Conconully area...Where did the deer go?

[Bobvernon2]

I think if we go permit only for mule deer they should make it that if you put in for mule deer you can't hunt blacktails or whitetails. That way those sub species wouldn't get hammered. Also, I think it would reduce the pressure on blacktails from what it is now and maybe allow them to make a comeback.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I've been saying this for years, but it was always met with resistance from the majority. It's sad that it takes conditions like nowadays to really seem to get people on board. Unfortunately for some, it might be the only way we can rebuild this herd in today's society with minimal predator management and increased introduction.

Easiest  option to prevent overharvest of other deer species is to go for East or West for deer just like elk. east side could have a Whitetail or mule deer choice not both. But damn I’ve been screaming for an East or West deer tag to bring attention to how much pressure certain areas get.

[grundy53]

I think if we go permit only for mule deer they should make it that if you put in for mule deer you can't hunt blacktails or whitetails. That way those sub species wouldn't get hammered. Also, I think it would reduce the pressure on blacktails from what it is now and maybe allow them to make a comeback.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I've been saying this for years, but it was always met with resistance from the majority. It's sad that it takes conditions like nowadays to really seem to get people on board. Unfortunately for some, it might be the only way we can rebuild this herd in today's society with minimal predator management and increased introduction.

Easiest  option to prevent overharvest of other deer species is to go for East or West for deer just like elk. east side could have a Whitetail or mule deer choice not both. But damn I’ve been screaming for an East or West deer tag to bring attention to how much pressure certain areas get.

I think this would mainly help the blacktail. I don't think it would help the mulies much. I think most deer hunters in this state would choose the east side tag if it was still over the counter.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[bigmacc]

I think if we go permit only for mule deer they should make it that if you put in for mule deer you can't hunt blacktails or whitetails. That way those sub species wouldn't get hammered. Also, I think it would reduce the pressure on blacktails from what it is now and maybe allow them to make a comeback.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I've been saying this for years, but it was always met with resistance from the majority. It's sad that it takes conditions like nowadays to really seem to get people on board. Unfortunately for some, it might be the only way we can rebuild this herd in today's society with minimal predator management and increased introduction.

Easiest  option to prevent overharvest of other deer species is to go for East or West for deer just like elk. east side could have a Whitetail or mule deer choice not both. But damn I’ve been screaming for an East or West deer tag to bring attention to how much pressure certain areas get.

I think this would mainly help the blacktail. I don't think it would help the mulies much. I think most deer hunters in this state would choose the east side tag if it was still over the counter.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Well I wish phool would come on here, he had some great ideas. I agree the every other year mule deer hunting would put more pressure on blacktail and white tail, so what you do is the odd-even system,If your wild ID ends in an even number you are legal to buy a mule deer tag that year if you wish, if you don't buy a mule deer tag you can purchase a blacktail or whitetail tag still. If you purchase a mulie tag that year you are not allowed to hunt blacktail or whitetail. The next season wild ID,s ending in odd numbers are eligible to purchase mule deer tags if they wish, if they opt out they can still purchase a blacktail or whitetail tag, folks with even numbers that year can only purchase blacktail or whitetail tags. On paper it immediately cuts mule deer pressure in half every year, it will also cut down blacktail and whitetail pressure because there is no double dipping, if its your year to buy a mulie tag that year and you choose to do so and you don't kill a mulie, your done, you can't hunt blacktail or whitetail that year.You can only hunt mule deer every other year Period and on your off year you can hunt blacktail or white tail if you choose. I guess in a nutshell you are eligible to purchase a mulie tag every other year and overall you are only allowed to purchase one tag among the three deer species, its kind of like an east - west tag but you are actually buying a tag for one species , you pick, you either buy a blacktail tag, or a whitetail tag or you buy a mule deer tag on your odd/even year IF YOU CHOOSE, remember you can waive your mulie tag on your year if you don't hunt mule deer and still purchase one of the other two. I ran this hybrid idea past a retired game biologist about this and he actually loved it.   

[bobcat]

Just go to draw only for all deer hunting in Washington. It would basically have the same effect as odd/even or every other year, or choose your species and/or east/west. They could set tag numbers per GMU such that a person could hunt mule deer every other year, or every three years, on average, or possibly even every year if applying in units that are predominantly private land.

Also, I should add, I'm not sure a 50% reduction in the number of mule deer hunters will help much. Let's say a particular GMU has 800 hunters now, and has a 10% success rate, which means 80 bucks taken. Now cut the number of hunters in half, and now the hunting is much better with the reduced competition, plus people are going to hunt harder since they can no longer hunt every year. Instead of a 10% success rate, you get a 20% rate for the 400 hunters. Half the hunters but still 80 bucks killed.

[Mtnwalker]

What if every person who took the time to complain on a forum directed that as an email complaint to WDFW instead? 

[bigmacc]

What if every person who took the time to complain on a forum directed that as an email complaint to WDFW instead? 

I have done my part many times in that regard, letters, sit downs with bios that were brought to our camp, partitions etc. etc. ..I like what goes on here, a lot of good ideas get kicked around and good discussions on topics such as this, open and honest dialogue about subjects that directly effect our hunting happens here, unfortunately sometimes I,m afraid we are the only ones who listen to each other whether we agree or disagree at least we listen.

[Mtnwalker]

What if every person who took the time to complain on a forum directed that as an email complaint to WDFW instead? 

