Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Kain on August 29, 2011, 10:01:11 AM
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Changes to the next three year season are currently being discussed. There are no changes for small game on the survey. The statewide Wildlife Manager, Dave Ware, said that the WDFW is limited to making changes that are not for conservation reasons or that have been requested by hunters. We have until September 20th to make our requests. They most likely wont include changes that only have a couple people asking for them but if we come together as a group and request some changes with compelling reasons we will have a much better chance of getting them included.
I was elected Predator/Small Game Committee Chairman for Washington for Wildlife and I want to know if there was any changes in season length or bag limits that you guys would like to see. I know WPHA has some ideas on changes and WFW would like to add our support where we can and is looking at some other changes also. I would like to get ideas on what changes you guys would like to see and the reasons for them.
The small game season and limits for the most part are good but with one-size-fits-all across the entire state there might be problem areas.
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Changes I would like to see are:
Longer crow season. I see no reason that crow season cannot be more inline with other small game and other states seasons. There are no shortage of crows and the season seems very short to me. It also falls right into the busiest time in the woods-modern firearms season. Crow hunting is also a great way to get kids into hunting and provides necessary management of a predatory bird species.
Pellet rifles. With the advancement in pellet rifles I would like to see WDFW make pellets rifles that meet certain performance specs be legalized for some small game. This is also great for getting kids into hunting and could open up opportunity in areas that would normally not be friendly to firearms.
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I tend to agree with other posts I've seen to extend the close of Bobcat, as well as Fox, Raccoon, and Rabbit seasons to the end of March instead of March 15. If for no other reason than to make it less confusing. Besides, another 2 weeks couldn't hurt populations that much. My :twocents: . Thanks for the post. One of the reasons I quit buying fishing licenses 10 years ago is that I couldn't afford to hire a lawyer to read the regulations for me.
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I'd really like to see pheasant season open on the same day as modern firearm deer like it use to.
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I would like them to change the wording on the no coyote hunting with dogs to allow incidental taking of a coyote while upland or waterfowl hunting while having a bird dog or retriever present.
AWS
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I too would like to see a change made to allow for airgun hunting of small game.
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I would love to see squirrel hunting legal for all squirrels. :twocents:
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I would like a squirrel season as well. It would be nice if jackrabbit was open.
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I would like the Blue grouse limits to be lowered back to 3 in certain areas......especially when the populations are damn close to all time lows.
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I would like the Blue grouse limits to be lowered back to 3 in certain areas......especially when the populations are damn close to all time lows.
I have heard this from others also. I dont see many forest grouse around here either. I am leaning on reducing the daily limit also. I dont really know anyone that is filling the limit as it is so I dont know how much it will help. My biggest problem with a larger limit is that sometimes grouse are stupid and you can kill multiples out of one covey which doesnt leave as many for seed. A larger limit might be fine if the birds were spread out. I would like to hear what the grouse populations are like for others. This is what I meant about one-size-fits-all game regulations. Some areas may be able to handle it and other might have too much pressure.
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I would like the Blue grouse limits to be lowered back to 3 in certain areas......especially when the populations are damn close to all time lows.
I have heard this from others also. I dont see many forest grouse around here either. I am leaning on reducing the daily limit also. I dont really know anyone that is filling the limit as it is so I dont know how much it will help. My biggest problem with a larger limit is that sometimes grouse are stupid and you can kill multiples out of one covey which doesnt leave as many for seed. A larger limit might be fine if the birds were spread out. I would like to hear what the grouse populations are like for others. This is what I meant about one-size-fits-all game regulations. Some areas may be able to handle it and other might have too much pressure.
I've noticed lately that anywhere there are more Turkeys there are few Grouse. Maybe it's time to thin out the Turkeys.
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I heard a turkey for the first time as I was walking out of the woods last night. Still have never seen one though. Not a huge population down here.
Plenty of cover and food for grouse but just to many predators I think. Funky weather, natural cycles, and hunting pressure sure makes it hard to tell what the right answer is.
