Post by: big wood on September 19, 2010, 07:11:43 PM
Post by: archery288 on September 19, 2010, 07:12:50 PM
Post by: BlackRidge on September 19, 2010, 07:13:41 PM
Post by: archery288 on September 19, 2010, 07:17:38 PM
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2010, 07:34:16 PM
Post by: BlackRidge on September 19, 2010, 07:53:00 PM
They can't. Muzzleloader deer season starts the 25th and they don't want those seasons overlapping.But dont they already overlap in some GMU's for deer? I could be wrong
Post by: PolarBear on September 19, 2010, 07:56:23 PM
Post by: big wood on September 19, 2010, 08:02:18 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 19, 2010, 08:07:38 PM
Post by: Nilehunter on September 19, 2010, 08:15:57 PM
well I don't know if I need more time but when you are packed in 12 miles in the wilderness for 7 days and dont even here a bugle? I felt like I was in rifle season with a bow. next year I will be in there the last 7 days so maybe I will have na chance.I had them bugling like crazy today...Guess it wasn't where you were.
Post by: big wood on September 19, 2010, 08:25:06 PM
Post by: Basket Rack on September 19, 2010, 08:39:28 PM
Post by: norsepeak on September 19, 2010, 08:42:40 PM
Post by: archery288 on September 19, 2010, 08:46:29 PM
Post by: big wood on September 19, 2010, 08:50:33 PM
Post by: sako223 on September 19, 2010, 09:02:05 PM
Now rifle general season closes around then, but we actually have seasons starting in August and going into the next year.
Way too much if you ask me, and allotted wrong also.
Post by: rasbo on September 19, 2010, 09:03:53 PM
Post by: 400out on September 19, 2010, 09:14:21 PM
Why? Damn, how much more do you need? :dunno::yeah: Maybe they should have archery hunt for 1 week, after everyone has been in the woods chasing the elk and the deer for a little over a month and let modern hunt before all others and take the chance to catch the bigging of the rut :dunno: would that work
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2010, 09:17:42 PM
idaho and montana is the whole month of the september they dont seem to have any problems. and montana you dont have to declare what weapon as long as it is open you can hunt. maybe we should back off on antlerless and/or some cow tags. no offense but i have never shot any cows or does. and at 40 years old I am at 16 bulls. i love hunting so much i want my kids to have better opprtunities
You can't compare Idaho and Montana to Washington. They have a lot less people and a lot less hunting pressure. I think our animals already get pressured too much and if anything the seasons need to be reduced in length. Especially the late season.
Post by: hughjorgan on September 19, 2010, 09:24:18 PM
Post by: stumprat on September 19, 2010, 09:31:03 PM
We need to at least get the days back we lost in the last season setting process. I don't see them ever letting us hunt the peak of the rut. IMO I would much rather hunt in October like the season used to be from Sept. 29 - Oct. 12, you still catch the tail end of the rut but get way better weather.
Where would that leave us muzzleloaders? We already get slim pickings for units to hunt in.
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2010, 09:35:01 PM
We need to at least get the days back we lost in the last season setting process. I don't see them ever letting us hunt the peak of the rut. IMO I would much rather hunt in October like the season used to be from Sept. 29 - Oct. 12, you still catch the tail end of the rut but get way better weather.
Sounds good to me. Let's get them to swap the archery and muzzleloader seasons, so muzzleloaders hunt in September and archers hunt the first week of October. I'd love to hunt in September with my muzzleloader. Especially if they gave us all the good units to hunt like they do the archery hunters.
Post by: hughjorgan on September 19, 2010, 09:35:16 PM
Post by: stumprat on September 19, 2010, 09:36:49 PM
Post by: gasman on September 19, 2010, 09:39:13 PM
Why can't we just get together and makesome thing happen as teh hunting public not indavidual groups :nono:
Post by: bearpaw on September 19, 2010, 09:46:34 PM
And the fight between hunters and user groups begins.....................Again :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
Why can't we just get together and makesome thing happen as teh hunting public not indavidual groups :nono:
I agree, we all need to support each other.
Look at the season structure. Archery then Muzzy then Rifle, then all the late seasons. In some units we are hunting our deer and elk for up to 4 or 5 months. We are making the most of what we have that's for sure, and if anything we need to back off a bit.
Most of all we need to support each other so no-one loses more than others.
Post by: WABONEHNTR on September 19, 2010, 09:49:43 PM
We need a new thread. Why do you bow hunt? For the challenge or for the 2 month season?
