Permit only Elk hunting in WA

[GOcougsHunter]

Great topics recently regarding WA fees and opportunity... Let's see how everyone feels about elk hunting in this state.  CO, MT, ID, and OR are all good variations on the theme.

[Cougeyes]

In my mind for me it already is a permit only hunting.....I dont even bother hunting elk unless i get that special permit.  I dont like hunting for a "needle in a haystack" spike only. 

[cipryan]

All I want is an archery tag for deer or elk that goes from SEPT 1 to NOV 30.  This 6 weeks is BS.

[billythekidrock]

All I want is an archery tag for deer or elk that goes from SEPT 1 to NOV 30.  This 6 weeks is BS.

That's about 5 weeks longer than modern.....

[ICEMAN]

Don't remind me! 

[jackelope]

This 6 weeks is BS.

really?
any guesses as to how many animals we'd have left after 3 straight months of hunting?

[cipryan]

That is why the archery success rate is low.  Other states run the same seasons.  But if WA game numbers can't support it, then I go with conservation if it would be a slaughter.

[coonhunter]

I think archery is awsome my experience, my 10th years and I will alway hunt with bow period! 6 weeks awsome I thank Wa for giving us oppourity get to hunt longer than rifle. I hate to wear orange vest during rifle season, When I was highschool, I could see 30 to 50 hunter on one ridge, you can see EVERYWHERE people walking!  My frined's friend got bullet hit on left side of face from no where coming from other side of ridge some hunter over there was IDIOT shooting at something that missed!!!!  He is lucky to be alive only stratch 8 inches on skin! I decide to not hunt with rifle, Too many people out there doesnt know how to handle RIFLE properly!!! Thats why I like bow better! That only way you can target at animal with in 20 yd to 60 yds not 500 yds, 300 yds you never know there is people nearly that area where you targeting. SOON the World is getting CROWDY! too many people out here hunting!  we and I all be careful on eachother! 

coonhunter

[boneaddict]

6 weeks, are you kidding me.  Thats lots of time.  You want to extend your season, pick up a camera.  Its even more challenging than archery.

[jackelope]

That is why the archery success rate is low. 

you're losing me dude. the archery success rates are low because....??

[cipryan]

I guess I am comparing it to what I am used to.  MT, MO, and ND.  Archery season are longer there.  Archery success is lower for elk because it is archery, you can't smack things down at 500 yards.  The success rate for MT archery is 20% or so, hence the extended season.  I don't know what it is here. 

Not interested in photography, silly.

[Antlershed]

I voted for "permit only, then I'd get serious". I don't like the idea of having to wear running shoes so I can get my tag on the Elk I shot first. I only buy an elk tag so I can put in for permits now anyway, so it wouldn't be much of a change for me.

[WACATHUNTER]

I am for permit only for general elk hunting, and possibly keep those general elk tags spike only.  THen also have the draw we currently have for branched antler.  I don't even chase spikes anymore, just buy the tag for points and hopefully get drawn for multi so I can fill the frezzer with a cow in the late archery hunt. 
I think that everyone elk hunt would overall be improved if you were able to take half the people out of each unit, their are so many damn people and most aren't even hunting hard,  I know their are areas to get away from people but if your were to decrease the total number of hunters it would make the overall experience that much better.  Just my opinion.
WACAT

[bowhuntin]

I like it the way it is with drawing for a branched antler tag, but the only complaint I have is they need to open more units for archery, rifle has all the GMU's open so should muzzleloader and archery.

[cipryan]

shutting it down is not good conservation.  Hunting is conservation.  Limit tags with a focus on a better cow to bull ratio.