How many would go back to the good old days?

[kenzmad]

was wondering, how many muzzy hunters would go back to the pre inline, pre fiberoptics, pre musket caps era? I really miss the old Thompson hawken days when there weren't so many people trying for the animals. I remember when you read the regs and picked out a permit hunt to apply for and could expect to get selected for it. 75 permits 16 applicants. we were once a very useful tool for WDFW to use for damage control hunts. Just wondering how many would stick with muzzy hunting if they had to do it the old way. I would go back in a heart beat.

kenzmad

[billythekidrock]

I think a great proposal would be to change the early archery and muzzy seasons to long bow/recurve and patch & round ball only. The late seasons could be for the "modern" archery and muzzy gear.

[boneaddict]

I'd love it.

[PolarBear]

I'm in!

[carver52]

I'm in also.  I use exactly those, recurve and round balls.

[Machias]

It could be as good as ever, as good as the old days, if they only stopped cramming us all into a few GMUs, THAT, in my humble opinion is the problem, not the fiber optic sights, musket caps, etc....  Archery, muzzleloading or modern.

[carpsniperg2]

i have black powder in my veins!  i love black powder hunting, just somthing about it. i was not around in the "old" days but i would not mind either way. as long as i get to smell that burnt black powder i am game

[high country]

that little longbow part hooked me....I am in.

[Machias]

So do we get to use fast flight strings? carbon arrows?  modern broadheads? R/D longbows? rangefinders? How far we going back in time?   

[kenzmad]

I know that myself, I really miss those days. I miss the "carry yur gun upside down in the rain so the cap don't get wet, and the big ole smoke cloud that only FF black powder can provide and my favorite was the seeing the vapor trail of the maxiball on a really cold morning"

kenzmad

[bigpaw 77]

It could be as good as ever, as good as the old days, if they only stopped cramming us all into a few GMUs, THAT, in my humble opinion is the problem, not the fiber optic sights, musket caps, etc....  Archery, muzzleloading or modern.

Exactly Machias, I believe that is the big problem, we are all crammed into a couple of units on the east side. It really sucks
but I would go back if it ment fewer hunters

[Machias]

I agree, if we were allowed to hunt for MUCH longer season, like the original intent, longbow and cap and ball.  I'd sign up in a heartbeat, but I think we need to admit what the real problem is.  The real cause of the overcrowding, open the dang state up instead of having us all tripping over each other.   

[high country]

So do we get to use fast flight strings? carbon arrows?  modern broadheads? R/D longbows? rangefinders? How far we going back in time?    

what is a rangefinder?......c'mon, it's an istictive thing.....no need for that silly contraption.....lol

[Machias]

 

[billythekidrock]

I agree, if we were allowed to hunt for MUCH longer season, like the original intent, longbow and cap and ball.  I'd sign up in a heartbeat, but I think we need to admit what the real problem is.  The real cause of the overcrowding, open the dang state up instead of having us all tripping over each other.   

I agree and would propose combining the early archery and muzzy season, so about 5 weeks. From early Sept to first week of Oct.

[kenzmad]

So do we get to use fast flight strings? carbon arrows?  modern broadheads? R/D longbows? rangefinders? How far we going back in time?    

what is a rangefinder?......c'mon, it's an istictive thing.....no need for that silly contraption.....lol

  my dad bought me a really nice nikon rangefinder a couple of years back. we only hunt the westside. he tells me it'll range out to 600 yards. I can't remember any time being able to SEE 100 yards yet alone 600.

kenzmad

[high country]

hell, I will wear feathers on my head and shoot a selfbow with hand knapped heads if i can hunt the indian season.

[GlennGTR]

Blacktail long bow, quality cedar shafts, shield cut fletching and zwicky broad heads. Yeah, you could count me in.

[kenzmad]

Blacktail long bow, quality cedar shafts, shield cut fletching and zwicky broad heads. Yeah, you could count me in.

now I am not talking about going all the way back to our ancestors but back to the "primative weapon" times. true muzzleloaders and bows with no more than 50% letoff, no expanding broadheads, "continious blade not exceeding 7/16" type of thing."

kenzmad

[Machias]

Expandables are currently illegal here in WA.

[kenzmad]

Expandables are currently illegal here in WA.

my bad, been years since I archery hunted and thought I heard that they were legal. since I don't hunt bow I do not keep up on the regs for them.

kenzmad

[PolarBear]

hell, I will wear feathers on my head and shoot a selfbow with hand knapped heads if i can hunt the indian season.

I've got a bunch of real arrowheads that I found on the Natchez Trace when I was a kid.  Some are in good enough shape to hunt with.

[Hangfire]

There has been some talk about a primitive season within DFW. This would be no compounds and only patched round balls, possibly only flintlocks. It would be a usefull tool in fire arm restricted areas for DFW. It wold also be a very fun hunt. It still may be crowded. I used to hunt the upper Wynouchee for elk, road closure and muzzle loader. That was late 80's. early 90's. There were no in lines to speak of, still a lot of people.

[Superhunter333]

its hard enough to get a critter with modern bows count me out

[NWBREW]

I think a great proposal would be to change the early archery and muzzy seasons to long bow/recurve and patch & round ball only. The late seasons could be for the "modern" archery and muzzy gear.

