Post by: Fullabull on February 07, 2012, 02:59:18 PM
2012 2013 2014
Sept. 4- 16 Sept. 3-15 Sept. 2-14
They might as well just get rid of archery season....
Oh...and MF get to start two days earlier and get an extra day :bash:
ML hunters get to hunt even more of the prime rut now :bash:
Sorry, I'm fed up with how these idiots run the archery seasons here in this state!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: 270Shooter on February 07, 2012, 03:03:50 PM
Post by: Fowlweather25 on February 07, 2012, 03:04:29 PM
Post by: medic6 on February 07, 2012, 03:04:43 PM
Post by: bobcat on February 07, 2012, 03:05:04 PM
I could be confused but it appears that each of the seasons you listed consists of 13 days.
So where did the lost days go?
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on February 07, 2012, 03:08:27 PM
Post by: Machias on February 07, 2012, 03:11:07 PM
Post by: Fullabull on February 07, 2012, 03:11:40 PM
Post by: Gobble Gobble on February 07, 2012, 03:17:47 PM
Archery always starts Sept. 1 and we will be losing 1 day each of the next 2 years. 2012 9/1-28, 2013 9/1-27, 2014 9/1-26. The up side of it is fall turkey starts 9/22 this year so if I haven't got a deer yet I can try while turkey hunting on private land north of Spokane.
Post by: vandeman17 on February 07, 2012, 03:22:18 PM
Ok,,,I didn't mean taking them away...I meant starting further back in the month. they keep taking away any opportunity to hunt during the rut. It looks like they are trying to get archers to just stop hunting. I would sure like to know the reason for this and then show me the proof of why they are doing it....
I do find it somewhat odd that they keep sliding the archery seasons earlier in the year. I think their main objective is to slowly adjust the seaons so that all the prime times are draw only. That way they can get the most money from all of us applying for all the special permits. :twocents:
Post by: bobcat on February 07, 2012, 03:24:13 PM
I got nothing against MLs It’s the projectile I have coming out the end of their smoke pole through the trees in my direction that I have a problem with. Just my :twocents:
But wouldn't the other muzzleloader hunters be at the same risk as you, from all those projecties going through the trees? Maybe I'm naive but I've never felt unsafe while hunting during muzzleloader seasons.
Post by: Button Nubbs on February 07, 2012, 03:27:14 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 07, 2012, 03:34:35 PM
In regards to the whole "too hot" thing, I'm not buying it. Sure if you dilly dally around some of the meat may spoil. I shot my bull this year opening morning 9:00am on the dot. It was hot that day. We jumped the bull twice throughout the day and he was not in good shape, he just wouldn't die. We made the call to pull out and come back in the morning. We found him in the morning and were back at the truck by 12pm headed to the butcher the meat was fine and tastes as good as any elk I've ever eaten.
That's a kill near a road. Some of us like to move into the wilderness where it takes hours just to move one 1/4. I agree with Machias' point. Moving the start back further and further is setting up the opportunity of really hot weather.
This year, it was in the 90s until the very last three days. That sucked.
Post by: Machias on February 07, 2012, 03:49:31 PM
In regards to the whole "too hot" thing, I'm not buying it. Sure if you dilly dally around some of the meat may spoil. I shot my bull this year opening morning 9:00am on the dot. It was hot that day. We jumped the bull twice throughout the day and he was not in good shape, he just wouldn't die. We made the call to pull out and come back in the morning. We found him in the morning and were back at the truck by 12pm headed to the butcher the meat was fine and tastes as good as any elk I've ever eaten.
You're not buying it? Ok, but I have heard of lots of elk that have sat out in similar conditions and spoiled. Elk more than most animals needs to get the hide off and the bone away from the meat. Some early Sep temps in the past never got below the lower 80s in the ealry season for the highs. Personally I'm not going to chance it, too much to lose...for me at least.
