Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: buglebuster on October 20, 2012, 04:20:17 PM
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I just recieved this letter in the mail.
Dear Washington Hunter,
Congratulations. You have been identified as one of the lucky deer hunters to draw a permit for the Special Palouse Deer Hunt #1100-late whitetail buck hunt.
As part of this hunt, if you are successful, WDFW requires you to extract and submit tooth samples to the department. One of the reasons this hunt was created was the apparent decrease of available legal bucks (3 point or greater), therefore WDFW wants to collect the tooth so we can determine the age of the bucks being harvested. This information will allow us to better manage whitetail bucks in this area. Pleas be sure to fill in all parts on the back of the tooth envelope that are applicable.
oth white-tailed and mule deer deposit layers of cementum in the roots of their teeth each year and by sectioning the teeth and counting the annual rings of cementum we can accurately determine the age of the deer. With antler point information submitted, the relationship between age and antler point size will be analyzed.
So, if you harvest a deer this season, please use the enclosed postage paid tooth envelope to send in your deer tooth samples. Refer to the back of the tooth envelope for instructions on how to remove the middle two front teeth. Make sure you remove the entire tooth, both crwon and root, being careful not to break the teeth off at the gum line. Wrap the teeth in a small amount of tissue paper and place them directly into the envelope. Do not wrap the teeth in plastic or foil, or they will rot and be unusable. Please note: you can bring the head to the Spokane regional office and someone will help you extract the tooth.
Also, record the number of antler points (both left side and right side) on the back of the tooth envelope. All antler points must be at least one (1) inch long to be included in the count. Antler points include eye guards if at least one (1) inch long. Refer to the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules Pamphlet for further explanation.
Remember, to qualify for the Incentive Permit Drawing, you must still submit your hunter reports within ten days of a kill or if unsuccessful, by January 10. Simply answer the questions asked on the toll-free automated telephone reporting line at 1-877-945-3492 or on the Internet at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov (http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov).
Thanks for your help and good luck this season!
Howard Ferguson
District Wildlife Biologist
Has anyone else recieved this letter? Is this something common of special permits and did the people drawn for this hunt last year recieve the same letter? I dont believe the part that explains why this hunt was created, the logic doesnt make sense. There are plenty of bucks down there, in fact, i think the population is going strong.
On the envelope they sent it doesnt even give and option for whitetail under what species, just mule deer, blacktail deer and elk. that was real smart! what happens if i break the teeth or just plain dont do it? can they fine me or anything like that?
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Both times I've drawn this hunt I've gotten the same thing. Shot a buck during general season both times so i haven't sent a tooth in yet. Yeah, the reasoning behind the need for the teeth seems weak. The area I hunt in 139 has a very healthy population. If it was weak why have this hunt available and put extra pressure?
No idea what happens if you don't send it in, doubt much.
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Well I drew this permit last year and I never recieved a letter like that. The only thing that was sent to me was like a post card detailing the permit and thats it. :dunno:
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BugleBuster I drew that permit and I also recieved that same thing in the mail. Not sure what happens if you don't return the teeth. A couple years ago after I drew the desert hunt tag after the season was over I got a call from the fish & game department asking if I mailed it there harvest card and what I thought of the hunt. The way they make it sound this permit might be a crummy premit to have drawn. Put people I know from that area say this is a great permit. So time will tell.
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My wife received the same letter for the Palouse hunt.
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Its pretty difficult to pull that tooth. I did it a few years ago and broke the first one. just cut deep into the gum and you'll get it out. I frankly dont need the reason. If it helps them in their studies Im ok with it. It only takes a few minutes. No biggy. Ive given brain sample, wing sampless and tooth samples and Im happy to help.
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Good point Gutpile, I'd be happy to submit a tooth, but I was NOT SELECTED for that tag. :bash:
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I'm not disargeeing with sending the tooth, just kind of confused. I thought the herd in this area was doing very well. I'm all for anything that will help the herds in the state.
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my gf was drawn for the palouse lat hunt and recieved the same letter and envelope. she killed a buck yesterday and i will be sending in a tooth. the teeth are very easy to remove. just cut the gums like they say and the teeth pull right out. :dunno:
i am thinking in teh letter that the reason for the permit was to reduce pressure from a general late hunt ant limit the pressure. although i cant remember if there used to be a general late hunt there.
ill start a thread with my gfs buck soon.
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yes there was a general late see season in 127 thats when we used to get our best bucks it sucked when the went to the permit
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Well I drew this permit last year and I never recieved a letter like that. The only thing that was sent to me was like a post card detailing the permit and thats it. :dunno:
Yeah that!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Also missed the biggest whitetail deer I have ever seen in Washington. Never thought 20-30 mph cross wind would throw my .270 bullet that far off course... :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
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I actually like that it is permitted only late season there. Makes for some great hunting all season and some great deer. It would be a slaughter if they opened it to general late season. Odds aren't really all that bad of drawing that tag. Plus it makes for better late season archery hunting there... :chuckle:
We use the permit as a reason to be even more selective on the deer that we kill. Gives more time to hunt oldder mature bucks. Instead of settling for a 2 year old to fill a tag.
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I was in a group drawing for that permitt last year and was selected. My Dad and I recieved the letter wanting a tooth, but the other people did not. Im not sure how they select who has to submitt a tooth or not, but it seems like it would benefitial to have all succesful hunters submit teeth.
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My dad had the tag last year and didn't get the letter.
Maybe there is a shortage of bucks on public land but the private land we saw and hunted had plenty of deer and some dandy bucks. Everyone on here told me not to be picky when looking for a deer for my dad but from what I saw there are some great bucks there. We are planning on getting my sister on a good one this year.
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If you have decent private land then by all means be picky! Its a great opportunity at a mature buck with relatively good draw odds.
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The last 3-4 days of this permit season should be amazing! Especially if we.get some good snow! I'm helping 2 close family friends with the permit and very excited!
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Both my Dad and I got the letters this year. He's got it a few years he's drawn. I've got those same letters for some of the cow elk tags I've drawn. Also had the Feds send me envilopes for duck and goose wings, sea duck wings, ect..... over the years. I just do what they ask, its never hard or time consuming. I mailed duck and goose wings for 2 years before they sent me a thank you letter and said that 2 years was all they could use a person for the program. :dunno:
I dont see why a person would think the deer herd should be poor and suffering before they do any studies. I think studies on healthy herds would be just as, if not more, important than studies on poor herds.
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I have been drawn for this permit many times and have gotten the letter and the tooth envelope every time. Like said before if you make the cuts in the gums as they say the teeth pull out fairly easily. The whole permit area added a general late season (3 point or better) back about 2000 and that general late season lasted until 2008 when they went to a permit only late season. With the general late season over those 8 or so years the buck population was hit really hard every year. I've hunted 139 every year since 1995 and I noticed a significant decrease in the quantity and size of bucks in the areas I hunted when there was a general late season. Since they Incorporated the late season by permit only the quantity and quality of bucks has improved in my opinion. I'm all for the permit only late season. The Palouse area is much more open and accessible than the units to the north with general late seasons. So I don't think the buck population survived as well as they do up north with the general late season.
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That is a great tag. I know a few people who have really capitalized on some mature bucks down there Late Season. Good luck to the tag holders.