Free: Contests & Raffles.
Im no poacher, but if the west side goes permit only I would be....I hunt every year and will until either the game population goes to hell or I die. Last year I got my bull(usually do in the general units) and could have killed a few small bucks too, but ate my deer tag just hoping one of my friends or family could get one. The time spent out there with them is priceless. Memories made every year that last a life time. As long as game numbers are good there is absolutely no reason for permitting. The toutle unit is big and last year with that muzzleloader tag I couldn't believe the numbers of people out there just thumping around the woods, made the permit that much less "Special". It was a real eye opener, thought there would be far less people out there, they weren't elk hunting though, just out hoping to pop a grouse, blow a bugle and get an answer, get out of the house and look at what this state has to offer. Opening up the toutle to no permit gets more people out in the woods with kids and friends, just having a good time regardless if they make a kill or not. That generates moneys for the state too. Being able to drive amelessly through the woods hop out of the rig and hunt where you want too is awesome. The animals being poached now in the Toutle aren't being reported....I know there is poaching, we seen plenty of game come out of there, but there were only so many tags and so many animals reported. Never seen a warden there and never stopped anybody with an elk in their truck to see if they had a permit either. Trophies are overrated, the toutle has a great elk population, give it to the general hunters. The Coweeman and Winston elk numbers are doing good and they are general hunting always have been.If you try hard enough here in Washington theres a darn good chance you'll put some of the best meat possible on the table...yours...and if not I bet you had a good time anyways or didn't really try. You can do it every year if you want. And thats all I have to say about that.
I would hate for this state to become permit only. Elk and deer hunting seasons are the focal point of my year. When I'm not out hunting, I am drooling to be able to get back out there. If I do not have that right every year, I would be seriously depressed. I agree that there are way too many people out there hunting and way too many out there who don't move more than 100 yards from their vehicles, but whatever, I try to get as far back into the woods as physically possible. The success rates may not be that high, but I have been doing just fine. Plus, it's not always about the kill, but about the time and enjoyment spent enjoying one of the oldest pasttimes. I am strongly against making it a permit only state. I do believe the state mismanages our money and game, but turning it into a permit only state is not the correct answer.
I absolutely agree with both of AKBowman's posts!
The only people who will benefit from a State draw will be the Indians. The only people who have benefited from the spike elk hunt are the Indians.win-win for themlose-lose for us
I wonder if anyone has called Dave Ware at the fish and game? He is in charge of the permits and should know if any of this is true. Just a thought, and sorry if someone already asked this.
The toutle and margret are over rated I live 10 miles from either unit... If ur looking to just kill an elk u will be happy but if your looking for a 300 i'n bull look else were cause they are few and i'n between.... Lots of 5 points same crappy genetics... I would like them to give out more tags if they would like to thin the Hurd.... I think we all should be able to Experance that unit at least once with little pressure before they make a pumpkin patch.... I Hurd rumors of planting wolves up there but I don't know any truth to that.. Exept it's a bad idea hunting on the west side has became over populated... I don't care what unit your i'n u put 1000 ppl driving up and down the rd finding a good bull will be tuff...