  Would love to see that

[dawhunt]

It could be as good as ever, as good as the old days, if they only stopped cramming us all into a few GMUs, THAT, in my humble opinion is the problem, not the fiber optic sights, musket caps, etc....  Archery, muzzleloading or modern.

EXACTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOB

[rock]

if i had the money to buy a legal gun yes

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I am  in also... I love muzzy hunting but tired of hiking into a timber patch before first light and thenget trampled on by 12 guys hunting the same timber patch... Open up some extra units or go back to the intention of the traditional weapon season.

[Lowedog]

I agree with Machias.  It's not the equipment it's the overcrowding.  I don't think changing equipment restrictions is going to change the overcrowding problem.  In the age of the internet it is just too easy to gain info and hunters will realize which seasons will offer the best opportunities. 

WDFW needs to figure out how to offer more units to hunt if they are going to have hunts like late archery mule deer.  I feel they could open up a lot more units for these types of hunts and go to permit only.  Sure would beat the hell out of dealing with all the people hunting one or two units.  I have an archery tag and live right next to the Swakane and am not out hunting because I don't want to see another guy on every ridge.  I doubt I will go at all.  Early season is so much more enjoyable for me.

[PolarBear]

My main concern would be folks using traditional gear like more modern equipment and the result being many more wounded and lost critters.

[ribka]

The majority of my hunting last 30 years was with a long bow and recurve. But that was hunting states with long ( 3 months) seasons and all areas were open. Much more archery friendly. When I hunted in Penn used a flintlock. Since moving to WA have started some more hunting with modern firearm and ml. As mentioned by Machias we have too few GMU's in this state open. Am biased but would love the idea of primitive weapons only. How about Westside modern weapons and East side primitive weapons

[brutus1]

How about equal time for all groups.Tired of paying the same amount of money for less time and less hunting opportunties with the muzzleloader seasons.Forget the old days they sucked too been hunting for 39 years and the old style of hunting was was just as bad.What we need to do is get rid of the free hunting by the tribes get and put them under some type of control system. Can't manage wildlife without knowing what the other side takes and how many.The old days were good for one thing no idiots on 4-wheelers running all over the places in your hunting areas.If you couldn't drive close you walked in that was the good old days having to earn it.Just my two-cents 

[Superhunter333]

The majority of my hunting last 30 years was with a long bow and recurve. But that was hunting states with long ( 3 months) seasons and all areas were open. Much more archery friendly. When I hunted in Penn used a flintlock. Since moving to WA have started some more hunting with modern firearm and ml. As mentioned by Machias we have too few GMU's in this state open. Am biased but would love the idea of primitive weapons only. How about Westside modern weapons and East side primitive weapons

how about no west siders on the eastside

[KLRKeith]

More units would be my first choice.  I would also like a flintlock open sights season in Dec/Jan.

[guesswho]

My main concern would be folks using traditional gear like more modern equipment and the result being many more wounded and lost critters.

Exactly.  its already bad enough with the rifle hunters drawing a multi-season permit, then buying a rickety bow that they don't practice with so they can wound deer in the archery season.

[high country]

My main concern would be folks using traditional gear like more modern equipment and the result being many more wounded and lost critters.

or my bow hunter co worker who could manage to fire on 5 elk before one stayed dead?

sterotypes work both ways.

Exactly.  its already bad enough with the rifle hunters drawing a multi-season permit, then buying a rickety bow that they don't practice with so they can wound deer in the archery season.

[400out]

The majority of my hunting last 30 years was with a long bow and recurve. But that was hunting states with long ( 3 months) seasons and all areas were open. Much more archery friendly. When I hunted in Penn used a flintlock. Since moving to WA have started some more hunting with modern firearm and ml. As mentioned by Machias we have too few GMU's in this state open. Am biased but would love the idea of primitive weapons only. How about Westside modern weapons and East side primitive weapons

how about no west siders on the eastside

your crazy 

[dscubame]

I still take out the Hawken with ball and patch at least once a season.

[Shed Stud]

anything that takes us back in tec is a good thing. i'd make my own arrows or mold slugs if it ment better,longer season.

[npaull]

I think a great proposal would be to change the early archery and muzzy seasons to long bow/recurve and patch & round ball only. The late seasons could be for the "modern" archery and muzzy gear.

This is a great idea, it definitely should happen. There is such a difference between the souped-up modern compound "bows" and the "muzzleloaders" compared to traditional gear they're not even comparable...

[guesswho]

What really SHOULD happen, is that anyone using a primitive weapon should have to take a proficiency test, so the guy shooting groups the size of a pickup truck isn't going out and wounding several deer before making a shot capable of bringing one down.   

[Superhunter333]

I think a great proposal would be to change the early archery and muzzy seasons to long bow/recurve and patch & round ball only. The late seasons could be for the "modern" archery and muzzy gear.

This is a great idea, it definitely should happen. There is such a difference between the souped-up modern compound "bows" and the "muzzleloaders" compared to traditional gear they're not even comparable...

What about the gmus that dont have a late season

[ML_Hunter]

Well...then they will just have to open up more early season hunts!

I'm open to both!  I love hunting with my front stuffer and have both a traditional guns and a modern gun.  What ever the regs are, I just want to start the morning off with a cloud of smoke and the smell of black powder!