Post by: trophyhunt on May 31, 2017, 08:36:36 PM
Post by: high country on May 31, 2017, 08:40:49 PM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on May 31, 2017, 08:41:19 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on May 31, 2017, 08:48:38 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on May 31, 2017, 08:57:46 PM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on May 31, 2017, 09:01:19 PM
Post by: X-Force on May 31, 2017, 09:10:27 PM
Post by: bobcat on May 31, 2017, 09:15:32 PM
Post by: Duckslayer89 on May 31, 2017, 09:19:24 PM
Based on the trend, the season will be broken up into quality, boar, and any bear hunts with a premium price for hunts during the 5/15-6/15.....basically any way to pinch more $$ out of us.
:yeah:
Post by: Limhangerslayer on May 31, 2017, 10:00:21 PM
Every GMU that has bears should have at least a few spring permits. It's ridiculous that they don't. We've had baiting and hound hunting taken away, there's no reason they can't offer a lot more spring bear permits to help make up for it.:yeah: I agree 100% look at the blues in Oregon and how many they still give out. All the north central units would make great hunts. One could only hope
Post by: Tbar on May 31, 2017, 10:26:34 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2017, 05:45:32 AM
A new hunt will come, an old one will go away.well don't leave us hanging!!
Post by: Duckslayer89 on June 01, 2017, 05:48:10 AM
I heard it was going to general otc for spring season. Pretty reliable source.
@timberstalker any more details on this? I think that would be awesome
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 01, 2017, 06:18:40 AM
Post by: buglebrush on June 01, 2017, 06:22:53 AM
I heard it was going to general otc for spring season. Pretty reliable source.
If they're truly interested in management this should be the case. I hope my pessimism is wrong...
Post by: grundy53 on June 01, 2017, 06:28:04 AM
Every GMU that has bears should have at least a few spring permits. It's ridiculous that they don't. We've had baiting and hound hunting taken away, there's no reason they can't offer a lot more spring bear permits to help make up for it.Agreed
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Post by: shanevg on June 01, 2017, 06:30:41 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on June 01, 2017, 06:36:08 AM
Post by: Ripper on June 01, 2017, 07:12:22 AM
Post by: ghosthunter on June 01, 2017, 07:15:55 AM
You wont be able to shoot a bear unless it is in the act stripping a tree. :bash:
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 01, 2017, 07:16:42 AM
I'd be willing to pay a little extra to bait in the spring.
[/quote :yeah: x2
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2017, 08:21:25 AM
Post by: Cylvertip on June 01, 2017, 08:25:07 AM
I'd be willing to pay a little extra to bait in the spring.
[/quote :yeah: x2
That's called driving to Idaho.... :rolleyes:
Post by: Lefty315 on June 01, 2017, 08:42:14 AM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 01, 2017, 09:07:31 AM
Post by: grundy53 on June 01, 2017, 09:12:16 AM
So I'm probably going to get flamed for this but, I don't think an otc spring tag would be a good idea for the east side units. As open as the terrain is and the number of good bear hunters who love spring bear I think the bear population would be impacted in a bad way. The wet side I feel can support otc spring tags, at least every unit should have permits on the west.
The bear population could stand a dramatic impact.
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Post by: wheels on June 01, 2017, 01:49:20 PM
Post by: steeleywhopper on June 01, 2017, 03:04:25 PM
So I'm probably going to get flamed for this but, I don't think an otc spring tag would be a good idea for the east side units. As open as the terrain is and the number of good bear hunters who love spring bear I think the bear population would be impacted in a bad way. The wet side I feel can support otc spring tags, at least every unit should have permits on the west.
The bear population could stand a dramatic impact.
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As a guy who got to hound hunt before the turd birds voted it out, I can say there's more bears here in Washington than people realize. Open it up and let us hunt!
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2017, 04:20:09 PM
Post by: steeleywhopper on June 01, 2017, 10:07:43 PM
I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted. It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is. Just my 2 cents
Those bears eat way too many elk calves. I lived in Waitsburg and I have seen the damage that those bears do to the elk over there in the Blue's. I'm sorry but when there's 18 bears working one draw where cow elk are calving it's no good for the elk. Choot em Elizabeth Choot em!
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on June 02, 2017, 10:17:54 AM
I suspect (purely my own speculation) that you have hit the nail on the head. Washington has one of the largest bear populations in the lower 48, and they take a LOT of newborn fawns and calves that could grow up to be wolf food. Increasing the deer and elk newborn survival will provide more forage for wolves, reducing wolf-livestock conflict and allowing the numbers to increase faster toward recovery criteria. There might even be enough deer and elk leftover for hunters to take a few more, especially if the wolves nuke the coyotes in their pack territories.I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted. It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is. Just my 2 cents
Those bears eat way too many elk calves. I lived in Waitsburg and I have seen the damage that those bears do to the elk over there in the Blue's. I'm sorry but when there's 18 bears working one draw where cow elk are calving it's no good for the elk. Choot em Elizabeth Choot em!
