As an archer I am ashamed that the local archery clubs helped the WDFW make this decision. But here's why they are opening up a general season during the rut in GMU346. So thoughtfull and unselfish of the local clubs to do that.
In any case here is what the WDFW emailed me back.
Yakima Elk Recommendations
Question: Why did WDFW recommend changing the Game Management Units that are open to archers during the early season in 2010?
Answer: Recruit has been lower than average in recent years and the Yakima elk herd has fallen below population objective. These trends are most evident in Population Management Unit 35, so we’ve recommended steps to reduce antlerless harvest there and shift pressure to Population Management Unit 33, where more elk are available for harvest.
Population Status: The Yakima Elk Herd Plan and Game Management Plan call for 9500 elk in the Yakima elk herd. Recently, the total herd has slipped below 9000 elk. Within the core Yakima elk herd, there are 3 sub-herds or Population Management Units (PMU’s). PMU 33 is composed of Game Management Units (GMU) 336, 340, 342, and 346; PMU 35 includes GMUs 352, 356, and 360; and PMU 36 includes GMU’s 364 and 368. PMU 35’s population is the farthest below objective. The goal in the Yakima Herd Plan for PMU 35 is 2920 elk, but the current population is only 2220 elk (Figure 1).
Recruitment: To track population trends, we also use a recruitment index, which is the number of yearling bulls (spikes) harvested each fall plus the number of spikes on the winter range. For example, the fall 2008 general harvest in PMU 35 was 117 spikes. An additional 60 spikes were on the winter range, so the recruitment index was 177 for 2008. Figure 2 shows a long term decline in recruitment that matches the population trend.
Since PMU 35 produced 177 yearling bulls in 2008, at least 177 (probably 180-200) yearling cows were also recruited into the population that year. During the Yakima Elk Study, data from radio collared elk indicated that about 7.5% of adult cows die from factors other than reported harvest each year. For PMU 35, this non-reported loss would be about 120 cow elk per year. If the female recruitment index is 200, and we lose 120 cows, we’d expect the antlerless population to grow by about 80 elk a year if no harvest occurred. Any harvest level above 80 antlerless elk, would cause a stable or declining population. There has been a negative balance been recruitment and harvest for a number of years. Antlerless permit levels for modern firearm and muzzleloader hunters have been reduced. Unfortunately, recruitment continues to decline in PMU 35 and more steps need to be taken to reduce antlerless harvest.
Public Process: In fall 2009, the problem with the elk population was taken before the local archery clubs in the Yakima area. After much discussion, the local archers agreed that something had to be done. They preferred closing antlerless harvest in the early season rather than the late season in PMU 35. However, there was also a need to provide opportunity in some other area, not only to spread hunters out, but also to maintain harvest equity between weapons groups. PMU 33 has the most elk, best recruitment, and greatest ability to withstand additional harvest. The only GMU’s not already open during early archery season in PMU 33, are 342 and 346. GMU 342 does not have many elk in the early season and is mostly shrub-steppe or open forest habitats, so the local archers requested GMU 346 in exchange for GMU’s 352 and 356.
The status of the Yakima elk herd and proposal to change archery GMU’s was also presented to the Game Management Advisory Council in December 2009. No objections were voiced and the proposal carrier forward. While it is recognized that some hunting quality will be lost for branched bull permit hunters in GMU 346, that same quality should be gained in GMU’s 352 and 356 if this recommendation is approved.