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Forest grouse harvest reports
2010 92,756
2009 140,856
2008 101,685
2007 119,189
2006 131,435
2005 102,968
2004 107,858
2003 126,978
I believe harvest levels were increased for the 2009 season. Not a lot of data to go off but that did seem to be a big jump in harvest and last year was much lower. Not sure that is directly related but Im sure it does not help. Just looking at this i would say limits definitely need to be lowered back to 3/day.
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Im torn on the squirrel hunting. Dont get me wrong I would love to bust a few of those tree rats but with them being fairly small (Douglas squirrel) and a major food source for lots of predators Im not sure its best for hunters. Weasels martins bobcats owls and hawks eat them down here. You start to thin them out and those predators will eat more rabbits. Less rabbits for us and larger predators that will then turn to fawns. I am just thinking out loud here so if I could be completely wrong.
The greatest thing about hunting them would be that they might shut the hell up when hunters go into the woods instead of letting the entire forest know exactly where you are. I have been sooooo tempted a couple times. :chuckle:
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Yes, but I have had them alert me to other animals and hunters attempting to sneak through the area too, so it's a double-edged sword.
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Kain I would personally see the rabbit season closed around the last weekend of February as I have noticed the cottontails are heavy with babies by the first week of march I have personally stopped hunting them after February for that reason I just can't see hunting any animal when they a pregnant
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I agree with Kain that squirrels should be left for predators to eat. The squirrels we have that are numerous enough to be hunted are not really big enough to provide much meat anyway. Leave 'em for the hawks, owls, coyotes, and bobcats.
As for the grouse, I don't believe the change from a 3 bird limit to a 4 bird limit had any significant affect on the number of birds taken. I know for a fact grouse numbers were very high in 2009, and 2010 and 2011 they have been virtually non-existent, around here anyway. The higher harvest in 2009 was due to high numbers of grouse, not the 4 bird limit.
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Kain I would personally see the rabbit season closed around the last weekend of February as I have noticed the cottontails are heavy with babies by the first week of march I have personally stopped hunting them after February for that reason I just can't see hunting any animal when they a pregnant
Reproduction
The breeding season for rabbits begins in mid February and can continue through late summer. Famous for their reproductive abilities, rabbits have a 30-day gestation (pregnancy) period, and have several litters containing four to eight young each year.
For about two weeks, the mother rabbit stays away from the nest so as not to show predators the location of the young, returning only at dusk and dawn to nurse and lick her young clean.
At two weeks of age the young rabbits begin to eat vegetation; at four to five weeks old they are feeding alongside their mother.
The number of rabbits in a given area will increase and decrease in a cycle connected with predator populations and food availability.
According to the WDFW you are right about the timing. That is a lot to ask of hunters though since we really dont get a lot of snow and cold weather until February/March. I have no problem with that though. Shave two weeks off the end of rabbits season? How do the rest of you feel about it?
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I would like them to change the wording on the no coyote hunting with dogs to allow incidental taking of a coyote while upland or waterfowl hunting while having a bird dog or retriever present.
AWS
That's a good idea I'd support. It doesn't make sense that you can't shoot a coyote just because you happen to have a dog with you at the time. I really don't think that was the intent of the law. Why the law was needed in the first place, well that's an entirely different question but it seems we must have some PETA members working for the WDFW.
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As for the grouse, I don't believe the change from a 3 bird limit to a 4 bird limit had any significant affect on the number of birds taken. I know for a fact grouse numbers were very high in 2009, and 2010 and 2011 they have been virtually non-existent, around here anyway. The higher harvest in 2009 was due to high numbers of grouse, not the 4 bird limit.
That could be. I really only have the harvest numbers to go off. I assume that the grouse numbers must have been doing well for the WDFW to increase the numbers in the first place. That is the hard thing about forming an opinion on this. It could be a weather related event or just a natural cycle. The 2009 numbers do seem to be abnormally high and then followed by a crash. The few extra grouse that could have been saved might have made the die off less severe.