Post by: bobcat on February 07, 2012, 03:50:52 PM
Just sayin'. :dunno:
Post by: Machias on February 07, 2012, 03:58:34 PM
Post by: NoBark on February 07, 2012, 03:59:01 PM
This is just killing me.... They are moving the archery season back another TWO DAYS and then another again the next two years after that.....Holy Crap..We loose another FOUR days total away for the RUT!!!! Go check it all out.. http://bit.ly/qZ6EMZ
2012 2013 2014
Sept. 4- 16 Sept. 3-15 Sept. 2-14
They might as well just get rid of archery season....
Oh...and MF get to start two days earlier and get an extra day :bash:
ML hunters get to hunt even more of the prime rut now :bash:
Sorry, I'm fed up with how these idiots run the archery seasons here in this state!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT, in 2015 it would jump to Sept 8 because Labor day is the 7th. It's just a calendar thing
Post by: Machias on February 07, 2012, 04:05:22 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 07, 2012, 04:10:54 PM
One other thing, in years past at the 3 year planning meetings there was alot of discussion from archers about moving the start of the archery season later in the month. For sure some of it centered around trying to get closer to the rut, BUT a huge percentage of the complaints was due to the warm temps of the early Sep.
I guess they listened,...and then did the opposite!
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 07, 2012, 04:14:09 PM
Post by: Machias on February 07, 2012, 04:15:38 PM
One other thing, in years past at the 3 year planning meetings there was alot of discussion from archers about moving the start of the archery season later in the month. For sure some of it centered around trying to get closer to the rut, BUT a huge percentage of the complaints was due to the warm temps of the early Sep.
I guess they listened,...and then did the opposite!
Actually for a few years they did listen and it was moved towards the middle of the month....but they are slowly (due to the calendar) moving it earlier. As was stated above, in a couple of years it will be back to the 8th, which is a much better start time.
Post by: shanevg on February 07, 2012, 04:17:04 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 07, 2012, 04:17:47 PM
I am a little confused about the rut thing :dunno: You are not getting any closer to the rut in early bow season ...maybe if it started in late October :o :dunno:One other thing, in years past at the 3 year planning meetings there was alot of discussion from archers about moving the start of the archery season later in the month. For sure some of it centered around trying to get closer to the rut, BUT a huge percentage of the complaints was due to the warm temps of the early Sep.
I guess they listened,...and then did the opposite!
Post by: Machias on February 07, 2012, 04:33:03 PM
Post by: luvtohnt on February 07, 2012, 04:55:48 PM
Brandon
Post by: JLS on February 07, 2012, 05:19:36 PM
Maybe the archers should push to have it start on the 8th regardless of the day of the week. It seems it would be simple to have it the 8th-20th every year.
Brandon
Agree x100
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on February 07, 2012, 06:38:54 PM
Post by: Fullabull on February 07, 2012, 07:45:07 PM
Post by: JLS on February 07, 2012, 07:54:48 PM
It would open archery deer in August like Nevada and Utah. That would be a lot of fun!
Yes it would! I wish more western states would open archery units in August.
Post by: bullcanyon on February 07, 2012, 08:00:33 PM
Post by: blacktailcrzy on February 07, 2012, 08:11:10 PM
If it aint broke dont fix it. The 8th thru the 20th or whatever was IMO working well. The 1st thru the 14th was horrible.... it wasnt so much rut timing as the heat and most importantly fire closures.
:yeah: sound about right to me
Post by: TheHunt on February 07, 2012, 08:23:54 PM
If it aint broke dont fix it. The 8th thru the 20th or whatever was IMO working well. The 1st thru the 14th was horrible.... it wasnt so much rut timing as the heat and most importantly fire closures.
:yeah: sound about right to me
THe problem was it was working toooo well. These dates will reduce the success rates which is most likely the rationale behind the decision.
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on February 07, 2012, 08:27:00 PM
If it aint broke dont fix it. The 8th thru the 20th or whatever was IMO working well. The 1st thru the 14th was horrible.... it wasnt so much rut timing as the heat and most importantly fire closures.
:yeah: sound about right to me
THe problem was it was working toooo well. These dates will reduce the success rates which is most likely the rationale behind the decision.
You just used the word "rationale: when talking about "their" decision making... NOT!