Sounds like most want a 3 month season. :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: >:(
Post by: Tony 270 on September 19, 2010, 09:53:31 PM
If going with the challenge of archery, it would be nice to actually get to hunt the rut. As it is, most in W WA are missing out on it because the season ends too soon. Shift it a week later and I doubt you'll hear much complaining.
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2010, 10:01:28 PM
Exaggerations... :rolleyes:
If going with the challenge of archery, it would be nice to actually get to hunt the rut. As it is, most in W WA are missing out on it because the season ends too soon. Shift it a week later and I doubt you'll hear much complaining.
That's funny, if archery hunters are "missing out on it" then why do I always see so many pictures posted of bulls that came in to a call ???
Do all bow hunters live on Crymea River.
We need a new thread. Why do you bow hunt? For the challenge or for the 2 month season?
Sounds like most want a 3 month season. :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: >:(
:yeah: :chuckle: We hear the same complaint every year, by the guys who are unsuccessful in killing an elk during the early archery season.
Post by: Tony 270 on September 19, 2010, 10:03:58 PM
Archers complain about their seasons, muzzy guys whine about theirs. Rifle hunters are horrible about it. Nobody is ever happy :dunno:
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2010, 10:07:46 PM
Just cause they came into a call doesn't mean the rut is on.
Huh? What's your definition of the rut then? If they're bugling and coming in to bugles, I don't care what you want to call it, that's a good time to hunt!
Post by: Tony 270 on September 19, 2010, 10:11:37 PM
Going back out Tuesday, hopefully they're more vocal. Would be better if the weather would help us out. I just know last year, late September, I saw the bulls with the cows and heard many bulls bugling all over the place. And no, they weren't just other hunters :chuckle: So far have seen solo cows and solo bulls.
Post by: PolarBear on September 19, 2010, 10:24:43 PM
Post by: bobcat on September 19, 2010, 10:30:22 PM
I think I agree with Polarbear- I'd like to see no general season hunts during the rut for deer or elk.
Post by: Goldeneye on September 19, 2010, 10:34:34 PM
I think I agree with Polarbear- I'd like to see no general season hunts during the rut for deer or elk.
X2
Post by: Tony 270 on September 19, 2010, 10:38:28 PM
Post by: PolarBear on September 19, 2010, 11:07:50 PM
Personally I'd like to see nothing before September 1st and nothing after Dec 15th. They're pressured long enough :twocents::yeah:
Post by: bullcanyon on September 20, 2010, 07:44:33 AM
Post by: rasbo on September 20, 2010, 07:50:23 AM
Do all bow hunters live on Crymea River.now thats a truth be told LOL
We need a new thread. Why do you bow hunt? For the challenge or for the 2 month season?
Sounds like most want a 3 month season. :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: >:(
Post by: bobcat on September 20, 2010, 07:56:39 AM
Seems like there must of been some heavy pull on the muzzy side, cause they are sliding closer to the rut and archery farther away.
Muzzleloader elk seasons have not been moved closer to the rut. The starting date has been the same for many years. It is the first Saturday in October. This year that date happens to be the 2nd, next year it will be the 1st, and the following year it will fall on the 6th.
Post by: Curly on September 20, 2010, 09:14:07 AM
I think I agree with Polarbear- I'd like to see no general season hunts during the rut for deer or elk.
X2
X3
Post by: bullcanyon on September 20, 2010, 09:19:51 AM
We don't live any closer to the river than any other user group. Tally up the whine posts about lack of gmus for muzzleloader hunters and you will see that cry babies are everywhere. Personally I'm just happy that seattle hasn't taken away my right to hunt period. The season we got now is better than what we had a few years ago. The sept 1-15 wasn't that good. The 8-21 was real nice. Love to have that back.
I can't see our season being extended anymore than it is unless other user groups are going to get a bone thrown their way, and that isn't going to happen with our current hunter-herd status. Some guys are just going to have to work harder than they are willing to punch their tags. I've ate tag soup in the past, but I wouldn't blame my season dates on that. Lack of time put in usually creates an empty freezer. Not always ones fault, but we create our own luck.
Post by: AKBowman on September 20, 2010, 09:44:49 AM
Lat year in my area in 4-1/2 days of hunting I heard two soft bugles, this year they were bugling really well throughout the early season. It made me think that if the elk arent bugling in my area than I should probably find another area where they are bugling. Unless you know the area really well and can kill a silent bull (i'm not that good) than run and gun until you find an area where they are talking. Most likely that area will be a ways behind a locked gate or in some thick nasty hole.
Also I think this is true for muzzle as well the big difference is they have fewer units to hunt but lets be realistic, the units in SW WA are gigantic and I guarantee you there are rutting elk somewhere in the unit so there is plenty of areas to hunt muzzle. I'd like to try it out one of these years.