Either way numbers are down now (whatever the reason) and I think it would be wise to lower harvest limits. :dunno:
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The last two years, it's apparent the cold/wet spring weather was the main factor in low grouse numbers. The reason for the high grouse population in 2009 was due to favorable spring weather. Just my opinion of course, but weather really is the main factor that affect grouse, and other upland bird populations.
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That makes sense. Do you think a lower the limit would have any noticeable effect on their recovery numbers? I have my doubts that it would because I dont know many guys that are getting consistent limits anyways. I just dont know which is best.
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No, I don't believe going back to a three bird limit will have any effect whatsoever on the grouse population. To have higher grouse numbers we need a warmer, dryer spring, so the chicks can survive. How many people will actually kill four grouse per day? Very, very few (as you said). I didn't even bother to go grouse hunting last year, because I saw during my summer scouting for deer that there basically were not any grouse in the woods. The previous year (2009) grouse were just everywhere. So that's what happens during years when there are very few grouse- people don't hunt them. So how is reducing the limit by one bird going to accomplish anything, when most people aren't even bothering to hunt grouse? I like the four bird limit. It's great when grouse numbers are high and when numbers are low the limit doesn't matter because hunting pressure is self-limiting.
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Get rid of the law where it says you can't hunt Lions or "Cougers" ( as you call them up here) with the use of dogs!! WTF?? :bash: :bdid:
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Get rid of the law where it says you can't hunt Lions or "Cougers" ( as you call them up here) with the use of dogs!! WTF?? :bash: :bdid:
We are working on it. It has to be changed through the state legislature though and cant be changed by the WDFW. The use of dogs for coyotes can be changed though because that was outlawed by WDFW.
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They need to allow dogs for decoying coyotes. I understand (completely disagree with) their thought process on making it illegal to pursue coyotes with dogs, however it would be very easy for them to allow decoying dogs, and very easy for the officer in the field to see the difference.
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Changes I would like to see are:
Longer crow season. I see no reason that crow season cannot be more inline with other small game and other states seasons. There are no shortage of crows and the season seems very short to me. It also falls right into the busiest time in the woods-modern firearms season. Crow hunting is also a great way to get kids into hunting and provides necessary management of a predatory bird species.
Pellet rifles. With the advancement in pellet rifles I would like to see WDFW make pellets rifles that meet certain performance specs be legalized for some small game. This is also great for getting kids into hunting and could open up opportunity in areas that would normally not be friendly to firearms.
:yeah:
Pellet gun for grouse while big game hunting. Always hated deciding... grouse or elk... grouse or elk....
Also, put the small game license back as part of the big game license. Or even better yet, Put the system back to hunting lincense and then appropriate tags.
Most of my small game hunting is done as part of my scouting trips and then I would like to decide my tag later... Like it used to be.
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Changes I would like to see are:
Pellet rifles. With the advancement in pellet rifles I would like to see WDFW make pellets rifles that meet certain performance specs be legalized for some small game. This is also great for getting kids into hunting and could open up opportunity in areas that would normally not be friendly to firearms.
Agree wholeheartedly with this aspect. Airguns are being made in larger calibers, and the .22 and .25 cal. guns are perfect for Coyote control in urban settings. I even saw an article where a group went to Africa and used a .50 cal. airgun to shoot the small African deer for camp meat. I personally have made some amazing kills on Starlings with my .177 airgun. They really can be a viable alternative to conventional rifles as long as they are used within their capabilities.
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I have started a poll under the Washington for Wildlife section on these changes. Feel free to vote even if you are not a member. Of course we would love for you to join and add your support. There is strength in numbers and we hunters need to work together.
Take the poll here. We will forward the results to the WDFW and then ask members and non members to support these changes be considered for the next three year season setting process.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,82518.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,82518.0.html)
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Allow the use of Cross Bows for small game species, coyotes would be first on the list.
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Regarding the pellet guns for some small game species.
