What would you do?

[baldopepper]

I read constantly what a terrible job wdfw does in managing our deer herds, so just wondering what you would do if you had 100% control over deer management decisions?  Shorter season/longer seasons, more specific unit management, more aprs, more/less quality units-what would you suggest?  Obviously some are going to scream only more predator control,  but we all know that's not the only answer. Let's hear it, if you were the management king, what's your plan?

[JakeLand]

2 point minimum for all blacktail

[Rainier10]

Certainly increase predator hunting.

I would also increase enforcement officers. I think poaching makes a huge impact on game numbers. Estimates of poached animals versus legally harvested animals are sickening.

More funding for wildlife fencing and creating safe corridors.

We spend a ton of money on improving salmon habit and making sure they can return to spawn each year but are doing very little to protect migrations routes and winter range for ungulates.

[timberfaller]

Since its only "deer" management being asked,  bring back hound and bait hunting on bears and cats,  stop doe hunting, remove the three point or better reg.   Make biologist spend 95% of their time out in the field and require them to have animal husbandry experience of at least 10 years.  The best thing that could happen is, remove all governor's input/placement of people that make decisions concerning hunting and shooting sports!

That would be a good start, IMHO

[pianoman9701]

Increased predator hunting should be a part of all ungulate recovery. Pass a referendum which says that seasons, antler restrictions, and tag allotments must be determined by the boots-on-the-ground biologists and wildlife managers, not the commission. Pass another referendum that the WDFW be guided by the North American Wildlife Conservation Model and force the commission to follow that guide.

[Bows4huntn]

For starters, eliminate multi season tags.

[buckfvr]

Public vote by region for regional managers who only answer to a rotating regional resident board of commissioners.  Input only accepted by licensed  hunters/fishers, no out of region out of state input.

All complaints reviewed by randomly ricked committee of residents who make recommendations directly to manager who is required to take action determined by selected random committee.

Every region does not share the same management needs.


In other words, turn the tables on the current method of politicized management.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

Liberal predator seasons, hound hunting in certain GMU's where cat kills are a major issue.  Spring bear season special tags re issued.  WDFW mandatorily guided by sound science and biologist/woodsman input.  We have some of the best research available with game cams and cell phone cams.
No doe hunts period.  No 2nd deer (which is a doe tag) period.  Unless, the unit needs a deer reduction (not likely the case except maybe some islands)
Antler point restrictions on the NE whitetail herd.  For a few years there we had some sweet bucks and a lot of them, this was during the 4 pt restrictions.
I would rotate units for OTC mule deer hunts, maybe close some popular unit (ex: Swakane) for a season and let things come around and rotate that theory (If it works) to the next popular unit.  Select West/East deer tag just like elk.  Plenty of Blacktail for the west siders to go after!
Just some thoughts on improvement, not trying to stir a hornets nest at all.  Oh, and more federal incentives for farmers to leave areas fallow or plant native trees/shrubs along drainages in the Palouse to keep deer herds healthy.  It'd be nice to see more cover for deer and upland birds.  It might also keep water around into the drought seasons, maybe stave off blue tongue die offs.
My 2 

[hunter399]

For starters, eliminate multi season tags.

Some reduction on the deer side I would agree with.
I hate to totally take opportunity away.
At the same time a reduction may be in order.
When you have to sell leftovers,that may be a red flag that your issue too many.
Like 500 elk
500 deer might be a good round number reduction.

[hunter399]

Public vote by region for regional managers who only answer to a rotating regional resident board of commissioners.  Input only accepted by licensed  hunters/fishers, no out of region out of state input.

All complaints reviewed by randomly ricked committee of residents who make recommendations directly to manager who is required to take action determined by selected random committee.

Every region does not share the same management needs.


In other words, turn the tables on the current method of politicized management.

Totally agree

[hunter399]

Liberal predator seasons, hound hunting in certain GMU's where cat kills are a major issue.  Spring bear season special tags re issued.  WDFW mandatorily guided by sound science and biologist/woodsman input.  We have some of the best research available with game cams and cell phone cams.
No doe hunts period.  No 2nd deer (which is a doe tag) period.  Unless, the unit needs a deer reduction (not likely the case except maybe some islands)
Antler point restrictions on the NE whitetail herd.  For a few years there we had some sweet bucks and a lot of them, this was during the 4 pt restrictions.
I would rotate units for OTC mule deer hunts, maybe close some popular unit (ex: Swakane) for a season and let things come around and rotate that theory (If it works) to the next popular unit.  Select West/East deer tag just like elk.  Plenty of Blacktail for the west siders to go after!
Just some thoughts on improvement, not trying to stir a hornets nest at all.  Oh, and more federal incentives for farmers to leave areas fallow or plant native trees/shrubs along drainages in the Palouse to keep deer herds healthy.  It'd be nice to see more cover for deer and upland birds.  It might also keep water around into the drought seasons, maybe stave off blue tongue die offs.
My 2 

Totally agree

[BTobsession]

2 point minimum for all blacktail
I like it.
I'd maybe even do 3 point min/ youth any buck.

[2MANY]

Sub Contract the management out to a private firm that specializes in such things and run it like an accountable business.

There is ZERO accountability in Government anything.

[salmosalar]

Increased predator hunting should be a part of all ungulate recovery. Pass a referendum which says that seasons, antler restrictions, and tag allotments must be determined by the boots-on-the-ground biologists and wildlife managers, not the commission. Pass another referendum that the WDFW be guided by the North American Wildlife Conservation Model and force the commission to follow that guide.

I appreciate that you understand that a referendum or similar would be required for these things.

Many people want to bring back hound hunting. Hound hunting was stopped by referendum. It's here to stay unless a different referendum is passed. 

The wording of the 2nd referendum would be difficult at best and I would fear that opening that can of worms would be detrimental in the end. Quite simply, I doubt that it could be a communicated in a manor palatable to the majority of the electorate. When you open these things up for change, you do run a risk.

There are ways to do this outside of referendums. However, I believe that it would take either bipartisanship or and working with the tribes to apply pressure on the next governor and state Rep's.

I know little about eastside deer issues. I know that there are plenty of blacktails where I hunt. That is not to say that there is no problem, just that I do not have a grasp on what problems there may be. I don't hunt BT much at all. I see tehm when elk hunting though. There are a lot on my game cameras to. Tghey certainly are nocturnal buggers.

[jackelope]

I’d go back to 4 point restrictions in the NE.

I’d think real hard on going to a permit system for mule deer where people draw every other year or so. Unit to unit could go up or down as far as permit numbers based on deer herd health.

I’d increase predator harvest but that’s not black and white either.

I’d put restrictions on commission members. Background checks or whatever to determine that they are people who would follow the science and not follow their opinion and feelings on things.