Changing hunting in Washington

[Branden]

If you read the boards most of the guys on here complain about the hunting in Washington. A lot of guys talk about hunting out of state because the value is better. Idk how many people have hunted Colorado, Nevada, or New Mexico, but I bet most would agree the hunting is better in those states.

One thing they have in common is all deer hunting is by draw only. Now, if you want to hunt deer in those states every year it is possible. But you won't get to hunt the best unit or the best time frame every year. I think Washington needs to do kind of the same thing, because then we would manage our deer herds unit by unit instead of having a free for all.

Here is an idea I had.

A couple thoughts on allowing guys to hunt deer every year.  All tags that are otc right now, would be a guaranteed draw. Like if you wanted to hunt archery early season it would be guaranteed, but you would have to choose your unit. No hunting late season in the Swakane or late whitetail. Same with the high hunt. You are guaranteed to get drawn, but no regular general season, or late whitetail general season. Also, if you apply for a "general season tag" which you would be guaranteed to draw, you would not be allowed to apply for a "premium tag". All of our quality buck tags would be a "premium tag".

It would reduce hunting pressure in a lot of areas, since you can't first hunt the high hunt, then hunt the opener of regular season, then hunt the late whitetail season. It would also reduce how long it takes to get drawn for a late season hunt since a lot of guys would want to hunt every year.

What do you think of something like that for deer? I know its not exactly a draw system that would limit hunters, but it would spread hunters out for a better hunting experience.

Here is an example how it would reduce pressure.

I would hunt the high hunt opening September 15. If I didn't kill a buck I would then hunt the opener of general season. If I didn't kill a buck during general season in October I would hunt the 4 days of late buck for blacktails. Instead of hunting all those seasons, I would be restricted to choosing just one season.

Please let me know what you guys think yay or nay. And if you have an idea to make this better or a completely new idea post it also. No sense to keep on complaining and not try to make it a better overall hunting experience.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Nah ... not good 

[CplRaines]

Here's my opinion.
I can say the same thing about those that complain about hunting here and those that complain about the rain and weather here.
Ya don't like it - Arizona (or any other state for that matter) is that-a-way. ->
Don't like it, leave.
And especially for those that have moved here from elswhere - quite trying to change "here" to be more like the $H!Thole you left.

I'm jist sayin. 

[Hunterman]

Hey great idea  to go along with this lets charge the people of Washington $500.00 for a deer tag with a 3 day season, and elk could be $1000.00 and 1 day to hunt. This state is ran by    

Hunterman(Tony)

[Humptulips]

The problem isn't too many hunters. It's not enough deer on the west side.
East side it looks like it's the screwy season. I mean one week, three point minimum and then close the season before the rut so none of the legal bucks show. Sounds like something designed to keep you from getting a deer, Crazy!

[bobcat]

I like the idea. Anything would be better than what we have now. If hunter numbers were controlled, I could see where the mule deer season could even be moved back by a week or two and maybe lengthened by a week.

[DeerThug]

No WAY.  We manage to kill great bucks on public land every year.  5 of us have gone 17 for 20 in  the last 4 years....  with some real pigs in the mix.   it just takes a lot of work and experience.  I would say give it 20 years of experience with lot of hard work and you would think the hunting aint all that bad. That is despite all of the roadblocks wdfw puts in our way.

[Branden]

I probably see more big bucks in Washington every year then 99.9% of all hunters. I don't have trouble finding good bucks and plenty of them. I thought this would alleviate over crowding but I guess thats not a problem according to you guys  Also where did I say it would be a 3 day season, or a $500 dollar tag?
 
If 90% of hunters are happy with the system then no reason for all the complaining on here right? Cause nobody is suggesting any other change so everybody must be happy with our current system.

And for the record, I am from Washington, and it is way more of a $ht hole then Colorado.

[Branden]

Have any of the hunters that replied, ever hunted deer in any of the states I mentioned? Just curious?

[hrd2fnd]

Here's my opinion.
I can say the same thing about those that complain about hunting here and those that complain about the rain and weather here.
Ya don't like it - Arizona (or any other state for that matter) is that-a-way. ->
Don't like it, leave.
And especially for those that have moved here from elswhere - quite trying to change "here" to be more like the $H!Thole you left.

I'm jist sayin. 

 

[Moose22]

I may not agree with your suggestion totally but, I do like your progressive thinking. Having new ideas thrown out there for everyone to debate is much better than the bitching trend that we seem to fall into.

[3nails]

 I hunt Idaho and Montana as well as WA. They are all different and better/worse in thier own ways. Blacktail hunting in WA is awesome as it is so I say leave it as is.

[h2ofowlr]

You would be managing them for the wolves and N.A. In that case!

[JimmyHoffa]

Have any of the hunters that replied, ever hunted deer in any of the states I mentioned? Just curious?

Yep, and was surprised that it changed there; had to look it up.  It used to be OTC and 1 buck just like WA. 

[Branden]

Have any of the hunters that replied, ever hunted deer in any of the states I mentioned? Just curious?

Yep, and was surprised that it changed there; had to look it up.  It used to be OTC and 1 buck just like WA.

I don't see your reply in the thread? Have you never hunted any of them since they went to draw only?