Post by: Bob33 on April 16, 2018, 06:38:34 PM
The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), also authorized the department to purchase 1,275 acres in Chelan County's Stemilt Basin to protect critical wildlife habitat.
Key changes in hunting rules approved by the commission for the upcoming season include:
Waterfowl: The limit for pintail ducks was increased to two birds a day in all general waterfowl seasons, due to improved conditions in their breeding areas. In addition, special seasons for hunters under age 16 will be staggered to allow an individual hunter to participate in youth hunts on both sides of the state. The special youth hunt is set for Sept. 22-23 in western Washington, followed by a youth hunt Sept. 29-30 in eastern Washington.
White-tailed deer: Hunters will be allowed to take antlerless white-tailed deer in game management units 101-121 in northeast Washington. Special permits will be available to seniors and hunters using modern firearms, while other hunters can take antlerless deer during general hunting seasons.
Elk: The early general bowhunting season for antlerless elk in the Yakima and Colockum elk herds has been reduced to six days from 13. This change, as with previous permit reductions for hunts with modern firearms and muzzleloaders, is designed to meet and sustain population objectives for those herds. The season for bull elk is not affected by this change.
The commission also approved a proposal to allow hunters to use primers designed for use in modern cartridges during muzzleloader seasons, but explicitly banned the use of "unmanned aircraft" – also known as drones – while hunting.
These and other new hunting rules will be incorporated into the 2018-19 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet, which will be available online April 19 at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/, and at WDFW offices and hunting license vendors across the state starting the last week of this month.
The purchase of the Stemilt Basin property, approved earlier in the meeting, will allow the department to complete a land exchange initiated with the Washington Department of Natural Resources in 2007. WDFW secured federal funding to purchase two parcels, appraised at $1,778,000, to protect the basin's habitat for northern spotted owls, wolves, elk, deer, and other wildlife species.
The land exchange received strong support from the Stemilt Partnership, a broad community-based coalition established by Chelan County of agriculture, wildlife, recreation, conservation, and economic development interests. The state Board of Natural Resources is scheduled to take action on the land transfer today.
In other business, the commission directed WDFW to begin developing new rules for suction dredge mining to provide additional protection for fish. The department currently regulates suction dredge mining in and near state waters the same way it regulates gold panning and other small-scale prospecting and mining activities.
Jeff Davis, assistant director of WDFW's Habitat Program, said the department plans to meet with interested parties to discuss potential changes starting next month.
The commission also heard public comments on several new rules proposed by WDFW to meet the objective of the American with Disabilities Act, reviewed the department's role in killer whale recovery, and discussed progress in recruiting a new director for the department.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/apr1618a/
Post by: Ridge Hunter on April 16, 2018, 07:11:47 PM
Post by: CLARKTAR on April 16, 2018, 07:15:47 PM
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Post by: trophyhunt on April 16, 2018, 07:18:57 PM
So I guess that means 209 primers are legal?yup
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Post by: Mudman on April 16, 2018, 07:35:04 PM
Post by: bearpaw on April 17, 2018, 04:21:26 PM
White-tailed deer: Hunters will be allowed to take antlerless white-tailed deer in game management units 101-121 in northeast Washington. Special permits will be available to seniors and hunters using modern firearms, while other hunters can take antlerless deer during general hunting seasons.
An open general season whitetail antlerless hunt will wipe out our herds! :bash: :bash: :bash:
Post by: jagermiester on April 17, 2018, 04:29:03 PM
I'm throwing my Traditions northwest POS in the garbage and I'm going to go get a new muzzle loader.
I couldn't be happier about the change. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Special T on April 17, 2018, 04:29:44 PM
On the positive side of things.You should get one with the built in can on the end of the barrel!
I'm throwing my Traditions northwest POS in the garbage and I'm going to go get a new muzzle loader.
I couldn't be happier about the change. :IBCOOL:
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Post by: jagermiester on April 17, 2018, 04:31:20 PM
I might though if it's cool.
