General spring bear season in Washington

[gutsnthegrass]

With the abundance of bears in Washington, why don't we have a general spring bear hunt?  I know that there are special permit hunts, and it would possibly take away revenue for the department, but that can't be the only reason, or can it?  With the hounds and baiting taken away, I see this as the only way to help keep the population some what in check. 

[boneaddict]

I think that's the gist.

If this state is truly in financial need, they should concentrate on their abundance of predators.   Think how much money they could make selling wolf raffle tickets.

[gallion_t]

If its strictly a money thing they could easily offset that by offering an add on tag for the spring. Buy your normal fall bear tag, but for $10 extra you can also use it during the spring. If people are willing to pay $6 for a chance at being able to hunt in the spring they would certainly spend $10 to be guaranteed to be able to hunt them.

[h20hunter]

I would pay a lot more than 10.....I'd go 50 bucks.

[Timberstalker]

I would pay a lot more than 10.....I'd go 50 bucks.

At least.  They would sell plenty of tags.

[Jonathan_S]

Make the spring season general April 15-June 30.  Double the permits but move them to a shortened fall season - baiting allowed -Sept 1-October 10. 


More bears dead in the spring, more dead bears in the fall but not interfering with the zoo of modern firearm season.

[X-Force]

If its strictly a money thing they could easily offset that by offering an add on tag for the spring. Buy your normal fall bear tag, but for $10 extra you can also use it during the spring. If people are willing to pay $6 for a chance at being able to hunt in the spring they would certainly spend $10 to be guaranteed to be able to hunt them.

That's a good way to do it but like h20hunter says bump the price $30-$50 and it could be done like an unlimited permit even an unlimited permit with a quota like cougars. If the state has concerns about over harvest in a particular GMU just have a quota system setup and a 24 hotline or webpage to call.

Id be game.

[JimmyHoffa]

I don't think it is a money thing, as I would guess there would be more in sales of OTC tags than the small amount of permits available now.  If opened, spring bear would be the only thing other than turkey and maybe some fish for that time of year.
My guess is that WDFW is trying to protect the bears.  In the spring, I see so many more bears and they are down low in more accessible areas.  They're eating new shoots, skunk cabbage and peeling trees (and fawns) low in valleys and along rivers.  Once the plants up high sprout and then berries start coming in, the bears are really spread out...so much so they aren't found nearly as easily.

[gallion_t]

If its strictly a money thing they could easily offset that by offering an add on tag for the spring. Buy your normal fall bear tag, but for $10 extra you can also use it during the spring. If people are willing to pay $6 for a chance at being able to hunt in the spring they would certainly spend $10 to be guaranteed to be able to hunt them.

That's a good way to do it but like h20hunter says bump the price $30-$50 and it could be done like an unlimited permit even an unlimited permit with a quota like cougars. If the state has concerns about over harvest in a particular GMU just have a quota system setup and a 24 hotline or webpage to call.

Id be game.

I agree, I would pay more than $10. I figured that number would be a close representation of what it would take to offset the permit application fees. Thinking more of a keep the revenue the same rather than grow it. The quota system would be a great idea as well. I'm sure part of the concern is over harvesting in the spring so if it is capped that concern goes away. Allow open harvest for the first month of spring, and then if the quota has not yet been hit for the GMU all it to stay open for another month on a day by day basis.

[BreezyBear]

Even just a spring special draw for any, and every GMU with bears could be a starting point, we will pay if the opportunity is there 

[JimmyHoffa]

Even just a spring special draw for any, and every GMU with bears could be a starting point, we will pay if the opportunity is there 

I agree.  For the coast, you have to get a tree farm permit that is only good for the spring bear permit dates.  At least the general GMU wouldn't limit to a farm.

[boneaddict]

1000 dollar predator package(tag)......good for two of the following, cougar, bear or wolf   

[Jonathan_S]

1000 dollar predator package(tag)......good for two of the following, cougar, bear or wolf   

Don't give Montana any ideas

[BearCreekCookBook]

I think it has to stay permit only in spring, they are just too easy to find that time of year. That said they should open most if not all gmus to permit hunting. I have never  heard a good reason why there is no spring season on the east slopes of the cascades.

Since they don't announce spring bear until the previous years season is over they could really target harvest in areas where not enough bears were harvested the previous season. Spring seasons on the edge of winter ranges would really save a lot of fawns / calves as well.

[fillthefreezer]

Make the spring season general April 15-June 30.  Double the permits but move them to a shortened fall season - baiting allowed -Sept 1-October 10. 


More bears dead in the spring, more dead bears in the fall but not interfering with the zoo of modern firearm season.

While I agree a lot of areas could support an otc spring hunt, and would happily pay more $$ ($50 seems reasonable)for a spring tag, I would not support These changes.