EAST/WEST DEER TAG SPLIT POLL

[hughjorgan]

Here is the presentation WDFW did on the petition… there is a pie chart showing the breakdown of western wa and eastern wa hunters. Only 24 percent have hunted both sides in their data presented as of late. 97 percent that reside on the east side only hunt there. It would have made virtually no impact being that WDFW stated does were the controlling factor in deer numbers for whitetails and they mitigated that factor by eliminating doe permits.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/9-presentation-petition-eastside-westside-deer-tagspptx.pdf

[kodiak06]

Here is the presentation WDFW did on the petition… there is a pie chart showing the breakdown of western wa and eastern wa hunters. Only 24 percent have hunted both sides in their data presented as of late. 97 percent that reside on the east side only hunt there. It would have made virtually no impact being that WDFW stated does were the controlling factor in deer numbers for whitetails and they mitigated that factor by eliminating doe permits.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/9-presentation-petition-eastside-westside-deer-tagspptx.pdf

Seems accurate. The harvest numbers aren't accurate anyway due to individuals biting the small fee for not reporting. It's a game of keeping unit specific harvest percentages low, makes sense from a hunter standpoint.

[baldopepper]

I wonder if there isn't some pressure from NE local businesses.  It really appears that over 50% of westdsiders hunt the east side (adding inthe mixed numbers) and I know many of the local businesses around me look forward to that added deer hunt business.  Also wish wdfw would move away from buck/doe ratio as a detertemient to herd health. Seems at times the overall herd numbers have greatly diminished, but that's ok if the remaining reduced numbers have the correct  buck/doe ratio.
 

[buckfvr]

I think the season setting process gives even less consideration to small businesses of n.e. wa. than they do to the hunters.  Business economics should not be a consideration for hunt/fish seasons anyway.