STOP KILLING THE BABY MAKERS

[KFhunter]

Cow moose (and elk) should absolutely be discontinued, so should most all doe hunts this side of the Cascades

Moose specifically.....would you agree with your statement prior to the wolf population blowing up?  Asking because I never really payed attention to moose numbers till after the wolves were established.

I snowmobile a lot and the trails are paved in wolf scat full of moose hair, what cows are left have long since lost their calves.  Bulls are doing better than cows, no calves to defend and no need to move around all tbat much

On my cameras it's not strange to see several bulls hitting salt and maybe 1 cow

It's unforgivable to have cow moose hunts in most rural moose areas not bordering a city

[baldopepper]

Got to say I kinda have to laugh at some hunters I run into who spent $300.00 on gas, another $100.00 plus on licenses, and $200.000  more on assorted gear and then say they hunt deer so they can afford meat in their freezer. Kinda wonder also why their are so many deer on posted private lands where hunting is not allowed than on adjacent public ground.  Guess predators read the no trespass signs and stay out.  Wolves might be a minor problem for deer, but I think the exploding mt lion problem is a much bigger problem.  Biggest predator problem for deer is man and our assorted encroachments on them.

[boneaddict]

But I did harvest a second doe tag mulie in an area that has fairly stable number of deer.  Filled my freezer to feed my family. But took in factors and ethics to the unit and area in doing so. Passed on every doe that had yearling. Waiting for a doe that I felt ok ethically in taking.

We all need to work together. Use ethics to the best we can. And stick together. But push for management within the wdfw to be based off science, not emotion.

I absolutely love this. 

[KFhunter]

Cow moose (and elk) should absolutely be discontinued, so should most all doe hunts this side of the Cascades

I agree

I coulda tagged out easy, numerous girls standing less than 20 yards broadside, I didn't

Wanted tbat herd bull, which I had less than 15 yards, numerous rags less than 20 too

I just don't shoot them, I hunt em, but don't shoot em
  Bucks had plenty just right there easy poke

I just like being out there enjoying the chase, dunno. .lost my desire to drop em watching herds dwindle and the cluster of hunters desperately trying to drop anything that they'd chit on you to do it

[Jpmiller]

I was going to shoot a doe but then a stranger on the internet put on his wildlife bio.hat and told me not to.

Where can someone look up any of the data and info on current population? Mortality studies? Habitat carrying capacities?

I do agree though, all of you who don't hunt how, when, and why I do are dumb and need to re evaluate you're lives to be more like mine.

[lewy]

Antlerless hunts are great if the populations can sustain it or need management other than that and in the case of most current deer populations here in Wa I agree, we shouldn’t be killing does!

[boneaddict]

I just like being out there enjoying the chase, dunno. .lost my desire to drop em watching herds dwindle and the cluster of hunters desperately trying to drop anything that they'd chit on you to do it

.

Be careful man, you might find yourself being a photographer, 

[Naches Sportsman]

In addition to eliminating antler less harvest where needed, I believe habitat is another area we can try to control with increased technology. Sure would be great if the state would throw millions at spraying invasive grasses and forbs in wintering grounds. More prescribed burning on wintering grounds to release the caging would be beneficial as well but many folks don’t agree with that.

It’s sad to see an area, for example, the Nile and Wenas go to crap. I believe those factors are 1.) loss of winter range, 2.) over abundance of Mtn Lions, 3.) liberal native harvest of does after modern elk season 4.)loss of prime feed and habitat.

[buckfvr]

I dont believe there was ever really high numbers of moose, just enough to be stable enough to provide a hunt.  Now, not so much.  Places I used to see 5 a day, most often I wont see a single one.

For deer and their declining numbers, I think its the target animals that need to be managed more closely as in no does and antler point restrictions, rather than the allotted time to actually be in the act of hunting.  I want to hunt, even if its difficult to find the legal animal, kill being second to hunt.  Any late/rut hunts should be 4pt one side.  Something is going to have to be done, and I for one hope its not at the expense of opportunity to be in the woods in the act of hunting regardless of success.

[Gringo31]

I can't help but wonder if they are still allowing the cow moose hunts because why not?  Take em while you can because they know they are all gone regardless in the near future.....

Little Naches/Observatory bull elk tags as well. 

They hammered the Colockum on antlerless tags just about the time wolves started showing up.....

Just sayin....  The goal is preservation not conservation.

[GWP]

I was going to shoot a doe but then a stranger on the internet put on his wildlife bio.hat and told me not to.

Where can someone look up any of the data and info on current population? Mortality studies? Habitat carrying capacities?

I do agree though, all of you who don't hunt how, when, and why I do are dumb and need to re evaluate you're lives to be more like mine.

Funny! I like it!

[fishngamereaper]

Glad I saw this thread before I started posting success pics.

Carry on.

[GWP]

Like the OP, I mentioned no names in my posts. If you took it as you, on you.
 
Hard to know without DNA on scat how many critters are taken by predators, but vids of fresh born being eaten, and even being pulled out, is pretty compelling.

[Wingin it]

I have mixed feelings on this subject. I think they should severely limit antlerless permits across the board until numbers rebound, if that is even possible. I think what antlerless tags are allocated should be for youth, disabled, and over 65 hunters.

I also kind of hate to say this but I think it is time to go to a draw only system in Washington. Limit the tags but also allow for better seasons for those that do draw a tag. In order for this to work they would need to revamp the draw system though because the way it works currently sucks! Of course that would take some money from the state so I doubt it will ever happen.

[fishngamereaper]

Like the OP, I mentioned no names in my posts. If you took it as you, on you.
 
Hard to know without DNA on scat how many critters are taken by predators, but vids of fresh born being eaten, and even being pulled out, is pretty compelling.

Actually it's targeting anyone that harvest's antlerless...
This isn't who killed the last doe in 204. Then point finger's.
This is a general blanket statement covering a broad range of hunter's and huntresses. I'm not offended in the slightest. I'll do me...
Just won't feel the need to share success pics in the future when I know half the forum will probably disapprove of my decisions.

Like allot of threads these days.... creating a ton of division. I just don't get it.