Entiat Special Permit Numbers

[johnsc6]

I think I let out a rant about this once before....unit is already ruined from what it once was.

[sagerat]

I think the increase in tag numbers is crazy. When WDFW was taking comments for season setting I told them that. No doubt that was a huge waste of time! What can a guy do about it?

I also with agree with Boneaddicts opinion on technology, it sure seems to be getting a little crazy. How much of an advantage do we really need? The sky is the limit apparently. I have yet to try muzzleloading but I do own a TC Firehawk, still new! Keep thinking I'll try for a Rosie bull with it. I hope the department leaves the ML restrictions alone, they are more than fair. If they allowed 209's, sabots and scopes it would hardly make sense to allow special seasons for "muzzleloaders"...

[George]

I know that the wdfw bios base their permits on population data (or at least they want us to think that's what they do), but it just feels to me like there are too many modern firearms permits being issued.  I would also like to see more archery areas opened up with fewer permits in the Entiat and perhaps a permit system in the Swakane.  I think we need to get some of the pressure off of the Chelan County mule deer.  It is a great trophy population; let's keep it that way.

[Bigshooter]

wdfw does not manage for quality only quanity!!!!  If we want this changed we are going to have to join together and make them change this.

[George]

The Chelan County mule deer hunts have historically been a migration hunt.  Not many deer were spending the summer in areas with road access so not many were taken in October.  Since the fires, we have many more deer staying lower.  You can now have a decent chance of a harvesting a local buck during the General Season.  Still the big migrators are available only to those who hunt high or get lucky enough to draw a Special Permit or hunt Swakane during archery season.

I agree; too many permits for the November and December hunts are being issued.  I would rather see that number cut in half.  That would serve to maintain a very healthy migratory herd.  Doe permits for the October season, to keep the local's population down, would also be helpful.  Wdfw bios do not seem to share my interest in protecting the migrators.  They point to the 32 buck to 100 doe ratio and say "there is no reason to worry".  George

[MichaelJ]

Everybody has got some awesome input here, though I do think we will see the Chelan CO units bounce back here in 3-4 years if the winters are nice.  That is a great buck-doe ratio but they should work harder to preserve it.  The Trophy status of the units has gone way done, just look at the photo album at Ardenviors for the last two years compared to years past.  REDICULOUS how many deer that AREN'T being shot with those late tags.  Lets hope it does bounce back.

Michael

[WAmuleyHunter]

all they want is $$$$ Once we have a big die off after a bad winter they will reduce the numbers. but this is about the only way i see them doing anything.  There should be a lot of changes to help preserve and protect an awesome mule deer herd. Atleast permits cut in half. Closed roads, Some roads closed all winter to protect the winter range.  Less archery hunts, less rifle hunts. I think more people would rather hunt a trophy than be hunting for one of these small 3x3's and 4x4's that are in there now.  There is definitly lots of bucks durning the winter but they are all really small.

Good luck to all the hunters this year.  Gonna have a bunch of company to compete with for the few big 180 plus bucks that will show up.