Washington elk draw

[bullcanyon]

I can't believe the number of yes votes either.  I'm sure a bunch are guys that put in for east side hunts and don't hunt without a permit anyways, but I bet that a pile of them are guys that spend a lot of time in the truck or less than 1/2 mile from the truck.  Why should the group of guys that are willing to go out and actually hunt be punished because you think a permit will magically put the elk right off the road?  Uphill side to boot.  YOU are still going to eat tag soup boys.  It's still hunting.  Not supposed to be easy.  This state isn't required to provide opportunity for the LAZY!  As long as the harvest numbers are where they want them.  Than there is no reason to change anything.  If you want a better quality experience you have to earn it.  That's something that apparently some of you aren't willing to do. 

[JimmyHoffa]

another thought...do you think going to draw only would make a lot of people mad and increase the number of poaching incidents? 

Not necessarily.  I would think that there would be a lot more kids and wives encouraged to get licenses/tags.

[ing]

No way!

[True Sportsman]

Hell no. Leave everything alone. I do just fine in the current scheme of things. I like the ability to hunt every year on the eastside.

[True Sportsman]

I can't believe the number of yes votes either.  I'm sure a bunch are guys that put in for east side hunts and don't hunt without a permit anyways, but I bet that a pile of them are guys that spend a lot of time in the truck or less than 1/2 mile from the truck.  Why should the group of guys that are willing to go out and actually hunt be punished because you think a permit will magically put the elk right off the road?  Uphill side to boot.  YOU are still going to eat tag soup boys.  It's still hunting.  Not supposed to be easy.  This state isn't required to provide opportunity for the LAZY!  As long as the harvest numbers are where they want them.  Than there is no reason to change anything.  If you want a better quality experience you have to earn it.  That's something that apparently some of you aren't willing to do. 

I agree with you 100%

[Sawbuck]

I can't believe the number of yes votes either.  I'm sure a bunch are guys that put in for east side hunts and don't hunt without a permit anyways, but I bet that a pile of them are guys that spend a lot of time in the truck or less than 1/2 mile from the truck.  Why should the group of guys that are willing to go out and actually hunt be punished because you think a permit will magically put the elk right off the road?  Uphill side to boot.  YOU are still going to eat tag soup boys.  It's still hunting.  Not supposed to be easy.  This state isn't required to provide opportunity for the LAZY!  As long as the harvest numbers are where they want them.  Than there is no reason to change anything.  If you want a better quality experience you have to earn it.  That's something that apparently some of you aren't willing to do. 

Its absolutely crazy to think that a draw only system would allow you to be drawn every other year. If they gave out that many permits they may as well open it up to any bull and save us all our permit fees.

[krout81]

It would end up being more like every 3-4 years look at the number or elk killed verse number of elk hunters.  If they keep the same trend or even worse lower the number they want killed we would could end up seeing 5 year wait.


 KILL THE WOLVES    

[Buckrub]

No...It could end up worse than every 3-4 years....
One has to ask themselves why antler restriction with almost every aspect of washington with the exclusion of prime eastern elk?
$$$$$$ the state would love to go to permit only and make one purchase a license with a permit application.
That system would insure their job was made much easier by limiting the number of permits based on tribal harvest.
You might hunt every ten years! or worse.


Me...
I would gladly pay more for a license and tag with antler restriction management for all washington to offset permit $$ loss... close roads for escapement, reforest for escapement if needed, shorten seasons for escapement, and leave the permit system for cow elk and some prime hunts based on the RUT.

Look at the bull harvest for the gmu's in question? Other than some spikes at the feeding station is there a real spike escapement study?
I will never quit fighting for hunters and the elk... I will always question some who want permit only in order to make their hunt easier...including the wdfw.  This entire discussion is really about one area...the clockum... close the damn roads and see how many elk are killed!

[krout81]

  Double

[bobcat]

I just read on the WDFW website that they do intend to go to permit only elk hunting, statewide, in 2011.  Sounds like it's already a done deal.

[Pathfinder101]

I think the way Oregon does it is fair.  Draw only for rifle elk.  If you don't draw, hunt archery or sit it out.  Like was mentioned earlier, get's the "armed campers" out of the mix and leaves the elk season to the guys that are serious...

[JimmyHoffa]

I just read on the WDFW website that they do intend to go to permit only elk hunting, statewide, in 2011.  Sounds like it's already a done deal.

bobcat, can you post a link to that article.  I'm looking through it now, but haven't found it. 

[krout81]

You just read it, but you didnt put a link??

[krout81]

the only thing I find is this
Turn in hunter report on time and get entered in a special drawing for special permits.
Says they want more info about the reports in order decide on general and permit seasons
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/release.php?id=dec0610a

[Sawbuck]

I just read on the WDFW website that they do intend to go to permit only elk hunting, statewide, in 2011.  Sounds like it's already a done deal.