Methow Wildlife Area Winter Closure

[Okano-gun]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/wdfw-seeks-public-input-proposed-methow-wildlife-area-temporary-winter-closures-protect-mule-deer

Glad to see this may finally happen.

[timberfaller]

Sad thing is they created the problem years ago!  They will blame everything other then themselves.  Had discussions already with them years ago, fell on deaf ears.  Climate change  became the topic!  Not wolves, bears or not purchasing "winter range" when they could have.  Ya can't fix stupid!  Especially when its government!

[boneaddict]

My tinfoil hat thinks its more for wolf protection than muledeer but......     I guess now that my Dad is dead, I likely wont be going to the valley nearly as much as I used to anyway.   I sure have alot of good memories in all of those areas before the people came.

[highcountry_hunter]

It irritates me to no end when they attribute higher intensity wildfires to climate change.
Even the god damn forest service admits that the leading cause of these giant, high intensity fires is because of 100+ years of forest mismanagement.
Lack of logging and putting out every fire as quickly as you can leads to an astronomical load of fuels on the landscape that are ready to burn so hot they nuke the soil.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Skyvalhunter]

I am for the access limits put on in this area. The deer herd is already hurting and the constant harassment by the different user groups there when deer are at a critical point in the winter. Same goes for the Entiat and snowmobiles. The population of deer coming out of the Pasayten is extremely low and anything that can be done to help the herd out I am for.

[2MANY]

They should bring in a philosophy major to fix it.

[JakeLand]

It’s complete *censored* that it’s for the mule deer and you all know that , they don’t care one bit about the deer it’s more they don’t want you in there hunting and trapping period . Start December through April then ends up year round being a “safe haven” for animals
Don’t buy into it

[boneaddict]

Back in the 80s they shut down hunting in Alta for three years so no one shot their precious wolves that weren’t here yet. 😂

There was also a period in which they shut down coyote hunting during modern.   Do you really think it was about the coyotes? 

They obviously will do what they want, but it would sure be cool if they were upfront about it.

[Mtnwalker]

I'm confused here. I seem to remember a whole bunch of complaining about all of the recreational pressure from the spandex crowd in these wintering areas back when these discussions and surveys first started taking place. Now that they actually appear to be doing something about it, and they even proposed dates that would still accommodate the late hunts, we still don't like it?

[LDennis24]

Doesn't the Unlawful Inclosures Act apply here? 

[knighttime25]

Don't need to look much further than page 22 in the regs to realize they don't give a *censored* about the deer herds in this area when they open it for general season Archery Mule Deer doe harvest in 10 days....

[Mtnwalker]

Don't need to look much further than page 22 in the regs to realize they don't give a *censored* about the deer herds in this area when they open it for general season Archery Mule Deer doe harvest in 10 days....

Very true. I just emailed them about this, curious if they'll provide an answer

[salt n sage90]

Don't need to look much further than page 22 in the regs to realize they don't give a *censored* about the deer herds in this area when they open it for general season Archery Mule Deer doe harvest in 10 days....

That is definitely pretty backwards. If protecting the population was really the goal why would they put a target on potential breeding does?
Very strange.

[GOcougsHunter]

Don't need to look much further than page 22 in the regs to realize they don't give a *censored* about the deer herds in this area when they open it for general season Archery Mule Deer doe harvest in 10 days....

 


That is definitely pretty backwards. If protecting the population was really the goal why would they put a target on potential breeding does?
Very strange.

I am just spitballing here and am only a rudimentary arm chair you tube biologist.  But, could the liberal early archery seasons in the Methow be designed to simply clear out resident animals and keep the valley at low resident deer densities to avoid car accidents, hobby farm damage, etc?  And also to make room for wintering migratory deer in late fall?  I am always intrigued by the math of the seasons and would like to at least believe that there is some method to the madness...  I am not advocating for or against... just curious.

[Special T]

Don't need to look much further than page 22 in the regs to realize they don't give a *censored* about the deer herds in this area when they open it for general season Archery Mule Deer doe harvest in 10 days....

