Free: Contests & Raffles.
Did you ever wonder if this is not incompetence, but a deliberate coordinated action? Fact, the Department has gotten away from GAME management, Fact, there are a large number of greens and others whose interests do NOT coincide with those of hunters in WDFW. I do not think its a coincidence that as the make up of WDFW has changed, the agenda has as well. We are NOT told the truth, even have it denied when we have solid evidence...but are told we don't know what we are seeing/talking about. And i sure don't like being lied to by Mr Fitkin to my face. I know the difference between a coyote and a wolf. Makes me question most everything that comes out of WDFW and flat pisses me off... The fact that WDFW minimizes predator numbers (wolves in particular) and will not admit to them where anyone IN the woods has solid evidence that they are, further erodes my confidence in them.In a wider sense, and coincidental with several other agendas, less game, fewer hunters, less hunting, less "Need" for firearms. Also less access to the wild (human pollution) and fewer folks really conversant with wildlife. More Corridor Areas. Fewer rural residences, we see this along the Rockies and in other places where folks are getting forced off their lands.
Quote from: bigmacc on January 08, 2019, 07:45:13 PMQuote from: Skyvalhunter on January 08, 2019, 06:14:59 PMA question I have yet to get answered is this. Where was the survey taken was it up by Winthrop where you have deer from the Pasayten, Twisp river, Mazama, and northern Chiliwist. Or was any surveys done in th lower valley from Carlton south where u have deer from Alta south an Chiliwist. I can guarantee you if it were the latter the deer population is really dismal. Then I have yet to see a total deer count. The ratio might be 15:100 but if there is only 150 deer surveyed that is a low total. I would really like to know the total counted.Its dismal in the north also, Chewuch, Pearry, Gardner. I know folks who live in all 3 units, worst deer numbers they have ever seen. I keep hearing numbers in the 15,000-19,000 for a total herd count in the valley, thats from the Canadian border at the north down to the Columbia to the south. There are some including myself that find those numbers very high, even if its correct it means half of this herd has disappeared since the 1960,s. We are talking another 15,000-19,000 mule deer gone, just gone.Just circle the helicopter again and recount the same ones. "Better take her around again Jim"
Quote from: Skyvalhunter on January 08, 2019, 06:14:59 PMA question I have yet to get answered is this. Where was the survey taken was it up by Winthrop where you have deer from the Pasayten, Twisp river, Mazama, and northern Chiliwist. Or was any surveys done in th lower valley from Carlton south where u have deer from Alta south an Chiliwist. I can guarantee you if it were the latter the deer population is really dismal. Then I have yet to see a total deer count. The ratio might be 15:100 but if there is only 150 deer surveyed that is a low total. I would really like to know the total counted.Its dismal in the north also, Chewuch, Pearry, Gardner. I know folks who live in all 3 units, worst deer numbers they have ever seen. I keep hearing numbers in the 15,000-19,000 for a total herd count in the valley, thats from the Canadian border at the north down to the Columbia to the south. There are some including myself that find those numbers very high, even if its correct it means half of this herd has disappeared since the 1960,s. We are talking another 15,000-19,000 mule deer gone, just gone.
A question I have yet to get answered is this. Where was the survey taken was it up by Winthrop where you have deer from the Pasayten, Twisp river, Mazama, and northern Chiliwist. Or was any surveys done in th lower valley from Carlton south where u have deer from Alta south an Chiliwist. I can guarantee you if it were the latter the deer population is really dismal. Then I have yet to see a total deer count. The ratio might be 15:100 but if there is only 150 deer surveyed that is a low total. I would really like to know the total counted.
What we really need is a change to the rules setting process.That allows hunters that live and hunt in the gmu help make rules.This WDFW setting regs to fill there pockets need to end.I have to believe that hunters that live in the area ,hunt the area would make rules to conserve ,protect,and help herds better than WDFW.
Quote from: hunter399 on January 10, 2019, 10:20:51 AMWhat we really need is a change to the rules setting process.That allows hunters that live and hunt in the gmu help make rules.This WDFW setting regs to fill there pockets need to end.I have to believe that hunters that live in the area ,hunt the area would make rules to conserve ,protect,and help herds better than WDFW.So you'd micromanage rules down to only "Hunters" that live in a GMU? Why stop there? Why not let everybody who lives in the GMU have a say in the matter? Maybe property owners should set the rules? You'd probably end up with a lot more regulations like no hound hunting, no foothold or body gripping traps, etc etc. You're going down a slippery slope.Let the managers manage.
Rendezvous roadLet us know what you seeUsually deer up there wintering
If the cougars have eaten all the deer how are there still so many cougars? I'm not saying there isn't a problem but it seems like predators cannot be playing that big of a part. They rise and fall with the prey. The fires and droughts have been a huge part of it. For what it is worth, i had the quality 218 rifle tag this year. From guys with history it was a terrible year to have the tag and I sure didn't see what I had hoped to see. But I ran into other tag holders who were moaning that this was the worst deer year ever and they hadn't seen hardly anything. They were usually parked off the rendezvous waiting for a booner to cross the road. Those days are long gone. We hiked in 1-3 miles each day and saw 30-50 deer a day. So barely getting off the road and we were seeing 10x the deer other guys were.
I'm not sure which state you live in but no hound hunting,no foothold trap or body gripping traps already are rules in this state. Let managers manage ,is gonna become a slippery slope in years to come .when OTC tags are gone and hunting in this state becomes very limited.Hunters that live in a gmu can see a lot more of what's happening to our wildlife than a game commission that never leaves the office.When people lie on there hunting reports about harvest,how many days hunting etc. It hurts the rules setting process.Biologists lie about game counts can hurt rule setting.There is a lot factors that go into rule setting .All I'm saying is that hunters live in that area should be listened too a lot more.It pretty obvious that some of the systems we have in place now are not working with less game every year and hunters that are spending there money in other states.Your suggestion of let managers manage Sitka is not working plain and simple,what looks good on paper doesn't always look good out in the woods.I do leave my comments every year when rule changes come up.It really does no good .Regs are alway set with how many tags can we sell ,without conservation in mind.