I believe we should make a stance based on caliber of the pellet. (.22 or larger for example)
If we try to phrase it based of performance, it doesn't seem simple enough to get passed. Requiring a field agent to inspect for velocity etc could make it get overlooked based on complexity of enforcement.
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Allow the use of Cross Bows for small game species, coyotes would be first on the list.
Crossbows are legal in firearms restricted units. I personally think they should be legal in all units and during modern firearms seasons.
Regarding the pellet guns for some small game species.
I believe we should make a stance based on caliber of the pellet. (.22 or larger for example)
If we try to phrase it based of performance, it doesn't seem simple enough to get passed. Requiring a field agent to inspect for velocity etc could make it get overlooked based on complexity of enforcement.
I will look up how other states handle pellet rifle regulations. I agree that the WDFW will not consider something that is to cumbersome to enforce but I dont see much difference in a FPS requirement on air rifles and a minimum poundage limit, grain per inch on arrows for archery.
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A .25 auto handgun, with a 4 inch barrel is legal for elk, deer, and bear. Why not an air rifle for grouse, rabbits, etc.? :dunno:
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A .25 auto handgun, with a 4 inch barrel is legal for elk, deer, and bear. Why not an air rifle for grouse, rabbits, etc.? :dunno:
:yeah: One could argue that some air rifles could do a better job than that .25 auto.........
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Question for you...........say they allow air rifles to be used for grouse. Can you shoot grouse out the window of your truck with the pellet gun then? Since it is not a firearm, it probably wouldn't be subject to the laws pertaining to having loaded firearm in the vehicle.
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Question for you...........say they allow air rifles to be used for grouse. Can you shoot grouse out the window of your truck with the pellet gun then? Since it is not a firearm, it probably wouldn't be subject to the laws pertaining to having loaded firearm in the vehicle.
Nope already illegal to hunt from motor vehicles. One could have asked the same about archery hunting.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01184/wdfw01184.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01184/wdfw01184.pdf) Page 70
4. Hunting wildlife from a motor
vehicle is prohibited, exceptions: see
Persons with Disabilities on page 83.
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I guess you could sight your air rifle in over the hood of your truck though! :tup:
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I guess you could sight your air rifle in over the hood of your truck though! :tup:
:stirthepot: Mean, just mean. :chuckle:
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This was the only mention of air rifles I could find on the WDFW site.
Lethal Control
If all efforts to dissuade problem pigeons fail and they continue to be a human safety concern, they may have to be trapped. Trapping is rarely a permanent solution since other pigeons are likely to move in if attractive roosting and nesting sites are still available.
Small-scale traps are available from the Purple Martin Conservation Association and other enterprises over the Internet. Check the trap at least twice a day for non-targeted birds.
Do not trap pigeons and release them elsewhere, because they will easily return or cause problems somewhere else. If you cannot humanely kill them yourself, find a falconer or wildlife rehabilitation center that will accept live pigeons to feed to hawks.
Shooting has been effective in eliminating small isolated groups of pigeons. For safety considerations, shooting is generally limited to rural situations and is considered too hazardous in more populated areas, even if legal. Where shooting is legal and safe, .22 CB caps work well, so does any semi high-powered pellet rifle with a pellet velocity of 800 fps or more.
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I still think squirrel season should be on the list. Other states have squirrel season (I know Oregon does and I think Idaho does as well) why can't we? I know in England the have a 12 FPE cap on air rifles (after that it requires a license) I think most of the newer .177 air rifle meet that and in England they shoot rabbits, pigeons, etc
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The squirrels we have in this state are barely big enough to eat. What do we have- the Douglas squirrel and chipmunks? Then there's the Western Grey Squirrel, but they are endangered. And the non-native Eastern Grey Squirrels can already be hunted year around. I think other states that have squirrel seasons have bigger species that have a little meat on them.
