Future hunting Seasons - Centralia 082311

[pianoman9701]

I attended the planning meeting for the 2012-2014 hunting seasons in Centralia last night. Many thanks to Kain for joining me and asking the tough questions with regards to bear and cougar seasons, quotas, etc. He brought a leghold trap and attached it to the cougar and bear guy immediately.

With regards to the greatly diminished early archery season, the reason I was given was that archers (18% of WA elk hunters) were taking 36% of the branch bulls taken during the year and it was seen as unfair to modern firearm elk hunters. They really wouldn't address whether the total number taken was equal to or less than quotas, or whether the ratio of bulls to cows was off as a result of the early season being longer before and such a larger percentage os branch bulls being taken. So, I'm unsatisfied that the reason our season was shortened was justified by actual management numbers, as opposed to wanting to placate a larger base of hunters, the modern guys. It is this archer's opinion, and not based on exact science, that the modern season could have been increased WITHOUT decreasing the archery season, thus giving a net increase of hunting opportunities instead of taking away from Peter to pay Paul. What they did, again in my opinion, was move hunting dates around to be more popular with a larger number of people.

It seems to me that the first thing the WDFW should be asking with regards to any of these seasons, including predator seasons, is "can we increase hunting opportunities without risking herd/species decline?" I don't believe this is yet in their vocabulary and it should be. As with our discussion on cougar management, why have seasons been shortened and weapons restrictions added for a population which, except in about 8 areas statewide, is above targeted levels? For healthy populations, the first question I would like to see is, "can we increase hunter opportunities here without jeopardizing herd/species numbers?". It only makes sense to me that this be asked for the benefit of the people who directly pay the most into our state wildlife system-WA's hunters and fishermen/women.

I will be sending my personal views to the department for their consideration before they make final decisions about the upcoming seasons. Any of you can do the same by sending a letter (most effective), or an email to the WDFW commissioners. Their email is:
commission@dfw.wa.gov

[Rainier10]

You are spot on about sending letters to the WDFW, they want to hear from hunters.  One guy at the Federal Way meeting had a list of people in his area that were upset.  Dave Ware asked for the list and the guy gave it to him.  The guy said the list is legit, look at the addresses, all of those people live in this GMU and are pissed off.  Dave said are they hunters?  Do they buy hunting licenses?  The guy started back tracking, and Dave said I am going to check a few names on your list and see if they are buying licenses and not just people you got to sign the petition.  Again they want to hear from hunters that are putting money into the system and they want input.

If one group is talking the most and getting things changed your group needs to be more vocal and make sure you are heard also.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Good to see they are trying to make sure there are no "skunks at the party"!
 whereas with the survey....they can, and probably will LIE!