Late season Archery Cowiche GMU 368

[bowhuntin]

I was looking at the 2008 regs that are online and saw that archery lost late season in the Cowiche. Does anyone know why we lost this GMU? We didn't gain a GMU that I saw and there are always plenty of elk in there to hunt. After looking at it closer 3681 is a fraction of the cowiche, but it still doesn't make since to me why they are limiting us to what part of the unit we can hunt. That really sucks they did that.

[MIKEXRAY]

I don't know the reason, just sorry your losing some of your area and season. I worry every year about the early and late areas I hunt. I really like my areas, know them well and would hate to lose or be limited to a smaller area.

[bobcat]

It could be a mistake. That has been known to happen. They will have a list on the website of errors in the regs. Or you might just want to call and ask.

[boneaddict]

I believe it is not a mistake.  That was mentioned at the WSB meeting.  One reason why I was pushing for bowhunters to have a voice.

[bowhuntin]

I believe it is not a mistake.  That was mentioned at the WSB meeting.  One reason why I was pushing for bowhunters to have a voice.

Did they mention why at the WSB meeting? They essentially cut the unit in half by designating that we can only hunt 3681. At least there is still some good huntable land open. I wonder if it had anything to do with the guy that closed all his land last year.

[boneaddict]

Nope they didn't say, but I know some folks wanted compensation by opening up something else and that was part of the lobby I think...

[bowhuntin]

That would have been nice to get another unit opened as compensation to closing most of another unit. That time of year you can't get very far in most of the units because of snow any how, it makes it feel more crowded and it always seems to me that more people hunt the late season than the early too.

[Jackjr]

mayby its a mistake.  you never know with all there errors.   Maybe there will be a re-print instead of a re-draw

[Dick Cress]

Jackjr . . . you give them more credit than I would!   

[robodad]

I think that was one of the funnest units I have ever hunted during the late season !! Lots of elk in there at that time !!

[cackle]

ya all standing way out in the open cant even get close 

[robodad]

Dress like a snowman and stand still, and you will get close believe me !! 

[NoBark]

OR.........hang a tree stand on one of the power line towers

[bowsandhose]

the wdfw cut the cowiche unit in half for a few reasons
1) they want to start feeding the elk earlier (during late archery season) so they hold in the feeding station
2) fear of wounded game wandering into developed areas.
3) trespass issue most of the north end of the unit is private
4) prevent elk from being herded into fenced areas creating an ethical and hunter image problem

[NoBark]

I've never hunted the unit myself.  Will the reduction in size negatively increase hunter density?  Will this unit go permit to avoid overcrowding?