I heard it again... Margaret/Toutle going general

[trophyhunt]

They should have gave 100 permits to the youth hunters insted of putting them in the quality section.  That would allow some youths to draw tags before they are ineligible.

[Wild Bill]

If they do, I know where I'll be next opener... But I'd call BS too.

 Me too..... In the Coweeman.... Laughing at the zoo!

[TheHunt]

If the fish and game wanted to reduce the population just hand out 500 cow tags for a hunt in January. That way the cow hunters do not mess with the quality bull hunts.

[elkchaser]

I hope the units do go general. It sure would take some pressure off my hunting areas

[Maximus4252626]

I heard the toutle and margaret was seriously considering going general by a biologist. With the size of the herds they would go general.

This will never happen. Here is why...

1) They would lose too much money in special permits
2) If they want to reduce the elk population, then they will issue more special permits
3) Look at other areas across the state for Big Game. Take Marengo GMU 163 for deer. 20 years ago they gave out 150 doe tags. In the late 90's to present they have been giving out 600-1000 tags to reduce the population. Now this area is screwed and will take years to rebuild. They have spent years rebuilding the Toutle, Coweeman, Loo Wit, etc since St Helens blew. The last thing they are going to do is go general. Every elk hunter in WA would hunt there, as most know the Toutle is a pull up and shoot hunt if you are drawn. If would be a war if it were to go general. The Toutle is designed to be a trophy bull area, like Yakima if you are drawn.
I call BS!

[PA BEN]

Here is the link to the WDFW 2012-2014 season setting Survey. It's been up for awhile and is over now. You could have taken it on line.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/2012-2014/season_options_survey_results_summary.pdf

[Rooster1981]

I filled out this survey as well, and it seems I was in the minority on alot of things.

But back to the posts for the state to go special permit, I like the quota system that Idaho has for Nonres hunters. I think its smart first come first serve only allow so many hunters in each area to contol the harvest # if you really love to hunt and are dedicated you will be buying your licence and tags the first day they are eligable, and that would stop the day before season walmart parade guys buying every box of shells on the shelf no matter what it is and going out road hunting shooting everyhting that crosses the road. JMO

[JimmyHoffa]

The main issue I have with the limited tag sales idea is the active duty military guys that would be deployed for the first few months of the tag sales and then not get a hunting season.