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I still think squirrel season should be on the list. Other states have squirrel season (I know Oregon does and I think Idaho does as well) why can't we? I know in England the have a 12 FPE cap on air rifles (after that it requires a license) I think most of the newer .177 air rifle meet that and in England they shoot rabbits, pigeons, etc
I did add it to the list. We are doing a poll to let everyone decide what they want on the list. You can vote here.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,82518.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,82518.0.html)
Like I said earlier I am torn on hunting the squirrels we have here. There is really no shortage of them so that is not an issue. They are an important prey species for lots of predators. Not a lot of meat but I have seen guys put in more work for frog legs with even less meat. There are lots of unclassified game that can be hunted like mountain beavers, ground hogs and ground squirrels why should tree squirrels be any different?
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I just think it's a bad idea to try pushing for a squirrel season. It will never happen, not with the Seattle influence. If they did open a squirrel season, it wouldn't be long and there'd be an initiative to outlaw it.
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You could be right but we cant just live in fear all the time. That is what has led to loosing so much of our hunting opportunity as it is. The same fear could be had for crows, foxes, raccoons and bobcats. Costs continues to go up and opportunity goes down because we never fight for anything. The worst that can happen is they say no.
I just keep going back to the legislative mandate of the WDFW and Wildlife Commission. Simplified it says that the commission should authorize the taking of wildlife in ways that do not impair the resource and attempt to maximize recreational hunting opportunities. Nowhere in the mandate does it say they should limit hunting based on it being "socially unacceptable" (the wording used to take away hounds for coyotes). We need to keep reminding them of that.
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Squirrels are too cute. A season on them will never happen.
It's not like we've ever been able to hunt douglas squirrels in this state, and we are fighting to get the right back..........it just is not a tradition that most of us from WA have ever done, so I don't see the need to fight for it myself.
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Well, according to the poll, it seems the majority of hunters DO want to hunt them so we will be asking for a season on them. Not sure why you guys see that as a "fight". If some guy wants to go out and shoot a few for a stew why should he not be able to. :dunno: If the WDFW does turn it down I will be very interested in the reason for it.
Imagine if they managed animals based on how cute they are? :chuckle:
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I bet they'll get a good laugh out of it, at least.
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Well, according to the poll, it seems the majority of hunters DO want to hunt them so we will be asking for a season on them. Not sure why you guys see that as a "fight". If some guy wants to go out and shoot a few for a stew why should he not be able to. :dunno: If the WDFW does turn it down I will be very interested in the reason for it.
Imagine if they managed animals based on how cute they are? :chuckle:
There will be a fight with the bunny hugger types if they see people out shooting the "cute" little squirrels. I would bet the reason they come up with would have to do with the possibility of mis-identification of the type of squirrel; they'll say that the endangered squirrels may accidentally get shot. Lame excuse I know, but that's what I think they'll come up with.
As far as being cute, how else do you explain the protection of Sealions? :dunno: They are the coyotes of the sea and are far exceeding the amount that the fisheries can handle in the Columbia, but yet the environmentalist types are fighting removal........
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well we can hunt tree squirrels but the only species we can lives predominantly in Seattle and you cant hunt there....I see no reason to not have skirrel hunting if people wanna eat them they should be able to just like all the other things we can hunt that the majority wont eat like crows and coons and chucks and coyotes :dunno:
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Well, according to the poll, it seems the majority of hunters DO want to hunt them so we will be asking for a season on them. Not sure why you guys see that as a "fight". If some guy wants to go out and shoot a few for a stew why should he not be able to. :dunno: If the WDFW does turn it down I will be very interested in the reason for it.
Imagine if they managed animals based on how cute they are? :chuckle:
There will be a fight with the bunny hugger types if they see people out shooting the "cute" little squirrels. I would bet the reason they come up with would have to do with the possibility of mis-identification of the type of squirrel; they'll say that the endangered squirrels may accidentally get shot. Lame excuse I know, but that's what I think they'll come up with.
As far as being cute, how else do you explain the protection of Sealions? :dunno: They are the coyotes of the sea and are far exceeding the amount that the fisheries can handle in the Columbia, but yet the environmentalist types are fighting removal........