Post by: bullseeker on February 07, 2012, 08:30:47 PM
Any idea on tag cost this year? I bet they go up.
Just makes sense to them I guess and not us hunters.
Post by: Snapshot on February 07, 2012, 10:06:32 PM
I am a little confused about the rut thing :dunno: You are not getting any closer to the rut in early bow season ...maybe if it started in late October :o :dunno:One other thing, in years past at the 3 year planning meetings there was alot of discussion from archers about moving the start of the archery season later in the month. For sure some of it centered around trying to get closer to the rut, BUT a huge percentage of the complaints was due to the warm temps of the early Sep.
I guess they listened,...and then did the opposite!
Talking about the elk rut, not the deer rut. Does that clarify things?
Post by: bobcat on February 07, 2012, 10:09:59 PM
I am a little confused about the rut thing :dunno: You are not getting any closer to the rut in early bow season ...maybe if it started in late October :o :dunno:One other thing, in years past at the 3 year planning meetings there was alot of discussion from archers about moving the start of the archery season later in the month. For sure some of it centered around trying to get closer to the rut, BUT a huge percentage of the complaints was due to the warm temps of the early Sep.
I guess they listened,...and then did the opposite!
Talking about the elk rut, not the deer rut. Does that clarify things?
:chuckle: Don't hold it against BH45, he's a little slow sometimes...
Post by: GoPlayOutside on February 07, 2012, 10:44:07 PM
If I'm not hunting Branched Antlered Big Bulls, I would rather be hunting the Pre-Rut for Spikes.
I would rather have the cows and spikes being pushed around by the bulls, than have the Herd Bull holin' up the spikes and cows in small pockets.
Don't get me wrong...the wdfw has their head up their :beatdeadhorse: when it comes to all Archery seasons and permits. I just assume Washington DFW will make it worse and worse, and more screwed up every year. I am waiting to use up my 10 points on everything, then get out, and then focus more of my time and money on other states.
Post by: huntnnw on February 08, 2012, 01:57:43 AM
Post by: colockumelk on February 08, 2012, 04:19:36 AM
Post by: BowBender87 on February 08, 2012, 04:26:48 AM
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on February 08, 2012, 07:18:00 AM
the only way to get it changed back to later september dates is when you do your reporting...report your "Branch antlered" bull kills the opening dates of september...or just report no kill ;)
Not true... the move was not becuase of archery success... look at what happened to special permits by moving the archery season forward, what happened to other styles of hunting... they moved forward... Best way to get change is to make your voice heard.. emails and phone calls to Dave Ware and Jerry Nelson.... flood them for change.
Post by: boneaddict on February 08, 2012, 07:22:20 AM
Post by: oldleclercrd on February 08, 2012, 07:29:49 AM
Post by: wrongway on February 08, 2012, 07:38:02 AM
Post by: JLS on February 08, 2012, 07:38:28 AM
Too many people were worried about having lights on their arrows versus what might be considered important.
You got it.
Post by: Machias on February 08, 2012, 08:13:40 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on February 08, 2012, 08:20:01 AM
Oregon's archery elk seasons starts August 25th this year.
Just sayin'. :dunno:
How long does it last? Don't post a half truth.
Post by: dreamingbig on February 08, 2012, 08:23:35 AM
Maybe the archers should push to have it start on the 8th regardless of the day of the week. It seems it would be simple to have it the 8th-20th every year.
Brandon
We did, we have and we are. We got it that way for 3 years but then they took it away (along with reducing the season 1 day) due to the success rate being too high. This state is all about the money. You guys are falling right into their hands if you can't see the inequity that this state breeds. Look at any other western state (CA doesn't count) and how their archery seasons line up.
