WDFW Will Support Archery's Suggestions

[Snapshot]

Mr. Dave Ware,
WDFW Game Department Manager
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

Dave,

As per our phone conversation at 10:00 AM on March 12, 2009, I understand that the 2009-11 draft hunting season regulations, together with the recommended adjustments and floor changes that were made in Ellensburg at the March 6-7, 2009 Commission meeting, will go forward as the recommendations that the WDFW will support; and that the Fish & Wildlife Commission will be encouraged to implement the following more recent WDFW-supported adjustments to the draft regulations:

•   GMU 250 Swakane will be reinstated as a general late season archery mule deer opportunity as it was in last year’s package; November 21 - 30; 3 point minimum.

•   GMU 247 Entiat will see a reduction in the number of permits from the last year’s package, down to 55 permits; November 21 - 30; any buck.

•   GMU 101 Sherman will be reinstated as a general late season white-tail deer opportunity as it was in last year’s package; November 10 - December 15; any white-tailed deer.

At this time the Washington Archery Coalition, consisting of Washington State Bowhunters, Washington State Archery Association and Traditional Bowhunters of Washington will support the draft 2009-11 hunting season regulations in conjunction with the aforementioned March 7 recommended adjustments and floor changes, and in combination with the more recent WDFW-supported adjustments outlined above.

One of the basic tenets of Archery Hunting is general early and late seasons. Somehow that has been lost in the process so we are still very concerned with the agenda of Region 2 going to permit-only deer opportunity after November 1. Employing our recommendation of opening GMU 245 Chiwawa would solve the Swakane problem in that it would relieve the issues that staff has, while at the same time providing the family recreational opportunity that was so passionately sought at the meeting in Ellensburg.

Our membership still has reservations on some of the changes that the WDFW made in parts of this three-year package. These issues will be brought up with the WDFW and GMAC in the season adjustments at the end of the 2009 hunting season. We will continue to work with the department so as to be of assistance in managing the resources of our state in a scientific, responsible and equitable manner.

Thank you for your efforts,


Rick Liebel
Washington State Bowhunters
GMAC representative

Washington Archery Coalition
Chairman

[hunt4]

[Ridgerunner]

Some of those changes above are just a  .  Too bad the WDFW caved on some of these issues. 

[nw_bowhunter]

Are there other updates for the late season hunts for archery such as unit 215? Most of the 200's units?

[Slider]

I know the Archery Shops around here,have had new Bow purchases and Bow repairs put on hold waiting on the outcome? I thought maybe NObama would pay for them?

[Lowedog]

It's really too bad that one user group has so much pull as to bully the department into what they feel is right so that a unit such as the Swakane can be over run with hunters.  I really think it is wrong to allow a general season hunt for any user group to continue to go on during the rut.

 

-Lowedog

[rougheye]

I think its great .  Not very many people where i go     

[SHANE(WA)]

Its a bowhunt! not a rifle rut hunt, low success rate

[huntnphool]

Glad I drew the multi season tag this year

[Lowedog]

Its a bowhunt! not a rifle rut hunt, low success rate

Success rate has little to do with my opinion this matter.  The overcrowding of hunters in the Swakane on that late hunt is rediculous. 

[bearmanric]

hope they will stick with what they said this coming april. nervous on the bear. Rick

[Snapshot]

Rick emailed me last night saying he made some mistakes in note taking during his phone conversation with Dave Ware on the 12th.

Swakane is to run concurrent with the other Region 2 opportunities   Nov 21-30 , 3 pt or better.

Entiat is up to 55 permits.

He wrote: “There are a couple more issues hanging out there that could make additions and/or subtractions to these changes. Also keep in mind the Commissioners may have ideas of their own to throw in the mix. So it ain't a done deal yet!”

And he apologizes for being an old fart, er, uh... I mean any inconveniences.

Dale

PS. I changed the original post above to reflect this update

[boneaddict]

Glad I drew the multi season tag this year

Kinda makes a guy feel all giddy inside doesn't it.  I plan on dumping mine in Sept in the rocks but if I don't, always good to have an alternative plan.

[Snapshot]

Lowedog,
With the doe opportunity gone the number of hunters will likely plummet back to what it was pre-2006.
D

[loveipabeer]

Pre 2006...how about pre Fischer Fire (2004) and pre HuntWA...oh the good ole days. 

Glad I drew a multi season also.