early season date changes

[WDFW-SUX]

bla bla bla same crap goes for muzzy and rifle hunters too.

[billythekidrock]

I know many archery hunters would agree that technology has made it easier to get into bow hunting. You've got 85% let off bows, release aids, fiber optic sights, rangefinders, peep sights, lighter bows, lighter arrows, faster bows, more forviging bows, etc, etc.

You can't tell me it isn't easier now than it was 20 years ago, or even 10.

Absolutely true.

[bobcat]

Muzzleloader, yes. Rifle I would say no. I don't think rifles have improved that much in 30 or 40 years. Not enough to increase success rates and cause seasons to be shortened.

[WDFW-SUX]

laser range fiders, killer optics for cheep and sub moa rifles for under 500 bucks and bullets with crazy high B.C. at every gun store have all certainly improved the average joes ability to shoot and kill game. 

[bobcat]

Most deer and elk are killed at well under 300 yards, and you don't need a rangefinder or anything special to shoot game at distances like that. A 270 or 30-06 back in 1965 would kill just as good as the same thing today.

[wastickslinger]

Most deer and elk are killed at well under 300 yards, and you don't need a rangefinder or anything special to shoot game at distances like that. A 270 or 30-06 back in 1965 would kill just as good as the same thing today.

And my 1997 Martin Firecat at 200FPS kills deer just as dead at 50 yards as my new mathews. So I kinda agree that bows kill the same then as they do now. The issue is that many new bowhunters "THINK" they dont have to prepare as much. That is where the problem lies with new technology. There is a false preception that it is easier.

[Bigshooter]

I have to agree with bobcat.  I bought my first bow in 04 and bought my second bow in 09.  In just five years its like night and day.  Plus all of the accessories are amazing now.  Any idiot can spend $1000 - $1500 and have a month of pratice and shoot out to 50yds accurately. Not saying that it will let you kill something easier there still is skill involved in killing anything, but the game has changed.

[billythekidrock]

And my 1997 Martin Firecat at 200FPS kills deer just as dead at 50 yards as my new mathews. So I kinda agree that bows kill the same then as they do now. The issue is that many new bowhunters "THINK" they dont have to prepare as much. That is where the problem lies with new technology. There is a false preception that it is easier.

yep. You can see that in most of the popular units. Makes me cringe when someone says they (or their friend/son) can shoot an elk at 80 yards. 

[bowhiker]

Great conversation on this topic.my thoughts on losing several days was based from the previous 5 years. I know I didn't specify that, but I see us bowhunters losing days. When I moved here about 7 years ago I had 30 days to hunt deer, now that has been reduced quite a bit. It's not just about the days, but the fact I share those 30 days with elk season. I attempt to focus most of the early elk season to elk not deer. So to me, the days spent elk hunting are a loss for deer. Success rates will always be lower for us bowhunters, than the other choices, but that is the nature of the beast. Give us our number of days( 25 or ideally 30) afield regardless of how they fall on the calender, even if it starts in august, then roll in the muzzleloaders. I'm sure everyone has heard this but, the hunt starts at 300 yards for a bowhunter and ends at 300 yards for a rifle hunter. It takes a lot to close that distance and in many cases it gets blown before getting close enough. That is the way I choose to hunt so I want as many days as I can get to enjoy my passion. For that matter, give every weapon choice their do days without shortening their season. If we have a horrible winter kill or disease kill and need to adjust the next seasons days, then that would be acceptable because it happens irregularly anyway.