4 point or better units

[seaduckhunter]

I dont care for antler restrictions statewide but would like a few designated trophy units set aside  for just that purpose.  I started this post in frustration with the amount of people that have started hunting the unit I always hunted because it went to 3 point state wide and the unit I hunted always was 3 point or better. Now the par is even it allows people that before shot anything with horns come and hunt an area they wouldve never hunted before because there was already a restriction.

[bobcat]

I agree, the length of some seasons should be reduced. There is just too much pressure on deer and elk for too long.

That's why I would just like to see permit only hunting, in a lot of areas anyway.

[Young Buck]

Maybe after your turn 18 years old you should be required to go through something like the master hunter program (no grandfathering), this would weed out a lot of idiots/road/quad hunters and would provide free labor to the WDFW. If you are really committed to improving hunting oppurtunities then this shouldn't be a major inconvenience for you.  Obviously tag sales would drop but the hunting would be great! I would be willing to pay 50-100% more for a tag if I didn't have to see blaze orange every direction I turned. Out of state hunters would have to pass a similar program....who comes to WA to hunt anyway? Maybe for bear?  WA is overpopulated and undersized when compared to Montana or Idaho. Overall we have a 25% success rate and that number is probably on the decline. I live out in the Palouse where the hunting opportunities are very limited....95% private land, having everyone go through something like the master hunter program would allow hunters to form a better relationship with farmers and would in turn provide access to more hunting land.  Just a couple of crazy thoughts

[Bob33]

aahh master hunters? hhhmmm didnt they have a special hunt up on hwy 20 ,  for elk with bow's and arrow's

The Skagit hunt that resulted in the media spectacle was regular archery hunters, not master hunters.

[huntnphool]

Bananaclip, you need to get your facts strait before making comments like that or it makes YOU the

:chuckle J :chuckle:O :chuckle:K :chuckle:E

 

[sako223]

I agree, the length of some seasons should be reduced. There is just too much pressure on deer and elk for too long.

I have been saying this for a few years and have been attacked by several posters.

Seasons did not used to last for 5-6 months. now shed hunting adds longer pressure. 

[bobcat]

I agree that seasons are too long in many cases. Especially late archery season. It goes to the end of December in many units. Even if not many animals are harvested they're still being chased which can cause stress and reduce their chances of surviving the winter.

[30.06]

Yes, a trophy area is needed. Wa residents go to ID, MT,  no one comes here. WDFW does not seem to care about long term health of the herds. Size of average bucks has gone DOWN in recent years thanks in part to the present 3 pt. min and long archery/smokepole seasons. Mushroom and shed hunters stress herds as well. There also used to be an area closed to hunting, right in the middle of a popular Mule Deer area. This state land served two purposes, at least. Giving game a rest from hunting, and more importantly, PROTECTING THE GENE POOL. This resulted in large average size of bucks in the area, not huge two points. If Elk hunting was managed properly here, we could have people from areas where there are no elk (most of U.S.) travel here to hunt with a guide or otherwise spend money, especially in some of our smaller rural areas that need the $. Instead it is a fiasco that is kept up mostly for family traditions, instead of a reasonable shot at success. Also draw only for deer would result in even more people traveling out of this state to hunt. I absolutely despise poaching, but there is a reason why this state has more deer taken out of season than any other, including Southern states. Draw only for deer would increase this problem. Try telling BillyBob or Joe sixpack he can't shoot a deer because of the "point" system. Ever see or hear of a game warden with an empty freezer?

[Curly]

Size of average bucks has gone DOWN in recent years thanks in part to the present 3 pt. min and long archery/smokepole seasons.

A lot of what you say is true......but I don't think one week for Muzzleloader is considered a long season.

[AKBowman]

Sounds like it may make more sense to go:

4 point or better (draw)

2 point or smaller (OTC)

Leave the 3 points alone for a year so they can contribute and less people will confuse 3's for 2's.

[coachcw]

I like the draw only with no point restrictions, Gate more roads yould have throphy bucks .

[hornhunter]

How about a few 2 point only units.  With 1 permit tag per weapon. That way only a handful of Mature bucks will be taken including possible raffle/govenor/incentive tag holders.  Weed out the bad genetics for 5-10 years.

[Curly]

If you want a 4 point then hold off and shoot a 4 point.  We don't need any antler restrictions at all or permits either.  We just need to shorten the seasons.  The deer are hunted pretty much solid from Sept. 1st to mid Dec.  How do you expect the herds to increase when we are hunting them 4 months out the year?  Give all user groups one week and one week only.  Only then will our mule deer herds be able to grow.  Also, no doe tags at all except for damage control areas.

+1

[colockumelk]

I like the draw only with no point restrictions, Gate more roads yould have throphy bucks .

I agree with the roads.  The east side has far too much road access.  How do we expect enough bucks and bulls to live through the hunting season if they have nowhere to escape too.?  I challenge anyone to answer that question. 

[Viszla]

I would love to see more roads gated as well but what makes me mad is when they open up the roads during bow and muzzle seasons and then close them during rifle.  Either keep them closed to everyone or open them up.  Openig and closing to certain user groups is just plain BS.