New Black Bear Season

[Wenatcheejay]

It seems they plan to move the opening of Bear season to the middle of Aug. Soon, it will be Sept 1st. Then, "Private Land Only," just like they planned it. IMHO


http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/2010/wsr_10-04-125_revisions.pdf

Bear is on page 49.

[bobcat]

Yes, I saw that. The Game Management Advisory Council member who was at the last Commissioner's meeting (March 13) got up and spoke against that change. We should all be writing letters on that issue as well, in addition to the special permit issue.

[Bob33]

Recall they tried to move it to Sep 1 in 2009 after the woman was shot by the 14 year old bear hunter.  They relented because of the overwhelming number of letters written opposed to that idea.

Like typical politicians, they decided to lay low and hope the people would forget.

[bigtex]

The reason why they are moving a couple of the areas openers to the middle of August is because those areas have seen a decrease in the bear population. At first look it seems to be that those areas they want to shorten the season have a large tribal bear take, just a thought. I don't really see a big problem with it, but then again I don't disagree with WDFW on every issue like many of you do.....

[bobcat]

bigtex, Now that you say that I remember that's what they talked about at the meeting... that it was due to a decrease in the bear population. Of course the question is, how do they know there has been a decrease? And is that really the reason for shortening the season. I don't know. It really doesn't affect me, as I won't be hunting bears in those areas. But for those who do, if you've got an opinion on the change, it wouldn't hurt to write and let your feelings be known.

[Bob33]

In 2009 they ultimately fessed up to admitting that a big part of the reason for wanting to move the season was to avoid conflicts between hunters and recreational users like hikers.

[bigtex]

In 2009 they ultimately fessed up to admitting that a big part of the reason for wanting to move the season was to avoid conflicts between hunters and recreational users like hikers.

I agree with you on that, however the areas they proposed changing are areas that are pretty rural. It is not like they are changing the Issaquah or Snoqualmie units which gets a lot of pressure from hikers and hunters, if they did change those units then I think the writing on the wall would be easier to see.

[bobcat]

I wish I had paid more attention at the meeting, but I didn't attend for that issue. It will be interesting to see if the Commission approves the shorter season, after the GMAC member spoke so strongly against it, due to a "loss of hunting opportunity" (or something similar to that.)  Apparently the GMAC has a strong influence on WDFW decisions, so we will see....

[bearpaw]

They have wanted to do this for years. Worst thing is to let them quietly get away with eliminating something they don't like.

[colockumelk]

I wish I had paid more attention at the meeting, but I didn't attend for that issue. It will be interesting to see if the Commission approves the shorter season, after the GMAC member spoke so strongly against it, due to a "loss of hunting opportunity" (or something similar to that.)  Apparently the GMAC has a strong influence on WDFW decisions, so we will see....

I have come to learn that the WDFW commission only pays lip service to the GMAC and also to the WDFW Bio's.  You would think that they would listen to them since the bios and the GMAC are literally subject matter experts.  But instead the commission often times "listens" to them and then goes ahead and does whatever their agenda is anyways.  It's not the bio's fault or the GMAC's fault.  It's the corrupt commissions fault. 

[Bob33]

I have come to learn that the WDFW commission only pays lip service to the GMAC and also to the WDFW Bio's. 

Sometimes that's not such a bad thing.  I do hope the Commission ignores WDFW's proposal (blessed by GMAC) to mess up the deer and elk draws.

[bobcat]

I have come to learn that the WDFW commission only pays lip service to the GMAC and also to the WDFW Bio's. 

Sometimes that's not such a bad thing.  I do hope the Commission ignores WDFW's proposal (blessed by GMAC) to mess up the deer and elk draws.

 

It seems the GMAC doesn't necessarily represent the majority of hunters anyway.

[Houndhunter]

i would have a very hard time believing that there is a decrease in the bear populations, unless they came out and showed some type of credible evidence of it which i know wont happen (because there is no declining bear population). this really sucks cause august is my main time to hunt bear and now half of it is gone in my favorite areas to hunt. im surprised they didnt add the north cascades also since there is alot of hiking areas up there as well.

anyone have a link or e-mail address we can send a letter too?