Possibly, however we know that deer seek the protection of homes from predators. So is this really going to help?

 


That is definitely pretty backwards. If protecting the population was really the goal why would they put a target on potential breeding does?
Very strange.

I am just spitballing here and am only a rudimentary arm chair you tube biologist.  But, could the liberal early archery seasons in the Methow be designed to simply clear out resident animals and keep the valley at low resident deer densities to avoid car accidents, hobby farm damage, etc?  And also to make room for wintering migratory deer in late fall?  I am always intrigued by the math of the seasons and would like to at least believe that there is some method to the madness...  I am not advocating for or against... just curious.

[MADMAX]

I'm confused here. I seem to remember a whole bunch of complaining about all of the recreational pressure from the spandex crowd in these wintering areas back when these discussions and surveys first started taking place. Now that they actually appear to be doing something about it, and they even proposed dates that would still accommodate the late hunts, we still don't like it?

I like that they are doing something

If you have never been up on Lewis butte
You should go take a look
Dogs hikers and Mt bikes no orange usually
General season and permit season
Crazy

[wolfbait]

Back in the 80s they shut down hunting in Alta for three years so no one shot their precious wolves that weren’t here yet. 😂

There was also a period in which they shut down coyote hunting during modern.   Do you really think it was about the coyotes? 

They obviously will do what they want, but it would sure be cool if they were upfront about it.

This is not about deer, last winter was a hell of a bad winter, people that live here 50-60 years fed deer for the first time, where the Hell was WDF&Wolves? They never fed at all that I know of. They have done everything to eliminate deer, they protect wolves above all else, with no hound huntin, the same can be said for cougars and bears.

In the winter most of what's left of the deer are in town or on the outskirts, hanging next to people who feed stock, it isn't like the old days when we saw deer in the foothills.

My guess, these closures will be a step towards more closures, perhaps with the same BS excuse.

========================================================
Much of the land in the wildlife area was purchased to protect migratory corridors and mule deer winter range. Protecting these areas also benefits songbirds, mammals, salmon, and other wildlife.

With the increasing impacts of climate change, including higher intensity wildfire, mule deer winter range has been decreasing while the demand for outdoor recreation has been increasing.

“We’re seeing less quality habitat available for wildlife and more human disturbance during those critical winter and early spring months, when food is scarce,” said Brandon Troyer, Methow Wildlife Area Manager. “This proposed closure is intended to reduce that disturbance. We know how important the Methow Wildlife Area is for visitors, and it’s important to us that we work with the public as we consider this closure.”
===================================================
There is more then enough "habitat" for the amount of deer we have.

[wolfbait]

For those of you who think WDF$Wolves are "protecting deer",  you should read this:

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,281460.0.html

[Skyvalhunter]

Or this so you can find out how well your local wolf pack is doing!!
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates/monthly-wolf-report-august-2023

[Okano-gun]

Associated survey


https://publicinput.com/j8587

[hunter399]

I know this is about methow.....

Here in NE Washington and colville national Forest.
They have a bunch of gates that get closed seasonal.
December -April they close the gate. You are still allowed to recreational activities. But you must walk to keep from disturbing wintering wildlife.
Along with some very old roads that have been tank traped for years.And are basically just an overgrown ATV trail at this point.

I don't mind it the way we do it here. Gate is open in the summer,for firewood,berry picking,and all the activities, December hunting may suffer after the gate gets closed. But your still allowed to walk in and hunt .
I think it works for hunters and wildlife.

[Dick in the Dirt]

Back in the 80s they shut down hunting in Alta for three years so no one shot their precious wolves that weren’t here yet. 😂

There was also a period in which they shut down coyote hunting during modern.   Do you really think it was about the coyotes? 

They obviously will do what they want, but it would sure be cool if they were upfront about it.

Sadly I remember this closer, and never did see the benefits from this. Look who sits on the game commission and there is your answer. It's not about the deer. it's the anti's using the back to to get what they want.