Post by: Gobble Gobble on February 08, 2012, 02:15:20 PM
Post by: Snapshot on February 08, 2012, 02:44:08 PM
It wasn't overall success rates that got too high with the Sept 8-21 season. In fact the overall success rates were exactly in line with what resource allocation was supposed to achieve. Rather, what the department hung their hat on as the reason to change our season timing was that bowhunters were better at taking so-called mature bulls (five point or better) than their modern rifle counterparts. Then they cherry picked the statistics they needed to justify a change to the Commission. All this went down after a modern firearms hunter whined that it was unfair that bowhunters were too good at taking decent-sized bulls; instead of bettering himself or perhaps taking up bowhunting he sought change that would affect everyone (sound familiar?). He pointed out that the largest money source is modern firearms (there again is that 'more revenues' carrot dangled in front of the donkey; hey, it works...) and the department swallowed it hook, line and sinker, dug up statistics to back up the claim and the commission bought it. [I say 'dug up' statistics because before this event the department's own definition of a "mature" bull was one that had at least six points per side, and so was usually at least four years old. The complaint spurred them to suddenly include five point bulls in their"mature bull" tallies, animals which can under good antler growth conditions be as young as two years old!]
[Machias, (I am probably wrong, but) I took Boneaddict's last statement to mean that people spent the time to circulate signature petitions to get a proposed equipment rule change in front of the commission instead of circulating a petition to collect signatures for getting our elk seasons back to the way they were prior to 2009.]
Post by: Fullabull on February 08, 2012, 03:13:14 PM
Post by: Machias on February 08, 2012, 03:30:06 PM
Actually we had it that way (8-21) for at least six years, not just three years. And yes, the organized Archery Coalition has communicated to the department and the commission asking to have the fourteenth day of the season reinstated and to get rid of the floating start (and once again starting on the 8th) exactly because of the reasons stated on this thread.
It wasn't overall success rates that got too high with the Sept 8-21 season. In fact the overall success rates were exactly in line with what resource allocation was supposed to achieve. Rather, what the department hung their hat on as the reason to change our season timing was that bowhunters were better at taking so-called mature bulls (five point or better) than their modern rifle counterparts. Then they cherry picked the statistics they needed to justify a change to the Commission. All this went down after a modern firearms hunter whined that it was unfair that bowhunters were too good at taking decent-sized bulls; instead of bettering himself or perhaps taking up bowhunting he sought change that would affect everyone (sound familiar?). He pointed out that the largest money source is modern firearms (there again is that 'more revenues' carrot dangled in front of the donkey; hey, it works...) and the department swallowed it hook, line and sinker, dug up statistics to back up the claim and the commission bought it. [I say 'dug up' statistics because before this event the department's own definition of a "mature" bull was one that had at least six points per side, and so was usually at least four years old. The complaint spurred them to suddenly include five point bulls in their"mature bull" tallies, animals which can under good antler growth conditions be as young as two years old!]
[Machias, (I am probably wrong, but) I took Boneaddict's last statement to mean that people spent the time to circulate signature petitions to get a proposed equipment rule change in front of the commission instead of circulating a petition to collect signatures for getting our elk seasons back to the way they were prior to 2009.]
You're probably right, I did not read it that way initially, however I would also say that we can chew gum and walk at the same time, so even then we could do both or even more. I don't believe we lost our seasons because we were too busy lobbying for soemthing else. Just my thoughts.
Post by: Kowsrule30 on February 09, 2012, 02:59:01 PM
Post by: greenhead_killer on February 09, 2012, 03:30:30 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on February 09, 2012, 10:09:26 PM
In regards to the whole "too hot" thing, I'm not buying it. Sure if you dilly dally around some of the meat may spoil. I shot my bull this year opening morning 9:00am on the dot. It was hot that day. We jumped the bull twice throughout the day and he was not in good shape, he just wouldn't die. We made the call to pull out and come back in the morning. We found him in the morning and were back at the truck by 12pm headed to the butcher the meat was fine and tastes as good as any elk I've ever eaten.
I agree Button. Handling the meat quicky and correctly and it'll be fine.