[Bob33]

Contact the Commission

Mailing Address
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

Phone: 360-902-2267
Fax: 360-902-2448
commission@dfw.wa.gov

[saylean]

If it was due to a decline in bear pop, why not make a bag limit of 1 instead of two?

[winston2789]

If it was due to a decline in bear pop, why not make a bag limit of 1 instead of two?

You think that would be the logical thing to do! Seems like their reasoning never makes any sense 

[bigtex]

Because there are some parts of the state that have healthy or even a surplus of bears. It would be like saying lets lower the limit of trout in lakes from 5 to 3 because Moses Lake is seeing a decline in trout population. You don't change the entire "system" just because of a few certain areas...

[boonerboy]

which areas are they changing?

[bobcat]

Black Bear    Season    Hunt Area    
Management Unit          
Coastal    Aug. 1 -Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530, 601, 602, 603,    
   Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011    607-621, 636-651, 658-663, 672-684    
Puget Sound    Aug. 1 -Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 407, 410, 454, 624, 627, 633, 652,    
   Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011    666, 667    
North Cascades    Aug. 1 -Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 418-450, 460    
   Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011       
South Cascades    Aug. 14 - Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 466, 485, 503, 505, 510-520, 524,    
   Aug. 13 - Nov. 15, 2011    550-574, 653, 654    
Okanogan    Aug. 14 - Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 203, 209-243    
   Aug. 13 - Nov. 15, 2011       
East Cascades    Aug. 1 -Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 244-247, 249-251, 328, 329-368,    
   Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011    382, 388, 578    
Northeastern A    Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 101-121, 204    
   Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011       
Northeastern B    Aug. 14 - Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 124-130    
   Aug. 13 - Nov. 15, 2011       
Blue Mountains    Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 145-154, 162-186    
   Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011       
Columbia Basin    Aug. 1 -Nov. 15, 2010    GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254,    
   Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011    260-290, 371-381    
Long Island    Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2010    GMU 699    
   Sept. 1 - Nov. 15, 2011       

[Houndhunter]

Because there are some parts of the state that have healthy or even a surplus of bears. It would be like saying lets lower the limit of trout in lakes from 5 to 3 because Moses Lake is seeing a decline in trout population. You don't change the entire "system" just because of a few certain areas...

than what about allowing to harvest only one bear in these units? if they cared about the sportsman they wouldnt be taking away from us

i can kill two bears just the same without having those two weeks so it dosent help the bear population at all, best time to hunt them is sept imo. just sucks cause i really like hunting those areas and even though it will not stop me from killing a bear(s), it takes away from my opportunitys which they shouldnt be doing without reason

[boonerboy]

Thanks Bobcat, I guess it doesn't affect me either....yet.

[Wenatcheejay]

Don't they already have that? You can only take one bear from the Eastside. (No?) So, they already limit where 2 bears come from. They offer no scientific data to support their limiting hunting oportunity, but according to some we should, "trust them." R I G H T

[Houndhunter]

thanks for the link bob33

[winshooter88]

The change isn't because of low total population, it is because to many female bears are taken in the spring in those areas. Data shows that more females are taken early in the spring season than at any other time. So they want to shorten the season in those areas that are affected instead of the whole state. This wouldn't be as much of a concern if baiting was still allowed so you could have a chance to see if the bear was male or female.

[Houndhunter]

The change isn't because of low total population, it is because to many female bears are taken in the spring in those areas. Data shows that more females are taken early in the spring season than at any other time. So they want to shorten the season in those areas that are affected instead of the whole state. This wouldn't be as much of a concern if baiting was still allowed so you could have a chance to see if the bear was male or female.

the south cascades doesnt have a spring permit

[Wenatcheejay]

The change isn't because of low total population, it is because to many female bears are taken in the spring in those areas. Data shows that more females are taken early in the spring season than at any other time. So they want to shorten the season in those areas that are affected instead of the whole state. This wouldn't be as much of a concern if baiting was still allowed so you could have a chance to see if the bear was male or female.

the south cascades doesnt have a spring permit

I agree with the bait issue. But, baiting was another slice in this. I don't hunt in Aug so, I don't care. I don't hunt bait so, I don't care. I don't hound hunt so, I don't care. I don't archery, muzzy, rifle, well sooner or later you will care. These tactics are going on all around us. Just please, fire off a letter guys, care for once.