I know the bunny huggers think management should be based on cuteness but I would be very surprised if the WDFW would deny a squirrel season based on that. As far as the Western Grey Squirrel being misidentified that is a real concern and I would have no problem with no squirrel hunting in those areas. That still leaves most of the state to hunt them.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fconservation%2Fresearch%2Fprojects%2Fwestern_gray_squirrel%2Fgraphics%2Fdistribution_map.jpg&hash=3224e460599c258c4890f73bdc75927f74c38c1f)
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Well, as said earlier, hunting squirrels would also leave less prey for hawks, owls, raccoons, coyotes, and.........wolves.
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Well, as said earlier, hunting squirrels would also leave less prey for hawks, owls, raccoons, coyotes, and.........wolves.
on that theory so does rock chuck and rabbit and dove hunting and ......on and on.....maybe we need to just not hunt rodents or any species that might feed another species :dunno:
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:yeah: Or grouse pheasants turkeys deer elk.....The predators that eat squirrels already eat as many as they are going to and there is still one in almost every other tree. It is something to keep in mind when developing a season and/or limits though. Nobody wants to damage their populations below a sustainable level. It would be up to the WDFW to tell us what that is and although I personally have trust issues with what they put out sometimes they should still look at it if that is what the hunters want.
Who knows thinning them out in areas adjacent to Western Grays may help improve their recovery.
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Is this the kind of squirrel you're wanting to hunt? I don't think they could be mistaken for a gray squirrel.
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I think it would be Douglas and Red Squirrels. Yes very hard to mistake a big gray squirrel with a douglas or red.
Here is all the information on the various squirrels in WA.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_squirrel/)
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Ive always been curious why bobcat isnt open until September 1st rather than August 1st like bear. I would think there is alot of bobcats that are called in during the month of August when people are bear hunting and Im sure that bugs people to have to leave them be. Seems to me from what Ive noticed over the last few years, there is tons of bobcats out there so I dont understand it. Is it based on the mating season of them? I always figured they were like cougars and dont have a real set time of year they mate.
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Ive always been curious why bobcat isnt open until September 1st rather than August 1st like bear. I would think there is alot of bobcats that are called in during the month of August when people are bear hunting and Im sure that bugs people to have to leave them be. Seems to me from what Ive noticed over the last few years, there is tons of bobcats out there so I dont understand it. Is it based on the mating season of them? I always figured they were like cougars and dont have a real set time of year they mate.
There does seem to be plenty of bobcats and you are right that there is not really a set mating season. I dont think you would get much support for extending the season into summer months though. The season is already pretty generous and most people that hunt and trap them want the furs and they are not prime in the summer. A 7 month season and no limit is plenty IMO.
If you call one in in Aug just go back later and try to call it again. According to most guys cats dont really get educated like coyotes and can be called multiple times. Just knowing where to call is really the hard part so if you see a bobcat you know one or more are in the area.
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That makes sense. I forgot about the fur quality aspect of it. The month of august is probably when they are changing from summer coats to winter coats like most other animals.
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That makes sense. I forgot about the fur quality aspect of it. The month of august is probably when they are changing from summer coats to winter coats like most other animals.
I shot one in Sept a few years back and it still had a summer coat. Still a trophy for me because I was not planning to sell it. The meat was tasty and the skull looks awesome on my mantle too. :tup:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi406.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp150%2FNaithankain%2FBobcat1-1.jpg&hash=6d060ec43e26744d712fdb0a3708c9c958fe15eb)
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Selling the hide doesnt really bother me either. Last year I called one in August 30th and didnt have a shot but it kinda bugged me that I would have to let him walk even if I did have a shot. Thats kinda why I was whining about the season. :chuckle:
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hounds hounds hounds hounds and hounds
:tree1: :pee:
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I tend to agree with other posts I've seen to extend the close of Bobcat, as well as Fox, Raccoon, and Rabbit seasons to the end of March instead of March 15. If for no other reason than to make it less confusing. Besides, another 2 weeks couldn't hurt populations that much. My :twocents: . Thanks for the post. One of the reasons I quit buying fishing licenses 10 years ago is that I couldn't afford to hire a lawyer to read the regulations for me.
