Should Washington Move to a Draw Only Management for Yakima, Colockum, and Blues

[Colville]

bckfvr.  It's not smoke n mirrors. in the decade before the 3 yr apr, those 2 units accounted for 56% of kills.  During APR 45%.  After 56%.  That's because the unit dropped it's buck take and since those are the most productive units in the region, it's significant.  There's no smoke in that.

[predatorpro]

What units should all those thousands of hunters go to, to hunt bigger healthier herds?

[Jonathan_S]

What units should all those thousands of hunters go to, to hunt bigger healthier herds?

Well at some point, unlimited elk hunting isn't sustainable. That's what every other state has decided. Just because we like hunting elk in our home state every year doesn't mean it's going to remain sustainable.

[Miles]

The entire state should go to draw only for elk and mule deer.

I’m betting they will fairly soon.

[vandeman17]

I think comparing the APR for whitetails and elk in the blues is not really effective. Completely different battles each face 

[trophyhunt]

The entire state should go to draw only for elk and mule deer.

I’m betting they will fairly soon.

no reason for us on the west side to suffer like east side, our herds are fine.

[Colville]

What units should all those thousands of hunters go to, to hunt bigger healthier herds?

Well at some point, unlimited elk hunting isn't sustainable. That's what every other state has decided. Just because we like hunting elk in our home state every year doesn't mean it's going to remain sustainable.

Why Jonathan?  We have been some years below herd capacity, others over, but it's managed very close to the 10k number in Yakima.  That said, elk hunters have dropped by 20% over the last 6+ years with no reason to believe that trend is going to stop.  IF the herd size hasn't fallen off, under much higher hunter count, why all of a sudden will it become "unsustainable"?

[KFhunter]

How about some numbers and some perspective


https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19901019&slug=1099010



note the dates, note the numbers

[Jimmy33]

5 point or better statewide...OTC. Attempt to harvest the most nature animals in the unit. In general, this is a pretty sound game management technique. In order for WDFW to continue to get its money for special permits, just increase the tag price by 20$.


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[huntnnw]

The entire state should go to draw only for elk and mule deer.

I’m betting they will fairly soon.

mule deer should of happened years ago

[elkchaser54]

How about some numbers and some perspective


https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19901019&slug=1099010



note the dates, note the numbers

Really cool to see the #s back in the 90s. The blue mountain herd is believed to be slightly above 4000 according to 2019 prospects pdf.  In 1990 it was 7000, thats crazy to think they have managed this herd down to half of its levels in 20 years .

[villajac29]

What units should all those thousands of hunters go to, to hunt bigger healthier herds?

Well at some point, unlimited elk hunting isn't sustainable. That's what every other state has decided. Just because we like hunting elk in our home state every year doesn't mean it's going to remain sustainable.

My point exactly!

[dilleytech]

I too have heard biologists in podscasts say the reason for spike only hunts is to increase the total number of bulls available to be taken without affecting the over all population as much as bull only hunts due to spikes being Less likely to survive then a mature animal.

I never participated in a the rifle spike only hunts just archery and muzzy my whole life, but the people I know who actual hunt have a success rate closer to 50% so I don’t really buy the below 6% percent success rate argument. We all know most guys don’t get off their couch in hunting season and maybe a majority of guys don’t report their harvest. Draw only to hunt every 4-5 years probably sounds great to guys who all ready hunt out of state every year any way.  But for those of us who like killing a elk most years in are back yards it’s pretty hard to support.

My backyard is now a west side unit though so I guess I’ll just stand by on the sidelines and see what happens. I know my Yakima friends are really frustrated loosing there late season cow hunts, specially when you see how the state is being mismanaged. But hey at least there’s bears everywhere to hunt I guess..

[ridgefire]

Does anybody have any faith in the state doing anything right with our fish and game? I'm against going to a draw for otc in this state simply because I don't think it will fix anything unless the people that manage fish and game change. We need to manage the Indians and predator harvest and then work on the hunter harvest. I see it going to a draw though simply for the fact that the state will get more revenue. I hunt the Eastside a but once I draw it will be strictly Westside and out of state for elk for my boys and myself.

[KFhunter]

I want to increase herd size rather than squabble over the remains, growing the herd/s should be first and foremost on everyone's thoughts.   

The spike only thing is dumb, but it gets people buying tags.   

If it went draw only there'd be fewer elk tag sales and I think it would put additional pressure on OTC deer tags. 
I think a small % of hunters get into the draw game, most go to walmart and just buy tags, and if they can't buy an OTC elk tag like they've done for 20+ years they'll say piss on it and get angry. 

The spike bulls would be allowed to grow into more mature bulls,  so the draw would get much better a few years down the road for those that participate.   
but also there'd be more people applying for draws I believe too, especially when the number of nice bulls increases because they aren't getting slaughtered as spikes with OTC tags. 

I think it would reduce revenue overall for WDFW,  which in turn would reduce management of the elk herds. 


I see a lot of loosing, and a small segment of hunters would gain and have a better hunt I have no doubt of that.   


I'm still mixed, but leaning towards ending OTC spike hunts in favor of draw only branched bull.