WDFW Commissioners back on the gas

[James]

They just wont freaking stop.

We need to really show up for this one. We got a win last time by flooding emails about the 2024 bear season proposal and showing up to the meeting, need to keep the pressure on.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2024/14-16mar2024-agenda

Looks like they are back on the conservation policy, east/west deer tags, cougar hunting, and more.

[GWP]

Having been born here and spending the vast majority of my life here, and seeing where it is now and where it is going, I am saddened.
I feel for all the younger 'hunter gatherer' folks and the up hill battle they are facing.
Not sure it will turn around, or can turn around at this point. 'Pacific Northwestern California' that was joked about back in the late 70's and 80's has turned into a reality.
As was stated many years ago
"All the votes you need can be seen from the top of the Space Needle."
'City folk' deciding what happens all across the State is ridiculous, bordering on criminal, in my opinion, with the stark differences between the East and West side.
I believe the biggest indicator at the time of what was to come was the hound hunting vote that went 'to the people'. I remember being surprised and shocked when that happened. Sure, there were other indicators, but to remove that tool from the WDFW war chest was crazy.
I believe the WDFW was still doing a pretty good job back then. Not so much now.

[James]

I had some hope after last meeting.  There was a serious tone change from the fall meetings, but unfortunately its seems like that was a blip not a trend.


What pains me now is how good WDFW now seems when compared to the commission.  I of course still have a laundry list of things I would like to see WDFW change/improve, but the commission reminds me how much worse it could be. Never thought I would see WDFW in that light...

[hughjorgan]

I’m thinking the east/west deer tag is a step in the right direction. Hopefully it would take some pressure off the struggling deer herds.

As far as cougar goes, I am interested to see if their density is increased, decreased or stable. I think no matter what they change to that season the same amount of cougars are going to die by the department and hounds. All you have to do is look at California to see that. But it isn’t good for opportunity for hunters and that is what the antis aim is to take as much opportunity if not all of it out of our hands.

[Karl Blanchard]

Bring on the east west deer tags. Our herds for all species are long past the point of it being a complete free for all.

The only issue I could see is if implemented like elk, the vast majority of folks are gonna stick to east side due to special permit eligibility.  I may have to take up blacktail hunting if that's the case

[BULLBLASTER]

 

Bring on the east west deer tags. Our herds for all species are long past the point of it being a complete free for all.

The only issue I could see is if implemented like elk, the vast majority of folks are gonna stick to east side due to special permit eligibility.  I may have to take up blacktail hunting if that's the case

I actually say go a step further and make them species specific. 

[hughjorgan]

Bring on the east west deer tags. Our herds for all species are long past the point of it being a complete free for all.

The only issue I could see is if implemented like elk, the vast majority of folks are gonna stick to east side due to special permit eligibility.  I may have to take up blacktail hunting if that's the case

I actually say go a step further and make them species specific. 

Agreed I think having to choose a species of deer is what will help reduce pressure on our deer herds.

[James]

I put this in the other thread too.

I doubt there will be a significant enough change to reduce pressure and have a meaningful impact to herds.

The few people that hunt both sides will just get multi season permits.

[ghosthunter]

I figured they haven’t gave up. Putting it off just gave them time to circle the wagons and get the antis loaded.

[GOcougsHunter]

I put this in the other thread too.

I doubt there will be a significant enough change to reduce pressure and have a meaningful impact to herds.

The few people that hunt both sides will just get multi season permits.

  Except for "NOT SELECTED" happens a lot (especially for me)..  If you don't pay an additional $139.10+$5.00 you are relegated to a very very short season in general season for most parts of EWA unless you draw something/anything.   Also hoping for a multi season permit may not be a long term strategy as this forum reveals that there are many opponents of the multiseason and has the potential of being cancelled.

[James]

As Ghosthunter pointed out, the conservation policy, wolf, and cougar items on this meeting are the top priorities.


We should focus on those.

[hughjorgan]

I put this in the other thread too.

I doubt there will be a significant enough change to reduce pressure and have a meaningful impact to herds.

The few people that hunt both sides will just get multi season permits.

  Except for "NOT SELECTED" happens a lot (especially for me)..  If you don't pay an additional $139.10+$5.00 you are relegated to a very very short season in general season for most parts of EWA unless you draw something/anything.   Also hoping for a multi season permit may not be a long term strategy as this forum reveals that there are many opponents of the multiseason and has the potential of being cancelled.

A 10 day high hunt, 10 mule deer season, 14 days for whitetail and then you have late whitetail for another 8 days. That’s a whole month with a modern rifle to hunt deer. Far from short.

[dreamingbig]

I like seeing the tribes shoot 60 wolves!  Shoot more!

And this statement…  ppfffttt




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[GOcougsHunter]

I put this in the other thread too.

I doubt there will be a significant enough change to reduce pressure and have a meaningful impact to herds.

The few people that hunt both sides will just get multi season permits.

  Except for "NOT SELECTED" happens a lot (especially for me)..  If you don't pay an additional $139.10+$5.00 you are relegated to a very very short season in general season for most parts of EWA unless you draw something/anything.   Also hoping for a multi season permit may not be a long term strategy as this forum reveals that there are many opponents of the multiseason and has the potential of being cancelled.

A 10 day high hunt, 10 mule deer season, 14 days for whitetail and then you have late whitetail for another 8 days. That’s a whole month with a modern rifle to hunt deer. Far from short.

Fair point...  High hunt is a hunt which appeals only to a very select few who have the gear and fitness to actually do the hunt.  2 weekends for early general.  And Eastern WA late season general only has 7 GMUs out of approx 100 EWA gmus.  I get what you are saying, but, an East/West split isn't just about NE Whitetails.

[callturner]

Yeah let's make more laws divide everything up so they can eat away at it. How about we just try to protect what we've got. It seems like every time we turn around Yeah let's make more laws divide everything up so they can eat away at it. How about we just try to protect what we've got. It seems like every time we turn around there's some dumb*** trying to give us more regulations. I saw this years ago when they first implemented cougar tags. Everybody always has to have a new law. They try a. point restriction in Eastern Washington for whitetails, that went over like a ton of crap.