Post by: Viszla on September 20, 2010, 11:00:59 AM
Post by: archery288 on September 20, 2010, 11:10:02 AM
Hmm. Guess you'e right. My bad. I apologize. So since archery elk starts on a tuesday. Ya think they will start us on the 4th or 11th in 2012? Bet we get the 4th.
We don't live any closer to the river than any other user group. Tally up the whine posts about lack of gmus for muzzleloader hunters and you will see that cry babies are everywhere. Personally I'm just happy that seattle hasn't taken away my right to hunt period. The season we got now is better than what we had a few years ago. The sept 1-15 wasn't that good. The 8-21 was real nice. Love to have that back.
I can't see our season being extended anymore than it is unless other user groups are going to get a bone thrown their way, and that isn't going to happen with our current hunter-herd status. Some guys are just going to have to work harder than they are willing to punch their tags. I've ate tag soup in the past, but I wouldn't blame my season dates on that. Lack of time put in usually creates an empty freezer. Not always ones fault, but we create our own luck.
I couldn't agree more! I am not saying I want our season extended another week, just moved back another week. We don't need more time - just better timing.. But with the other weapon selections out there, I realize this would be an extremely tough feat to achieve.. I am not saying I have not called in elk or seen elk without them bugling, infact out of all the elk I have called in, in Washington, about 90% of them came in silent. It's one thing to sit here and complain about our season dates as archery hunters, however, as with myself and realizing the areas I hunt produce bulls, you will just have to learn to hunt them silent and they are just harder to get without them bugling... I intend on going out of state to hunt year after year from now on to get in to bugling bulls and hunt them in the true rut.. My train of thought on our state - if you can't live with or don't like what we are given, do something about it and find alternative solutions..
Post by: jdb on September 20, 2010, 12:13:10 PM
Why? Damn, how much more do you need? :dunno::yeah:
Post by: spin05 on September 20, 2010, 01:18:35 PM
Post by: firedog on September 20, 2010, 01:39:31 PM
Post by: Machias on September 20, 2010, 01:44:59 PM
Post by: SkookumHntr on September 20, 2010, 01:46:23 PM
Post by: Snapshot on September 20, 2010, 05:03:55 PM
How much time do archers need?!?! If that is a valid question then why do some need a weapon that can be shot accurately ten times farther than an arrow? ;)
Post by: Ray on September 20, 2010, 05:07:27 PM
Quote
How much time do archers need?!?! If that is a valid question then why do some need a weapon that can be shot accurately ten times farther than an arrow?
Yeah that kind of works both ways doesn't it?
I am ok with the current elk seasons. Would like to add 5-7 days to early archery deer season.
Post by: bobcat on September 20, 2010, 05:09:22 PM
Early archery elk season in 2011 will start on September 2; the day after Labor Day. ...all screwed up.
Where did you get that information? From what I've seen, early archery elk season will start on the 6th in 2011.
Post by: billythekidrock on September 20, 2010, 05:17:46 PM
Early archery elk season in 2011 will start on September 2; the day after Labor Day. ...all screwed up.
Labor Day is not Sept 1st. :dunno: Maybe you hit the 2 key instead of the 5 key?
Post by: huntinkid20 on September 20, 2010, 05:27:25 PM
Im not a bow&Arrow guy but this thread is pretty stupid! Bow hunters get a pretty damn nice season!
For not being a bow and arrow guy you sure know alot :P Of course any season you can fill your tag makes a good season. I mean it only takes 1 day to fill a tag.... But i think the issue is as bowhunters our season dates (this year at least) didnt give us the hunting edge we hope for. As hunters in general, we choose our season/weapon choice base on the kind of hunting we want to do. Rifle hunters rifle hunt because their advantage is seeing elk a few hundred yards away and being able to harvest it successfully. Archery hunters choose their season based on wanting to hunt rutting elk (bugling bulls chasing cows) giving us the advantage of being able to call elk into our range. I cant say too much for muzzy guys, just cause i dont know their season very well besides they sometimes get the end of the rut? I think maybe shifting it a week later would help. the rut should be a little more full swing by then?? my :twocents:
I should add too that im not complaining that i didnt get to see any elk, i saw 3 legal bulls and close to 40 cows the 5 days i hunted this season, but only 1 bull bugled 3 times and never heard another peep from another animal again. I was hunting silent elk :dunno:. I still had a blast tho.
