General spring bear season in Washington

[Molon5labe]

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

So turn 2 bear tags, OR, 1 bear tag & 1 cougar tag, which would be $48 total into $1000? I think that would lead to even greater numbers of predators because a vast majority of people, I think, wouldn't even buy tags at that point.

How about just leave bear and cougar alone and offer some wolf tags already? Way past due.

I'm still scratching my head about WDFW pulling the spring bear hunt for the Monroe unit 

[wheels]

general  spring bear with quota

[DeerThug]

Oh come on everyone.  You are talking about common sense game management based on real time data and on the ground facts.  Who would ever think of adjusting a spring season based on harvest the past fall..... gheeezze...  Did you forget where we are talking about.......

But seriously - i do think an open spring season may go to far, but a quota or every other year you can do it based of your birthday or some sort of limiting factor.  There is way more bear hunting opportunity than we are given.

[Hunter mike]

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.

I'm frosted that the Copalis area tag is 638 OUTSIDE the national forest!  Why the freebie for timber companies? 

[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.

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.

Which changes @fillthefreezer? just the baiting or?  It's just something I threw out but I'm probably up for any change that reduces predators at this point.

Can't have healthy populations of 3 Apex-Predators and still have so many black bears too, I should think.

[hunter399]

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 think quota system work great with otc spring hunt.most gmu not even close to harvest with spring permits.And do believe that bears in some area need to be thinned ,quota system would be perfect and bring more money for wdfw.

[Big6bull]

People will certainly pay. I would love to see some general spring bear hunts and more options for spring permit.

[buglebrush]

WDFW's policies are aimed at replacing two legged hunters with four legged hunters.  This is simply one more example. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Only a few of us remember the days when not only was there a general spring bear season, but bait and hounds were legal.
Resource allocation, private timber companies, and non-hunting voters have been tirelessly reducing opportunities for the average hunter.
It is easier for private timber companies to pay individuals to control bears (using hounds AND "feeding") behind locked gates than it is to allow access to the general public.

[wheels]

general season in areas that already have permits . If  what i read was accurate   none of the success rates broke 50%

[Longbowz]

According to the game deptment the reason for ending the spring season years ago was public perception.  Meaning the anti hunters convinced them to end it.

So if a lot of hunters pushed very hard during the season setting meetings it may not get a general season but perhaps more permit units as a start.  Problem is lots of people complain on forums like this but few show up to meetings where it counts.

[ghosthunter]

Only a few of us remember the days when not only was there a general spring bear season, but bait and hounds were legal.
Resource allocation, private timber companies, and non-hunting voters have been tirelessly reducing opportunities for the average hunter.
It is easier for private timber companies to pay individuals to control bears (using hounds AND "feeding") behind locked gates than it is to allow access to the general public.

Some hunters contribute to the company’s feeding behind gates. I here grumbles every year that hunters who draw spring bear tags are trying to cherry pick the bears they shoot as far as trophy quality and passing on average bears.

It is a damage hunt, they want bears killed. Not to pass on legal bears. There also is number of Hunters who apply and draw but don’t get out and hunt.

We are our own worse enemy. Don’t scout for tags we apply,don’t secure time for the hunts,don’t put in the range time to make the clean shot, etc.

[bkaech]

According to the game deptment the reason for ending the spring season years ago was public perception.  Meaning the anti hunters convinced them to end it.

So if a lot of hunters pushed very hard during the season setting meetings it may not get a general season but perhaps more permit units as a start.  Problem is lots of people complain on forums like this but few show up to meetings where it counts.

Exactly!  The WDFW does not read this forum. You have to show up to make changes/stop changes. Complaining online does nothing if it brings no action.

Therefore, the real question is how do increase spring bear opportunities?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Some hunters contribute to the company’s feeding behind gates. I here grumbles every year that hunters who draw spring bear tags are trying to cherry pick the bears they shoot as far as trophy quality and passing on average bears.

It is a damage hunt, they want bears killed. Not to pass on legal bears. There also is number of Hunters who apply and draw but don’t get out and hunt.

We are our own worse enemy. Don’t scout for tags we apply,don’t secure time for the hunts,don’t put in the range time to make the clean shot, etc.

Then when I was drawn why did WH restrict access, and only relay information on bears OUTSIDE the permit area?
And "cherry pick" bears w/o being able to bait?
Sure a few might not purchase tags, or otherwise not put 100% into the hunt, but success rates should be better for those that do.
I know a guy that feeds for WH, and have talked to guys with hounds in their trucks.
No shortage of bears, just access...

[ghosthunter]

Some hunters contribute to the company’s feeding behind gates. I here grumbles every year that hunters who draw spring bear tags are trying to cherry pick the bears they shoot as far as trophy quality and passing on average bears.

It is a damage hunt, they want bears killed. Not to pass on legal bears. There also is number of Hunters who apply and draw but don’t get out and hunt.

We are our own worse enemy. Don’t scout for tags we apply,don’t secure time for the hunts,don’t put in the range time to make the clean shot, etc.

Then when I was drawn why did WH restrict access, and only relay information on bears OUTSIDE the permit area?
And "cherry pick" bears w/o being able to bait?
Sure a few might not purchase tags, or otherwise not put 100% into the hunt, but success rates should be better for those that do.
I know a guy that feeds for WH, and have talked to guys with hounds in their trucks.
No shortage of bears, just access...

Most of my info I have  is in regards to Skagit. Acess in Skagit is good , with Spring Hunters getting combos to gates and Evan maps highlighting trouble areas. Several hunters in that unit over the past few years have told hunt Cordinators that they passed on bears they didn’t think were big enough.  On the day I shot mine I saw two bears no clear look at the first.  My buddy shot the first one he saw which turned out to be a good size bear.