let's get wfg to extend our archery season

[Snapshot]

BillytheKR,

No, I made a mistake... it is a bit further down the road that we'll be faced with a Sept 2 start unless we can get it straightened back out after the success rate equity gets all out of whack (as I expect it will). But wait... the 2 key IS just under the 5 key... YEAH, phat phingers; I'll blame it on phat phingers! Thanks for the out.

[Basket Rack]

If people are not hearing bugles it means they are not where the elk are.

Not so sure about that one, I have seen plenty of elk over the years that just do not respond to bugling or cow calls.  Could just be that they do not like my calls. 

BEFORE ALL THE WOLVES EAT OUR ELK UP I HAVE SEEN IT IN IDAHO AND MONTANA

Could not agree with you more on that one, just think how quiet things will be in the rut if we get a bunch of wolves, sorry a little off topic.

Overall, this has been a good thread.  I like Polar Bear's thought about maybe not hunting in the rut.  It might not be the best thing for our elk herds in Washington to hunt them in the peak of the rut.

[AKBowman]

All choose your weapons does is pit user groups against each other.  You don't have this conversation in other states.  Been saying it for years, this is NOTHING more than divide and conquer.  And fellas we USED to have a BUNCH more hunters in the field, why don't we have those numbers anymore, it's QUAILTY of hunt.  When you CRAM everyone into a FEW GMUs this is what you get.  If they opened the whole damn state and stopped pitting each group against the other it'd be a hell of a lot better.  And please stop with the we are the smallest land mass and most people.  Open the damn state up.  That's why I have been paying bigger bucks to hunt out of state.  I have been telling bowhunters for 14 years Choose your weapons will end up KILLING bowhunting in this state, and look at last years results, 6 days knocked off the season.  When you only have 22,000 bowhunters you no longer have a political voice, you get leftovers from the other groups, who are all clamoring for more and more.  Honestly I believe this will be the first state to outlaw bowhunting and unfortuanely it will be sooner rather than later, IMSHO!!

Lordy I hope you are wrong about the outlawing thing. What a shame that would be.  I think I would move to Canada!!!

[bobcat]

BillytheKR,

No, I made a mistake... it is a bit further down the road that we'll be faced with a Sept 2 start unless we can get it straightened back out after the success rate equity gets all out of whack (as I expect it will). But wait... the 2 key IS just under the 5 key... YEAH, phat phingers; I'll blame it on phat phingers! Thanks for the out.

Umm...but the correct date was Septmeber 6th, not the 5th

[billythekidrock]

 

[JBar]

I agree with bearpaw,its been a great season for some and not so for others,they were screaming in hancock two weeks ago sometimes its just tough hunting.you guys get a good season

Rasbo- The difference is night and day between Hancock and the 98% of the state!  Hancock has a healthy well balanced herd with almost ZERO hunting pressure. Good Bull count equals healthy competition for cows and an actual RUT. Not many places you can go and see a big mature 6x6 with no cows because he got his Arse kicked.   

[big wood]

finally at 4:06 this morning in my lower feild (5 acres plantd with clover) i heard the 6 pt rip a bugle. I have seen him the week prior with cows and not a peep. tonight I have heard 4 different bulls sound off. pretty late!!!!!

[Bigshooter]

In my short life of 30 years there is one thing that I have found that all bow hunters have in common.  They all think they get screwed by the length of the season they get.  Doesn't matter if its deer or elk.  You could give them the whole month of september to hunt elk and the whole month of november to hunt deer and they would still bitch.  If it sucks that bad pickup a rifle or muzzleloader and see how well you like hunting those seasons.

[PolarBear]

Not this bow hunter!  I think that our seasons are way too long!

[Bigshooter]

Not this bow hunter!  I think that our seasons are way too long!

I shouldn't have said "all bow hunters".  Maybe just the majority.

[PolarBear]

 

[bullcanyon]

I think you're off on the "majority" as well. I know quite a few bowhunters, and most don't have any gripes about the seasons.  The only complaint I've heard more than once was the elk season starting before labor day and having to deal with the crowds.  Now this is just the dozen or so guys that I keep in touch with on a regular basis.

I've been on both sides of the coin bigshooter.  Doesn't have anything to do with the season for me.  Toting the bow around makes it more "real" to me.  I've killed way more animals with my rifle, but they don't mean as much to me as the ones I've killed with my bow.

[big wood]

i agree . it sure is more a challenge and more rewarding. It is fun but a later season I think would help us out a little. all  the muzzy and rifle hunters think archery hunters have it best they have a lot of disadvantages too.  like windage shooting up hill and down, having to be 30 yards ,loud dry woods. Being able to call them in a little helps us