WDFW tag numbers

[pat2bear]

I see a lot of frustration from people on here including myself after the draws come out. And I know that all of it stems from lack of opportunity. Out of curiosity I went back 15 years and looked at the regulations and it’s quite depressing. A lot of tags for deer and elk have been cut 90% or more in some instances. So my question is why? Obviously it’s because population numbers are down. But again why? Has the WDFW addressed this? Do they give any reason for that significant of a decrease? Is it predators? Disease? Harsh winters? Lack of habitat? Too many OTC tags? Too many special tags in previous years? Poaching? And the oh so sensitive subject of tribal hunting? Or a combination of all of the above? Honest question, and I’m not trying to stir the pot and start arguments but I’d like the opinions from people that know more than I do. Also if the wdfw has information on the subject post it below.

[jrebel]

I'm sure all of what you list plays a roll.  If I had to choose the top three items that can be controlled....I would say; 1.  Predators  2.  Habitat (lack of logging and allowing people to build in active winter range)  3.  Piss poor management practices that cater to the tree / bunny huggers. 

License sales are down dramatically over the last 30 years so increase in license hunters is not the problem.  Allow hounds for cats, baiting for bear and kill the wolves and you will see a dramatic increase in the ungulate population.  I am no biologist so this is just my opinion.....but it is based on common sense which our state lacks. 

[Igor]

I see a lot of frustration from people on here including myself after the draws come out. And I know that all of it stems from lack of opportunity. Out of curiosity I went back 15 years and looked at the regulations and it’s quite depressing. A lot of tags for deer and elk have been cut 90% or more in some instances. So my question is why? Obviously it’s because population numbers are down. But again why? Has the WDFW addressed this? Do they give any reason for that significant of a decrease? Is it predators? Disease? Harsh winters? Lack of habitat? Too many OTC tags? Too many special tags in previous years? Poaching? And the oh so sensitive subject of tribal hunting? Or a combination of all of the above? Honest question, and I’m not trying to stir the pot and start arguments but I’d like the opinions from people that know more than I do. Also if the wdfw has information on the subject post it below.

In the areas where we deer hunt, the population numbers are way down from 15 years ago.  The reasons are myriad, and very few hunters, or WDFW "experts", agree on the reasons.  It's complicated..............

[Rainier10]

Are you looking at specific hunts that permits declined or total number of permits across all categories and methods?

[pat2bear]

Are you looking at specific hunts that permits declined or total number of permits across all categories and methods?

Specific hunts that were at that time not called “quality”

[trophyhunt]

Yes, the numbers are depressing!  Especially because the west side has no reason to have limited permit hunts! Example, the white river used to be OTC, it was still a good unit with elk populations sustaining. Now with 22, 26 points, you can’t draw it!!  My opinion is the west side with its brushy cover and easier wildlife escapement should be all OTC, except for special places like the water shed.

[Mtnwalker]

One of the quality elk tags I applied for went from 90+ available in 2016 to 5 this year. Pretty crazy

When you take into consideration that the general season harvest is basically negligible in those units now (sub 5%) it paints a pretty grim picture of what is actually going on. If it's really that bad, which I don't believe it is, there shouldn't be a single cow tag offered

There's a myriad of factors that play into it but I think the number one reason for the harsh declines is that hunting opportunity just isn't a priority for many of the decision makers within wdfw these days, and they manage as such. Feed us the crumbs that they are obligated to and call it good

[bigmacc]

I see a lot of frustration from people on here including myself after the draws come out. And I know that all of it stems from lack of opportunity. Out of curiosity I went back 15 years and looked at the regulations and it’s quite depressing. A lot of tags for deer and elk have been cut 90% or more in some instances. So my question is why? Obviously it’s because population numbers are down. But again why? Has the WDFW addressed this? Do they give any reason for that significant of a decrease? Is it predators? Disease? Harsh winters? Lack of habitat? Too many OTC tags? Too many special tags in previous years? Poaching? And the oh so sensitive subject of tribal hunting? Or a combination of all of the above? Honest question, and I’m not trying to stir the pot and start arguments but I’d like the opinions from people that know more than I do. Also if the wdfw has information on the subject post it below.

IMO, numbers are dramatically down compared to 15 or more years ago (especially 25 years ago or more), many know my stance on on whats going on in the Methow for example, #1 reason for the drastic decline of this herd is the coddling of how  predators are controlled AND the growing numbers and expansion of wolves in the valley. The herd IMO is being managed for the growing predator population(cats, bears and wolves) and not for we as hunters.

[Rainier10]

I see a lot of frustration from people on here including myself after the draws come out. And I know that all of it stems from lack of opportunity. Out of curiosity I went back 15 years and looked at the regulations and it’s quite depressing. A lot of tags for deer and elk have been cut 90% or more in some instances. So my question is why? Obviously it’s because population numbers are down. But again why? Has the WDFW addressed this? Do they give any reason for that significant of a decrease? Is it predators? Disease? Harsh winters? Lack of habitat? Too many OTC tags? Too many special tags in previous years? Poaching? And the oh so sensitive subject of tribal hunting? Or a combination of all of the above? Honest question, and I’m not trying to stir the pot and start arguments but I’d like the opinions from people that know more than I do. Also if the wdfw has information on the subject post it below.

IMO, numbers are dramatically down compared to 15 or more years ago (especially 25 years ago or more), many know my stance on on whats going on in the Methow for example, #1 reason for the drastic decline of this herd is the coddling of how  predators are controlled AND the growing numbers and expansion of wolves in the valley. The herd IMO is being managed for the growing predator population(cats, bears and wolves) and not for we as hunters.

Ban baiting and hounds in 96, permits quotas on ungulates have dropped ever since.  Pretty easy to connect the dots.

[birddogdad]

I see a lot of frustration from people on here including myself after the draws come out. And I know that all of it stems from lack of opportunity. Out of curiosity I went back 15 years and looked at the regulations and it’s quite depressing. A lot of tags for deer and elk have been cut 90% or more in some instances. So my question is why? Obviously it’s because population numbers are down. But again why? Has the WDFW addressed this? Do they give any reason for that significant of a decrease? Is it predators? Disease? Harsh winters? Lack of habitat? Too many OTC tags? Too many special tags in previous years? Poaching? And the oh so sensitive subject of tribal hunting? Or a combination of all of the above? Honest question, and I’m not trying to stir the pot and start arguments but I’d like the opinions from people that know more than I do. Also if the wdfw has information on the subject post it below.

IMO, numbers are dramatically down compared to 15 or more years ago (especially 25 years ago or more), many know my stance on on whats going on in the Methow for example, #1 reason for the drastic decline of this herd is the coddling of how  predators are controlled AND the growing numbers and expansion of wolves in the valley. The herd IMO is being managed for the growing predator population(cats, bears and wolves) and not for we as hunters.

Ban baiting and hounds in 96, permits quotas on ungulates have dropped ever since.  Pretty easy to connect the dots.

one of several most all circle back to POOR management practices holistically.