I have done my part many times in that regard, letters, sit downs with bios that were brought to our camp, partitions etc. etc. ..I like what goes on here, a lot of good ideas get kicked around and good discussions on topics such as this, open and honest dialogue about subjects that directly effect our hunting happens here, unfortunately sometimes I,m afraid we are the only ones who listen to each other whether we agree or disagree at least we listen.

I'm glad to hear that and I hope everybody else who is frustrated with the current conditions are voicing their opinions as well, but I would be willing to bet that you are in the minority of hunters who actually take the time to reach out to the proper authorities. I know that if I look at all my buddies I grew up hunting with, every one of them complains about the low deer numbers but I don't think a single one of them has actually taken the time to write an email or letter. Not trying to criticize anybody on here, just can't help but think that if their (WDFW) inboxes were overflowing with complaints from unhappy sportsmen much like this forum and many others are, they MIGHT start to listen. Maybe not, but it definitely couldn't hurt.

[bobcat]

What if every person who took the time to complain on a forum directed that as an email complaint to WDFW instead? 

If they were to poll hunters, which they actually do often, the result will likely show the majority want no change in the way our deer are being managed. Most people want the over the counter deer tags, unlimited in number, and no restrictions on where or when you hunt. The state will go along with this mentality, as it brings in more revenue than any other management strategy that would limit the number of hunters in any way.

[MtnMuley]

What if every person who took the time to complain on a forum directed that as an email complaint to WDFW instead? 

If they were to poll hunters, which they actually do often, the result will likely show the majority want no change in the way our deer are being managed. Most people want the over the counter deer tags, unlimited in number, and no restrictions on where or when you hunt. The state will go along with this mentality, as it brings in more revenue than any other management strategy that would limit the number of hunters in any way.

Its very sad, but you're exactly right.

[Wunderlich33]

I havent posted much in the past but have been member for a few years.  I have had the privilege to share camp fires with Skyvalhunter and Rainier10 throughout the years.  I have had great success hunting this state and have helped many others fill their tags. I have more tree stands than I can count across this state and have grown up loving the areas where I have had my success.
The past couple of years have been terrible and theres no indication that things will be getting better anytime soon.  The WDFW is a joke for our deer and elk population.  The only way we will be heard is if we hit them in their pocket book.  I believe if we can coordinate, work together as a team and band together we can be heard and things could change. IMO It would only take 1 year for us getting together and not buying tags and licenses.  Now I know i'm gonna get some back lash from others who may think this is a ridiculous idea, but that back lash will be from the same folks that will continue to pay the WDFW each year and then come back on this forum and complain year after year with no changes being made.  Let me ask you this: Would you continue to buy a product of any kind from a company that continually gets worse year after year?  I wouldn't...   
I'm personally willing to give a boycott a try. As of this year I haven't spent a single day in the field within Washington. The only time I plan to be out in the field within this state will be when I head over to help my hunting partner and best friend fill his moose tag he drew this year.
I dont know what the perfect answer is but I do know that if you want a future within this state for hunting we need to our part to change where things are headed       

[bigmacc]

I havent posted much in the past but have been member for a few years.  I have had the privilege to share camp fires with Skyvalhunter and Rainier10 throughout the years.  I have had great success hunting this state and have helped many others fill their tags. I have more tree stands than I can count across this state and have grown up loving the areas where I have had my success.
The past couple of years have been terrible and theres no indication that things will be getting better anytime soon.  The WDFW is a joke for our deer and elk population.  The only way we will be heard is if we hit them in their pocket book.  I believe if we can coordinate, work together as a team and band together we can be heard and things could change. IMO It would only take 1 year for us getting together and not buying tags and licenses.  Now I know i'm gonna get some back lash from others who may think this is a ridiculous idea, but that back lash will be from the same folks that will continue to pay the WDFW each year and then come back on this forum and complain year after year with no changes being made.  Let me ask you this: Would you continue to buy a product of any kind from a company that continually gets worse year after year?  I wouldn't...   
I'm personally willing to give a boycott a try. As of this year I haven't spent a single day in the field within Washington. The only time I plan to be out in the field within this state will be when I head over to help my hunting partner and best friend fill his moose tag he drew this year.
I dont know what the perfect answer is but I do know that if you want a future within this state for hunting we need to our part to change where things are headed       

  ....My "Not buying a deer tag" is on year 3 now.

[CAMPMEAT]

WOLVES. We had a cabin on Reflection Lake in the Lime Belt and started seeing wolf tracks right after the fires....

[wildernessathlete]

I’m not sure if this was mentioned but I don’t think there should be mule doe tags. Whitetail doe tags I can see, but for some reason the WDFW believes when there is a fire they need to kill off does in that unit.

[hunter399]

The wife and I was out hunting,seen a deer skin ,head,doe that had been harvested this year and it was so small must of been this year's fawn that just lost its spots.

I can't believe some of our biologist that work for WDFW can stand there and tell me our wildlife is doing good in this state, what a joke.We pay these people to manage our animals.Makes me sick.

If I don't see some major changes soon .
Our family won't being buying tags in the future.

[Skyvalhunter]

Just like Wunderlich33 said until us hunters as a group tell the WDFW that enough is enough they will continue to hold their hand out and take our money. I have more than enough points to hunt other states. It was really sad to see the lack of feedback for the hunting proposals when it was our chance to let them know how we feel. I personally don't see it getting better only worse. It's past time to step up and think about the future for the younger hunters