Post by: Katmai Guy on June 02, 2017, 11:09:33 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 04, 2017, 10:52:56 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 04, 2017, 10:55:02 AM
I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted. It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is. Just my 2 cents
LOL I highly doubt the wenaha will get over hunted. 99.99% of hunters won't make it .25 miles off the road
Post by: buglebrush on June 04, 2017, 11:28:56 AM
Post by: snake on June 04, 2017, 03:37:10 PM
Post by: high country on June 05, 2017, 04:41:07 AM
The reason they haven't gone OTC spring had nothing to do with management, and everything to do with money. :twocents:Agreed. They could skirt this by selling a spring only tag. 6 bucks per drawing or 30 bucks per tag.....the tag would be the winner. If over harvest is a concern, go to the late season cougar hotline type check in.
Post by: winshooter88 on June 05, 2017, 05:36:12 AM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 05, 2017, 06:15:21 AM
Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.
Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.
And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.
You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.
I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.
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Post by: trophyhunt on June 05, 2017, 06:17:25 AM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.100% agree!
Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.
Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.
And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.
You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.
I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.
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Post by: lewy on June 05, 2017, 07:00:21 AM
Post by: jackmaster on June 05, 2017, 07:02:14 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on June 05, 2017, 07:07:23 AM
I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!Baiting permits would sell like hot cakes, but not sure if they want to battle the libs and anti's on this. We need the conservation vote to pass in this state, where 60% or more is needed to mess with hunting and fishing laws to be passed. Like the ban on baiting and dogs.
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 05, 2017, 07:08:46 AM
I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!*sows - but I think that was banned by initiative, so unless you can get enough signatures on to get another one on the ballet, and then get enough people in King County drunk/high enough to vote in your favor on election night, it isn't happening in this state.
Post by: buglebrush on June 05, 2017, 09:40:22 PM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.
Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.
Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.
And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.
You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.
I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
100% Disagree on it being overhunted. Isn't it funny how Washington and Idaho share a border, but everyone assumes that what works just across the border would never work here. Just like the comment about too many sows getting shot. I guess hunting just across the state line gives you super powers to discern between boars & sows. Stop believing the lies!
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 06, 2017, 05:52:43 AM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.
Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.
Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.
And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.
You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.
I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
100% Disagree on it being overhunted. Isn't it funny how Washington and Idaho share a border, but everyone assumes that what works just across the border would never work here. Just like the comment about too many sows getting shot. I guess hunting just across the state line gives you super powers to discern between boars & sows. Stop believing the lies!
So when you go hunt Idaho do you see bears every day?
How about draw units next to general units. I mean they share a border. The hunting is probably the same right?
It's about the quality of these hunts, not just about whacking as many bears as you can.
And I'm not talking about just amount and size of bears. That place is special for its lack of other hunters, even with 50 tags.
Personally, is be ok with say 25 additional tags, but not a free for all...
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Post by: jackmaster on June 06, 2017, 06:23:48 AM
if memory serves me correct, which my memory sucks , wasn't that while baiting and hound hunting initiative done illegally or wasn't done correctly? I beleive the WDFW has the power to make a baiting permit season if they so desired !! I am only thinking of ways for OUR messed up money hungry department of wildlife could make more money and cut down the bear population which has exploded do to the fact that they took away or I should say allowed to be voted away the ONLY two effective ways of controlling the bear population !!I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!*sows - but I think that was banned by initiative, so unless you can get enough signatures on to get another one on the ballet, and then get enough people in King County drunk/high enough to vote in your favor on election night, it isn't happening in this state.
Post by: headshot5 on June 06, 2017, 06:41:13 AM
Quote
if memory serves me correct, which my memory sucks , wasn't that while baiting and hound hunting initiative done illegally or wasn't done correctly? I believe the WDFW has the power to make a baiting permit season if they so desired !! I am only thinking of ways for OUR messed up money hungry department of wildlife could make more money and cut down the bear population which has exploded do to the fact that they took away or I should say allowed to be voted away the ONLY two effective ways of controlling the bear population !!
Initiative 655 violated our Washington State constitution, Article 2 section 19. It sucks, but I don't see it getting reversed. :bash:
Post by: bobcat on June 06, 2017, 07:20:03 AM
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 06, 2017, 07:28:42 AM
I would like to see lots of spring permits in most GMU's, but not so many that it's no longer a quality hunt. The exceptions could be some of the GMU's in western Washington in which access is mostly controlled by Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, or some other timber company. For those units, go ahead and make it an OTC spring bear hunt. The number of hunters are already being limited by the timber companies.
This is a good idea. Also limit choices to two units IMO if we do this!
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Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 06, 2017, 07:29:40 AM
I would like to see lots of spring permits in most GMU's, but not so many that it's no longer a quality hunt. The exceptions could be some of the GMU's in western Washington in which access is mostly controlled by Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, or some other timber company. For those units, go ahead and make it an OTC spring bear hunt. The number of hunters are already being limited by the timber companies.
That makes sense.
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on June 06, 2017, 07:58:05 AM
Post by: DaveMonti on June 06, 2017, 10:49:08 AM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,210639.msg2830546.html#msg2830546 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,210639.msg2830546.html#msg2830546)