat or slightly increasing. There are fewer hunters which could result in less competition and improved odds. Better technology and information may also play a part in that.

[JimmyHoffa]

I am surprised that the overall harvest rates have been flat or slightly increasing. There are fewer hunters which could result in less competition and improved odds. Better technology and information may also play a part in that.

Maybe the increase in antlerless opportunities in deer areas or in the form of special permits can be keeping harvest levels near flat.  I hear of fewer animals taken in the mountains and hills, but more and more in the lowlands and backyards.

[Bob33]

I am surprised that the overall harvest rates have been flat or slightly increasing. There are fewer hunters which could result in less competition and improved odds. Better technology and information may also play a part in that.

Maybe the increase in antlerless opportunities in deer areas or in the form of special permits can be keeping harvest levels near flat.  I hear of fewer animals taken in the mountains and hills, but more and more in the lowlands and backyards.

That could be although special permits wouldn't be included; these are general season numbers only.

[bearpaw]

General season harvest stats, 1997-2017

That's an interesting graph for a few reasons.

1. Everything says hunter numbers are going down, but that graph says hunter numbers went up?
2. 1996 was a very hard winter so the graph starts right after a huge deer die off, so it appears numbers increased.
3. Nature has the biggest effect on deer numbers and success, the dips are after tough winters.

[Bob33]

General season harvest stats, 1997-2017

That's an interesting graph for a few reasons.

1. Everything says hunter numbers are going down, but that graph says hunter numbers went up?
2. 1996 was a very hard winter so the graph starts right after a huge deer die off, so it appears numbers increased.
3. Nature has the biggest effect on deer numbers and success, the dips are after tough winters.

(His chart is reversed; it goes from 2017 on the left to 1997 on the right.)

[bearpaw]

General season harvest stats, 1997-2017

That's an interesting graph for a few reasons.

1. Everything says hunter numbers are going down, but that graph says hunter numbers went up?
2. 1996 was a very hard winter so the graph starts right after a huge deer die off, so it appears numbers increased.
3. Nature has the biggest effect on deer numbers and success, the dips are after tough winters.

(His chart is reversed; it goes from 2017 on the left to 1997 on the right.)

Looks like my eyesight took a dip! LOL, you are right, I knew we lost some deer the previous 2016 winter, I didn't realize success statewide was down that much. Kinda seems ironic tough winter in 96 and again in 2016.

[idahohuntr]

General season harvest stats, 1997-2017

That's an interesting graph for a few reasons.

1. Everything says hunter numbers are going down, but that graph says hunter numbers went up?
2. 1996 was a very hard winter so the graph starts right after a huge deer die off, so it appears numbers increased.
3. Nature has the biggest effect on deer numbers and success, the dips are after tough winters.

(His chart is reversed; it goes from 2017 on the left to 1997 on the right.)

Looks like my eyesight took a dip! LOL, you are right, I knew we lost some deer the previous 2016 winter, I didn't realize success statewide was down that much. Kinda seems ironic tough winter in 96 and again in 2016.

My apologies...I didn't intend to put data in reverse order.  The thing that surprises me most is that the last 2 years there have been about 30,000 fewer deer hunters than 10 or 15 years ago.  When I look around opening day I would struggle to figure out where another 30,000 people would fit in ! 

[Dan-o]

Thanks to those of you who posted the data.

Very insightful.