Post by: Gobble Gobble on February 10, 2012, 03:04:06 PM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on February 10, 2012, 05:52:35 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 11, 2012, 08:07:14 AM
Post by: Huntbear on February 11, 2012, 08:30:20 AM
HOWEVER, it really does not matter what day you start the season on in the long run..... As soon as the wolves get completely established, there will be no elk to hunt anyway.., licenses will go up 500% due to lack of funds because no one will buy said licenses..... The rich will be able to hunt, and the poor working stiffs, will get screwed... Then they can set a 5 day season for everyone... due to lack of animals. Your license will cost 500.00. There will be no cow tags, no big bull tags... just spikes and raghorns.... then they can close hunting for elk and deer in this state completely, because it is not financially feasible to keep the department going for say 5,000 hunters state wide.
Post by: bobcat on February 11, 2012, 10:04:38 AM
Post by: ghosthunter on February 11, 2012, 10:18:43 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on February 11, 2012, 10:37:21 AM
In regards to the whole "too hot" thing, I'm not buying it. Sure if you dilly dally around some of the meat may spoil. I shot my bull this year opening morning 9:00am on the dot. It was hot that day. We jumped the bull twice throughout the day and he was not in good shape, he just wouldn't die. We made the call to pull out and come back in the morning. We found him in the morning and were back at the truck by 12pm headed to the butcher the meat was fine and tastes as good as any elk I've ever eaten.
You're not buying it? Ok, but I have heard of lots of elk that have sat out in similar conditions and spoiled. Elk more than most animals needs to get the hide off and the bone away from the meat. Some early Sep temps in the past never got below the lower 80s in the ealry season for the highs. Personally I'm not going to chance it, too much to lose...for me at least.
I agree Fred. It doesn't take long for an elk to bonesour. In the above quoted situation the elk died over night and packed out in the am which are much cooler temps then Sept afternoons.
My 2011 archery bull was shot and killed at 9 am a couple miles from the gate. Took us most of the day to get it to the truck and the temps hit the 90's. I drove straight home (100 or so miles) with the meat on 20 bags of ice. Hung it in a cooling room at about 35 degrees over night and butchered two days later.
We should have butchered the next day as I had to throw away about 5 lbs that was too far gone. The rest was packaged with "TAC" (for Thaw And Cook) written on them so they don't sit around in the fridge thawing for a few days.
Tastes fine, but a couple hours longer in the heat or an additional day in the cooler and the whole thing could have been ruined.
Post by: billythekidrock on February 11, 2012, 10:49:38 AM
Gee, this last season in southwest Washington, all the private timber companies shut down the woods on September 8th. If the season had started on the 4th, archery hunters could have at least gotten in 4 days of hunting before they were locked out of the woods.
Yes, this year they would have gotten more, but in years past the closures have started in August so in theory the whole early season could be a bust due to weather. On the positive side, the late season never gets shut down due to fire danger and is plenty long.
Post by: bobcat on February 11, 2012, 10:56:46 AM
Post by: windygorge on February 11, 2012, 12:09:14 PM
Post by: windygorge on February 11, 2012, 12:14:30 PM
Post by: Swatson on February 13, 2012, 10:49:33 AM
No matter when the season is in September, it's always at risk the woods being shut down for fire danger. Funny thing is in 2010 and 2011, I helped on elk hunts that were the 2nd week of August, and we didn't lose any meat on either elk.
I'll take my weather chances on the later part of the month than the earlier! Bottom line, you shoot an elk in the backcountry(a long ways from a road) and it takes you a day or 2 to get it out you can kiss your meat goodbye! Thats what everyone is trying to get across! Yes if you shoot an elk not too far from a road or have a bunch of guys with you to help you pack it out it can be done but thats not really practical for most bow hunters!
Post by: bobcat on February 13, 2012, 10:51:30 AM
No matter when the season is in September, it's always at risk the woods being shut down for fire danger. Funny thing is in 2010 and 2011, I helped on elk hunts that were the 2nd week of August, and we didn't lose any meat on either elk.
I'll take my weather chances on the later part of the month than the earlier! Bottom line, you shoot an elk in the backcountry(a long ways from a road) and it takes you a day or 2 to get it out you can kiss your meat goodbye! Thats what everyone is trying to get across! Yes if you shoot an elk not too far from a road or have a bunch of guys with you to help you pack it out it can be done but thats not really practical for most bow hunters!
