Spring Bear Closed

[jrebel]

If we do not open the spring season but you would like to hunt in the fall, keep your bear tag. You can request point restoration at any time.

Straight off of their email.  Don't request your points back just yet.  They may open it when the hunting is good....may - june.  Keep everything and sit back and see what happens.   If I can't hunt bear in the spring I will keep my tag for the fall and request my points back in the middle of June.

I totally understand, though I don't agree with painting with such a wide brush.  For those who live on the east side of the state and hunt private land, why are we loosing the ability to hunt.  I get it, they can't make special rules for each person based on where they live....but it does suck because I have some brutes on my property that need to be shot / thinned out.      Only thing I buy is fuel as our cabin is stocked locked and ready to rock. 

The reality of all this is people are still traveling.  This stops the hunters from hunting.  If they really want to make a difference they would not allow for non essential travel across county lines. 

[cougforester]

Well do we think they didn't add Huckleberry on purpose? Or did they make a mistake and miss it?

[Bango skank]

Well do we think they didn't add Huckleberry on purpose? Or did they make a mistake and miss it?

Just a typical wdfw screw up, like the unit 101 "kelly hill" permits that were mailed out.

Wdfw doesnt hardly realize we exist over here.  They dont seem to know how many gmus we have, or what theyre called.  And they certainly seem clueless about the state of our big game here.

Mild profanity warning, for those sensitive to such things, but i think its a good summary of wdfws general awareness of this area and attitude towards its hunters and residents.

[trophyhunt]

Very pissed and disappointed, another over reaction that’s not needed. I will deal with 100 people at work this week, I’ll need to stop for gas and go grocery shopping. I will deal w zero people out bear hunting, zero!  For bear, get gas and go! They haven’t closed my unit yet, but it’s coming, no way the numbers will level off by April 6.  We have a better chance at spreading this virus working than bear hunting, such crap!

[cmiller85]

Their website says they will reassess on April 6th. Doesn't sound like all hope is lost just yet.

Things gonna get better in a week ?  By Fall maybe.

But the good news is I didn't draw so didn't lose my two points for nothing.

Not in a week I don't suspect but I'm hopeful that means by the end of next month or something so at least guys can use their tags. And not the whole season will be lost.

[gonehuntin68]

Very pissed and disappointed, another over reaction that’s not needed. I will deal with 100 people at work this week, I’ll need to stop for gas and go grocery shopping. I will deal w zero people out bear hunting, zero!  For bear, get gas and go! They haven’t closed my unit yet, but it’s coming, no way the numbers will level off by April 6.  We have a better chance at spreading this virus working than bear hunting, such crap!

Could not have said it. Better

[jackelope]

Very pissed and disappointed, another over reaction that’s not needed. I will deal with 100 people at work this week, I’ll need to stop for gas and go grocery shopping. I will deal w zero people out bear hunting, zero!  For bear, get gas and go! They haven’t closed my unit yet, but it’s coming, no way the numbers will level off by April 6.  We have a better chance at spreading this virus working than bear hunting, such crap!

Word on the street is the numbers may be starting to level off here. I heard it about 56 times on the radio on the drive home from work today. Don’t lose hope for early May!! It’s no good till then anyway, right?

[bearpaw]

I've only heard of one bear being seen so far, I still expect we'll have hunting seasons back sometime in May when the bear movement actually begins.

[bearpaw]

WDFW: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/covid-19-updates

[cem3434]

Their website says they will reassess on April 6th. Doesn't sound like all hope is lost just yet.

That is for spring bear seasons and turkey seasons that starts on April 15th. All seasons that start prior to April 15th have been cancelled for now. They state they "may" reopen the season "later", but who wants to risk their points on WDFW opening the season. Knowing them, they would give a week or two at the end of the season without anytime to scout.   My wife is going to get her points back and try again next year.

[cougforester]

Their website says they will reassess on April 6th. Doesn't sound like all hope is lost just yet.

That is for spring bear seasons and turkey seasons that starts on April 15th. All seasons that start prior to April 15th have been cancelled for now. They state they "may" reopen the season "later", but who wants to risk their points on WDFW opening the season. Knowing them, they would give a week or two at the end of the season without anytime to scout.   My wife is going to get her points back and try again next year.

I sent them an email asking what would happen in this exact situation. I'll follow up with what I hear back.

[Bango skank]

If they dont open the ne spring bear at all, they should double the permit numbers next year.  But i wont hold my breath for that.

[cem3434]

You lose your points if you don't ask for them to be reinstated and forfeit your permit before they open the season is what WDFW told my wife today.

[trophyhunt]

Very pissed and disappointed, another over reaction that’s not needed. I will deal with 100 people at work this week, I’ll need to stop for gas and go grocery shopping. I will deal w zero people out bear hunting, zero!  For bear, get gas and go! They haven’t closed my unit yet, but it’s coming, no way the numbers will level off by April 6.  We have a better chance at spreading this virus working than bear hunting, such crap!

Word on the street is the numbers may be starting to level off here. I heard it about 56 times on the radio on the drive home from work today. Don’t lose hope for early May!! It’s no good till then anyway, right?

Yes, I don't usually hunt until mid/late May. I will be surprised if it’s not open by then, it’s just a kick in the balls.  My future son in-law is so excited to go and I feel bad for him and others.  You know me, glass is always half empty lol, but deep down I think we will be out there late May.

[trophyhunt]

You lose your points if you don't ask for them to be reinstated and forfeit your permit before they open the season is what WDFW told my wife today.

That is not what the email says, but that is usual protocol, I’m assuming she talked to an employee who isn’t up to speed.