Grouse hunters better get informed

[RobinHoodlum]

Just a heads up for those of you that like to hunt grouse. I recently viewed the WDFW recorded webinar regarding small game regulations development for the next 3-year package. It seems that some of the department biologists want to push the season back by two weeks because the belief is that too many brood hens are getting shot at that time. The primary source of data is from those wings and tails hunters are dropping off in the barrels DFW puts out in the fall. The primary source of data and area of concern is in Okanogan County, yet the draft proposal would have statewide implications.

I would advise interested hunters to view the webinar, decide for yourselves what your position is, and make your voice heard.

[Platensek-po]

Thanks will do! I find the hunting better for them a little later in the season but sept 1 is a holiday here

[HillHound]

Maybe if they actually put a little insight into predator control we wouldn’t be worried about the tiny percentage of brood hens the hunters are taking. At the same time they want to end things that promote predator control, like the coyote hunting competitions, they want to figure out how to save these poor gamebirds. The answer is right in front of them and I doubt it is pushing our season back two weeks. What happens when that doesn’t work do they push it back four weeks or six weeks or maybe only let us hunt them for two weeks out of the year. I guess I should shut up and quit giving them ideas

[jstone]

I was up in Lacurne area last week hunting deer.
I saw NO grouse. Did they get Decimated from the fire 5 years ago?

[HillHound]

What do you mean? They already figure it out. It’s not fires or predators. It’s those dang hunters the first two weeks of September is why they’re decimated. That’s just hilarious to me that they honestly think that two weeks of hunting is the reason for the huge population decline.

[bobcat]

I think what would help more than anything is to stop spraying the clearcuts with herbicides.

[fly-by]

Big disincentive to participate in studies when the data is used against you. Males only in the barrels.

[ThurstonCokid]

I think what would help more than anything is to stop spraying the clearcuts with herbicides.

I think this would help a number of things...


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[Limhangerslayer]

What did they say about the male blue grouse spring hoot season?

[Alan K]

I work on intensively managed industrial timber lands virtually every day and could limit daily with a little moisture if I shot them, but I leave them for the kids. I saw several singles, and a hen with 4-5 juveniles this morning even in these dry/dusty conditions while driving about 15 miles of gravel road. There will be even more out when we get a little rain. 

I'm not sure I believe populations are down, because if they were, why the increase to a daily bag limit of 4 a few years back? Unless the game department is just inept...

Populations can swing rapidly from year to year depending on the weather in the spring and chick survival. From what I've seen, I'd say that this year at least in SW WA the survival is a 6 on a scale of 1 being almost no survival and 10 being basically everything made it.

Back on topic, it's disappointing when we hear of the voluntary data we as hunters provide being used to trim seasons, but theoretically it's to help numbers. I don't think skewing things by sorting which birds to submit is a good idea for proper management. 

 

[packmule]

I would support pushing the season back two weeks if it’s better for grouse populations. Glad to see WDFW using real data to make informed management decisions. Washington grouse seasons are very long compared to a lot of other states. Losing 2 weeks in early September when it’s usually very hot and dry is fine by me.

[trophyhunt]

The amount of birds I see seem to be the same ever since I've been hunting.  I quit shooting them for the most part years ago, I killed a blue last year because I love the meat.  I call them the dodo bird, can't believe they haven't gone extinct yet, not a smart bird.  I've had them walk up my arms more than once and peck my head, cool birds. 

[RobinHoodlum]

I also work in the woods and have been hunting NW WA for nearly 30 years. As others have said, grouse numbers don't appear to be in a downward slide (on the West side, at least). Hunter effort probably is, and we all know that access definitely is. Spring weather is the greatest influence on productivity. In my opinion, fall weather has an effect on harvest rates. Long, hot, dry falls are no bueno! Both are highly cyclical.

They didn't go into detail on the spring hooter season. While I generally support expanded opportunity, this idea seems questionable. I'm concerned that if hunters encounter females, they'll shoot them - some unintentionally,  others not giving a damn. Then, you've lost your brood hen and any young that might otherwise be produced.

Lastly, blind support of a comprehensive restriction because they used data is bad thinking. Data can also be misused and I am trying to make the case that this is a prime example. Trying to extrapolate data from one small part of the state without considering decreasing effort and/or access doesn't fly with me.

Anyhow, good discussion and thanks for engaging!

[BLDtraLR]

Here's an idea how about moving it back 2 weeks for the gun hunters and give the archery guy's a true archery season  with no gun hunters driving around in their jeep's with the doors removed and shotguns hanging out  . It was one of the toughest years hunting grouse this year i lost track of the rigs driving down the roads.

[Hillbilly Zen]

If they tacked two weeks on the end of the season that would suit me fine.  Shooting dinner out of a bush with a .22 in the snow makes me happy.