I guess we should tell the WDFW that we don't need bear season in August then. What's the point if the meat can't be saved?
Post by: Swatson on February 13, 2012, 11:00:40 AM
Post by: windygorge on February 13, 2012, 09:03:48 PM
be patient, be prepared :twocents:
Post by: Limhangerslayer on February 13, 2012, 09:47:02 PM
Post by: Swatson on February 14, 2012, 05:34:46 AM
swatson......humm. kinda wonder why you go through the trouble of going backcountry if you can't get the animal out. really? if you bone the animal out, your chances of getting the animal out will multiply. the main thing is to be patient and quit trying to rush down the hill so you can show your horns off or tell a story. take your time, get the meat quartered,boned, bagged, and hung. leave things at the site that you don't need for your first trip, carry out as much of the meat as you can. call a buddy or two to help, if you have coolers back at the truck..good, if not, get a tarp and lots of ice. if that means going to town.....do it. make a shallow pool in your truck out of the tarp. cover the bottom of the "pool" with the ice still in the bags. place your first load of meat on top of the ice. wait for your buddies, if none, then go in after your second load. you should be able to get a boned out elk in two to three trips. after you have it on ice, go back in after all your other stuff. bivouac stuff, etc....head and horns last
be patient, be prepared :twocents:
No one said anything about not being able to get the animal out, the concern is getting it out in a timely manner. Yep, all good stuff but the simple point being made is that when the weather is hot, last year 90 degrees at 4500' feet on opening day meat spoils real fast! A lot of guys hunt a lot of miles in where you shoot an elk in the morning and your not going to get that meat out in the same day, at least not all of it, especially if you're by yourself. Yes, we can't control the weather and it could be 90 degrees on Sept 4th or 90 degrees on Sept 15th but odds go in our favor for a little cooler weather the later into the month that we go. That is the simple basic argument that is being made here by most. I know some people can't fathom or understand the idea of hunting so far away from the truck but their are a lot of people that do go in quite a ways where this can become a problem if the weather is hot.
Post by: popeshawnpaul on February 14, 2012, 07:36:35 AM
Post by: bowhunterty on February 14, 2012, 07:55:53 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on February 15, 2012, 08:32:32 AM
I agree 100% that are archery season needs to be set back to the 8Th-21st but the biggest problem is half the guys on this thread just get on and bitch about it and do nothing to help areselves.
My letters have been sent and the WDFW has responded. Whether they read it or not is another question.
Post by: dreamingbig on February 15, 2012, 08:35:23 AM
Gee, this last season in southwest Washington, all the private timber companies shut down the woods on September 8th. If the season had started on the 4th, archery hunters could have at least gotten in 4 days of hunting before they were locked out of the woods.
My opinion is that they would have shut it down earlier if the season was open.
Post by: bullfisher on February 15, 2012, 09:17:48 AM
animal flesh breaks down faster due to inconsistent temps. Hot to cold and back to hot again. The more extreme the temp gap the quicker it spoils. Even an August Arizona bull packout can be lengthened by maintaining a consistent temp on boned out meat. Granted cooler is better. Even a hide reheated by sitting in the back of a pickup over the differential for a hundred miles can cause the hair to slip and lose the cape.
As for the original topic, I know of a strong argument made by mf hunters is that when the archery hunters are put on top of a rut, they cause stress to the herds, imparing the reproduction outcome. It sounds valid enough and if it proves to increase quantity then great. But their motives show different when they move ml to oct-1 and introduce the biggest elk depleting tag system we've ever had. And for what? Fairness?
Post by: Fullabull on February 15, 2012, 09:27:58 AM
Welcome and thanks for the post.
There really is no reason for them to do what they have done to the archery season. Stress is not a reason or all other western states would do the same thing. They still send out MF hunters during the rut and ML's starting in early October would create the most stress. Elk will just move further into the country when pushed and do what they driven to do.
