First bears sighted

[Boss .300 winmag]

I'm well into double digits on bears this spring. The state needs to open all GMUs to spring apps or have a general season draw in the spring.

General season draw???

Absolutely. You're not going to get this state to open up a OTC spring general season,  and they don't seem to like the 1st come 1st served type approach, so why not have a "fair" spring general draw? It makes absolutely ZERO sense to not have many of these GMU's opened for spring bears. Hell, come shoot 2 in the fall, but oh no, not even 1 in the spring.

  Spring general draw?

[MtnMuley]

I'm well into double digits on bears this spring. The state needs to open all GMUs to spring apps or have a general season draw in the spring.

General season draw???

Absolutely. You're not going to get this state to open up a OTC spring general season,  and they don't seem to like the 1st come 1st served type approach, so why not have a "fair" spring general draw? It makes absolutely ZERO sense to not have many of these GMU's opened for spring bears. Hell, come shoot 2 in the fall, but oh no, not even 1 in the spring.

  Spring general draw?

Are you opposed? Right now there's a spring GMU specific draw.  Why can't there be a eastside/westside Spring General Draw?

[jrebel]

MtnMuley

I am on board and in 100% agreement.  I don't see an OTC spring season, though that would be nice.  I would like to see the entire state opened up for spring though whether it be general draw as you put it or more units to draw at.  I am also going to propose the WDFW commissioners that a youth spring bear season be opened.  I'm really tired of the youth opportunity in this state dwindling. 

[jackelope]

I'm well into double digits on bears this spring. The state needs to open all GMUs to spring apps or have a general season draw in the spring.

General season draw???

Absolutely. You're not going to get this state to open up a OTC spring general season,  and they don't seem to like the 1st come 1st served type approach, so why not have a "fair" spring general draw? It makes absolutely ZERO sense to not have many of these GMU's opened for spring bears. Hell, come shoot 2 in the fall, but oh no, not even 1 in the spring.

  Spring general draw?

Are you opposed? Right now there's a spring GMU specific draw.  Why can't there be a eastside/westside Spring General Draw?

You’re saying a statewide spring permit hunt I think, right? Draw tags for all of the East side or all of the west side or something along those lines.

[MtnMuley]

Here's what I'm trying to say.  Either:

1.  Have a GMU specific spring draw season for all Eastside GMU's (I can't specifically say for the Westside because I don't spend time hunting there and my knowledge on that side is lacking).

2.  Have a spring draw season for  General Eastside/Westside and heavily increase the tag numbers.

3. Have an OTC spring bear hunt statewide Eastside/Westside. (This would obviously be my vote for a few years, but I think the chances are next to none.)

[MtnMuley]

MtnMuley

I am on board and in 100% agreement.  I don't see an OTC spring season, though that would be nice.  I would like to see the entire state opened up for spring though whether it be general draw as you put it or more units to draw at.  I am also going to propose the WDFW commissioners that a youth spring bear season be opened.  I'm really tired of the youth opportunity in this state dwindling.

I'm always for the youth and take many kids a year hunting/fishing. However, with spring bear, I feel this needs to be addressed beyond just youth tags and make the thing a general OTC or increased #s general draw which would boost kids chances as well.

[boneaddict]

Here's what I'm trying to say.  Either:

1.  Have a GMU specific spring draw season for all Eastside GMU's (I can't specifically say for the Westside because I don't spend time hunting there and my knowledge on that side is lacking).

2.  Have a spring draw season for  General Eastside/Westside and heavily increase the tag numbers.

3. Have an OTC spring bear hunt statewide Eastside/Westside. (This would obviously be my vote for a few years, but I think the chances are next to none.)

   This

[Boss .300 winmag]

Here's what I'm trying to say.  Either:

1.  Have a GMU specific spring draw season for all Eastside GMU's (I can't specifically say for the Westside because I don't spend time hunting there and my knowledge on that side is lacking).

2.  Have a spring draw season for  General Eastside/Westside and heavily increase the tag numbers.

3. Have an OTC spring bear hunt statewide Eastside/Westside. (This would obviously be my vote for a few years, but I think the chances are next to none.)

   This

   I get what your saying now.

[trophyhunt]

I’m ok with increasing the tag numbers a little but we just have too many people in this state and not enough land for OTC spring bear.  It would be fine for a couple years, but then the state would do a complete reversal after predator numbers drop to good (low) levels and they’d close it down. They manage predators better than deer, elk and moose.

[MtnMuley]

I’m ok with increasing the tag numbers a little but we just have too many people in this state and not enough land for OTC spring bear.  It would be fine for a couple years, but then the state would do a complete reversal after predator numbers drop to good (low) levels and they’d close it down. They manage predators better than deer, elk and moose.

You have enough land for 2 fall bear tags OTC, but not enough land for very many more tags in the spring draw or a general spring season of 1 tag? Makes zero sense to me.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I’m ok with increasing the tag numbers a little but we just have too many people in this state and not enough land for OTC spring bear.  It would be fine for a couple years, but then the state would do a complete reversal after predator numbers drop to good (low) levels and they’d close it down. They manage predators better than deer, elk and moose.

You have enough land for 2 fall bear tags OTC, but not enough land for very many more tags in the spring draw or a general spring season of 1 tag? Makes zero sense to me.

They could do it like cougars, after so many a unit shut it down. Half the fun is just being out there doing it.😉

[MtnMuley]

Without the use of hounds these days , every GMU in Okanogan County could easily withstand an OTC spring tag for a minimum of their 3 years.