I spoke to the commission awhile back about extending the bobcat season to the end of March. They said they would take it into consideration. I know there is support for it in the agency, but hunters need to ask and email to make it happen.
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I agree with BTKR, hunters need to ask for it and we could probably get it. :tup:
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Washington for Wildlife has the final version of the small game changes letter. Please feel free to email the WDFW and attach the letter to let them know you support the changes that hunting-washington members voted on.
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
You could also ask for these changes on the WDFW online survey.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/)
Thanks for all the support and participating in the poll.
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http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=7081 (http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=7081)
Time is Running Out; Washington Hunters Must Speak Now!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has imposed a ban on the use of traditional (lead) ammunition for all upland bird hunting on all WDFW pheasant release sites across the state. This restriction was adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission two years ago but its implementation was delayed until this hunting season. The Commission adopted the restriction during the course of its 2010-2012 hunting season-setting process.
With this in mind, it is critical that hunters and sportsmen participate in the 2012-2014 season-setting process. The WDFW is now in the initial public comment phase of the process, which will end this Tuesday, September 20. You can bet that the anti-hunting extremists are participating in the process, so the importance of hunters and sportsmen participating cannot be overstated! Please see below for details on how to submit your comments.
The current traditional ammunition restrictions pertain to quail, dove, pheasant and any upland bird hunted on the pheasant release sites. No scientific studies have been cited showing population-level impacts of lead ammunition on these species in Washington. Further, published scientific papers elsewhere admit they don’t know that there are any problems associated with the use of lead shot to hunt upland game. The WDFW seems to be acting on emotion and politics, citing the “potential” for problems associated with lead ammunition as the basis for these far-reaching restrictions.
The NRA believes that the current push to ban the use of traditional ammunition in Washington is part of a new strategy being used by anti-hunting and anti-gun activists all over the country to attack our hunting traditions and firearm freedoms. Traditional ammunition bans have a significant, chilling effect on hunting by pricing hunters out of the market while hunters’ ranks are already in decline. Having fewer hunters is a threat to the future of our hunting heritage and means less funding for wildlife and habitat conservation. The opposition’s “next logical step” will be to propose a complete, statewide ban on traditional ammunition in Washington. This is the pattern in other states so don’t think “it won’t happen here!”
Although it is too late to do anything about the existing restriction on traditional ammunition for this season, hunters and sportsmen now have the opportunity to demand that the restriction be withdrawn for the next three years and vocally oppose any further unsubstantiated restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has adopted a traditional ammunition resolution stating that "state agencies should focus regulation efforts where population-level impacts to wildlife are substantiated." (AFWA - 2010 Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Resolution) (emphasis added). With no population-level impacts cited, it is time to tell the WDFW that emotion and politics have no place in wildlife management.
With that in mind, it is important for you to submit your comments and concerns to the WDFW. Your voice matters! Comments must be submitted by Tuesday, September 20. Please request that the ban on the use of traditional ammunition on pheasant release sites be lifted in 2012 and beyond, and demand that there be no further unsubstantiated restrictions imposed on the use of lead in ammunition in the future.
Comments can be submitted via e-mail, by sending them to Rene Henson at Rena.Henson@dfw.wa.gov; be sure to put “2012-2014 Hunter Comment/Concern” in the subject line. You can also submit comments via regular mail, please address your letter as follows:
ATTN: Wildlife Program
Hunter Comment
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
In addition to submitting specific comments by e-mail or mail, you can take the WDFW “2012-2014 Hunting Season Development Survey.” This scoping survey asks a series of questions on issues ranging from the spring black bear harvest to cougar management. At the end of the survey you can choose to submit “additional comments”; from there you can click “Other” and leave a comment relating to the regulation of lead ammunition in the comment box provided.
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Today is the last day to send in your comments for the season setting process. Please email the Washington for Wildlife Letter to wildthing@dfw.wa.gov and make sure you leave comments on these changes on the survey.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/)