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Good read Dave, thank you for posting
Dave,Is there any data available for the number of deer and elk hunters over the years? The number of licensed hunters doesn't really tell us a lot. Back in the 70's we had really good hunting for wild pheasant, and decent hunting through the 80's. The duck hunting was better too, and there were far more places to hunt ducks and pheasants back then. My guess is that a large part of the decrease in hunters has to do with the decrease in opportunity to hunt and kill birds, and not so much to do with the decrease in opportunity for big game.Of course it also has something to do with people in general becoming more "cityfied". The kids today don't spend time outside like we used to, they would rather stay indoors and play video games. I just really think you're off base in trying to blame the WDFW for the reduction in the number of hunters. There are many things we can blame on the WDFW, but that is not one of them, in my opinion.
First things first, Kids spend there time indoors because their parents let them!! Also, they don't have the hunting opportunities that kids had in the 60's and 70's. Kids used to ride their bikes to a close by pond or lake to fish, or to a close by field or patch of woods to hunt. Those places, for the most part, are just not there. Plus, could you imagine what would happen if someone saw a kid riding his 12 speed down meridian or 410 with a 12 guage on the front Chances are he wouldn't make it very far. In my opinion the other reason for less people buying licenses, is the overall success rates of deer, elk and bird hunters. Our state only wants us to be so successfull, and compared to neighboring states, our rates are piss poor. When success rates are around 8% for elk, I don't blame people for not buying a license.
I agree with all that you have said. What I don't agree with is Dave's opinion that "Resource Allocation - based hunting regulations" is the cause for the reduction in the number of hunters in this state. I believe it is a lot more complicated than that.
While it would be foolish to blame the decline entirely on Resource Allocation, the numbers suggest Washington State has a serious problem, probably several problems. Shorter seasons across the board for all user groups, adjusted season dates that virtually guarantee a lower harvest, especially for Eastern Washington elk, antler point restrictions on elk and mule deer, and this year for whitetail bucks in two popular northeast units; all are likely contributing factors.
Quote from: bobcat on December 29, 2011, 11:39:22 AMI agree with all that you have said. What I don't agree with is Dave's opinion that "Resource Allocation - based hunting regulations" is the cause for the reduction in the number of hunters in this state. I believe it is a lot more complicated than that.Bobcat, I'm calling B.S. on you.That's not what I said and you know it. THIS is what I said (which you evidently agree with):Quote While it would be foolish to blame the decline entirely on Resource Allocation, the numbers suggest Washington State has a serious problem, probably several problems. Shorter seasons across the board for all user groups, adjusted season dates that virtually guarantee a lower harvest, especially for Eastern Washington elk, antler point restrictions on elk and mule deer, and this year for whitetail bucks in two popular northeast units; all are likely contributing factors.
You didn't say that it is enirely to blame, but, in my opinion, you definitely insinuated Resource Allocation is the main problem.