New archery season proposal?????

[Swatson]

2012 Sept 4th-16th 2013 Sept 3rd-15th and 2014 Sept 2nd-14th?  Why are they shoving us more and more out of the rut?  I don't get it!

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Since the 20098 season we have been set to the Tuesday after Labor Day, not the set date of the 8th as we were the 6 years prior.... write David.ware@dfw.wa.gov and jerry.nelson@dfw.wa.gov to tell them you want the seasons back to prior to 2009.... and also the commission commission@dfw.wa.gov  we have until 21 Feb to get changes made.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Pretty simple ... they do not want us killing the bigger bulls .... they want your money and then maker harder to harvst anything ...basically buy your sheet ,take your money and sit on the porch and drink coffee !!! all believe me all the sheet I have been putting up with lately I am about ready to give it up in Washington... They are maggots !!! seriously ...not joking ....100% speakin the truth 

[Swatson]

I knew the Labor Day deal with the last 3 year proposal but didn't realize they were gonna take it this far.  Moving our season a full week back is ridiculous!  The 8th-21st wasn't that great to began with!  Thanks for the info, I will let them know my thoughts.  Other states must just be laughing their asses off and shaking their heads at us!

[D-Rock425]

So many post about the archery season being changed but I bet there's not many letters being sent.  Everyone bitches and nobody acts.  I'm not saying everyone but most of us wont send letters.

[dreamunelk]

 

So many post about the archery season being changed but I bet there's not many letters being sent.  Everyone bitches and nobody acts.  I'm not saying everyone but most of us wont send letters.

 

[canyelk48]

Just emailed all three; not that it will do one danged bit of good.  WDFW officials are ignorant to the wants/needs of hunters.

[NoBark]

Guys, it's only a calendar thing.  Nobody's trying to move it up. 2015 it goes back to the 8th.

Having said that, I don't like it and would love to have it back on the 8th every year, or later.   And, if you feel that way, write!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

When I look at other states, their seasons begin either in late August and Sept 1st, do you think that nobody hunts the first couple weeks of season ?
the only real difference is their seasons ARE LONGER, if they reduced the "Antlerless' permits and extended the "general" season....

[Swatson]

When I look at other states, their seasons begin either in late August and Sept 1st, do you think that nobody hunts the first couple weeks of season ?
the only real difference is their seasons ARE LONGER, if they reduced the "Antlerless' permits and extended the "general" season....

The other states also go longer into the rut!  Thats the problem here, they're ending our season right when the rut gets going!  I get how they're trying to work this holiday thing in but its screwing up the archery season bad! 

[Swatson]

emails sent

[D-Rock425]

We only have 13 days look at Oregon they get like 30 days for there archery season.   I'm not saying we need 30 days but it would be nice to have 13 days closer to thw rut

[Fullabull]

I posted this same thing in the Bowhunting forum under "Can't believe the WDFW"     

[lokidog]

Here's what I sent.  Feel free to use and/or modify if desired.

Mr. Ware and Fish and Wildlife Commission,               2-13-12

In the most recent proposal for changes to the Washington early archery elk season, it appears that the start of the season is earlier and earlier each year.   I do understand floating dates for shorter seasons in order to maximize weekend hunting opportunities.   But, we do not need to have a floating start date for this season any more than we need a floating start date for turkey season. 

If the goal of the Department is to further reduce the harvest success of archers, then they will undoubtedly get their way.   Our season has already been shortened substantially in the last decade or so.  It is puzzling to me to see this as there seems to be little reason for it from a biological/scientific perspective, while there seems to be reasons to go back to the pre-2009 season dates.

Many years, the risk of fire causes private timber companies and the State DNR to close access to their properties.  The majority of hunters , especially Western Washington ones, follow their dreams of pursuing and harvesting a nice bull, or even any elk, on these properties.  By moving the beginning of the archery season to a later date, the risk of fires and other land closures is greatly reduced.  For those hunters that choose a more limited access location to pursue their dreams, a later start to the season will help them to responsibly ensure that the animal they might harvest returns to their home in the best condition possible as they may not have as hot of temperatures to deal with while taking care of their precious meat.

Please take this into consideration when finalizing the future early archery elk season dates.

Thank you for your time,

Ed Fisher
Decatur Island, WA

[Houndhunter]

I gotta say, after so many letters it gets discouraging. We need new officials, that's when we will really start to see some changes. I dont know exactly who comes up with these archery seasons but they are crap, this may be the first time since I was 13 that I switch to rifle for elk. I love calling bulls, but honestly for the next few years my odds will be better in the rifle season.