Thanks in advance to those who will care.

[Antlerking]

I would love to be able to bait again and shoot 1 with a bow. My dad and i did it the last year it was open and he shot it openeing morning at 7 olclock in the morn, 2 months of hard work of packing 5 gallon buckets of food and grease pits and trail timers and everything else for a 20 min. hunt was worth it 2 see dad hime by 9 in the morning with his bear. I wish i could experience that someday.

[Alan K]

the south cascades doesnt have a spring permit

Kapowsin does.

And this change does affect me, as thats the area that I was planning to hunt this August.  School starts around the 20th of August here at the U of I, so I'll likely only get a day, maybe two to hunt now, rather than the first two weekends.  

[billythekidrock]

The original reason for closing August bear hunting and limiting it to private lands only was the shooting. After all the letters D. Mortorello changed his statement to low densities and female mortality. Then they changed it to a few GMUs.

I made a couple records requests for specific data files and F&W said they didn't exist. (go figure)

They said that eliminating the second bear tag would not help because not very many people harvest two.

If this is truly the case (low density and female mortality) then I would support a change for the next couple years. BUT I would rather they take off the "opportunity" is reverse of how they gave it.

1. Remove the second bear option.
Yes, I know you can only kill one on the eastside, but having a second option makes some feel that we have an abundance of bears.

2.Shorten the season from the end. (Used to end two weeks earlier)
Many incidentals are taken during deer and elk seasons. Yes, the whole eastside used to start in Sept so maybe the season ("opportunity") is longer but if they need to shorten it further then let the season run from August 1st to October 15th.

Let the bear hunters have their own season. If they move it up to Sept like they want, I can see a rush that affects  the archery deer/elk guys.

Or F&W will change bear hunting to the same new (crappy) cougar rules with specific weapons during specific dates.

[billythekidrock]

 

The change isn't because of low total population, it is because to many female bears are taken in the spring in those areas. Data shows that more females are taken early in the spring season than at any other time. So they want to shorten the season in those areas that are affected instead of the whole state. This wouldn't be as much of a concern if baiting was still allowed so you could have a chance to see if the bear was male or female.

 If it were due to "to many female bears are taken in the spring in those areas" then they would/should cut back on permits or close it during season.

[winshooter88]

 

The change isn't because of low total population, it is because to many female bears are taken in the spring in those areas. Data shows that more females are taken early in the spring season than at any other time. So they want to shorten the season in those areas that are affected instead of the whole state. This wouldn't be as much of a concern if baiting was still allowed so you could have a chance to see if the bear was male or female.

Sorry my mistake, it should have read fall instead. No excuse just a mistake.

[billythekidrock]

LOL

It's all good.

[colockumelk]

Kapowsin does.

And this change does affect me, as thats the area that I was planning to hunt this August.  School starts around the 20th of August here at the U of I, so I'll likely only get a day, maybe two to hunt now, rather than the first two weekends.  
[/quote]

Screw Kapowsin.  Kapowsin complains constantly to the WDFW about bear damage and how the WDFW needs to do something about it.  So the WDFW puts out some spring bear permits.  What does Kapowisn do?  Charge those permit holders an access fee.   AND The WDFW lets them do that.  Here's a thought to farmers.  IF YOU FARM IN THE WOODS OR NEAR WILD ANIMALS SUCK IT UP!!!  If you don't like the damage and its that big of a deal build a freaking fence.  ****This especially applies to the Hay Farmers in Kittitas Valley****