Possible changes to deer hunting in 2011

[gravestaxidermy]

In the huckelberry and chewelah units they are proposing a four point min. on all whitetail bucks.  What is your thoughts on this.

[bigpaw 77]

I think it is a good thing. The deer have really taken a hit in the last 3 years. I know at my house we had over 3 feet of snow on the ground two winters ago, the deer had no where to go and nothing to eat. Most of the smaller 3 points killed are younger deer. If it goes to 4 point min, we will be seeing a lot more mature deer in the next couple of years. But it does suck for the guys that rely on getting a deer every year for the winters meat, because the harvest rate will be lower for a few years.

[Tman]

The biggest problem with this in WA is once it goes 4pt min,  it will never go back.  I hope everyone speaks a loud voice against this change.  I personally, would rather see a shorter season in the units, maybe even no late season.  But 4 pt min. forever  is BS.  I'm sure not all will agree, but IMO, Bad idea.

[high country]

I am in......as long as the clock does the same on bulls.

[bornforhorns]

I don't like it.  It's hard enough to see if Whitey bucks are decent let alone a 4 pt.  I think there would be a lot of irresponsible shooting.

[spookgus]

In my opinion, a 4pt min will do the same thing that the 3 pt min did for muledeer. Bucks that have good genetics are legal and bucks that have genetically inferior antlers are allowed get older/stronger and breed which spreads their inferior genes. I have a small group of mule deer does by my house that had a decent 4pt visiting them. When the rut came a mature 2pt showed up and pushed the 4pt off.

[lokidog]

I think it is a good thing. The deer have really taken a hit in the last 3 years. I know at my house we had over 3 feet of snow on the ground two winters ago, the deer had no where to go and nothing to eat. Most of the smaller 3 points killed are younger deer. If it goes to 4 point min, we will be seeing a lot more mature deer in the next couple of years. But it does suck for the guys that rely on getting a deer every year for the winters meat, because the harvest rate will be lower for a few years.

Sounds like a habitat issue more than a harvest issue.  I am not familiar with the area but if they are going hungry they need more food or fewer deer....   

[AKBowman]

Its a good thing. Same thing happened to a couple units back home in AK on moose (went from 3 brow tine min to four brow tine min) and even though there are a lot of variables (good points mentioned above about genetics, etc) genetics actually get better when you arent allowed to shoot the 3 points. Big difference between a big mature three and a big mature forky.

I like the change myself but that of course IMO

[G.R.K]

3 point or better state wide.

[gravestaxidermy]

The four points include the brow tine.  So a normal 3pt with eye guards would be legal.

[AKBowman]

3 point or better state wide.

West side and east side are like two completely different worlds. You could take the most heavily hunted unit in western wa, take the most heavily hunted square mile in that unit and take a handful of huge mature bucks that no hunter will ever lay eyes on b/c of cover and...not to sound too biased...but because how smart/typical habits of the BT bucks are no hunter will ever see. There is not a lack of mature bucks on the wet side. The east side where optics and modern firearm capabilities can be taken advantage of there is a problem.

I will say this...I know at this time it is only NW WA (documented, but it will soon spread) the problem is with wolves. You think it is bad now wait until wlves spread into your hunting area...good luck on finding a buck at all and the health of the deer/elk that are still alive will diminish significantly form the constant stress of avoiding the wolves.

[huntnnw]

love it!! has nothing to do with seeing anything now, just a couple years and u will see the benefit and lots of branch antlered bucks. I just dont get the guys who bitch about it and are blasting spikes and forks, go get a damn doe tag if thats what your shooting, its quite obvious your not hunting for the challenge of the hunt.

[PolarBear]

Add 101 and 204 to that 4 point or better for mulies AND whitetails!

[huntnnw]

YEP! and they need to let people shoot muley forks that are out to their ears

[PolarBear]

Also get rid of a bunch of those doe tags.