Post by: Hot Lunch on October 21, 2009, 08:13:13 PM
I would like the WDFW to give hunters a first or second week option for deer. It would help with the crowding somewhat. Anyone have the answer why the state most popular rifle season is crammed into one week?
Post by: KillerMiller on October 21, 2009, 08:32:04 PM
Post by: DBake on October 21, 2009, 08:43:33 PM
Post by: Antlershed on October 21, 2009, 08:44:45 PM
Post by: huntnphool on October 21, 2009, 08:49:15 PM
Post by: Armadillo on October 21, 2009, 08:56:28 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 21, 2009, 08:57:36 PM
decreased deer = decreased oppurtunity.
More hunters and not enough deer. Seems pretty simple to me. Go hunt whitetails if you can't get it done in 9 days, or switch to a different method, or apply for the multiseason permit.
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 21, 2009, 08:58:43 PM
Post by: actionshooter on October 21, 2009, 09:29:23 PM
I be willing to bet the East side will be all permit in the next 10 years.comI say 5 years
Post by: Pathfinder101 on October 21, 2009, 09:47:55 PM
I be willing to bet the East side will be all permit in the next 10 years.comI say 5 years
After what I saw this weekend, I could be talked into that proposition easier than I thought.
Post by: Okano-gun on October 21, 2009, 10:17:57 PM
Post by: turkey buster on October 21, 2009, 10:21:58 PM
Post by: Redmist on October 21, 2009, 10:32:03 PM
Post by: Hot Lunch on October 22, 2009, 01:53:40 AM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on October 22, 2009, 05:22:29 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on October 22, 2009, 06:12:18 AM
And if you're really old you can remember the 2 week elk season,
If I remember right, the westside elk season used to last nearly a month.
Post by: KillerMiller on October 22, 2009, 06:57:50 AM
Post by: Hillbilly270 on October 22, 2009, 07:08:39 AM
Post by: Yelm hunter on October 25, 2009, 08:39:29 PM
17 saturday, 18 sunday, 19 monday, 20 tuesday, 21 wednesday, 22 thursday, 23 friday, 24 saturday, 25 sunday, 26 monday, 27 tuesday, 28 wednesday,29 thursday, 30 friday, 31 saturday
MODERN RIFLE THIS YEAR
15 DAYS
MODERN RIFLE LATE BUCK
4 DAYS -- THAT RUNS NOVEMBER 19TH , 20TH, 21ST, 22ND
THATS 19 DAYS....
Just letting you know... We tagged out on all our bucks this year 2 opening day and one BIG 3 point friday!!
Post by: lazydrifter on October 26, 2009, 02:58:42 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on October 26, 2009, 03:04:27 AM
I be willing to bet the East side will be all permit in the next 10 years.comI say 5 years
It should be now. :twocents: Sorry if that rocks your boat. WA needs to join the rest of the states with mullies.
Post by: JPhelps on October 26, 2009, 07:42:37 AM
I think maybe a split two week season may be the answer to pressure.
I have hunted the general season the last two years and have had no trouble finding bucks (about 15 legal bucks) and have seen very few people until I get back to the truck. I think this proposal would just be taking oppurtunities away from people. I know some areas are over populated with hunters, but there is a simple solution to that, get out and walk or walk further.
Post by: turkeydancer on October 26, 2009, 07:55:26 AM
Post by: bornforhorns on October 26, 2009, 08:03:34 AM
I am going to have to disagree with the whole eastside being permit only :bdid:.
I think maybe a split two week season may be the answer to pressure.
I have hunted the general season the last two years and have had no trouble finding bucks (about 15 legal bucks) and have seen very few people until I get back to the truck. I think this proposal would just be taking oppurtunities away from people. I know some areas are over populated with hunters, but there is a simple solution to that, get out and walk or walk further.
Well said JPhelps. No ! to permit only.
Post by: OKbowhunter on October 26, 2009, 08:20:40 AM
Before everyone shoots down my idea, think about it before you reply. I think WDFW should make all mule deer hunting in E Washington draw permit for all weapon types. Think about it, if you were unable to hunt every year but maybe every other or maybe even every three years, (cutting the pressure down to 1/3 that it is now) think what kind of a hunt you would have when you did draw. You would not only see deer you would see multiple mature bucks per day. ( I'm not calling a mature buck a young 4 pointer I'm talking a 5 to 6 year old mature buck) I would be willing to make plans hunting other things in the years I did not draw. You could still hunt along with your buddy's when they drew and you did not. We started the season this year with (from my count 23 legal bucks on our properties) Early 90's were great years here on the ranch. We seen as high as 55 to 60 bucks back then and the 70's were even better. Up until last year we allowed 4 other hunters per year to hunt with permission until we found 3 bucks on the property shot that were only 2 pointers. I know this is not common practice just can't afford for 11 deer a year being shot and 3 of them going to waist. This may not be the answer but we need to come up with something so that our kids will have something to hunt in 20 years. Now that the season is over I can go back to my moose hunt, just my :twocents: maybe not the answer just better than what is going on now.
Post by: JPhelps on October 26, 2009, 08:31:43 AM
For instance you talk about hunting every third year. That sucks. All that means is that the deer I hunt would only see a hunter every third year. No one would hunt it the other two years. I GUARANTEE the only way my area would run out of mature bucks is by extremley bad winter kill or disease. Quality of hunt would be identical.
Ask people on here such as BoneAddict, VEK, highhunter, ridgerunner, michaelj to name a few, how overpopulated there hunting areas are and if the deer they kill are over hunted.
Post by: Axle on October 26, 2009, 08:57:30 AM
With predation as high as it is, there are far fewer deer and the hunters are going where they think there will be deer to be seen and harvested. Take for instance the wet side - predation is bad here too and most don't see deer like they used to so what do they do? - they go to the more visual east side of the mountains. If there were more blacktails in the woods, the wet-side hunters would stay on the wet side of the mountains.
To say there are too many hunters has a way of making a person sound greedy for 'his' hunting area. There is a way of bringing back the herds. Mulies have been hit hard not only by predation, but the mountains have not been able to burn during the summer like they would normally do. Snuffing out forest fires has only hurt the deer.
As far as limited access? It's only a matter of time because it isn't being managed properly. Other states have had to do the same thing. The department is failing in most areas but I feel they are being forced to do so by politicians. Politics and game management don't mix.