Post by: Ray on September 20, 2010, 05:33:24 PM
To declare a topic "pretty stupid" in an open hunting forum specifically created for discussing hunting related topics sounds... well.. about stupid as anything I have heard on this subject so far. It's usually the peanut gallery where people come out of the woodwork in order to make blanket statements like above, without much insight and experience that creates animosity.
Post by: Houndhunter on September 20, 2010, 05:41:06 PM
Post by: big wood on September 20, 2010, 06:43:04 PM
Post by: colockumelk on September 20, 2010, 07:23:07 PM
FYI I've hunted both Muzzy and bow. Both get a piece of The rut just different pieces of it.
Post by: Ray on September 20, 2010, 07:37:44 PM
Post by: Snapshot on September 20, 2010, 07:54:06 PM
No, I made a mistake... it is a bit further down the road that we'll be faced with a Sept 2 start unless we can get it straightened back out after the success rate equity gets all out of whack (as I expect it will). But wait... the 2 key IS just under the 5 key... YEAH, phat phingers; I'll blame it on phat phingers! Thanks for the out.
Post by: Basket Rack on September 20, 2010, 08:32:30 PM
If people are not hearing bugles it means they are not where the elk are.
Not so sure about that one, I have seen plenty of elk over the years that just do not respond to bugling or cow calls. Could just be that they do not like my calls.
BEFORE ALL THE WOLVES EAT OUR ELK UP I HAVE SEEN IT IN IDAHO AND MONTANA
Could not agree with you more on that one, just think how quiet things will be in the rut if we get a bunch of wolves, sorry a little off topic.
Overall, this has been a good thread. I like Polar Bear's thought about maybe not hunting in the rut. It might not be the best thing for our elk herds in Washington to hunt them in the peak of the rut.
Post by: AKBowman on September 20, 2010, 08:43:28 PM
All choose your weapons does is pit user groups against each other. You don't have this conversation in other states. Been saying it for years, this is NOTHING more than divide and conquer. And fellas we USED to have a BUNCH more hunters in the field, why don't we have those numbers anymore, it's QUAILTY of hunt. When you CRAM everyone into a FEW GMUs this is what you get. If they opened the whole damn state and stopped pitting each group against the other it'd be a hell of a lot better. And please stop with the we are the smallest land mass and most people. Open the damn state up. That's why I have been paying bigger bucks to hunt out of state. I have been telling bowhunters for 14 years Choose your weapons will end up KILLING bowhunting in this state, and look at last years results, 6 days knocked off the season. When you only have 22,000 bowhunters you no longer have a political voice, you get leftovers from the other groups, who are all clamoring for more and more. Honestly I believe this will be the first state to outlaw bowhunting and unfortuanely it will be sooner rather than later, IMSHO!!
Lordy I hope you are wrong about the outlawing thing. What a shame that would be. :'( I think I would move to Canada!!!
Post by: bobcat on September 20, 2010, 09:13:03 PM
BillytheKR,
No, I made a mistake... it is a bit further down the road that we'll be faced with a Sept 2 start unless we can get it straightened back out after the success rate equity gets all out of whack (as I expect it will). But wait... the 2 key IS just under the 5 key... YEAH, phat phingers; I'll blame it on phat phingers! Thanks for the out.
Umm...but the correct date was Septmeber 6th, not the 5th ???
Post by: billythekidrock on September 21, 2010, 05:28:41 AM
Post by: JBar on September 21, 2010, 06:49:55 PM
I agree with bearpaw,its been a great season for some and not so for others,they were screaming in hancock two weeks ago :dunno: sometimes its just tough hunting.you guys get a good season
Rasbo- The difference is night and day between Hancock and the 98% of the state! Hancock has a healthy well balanced herd with almost ZERO hunting pressure. Good Bull count equals healthy competition for cows and an actual RUT. Not many places you can go and see a big mature 6x6 with no cows because he got his Arse kicked.
Post by: big wood on September 22, 2010, 10:38:15 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on September 23, 2010, 12:57:08 AM
Post by: PolarBear on September 23, 2010, 01:06:32 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on September 23, 2010, 01:17:31 AM
Not this bow hunter! I think that our seasons are way too long!
I shouldn't have said "all bow hunters". Maybe just the majority.
Post by: PolarBear on September 23, 2010, 01:24:42 AM
Post by: bullcanyon on September 23, 2010, 05:04:06 AM
I've been on both sides of the coin bigshooter. Doesn't have anything to do with the season for me. Toting the bow around makes it more "real" to me. I've killed way more animals with my rifle, but they don't mean as much to me as the ones I've killed with my bow.
Post by: big wood on September 23, 2010, 06:44:26 AM