Should the state have APRs?

[Maverick]

Thought this would be an interesting poll with all the talks about APRs lately. What do you think?

[Heredoggydoggy]

Would be nice to know what APRs are..... Not everybody is into the Alphabet Soup diet. 

[Miles]

Would be nice to know what APRs are..... Not everybody is into the Alphabet Soup diet. 

Antler Point Restrictions

[Maverick]

Haha, sorry. Miles is right.

[Kowsrule30]

I'd say for MD and WT yes.... For BT it would depend on area imo.... There is currently APRs for all deer categories.....

[Heredoggydoggy]

Ah, figured it had something to do with Antlers.  Voted.  Why no category for WTF?  (Whitetail Fawns.) 

[Dhoey07]

Two point or better for blacktails, except for youth

[Special T]

I say NO APR's don't really work. You MIGHT be able to convince me about WT because they have been studied so much. Even so I think it depends on how you define sucess for your program APR's don't grow big deer, Time does so knowing the difference between a Big 2-3yr deer and a 4-5yr+ deer is important. 

APR's are an easy way to organise deer to harvest but does not doo a good job of acomplishing goals.
1 what is the goal?
2 what will it look like when we accomplish the goal
3 what limitations on harvest provide the best harvest methods for enforcement AND effect it has on the herd.

[buckfvr]

Wth the differing habitat and ecosystems of each of the deer specie,  each consideration has to be ( should be ) delt with region by region, sometimes even smaller areas than GMUs......what may apply to one specie, may not apply to another.  Living in 121 with the new APR will be a wait and see situation....we are expecting it to allow additional survival of younger bucks, and it appears it helped this year.....time will tell.   Hunters who live where they hunt should pass on what they observe to WDFW and hope they are listening. 

[bobcat]

I voted no.

I would rather have "any buck" seasons and limit the number of hunters in some way, probably by permit only hunting. I think management of the state's deer would be much better if the harvest was controlled according to what each Game Management Unit could handle. The way it is done now is not "management," it's just basically a free for all, the WDFW doesn't know how many hunters are going to hunt in each GMU each season and they don't know how many deer are going to be killed. I also don't agree with spike only elk hunting. I think if it's to the point that APR's are being used or considered, then you're to the point of needing controlled hunting by permit only, which is what many states have gone to, but for some reason Washington state feels our deer are different and can handle general seasons and over the counter tags (for EVERYONE, including Non-Residents).

[Elkaholic daWg]

 I have my own APR's but I shouldn't (And wouldn't) force them on everyone else. No to the money pit (SP)also!

[Karl Blanchard]

I voted no.

I would rather have "any buck" seasons and limit the number of hunters in some way, probably by permit only hunting. I think management of the state's deer would be much better if the harvest was controlled according to what each Game Management Unit could handle. The way it is done now is not "management," it's just basically a free for all, the WDFW doesn't know how many hunters are going to hunt in each GMU each season and they don't know how many deer are going to be killed. I also don't agree with spike only elk hunting. I think if it's to the point that APR's are being used or considered, then you're to the point of needing controlled hunting by permit only, which is what many states have gone to, but for some reason Washington state feels our deer are different and can handle general seasons and over the counter tags (for EVERYONE, including Non-Residents).

  Agree with bobcat 100%!

[Sitka_Blacktail]

If buck/doe ratios are out of whack (especially mature bucks) in a given area the first option should be to shorten the season.  Don't hammer them so long, especially pre rut or during the rut.  If you want to give more opportunity,  give it post rut when their job is done.

I'd use a draw only in open units like the wheat country, where buck doe/ratios were out of whack. Maybe combined with a spike or 4 point or better rule the first couple years, but really reduce the amount of hunters after bucks until balance was restored. Once you get some older bucks. Still tightly monitor the number of hunters, but let them shoot any buck. That way the pressure isn't all on one age group or antler size. In those units, instead of a second deer tag draw, You could have a doe draw for hunters that don't draw a buck tag.

If you want to use APR's I'd have a fairly long early season that was spike/fork for guys who want opportunity or meat, then the late hunt would be much shorter for  5 point or better. 4pt + eyeguards.  If this hunt was post rut, your mature bucks would be around for breeding and your three and 4 pointers would have another year to mature.  Then I'd make hunters choose the first or second hunt.  You get one or the other. This reduces pressure and still gives opportunity.  I'd adjust the length of the second hunt according to my buck doe ratio.  And throw in some doe draws as necessary to keep the herd balanced and within good habitat range.

[colockumelk]

I voted no.

I would rather have "any buck" seasons and limit the number of hunters in some way, probably by permit only hunting. I think management of the state's deer would be much better if the harvest was controlled according to what each Game Management Unit could handle. The way it is done now is not "management," it's just basically a free for all, the WDFW doesn't know how many hunters are going to hunt in each GMU each season and they don't know how many deer are going to be killed. I also don't agree with spike only elk hunting. I think if it's to the point that APR's are being used or considered, then you're to the point of needing controlled hunting by permit only, which is what many states have gone to, but for some reason Washington state feels our deer are different and can handle general seasons and over the counter tags (for EVERYONE, including Non-Residents).

 

Spot on Bobcat. I would love a management tailored towards each GMU.

[huntnnw]

i am all for Mule deer being permit statewide! they could still give out alot of tags and most would still be able to draw one..this way they could control whos hunting where and how many etc