Post by: Ridinshotgun on April 22, 2008, 10:18:11 PM
Lets hear what you think!
I was hoping they would open the season Oct. 18th through the 26th like they should have.
Post by: jackelope on April 22, 2008, 10:29:08 PM
you asked what i think.
Post by: Armadillo on April 22, 2008, 10:29:48 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 22, 2008, 10:42:28 PM
Post by: huntnphool on April 22, 2008, 10:52:57 PM
Glad I drew Montana, at least I will have a chance at something other than a resident 3 point.
Post by: bobcat on April 22, 2008, 11:29:50 PM
Well you guys must be meat hunters, and thats okay by me. The real question is not when the season starts its when does it end? My opinion on the entire season is :puke:
If you're talking mule deer, the season I would assume would be 9 days so it would end the 19th. Blacktail season generally goes to the 31st. Do you not like the season because it's not during the rut? :dunno:
Post by: huntnphool on April 23, 2008, 12:00:39 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on April 23, 2008, 05:26:43 AM
Doesnt have to be during the rut, to the end of October would make me happy!!!
+1
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on April 23, 2008, 05:59:44 AM
There's a reason states that have more land, more PUBLIC land, less people, and more mule deer have gone limited entry (UT, OR, CO, AZ, NV). It's a hunter population demand for more buck quality and better harvest opportunity. Their hunters made the choice to NOT be guaranteed an opportunity to hunt every year.
WA hunters, as a group, prefer to hunt every year, over better seasons and higher success rates on older bucks. We made that choice, about 65% of us versus the 35% who wanted limited entry for mule deer during the 06-08 3-year package scoping in 2005. The result is less-than-optimal general modern firearm season dates, when mule deer are hardest to kill. Same with 3-point, which results in less mature buck escapement in most areas, but does at least ensure total buck escapement.
WDFW does a lot of things badly (permit drawings, anyone?); but within the constraints of managing lots of hunters pursuing a very limited resource who insist on general season opportunity, that's about as good as it can be. There's also a reason 35% of our big game hunters hunt out of state - those are the ones who insist on a higher quality experience, with better season timing, more animals, lower hunter densities, etc. There's that 35% again ....
Post by: boneaddict on April 23, 2008, 06:20:12 AM
Quite frankly, looking at how the herd is up north, you're lucky Blacktails aren't the only thing you are hunting.
We are still suffereing from those late seasons from a couple years ago in regards to trophy animals in the state. They were decimated. A whole generation of deer. Of course I'd rather be hunting in the rut, but this state just can't sustain that. With that being said, two of the biggest bucks I saw last year were on opening morning October 13th and they were both rutting already. I'm pretty sure you've noted the ersults of that encounter. At least I got the smaller one.
Post by: bobcat on April 23, 2008, 06:26:00 AM
Oh, and Oregon's deer season starts October 4th and runs for 12 days. Idaho starts October 10th and runs for about 2 weeks. Pretty similar to our state.
Post by: archery288 on April 23, 2008, 06:36:21 AM
Post by: boneaddict on April 23, 2008, 06:45:15 AM
I've killed my two biggest whitetails and my biggest Muley within the first week of September, so thats not a bad idea. :)
Post by: PacificNWhunter on April 24, 2008, 06:30:53 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on April 24, 2008, 08:51:37 PM
[quoteI think I'll stick with archery hunting]
I've killed my two biggest whitetails and my biggest Muley within the first week of September, so thats not a bad idea. :)
[/quote]
i think most of you elk bow hunters will say some of the biggest bucks they've seen were out during september elk hunting. i'm still not convinced to hunt deer with bow, not my thing, but maybe if i see the monsters guys are talkin bout i might try it out
Post by: PolarBear on April 24, 2008, 09:05:06 PM
I prefer late archery for deer and elk after everyone is out of the woods and the dink bucks and bulls are thinned out leaving me with the big boys. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Armadillo on April 24, 2008, 09:07:08 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on April 25, 2008, 06:10:19 AM
Quote
It's only two days earlier than last year. Doesn't that mean we get a longer blacktail season? Sounds good to me.
Every few years we get that extra couple days :IBCOOL:
Post by: MichaelJ on April 25, 2008, 11:07:43 PM
Michael
Post by: bobcat on April 27, 2008, 12:41:34 PM
I think it's great they moved the season back just a little bit
They really didn't move the season. It opens the same Saturday as it always has. That Saturday just happens to fall a couple days earlier than it did last year.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on April 27, 2008, 01:34:28 PM
Post by: boneaddict on April 27, 2008, 04:37:12 PM
Post by: Red Dawg on April 27, 2008, 04:44:55 PM
Post by: boneaddict on April 27, 2008, 04:46:40 PM
Post by: SuperDave on April 28, 2008, 05:30:11 AM
Doesn't matter when they have the season anyway. If a guy knows where they live you will get one. I agree that it is a good thing to move it up. The big bucks will be higher and staying out of the rut during general season. Maybe it is just me but i think that they rutted really early last season. Seemed like the bucks were grouping back up second week in november. So yes it is good. Best thing that can happen besides making everyone draw for a buck tag during general season.Can't agree with you more! Can't please everyone, but hopefully this helps restore the herds.
Post by: bobcat on April 28, 2008, 08:35:17 PM
Post by: boneaddict on April 28, 2008, 08:47:04 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 28, 2008, 08:51:23 PM
It just sounded like people were saying that the DFW had moved the season up, just for the reason of reducing harvest.
Post by: boneaddict on April 28, 2008, 09:00:21 PM