Post by: Wildsau on February 15, 2012, 09:42:31 AM
It seems to me that we need to organize better and when the meetings are open for public comment/debate, the word should be put out to all archers, we sit down and decide what we want (within reason) prepare our arguments (producing tons of facts from MDFW records) and select those with the experience to argu our case for us. If we have some lawyer archers, that would be prefect.
From what I am reading, on this thread, as well as some of the other threads, on this site, covering this subject, the MF hunters have put together a very convincing arguement with made up 'facts' and the WDFW has swallowed it, hook, line, sinker, and pole.
I would be happy to argue the archery case, given the true facts and knowing enough time, in advance, to prepare. I love a good factual arguement where I can plant the 'seed of doubt' and get the mission accomplished. No, I am not a lawyer; for the same reason I am not a politician; my mother taught me NEVER to lie. :IBCOOL:
Post by: bobcat on February 15, 2012, 09:47:32 AM
Gee, this last season in southwest Washington, all the private timber companies shut down the woods on September 8th. If the season had started on the 4th, archery hunters could have at least gotten in 4 days of hunting before they were locked out of the woods.
My opinion is that they would have shut it down earlier if the season was open.
Why? The weather hadn't been hot and dry, until they shut it down. August was actually fairly wet and cool.
Post by: Fullabull on February 15, 2012, 10:05:34 AM
I like it when they open it for hike in and leave the gates closed which is most of the time.
But that is one thing MF hunters do not have to worry about, they gate always get opened for that time of year. It would sure discourage road hunters though if they only allowed hike in like archery.
Post by: Echomules on February 15, 2012, 10:25:09 AM
Why? The weather hadn't been hot and dry, until they shut it down. August was actually fairly wet and cool.Gee, this last season in southwest Washington, all the private timber companies shut down the woods on September 8th. If the season had started on the 4th, archery hunters could have at least gotten in 4 days of hunting before they were locked out of the woods.
My opinion is that they would have shut it down earlier if the season was open.
They didn't shut it down for fire danger. Weyco shut it down forever, if you've hunter there plan on it from here on out. Oh excuse me except for a couple weekends of the Modern seasons and open for company employees to road hunt. Its open for walk in, but they put in new mainline gates miles from hunting areas. Even with my mules its hard to get into a good area and hunt when you're not allowed to camp overnight. And pretty discourageing to get way back in and have a couple dudes drive by throwing bush cans out the window.
Sorry we are off topic here. It wasn't heat that shut it down in the SW, but it was pretty dang hot most of the season, right till the end.
Post by: bobcat on February 15, 2012, 10:28:34 AM
Why? The weather hadn't been hot and dry, until they shut it down. August was actually fairly wet and cool.Gee, this last season in southwest Washington, all the private timber companies shut down the woods on September 8th. If the season had started on the 4th, archery hunters could have at least gotten in 4 days of hunting before they were locked out of the woods.
My opinion is that they would have shut it down earlier if the season was open.
They didn't shut it down for fire danger. Weyco shut it down forever, if you've hunter there plan on it from here on out. Oh excuse me except for a couple weekends of the Modern seasons and open for company employees to road hunt. Its open for walk in, but they put in new mainline gates miles from hunting areas. Even with my mules its hard to get into a good area and hunt when you're not allowed to camp overnight. And pretty discourageing to get way back in and have a couple dudes drive by throwing bush cans out the window.
Sorry we are off topic here. It wasn't heat that shut it down in the SW, but it was pretty dang hot most of the season, right till the end.
We must be talking of different areas. I'm talking St Helens area. They did shut it down due to the weather being hot and dry. The first couple days of the season it was open, not necessarily to vehicles, but to walk in hunting. Then the weather changed and they shut it down. People had to hunt state or National Forest land, or go home.
Post by: Fullabull on February 15, 2012, 02:38:33 PM
I hunt up out of Cougar on the south side of St Helens and every year the weather dictates if you can hike in on timber land. Like I said I have no problem with it, there is lots of land to hunt. What frosts my but is when hunters take down the signs put up by the timber company and say they didn't see anything. I hate that as much as I hate road hunters (which is something I really like about archery, I have yet to see an archery road hunter).