Post by: buglebrush on April 17, 2018, 06:23:48 PM
Post by: lewy on April 17, 2018, 06:43:58 PM
Post by: jager on April 17, 2018, 08:04:08 PM
when will we be getting our hands on the reg's?
I was at the Region 1 office yesterday. They said, the regs would be out the 23rd.
Post by: bowhunterforever on April 17, 2018, 10:33:20 PM
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/apr1618a/Wow herd numbers are already way down :bash: :bash:
White-tailed deer: Hunters will be allowed to take antlerless white-tailed deer in game management units 101-121 in northeast Washington. Special permits will be available to seniors and hunters using modern firearms, while other hunters can take antlerless deer during general hunting seasons.
An open general season whitetail antlerless hunt will wipe out our herds! :bash: :bash: :bash:
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on April 17, 2018, 10:43:15 PM
https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/apr1618a/Wow herd numbers are already way down :bash: :bash:
White-tailed deer: Hunters will be allowed to take antlerless white-tailed deer in game management units 101-121 in northeast Washington. Special permits will be available to seniors and hunters using modern firearms, while other hunters can take antlerless deer during general hunting seasons.
An open general season whitetail antlerless hunt will wipe out our herds! :bash: :bash: :bash:
More discussion on this here:
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,226492.msg3013269/topicseen.html#new
Post by: Special T on April 17, 2018, 11:15:15 PM
What's that?Silencer Co. Muzzy with fixed can maximum 50 about $1k
I might though if it's cool.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 18, 2018, 05:18:27 AM
And this is exactly where they should put every wolf behind a High Fence and let them eat each other.
Post by: Jason on April 18, 2018, 05:52:22 AM
On the positive side of things.Let me know when and where you plan on doing that and I'll come save that said "POS" from the depths of a landfill.
I'm throwing my Traditions northwest POS in the garbage and I'm going to go get a new muzzle loader.
I couldn't be happier about the change. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 18, 2018, 06:43:55 AM
Post by: bobcat on April 18, 2018, 07:52:38 AM
Ok has anyone looked to see if the proposals that the WDFW wanted comments on changed any? Looks to me like that comment period was a waste of time again
Comments from the public certainly had an effect on the early archery season in region 3. The proposal was to eliminate antlerless elk from that season, but due to feedback from hunters they are allowing antlerless elk hunting for 6 days of the 13 day season. That's the only change in the proposals that I'm aware of.
Post by: jagermiester on April 18, 2018, 09:41:06 AM
On the positive side of things.Let me know when and where you plan on doing that and I'll come save that said "POS" from the depths of a landfill.
I'm throwing my Traditions northwest POS in the garbage and I'm going to go get a new muzzle loader.
I couldn't be happier about the change. :IBCOOL:
You don't want it. The firing pin is sticking on it. I sent it back to Traditions and they fixed it. It's doing it again. Pretty dangerous with it being a muzzle break.
Post by: gee_unit360 on April 18, 2018, 11:33:12 AM
Always used musket caps, would a 209 conversion be worthwhile on the ol bighorn?
Yeah that?? What are the benefits of a 209 primer? I’ve never used one.
Post by: CP on April 18, 2018, 11:41:29 AM
Always used musket caps, would a 209 conversion be worthwhile on the ol bighorn?
Yeah that?? What are the benefits of a 209 primer? I’ve never used one.
I have shot both musket caps and 209s with my Bighorn. There is no difference ballisticly.
Post by: Mudman on April 18, 2018, 04:16:30 PM
Post by: Special T on April 18, 2018, 04:38:48 PM
So a citizen commission appointed by Inslee thus likely very liberal decides how wdfw should set policy?? Mining is regulated a lot already yet more coming to help the fish? Really? Land buys with precious resources to help spotted owls and wolves? Really? No surpise but I am surprised this thread seems to focus on how BOOM our muskets go? Missing something here? :dunno:I don't think it's fair to characterize every commissioner in that way. There are some that really hug the bunnies, and those that lean tword more restrictive conservation. It would appear that there are at least a couple that are sportsmen advocates, and some that are like warm.
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Post by: Mudman on April 18, 2018, 08:04:36 PM