Anyone Not Hunting WA this year?

[pianoman9701]

I'm hunting CO late rifle OTC bull elk. I just couldn't get excited about hunting here this year for the first time in 30 years. The combination of me having to use a CPAP which normally means renting a trailer, the poor predator management, commission problems - I just couldn't get into spending the extra $250 to hunt a few weekends this year here. Anyone else not hunting for the first time in a long time?

[Stalker]

Well not 1st time, I stopped hunting WA about 6 years ago becuse you could see the direction things were going with predators and less opportunity.  I hunt 4th season in CO as well for cows and normally bring one home.

[Stein]

Surely not for big game, I have two weeks I can hunt and I'm going to use both of them in MT for archery then back for rifle.  I just can't see spending valuable time here when I have the opportunity to hunt there.

That said, I've been thinking of starting to do weekend fall bear hunts, assuming it's still legal next year...

[CP]

I think that I’m done with elk hunting, anywhere.  Don’t have the knees for it anymore.  Don't really need that much meat.

I passed on two different bears last year, I just didn’t want to deal with the pack out and meat processing; so, I’m probably done with those as well. 

On the fence about deer hunting in WA, we will see.

[NRA4LIFE]

If I do, it will be just a couple days for deer, but most likely not.  I'll be gone the entire elk season to MT, MO and maybe WI.

[vandeman17]

If I do, it will be just a couple days for deer, but most likely not.  I'll be gone the entire elk season to MT, MO and maybe WI.

Similar to me. Maybe a weekend of deer and all other big game will be in other states. Just waterfowl here

[washingtonmuley]

Hunting Washington will be my third option. Priority is Wyoming antelope, Idaho deer and then Washington. Hard to get motivated for this poorly managed state.

[jjhunter]

Yep, our deer herds are in tough shape.   This will be my second year skipping the Wa deer hunt.

I do have tags in ID, WY and MT, so still plenty of hunting to do.

[pianoman9701]

This is my first season hunting out of state. My friend who gets the cabin for us says most shots are within archery range 30-40 yards. I'm excited to get into some animals.

[The scout]

I might hunt a bit for blacktail, but this is the first year I haven’t applied for any special hunts or bought a tag of any kind. It is really hard for me not to but can’t give the wdfw any more money to piss away. I haven’t hunted mule deer here for almost 10 years.

[jrebel]

I buy my tags, but spend most of my time finding my kids turkeys, bear, deer and elk in the state.  Last big game animal I killed in WA was a bear a couple years ago.  I spend most of my time these days helping new hunters be successful.  My one big hunt per year is in Canada.   

I do spend a ton of time in the field hunting Washington....It's not all about the kill for me anymore.  I love being in the mountains and the kill is icing on the cake.  So far this year, I took a friend and helped him get his first bear.  Working on finding a bear for a new hunter....with no luck so far. 

[Jonathan_S]

For me, because I usually have plenty of time, not hunting in my home state would seem a little too clever by half. With the draws always a possibility, over the counter elk, incredible bear hunting, and some other reasonable over the counter opportunities, I won't be skipping Washington anytime soon

[Oldguy]

Haven't hunted in Washington for about 8 years. Might go on a few waterfowl outings if it looks like the duck numbers warrant it.

[elksnout]

This is my first season hunting out of state. My friend who gets the cabin for us says most shots are within archery range 30-40 yards. I'm excited to get into some animals.

Careful Pman. You'll get hooked!!!!


elksnout

[ganghis]

I hear where you're at, but as a rifle/mz hunter it's worth it to me just for bear & high buck & draw opportunities.  Maybe there's a possible late whitetail hunt in NE after out of state hunts too.  I'm not hunting elk in WA this year though, and if I get out for reg. deer it's going to be super abbreviated.  WRT elk,  I've yet to be successful in chasing unicorns on the east side and might just wait til I draw something to hunt elk again in this state (even a cow tag, which seems to be almost an OIL thing these days).  There are still some amazing opportunities in this state - mostly black bear - and it's hard to ignore the discount relative to out-of-state and the increased potential for scouting to put things in your favor.  So, no, not planning on ditching my WA license anytime soon.