Down goes illuminated nocks!

[pianoman9701]

Nothing electronic on our bow or arrows - this seems reasonable. The majority may well want them. That doesn't mean they're good for archery in WA. I voted for them but understand the decision against them. In the big picture, I couldn't care less.

As far as not losing anything else for archery season is concerned, we did get a few antler point restrictions that weren't there last year for deer on the west side. I know 560 went from any deer to any buck and there are others.

[Fullabull]

I think the argument for this is only from an ethical stand point. I'm sure a lot of arrows are not found after a shot when the hunter does not know if they either hit their intended target or how good of a hit it was. Finding your arrow is key to knowing both. So I can see that as a good reason for them, less wasted animals.

Although I believe there are many more important topics Archers should be arguing for then lighted nocks!!! Season dates is my hot button...

[ribka]

Some people apparently want a shorter archery season on here. Talk to any rifle hunter,  they have the biggest input in hunting season now in Washington, and they will complain that archery is no longer primitive because of this and that technology and that archery seasons should be shortened etc etc.

Has little to do with limiting your equipment. We just want our seasons to remain as they are or possibly get a few more days.

I grew up in the midwest where archery deer was almost 4 months. Now with advent of more technology, alllowing x bows, season is almost cut in half.

There you go, problem solved and both camps are happy.

There is a pipe dream.  Make everyone happy. LOL

  People need to realise that those of us that fought so hard to prevent the passing of lighted nocks are not against the nock at all.  Most of us do feel that the arguements behind it to be passed are quite silly but the actual use of the nock is a mute point.

  The real point is the fact that we enjoy more time in the woods hunting because we are still categorized as a primative weapon.  If we keep pushing technology (electronics) on our equipment then we will surely start losing more of those days in the woods.  Even though these gimmicks will not actually help us harvest more game it will be percieved by other user groups and more importantly the general public that it does aid us, thus they will take away what we cherrish and that is 2 long hunting seasons.

  Washington isn't like other states in the east that are over run by deer and they are doing and allowing everything possible to control the herd.  Out west we get to harvest one animal of each species and the manufacturers like luminock need to realize this and leave our regulations alone.  They could careless if we lose days, they just want to sell their goods.  That's my rant

[popeshawnpaul]

So the option Matt posted above does not help you guys?  Because it accomplishs everything you wanted and keeps eletronics ourt of archery.  If that option does nothing for you then I have to really wonder what is the motive?

I think they said it isn't nearly as bright or effective as the battery operated nocks.  I haven't seen any of them so I don't have any first hand experience with them.  That being said, if they are as effective, aren't the anti-lighted nock people concerned that people will use these late in the day, take risky shots, etc?  There seems to be no outcry for these given half the anti-lighted nock arguments I've heard...

[Machias]

I still have those concerns Pope, but it seems like a happy medium.  If the argument for a lighted nock is to find your arrow after the shot then these would certainly fit the bill...seems like to me anyways.

[Machias]

One thing I do agree with Pope whole heartedly is we need to come together as a group, we can't survive divided and we can't let this issue drive a real wedge between us.  I think we can have a friendly debate over it, but we gotta stick together.

[Matt]

  Unlike some opinions I am not anti-lighted nock.  I could really care less.  I would never use one and have absolutely nothing against anyone that would.  There are way bigger fish to fry here.  And like is said we need to be and speak as one for the important issues.  If the lighted nock thing is as big of an issue as some make it then we are definately in trouble because having a lighted nock for 10 days in the woods is nothing like not having one for 45 days.

  I brought up the subject of baiting bears and why they won't even revisit this subject.  Baiting of bears has a huge benifit to hunting bears and being able to be selective and keep from orphaning cubs.  Real and legitimite arguements.  Unanimously their response has nothing to do with scientific facts but 100% public opinion and that is what we need to worry about.

[Machias]

Good points Matt!

[pianoman9701]

They're very good points, but I don't see how they're going to affect bear baiting, seeing that it was outlawed by a vote of the people. 

[huntingfool7]

WDFW is all about public opinion and being PC.  There will never be baiting in Washington again. 

As far as the glow stick alternative.  You have to activate the glow stick before the shot or before you go out into the woods in anticipation of getting a shot.  Light ups activate from the momentum of the bow string.  Much more user friendly.  I guess the glow sticks would work shooting bales in the shop but I can use light ups there without legal concerns.  Battery powered nocks don't do a thing to make you more deadly in the woods, make your arrows fly better/farther or make your sticks any sharper.

[Matt]

Take a look at this statement by the commission.  "The commission did, however, indicate a willingness to revisit that issue next year."  This is brilliant on their part.  By putting this statement in there they are dangling the carrot infront of bowhunters.  If they get us to chase our tails over this thing for a few more years that will deflect all the other important issues that we want to address.  Smoke and mirrors.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Time for all bowhunters to move on and address the more significant problems and issues we face.  Lets get united and stand up for our seasons and achieving the goal of improving our time in the woods as bowhunters, expand our seasons, get back what we once had, open more GMU's...

[Special T]

 
AND predator control.

[dreamingbig]

Time for all bowhunters to move on and address the more significant problems and issues we face.  Lets get united and stand up for our seasons and achieving the goal of improving our time in the woods as bowhunters, expand our seasons, get back what we once had, open more GMU's...

[huntnphool]

Time for all bowhunters to move on and address the more significant problems and issues we face.  Lets get united and stand up for our seasons and achieving the goal of improving our time in the woods as bowhunters, expand our seasons, get back what we once had, open more GMU's...

I agree that we need to address other issues as well but we will have to agree to disagree on the luminok issue. I will agree that you are never going to stop fighting against them, but you will have to agree I will not stop fighting for them.

Actually this recent decission is going to have me lobbying even harder, after all they even said they will leave it on the table for next year.

That being said, if they are going to go to the trouble of creating their own poll, soliciting public opinion and then simply ignore the overwhelming majority of polled opinions, (80% in favor) then we must ask why they even bothered with the poll in the first place. They knew their stance, and excuse, before the poll was conducted.If a majority 80% vote was not enough to change "their stance" then what was the real intent of the poll in the first place? Perhaps just to appease the hunters voice and act like they put out a "good faith" effort?

As I said before, even if they were legal I probably wouldn't use them, but I know friends that would and I believe they should have that option and choice. I don't think the small minority of trad hunters should be able to dictate what the overwhelming majority of archery hunters overall can and can't do, that's just my opinion.

In the end we should all be able to make our own choice.