Post by: bearpaw on February 21, 2012, 11:49:24 AM
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov; commission@dfw.wa.gov
________________________________
MY MESSAGE:
I would like to comment on a few issues in NE Washington:
Elk
Thank you for reducing antlerless elk harvest in NE Washington, this will hopefully allow our herds to grow.
Whitetail Deer
Thank you for reducing seasons to allow the herds to build in the NE and for trying the 4 pt rule in 117 & 121.
Mule Deer
Please look into ways to reduce predator numbers which are impacting mule deer survival. It is very discouraging the way mule deer are disappearing from NE Washington.
Cougar
Proposed quota levels are too low, we need more cougar harvested to help our struggling whitetail herds in NE Washington. (2) cougar quota in GMU 105 is not even sensible. That quota should be about 8 cougar with a 4 female sub-quota. Female sub-quotas would be a good thing in all units. Allow a few more cougar on each quota, but have a female sub-quota.
Fall Bear
There are plenty of bear in NE Washington. I would prefer the fall bear season remains unchanged in NE Washington beginning on Sept 1, or make it earlier like the Okanogan opening on Aug 15.
Spring Bear
Thank you for expanding permit numbers and extending the season in the northeast.
Turkey
Spring seasons are fine. But fall harvest is too aggressive in public land areas. Many of the fall hunts need to be conducted on private land only where problems are occurring. Flocks on public lands are disappearing while problem birds are not being addressed. Provide landowners the opportunity to have fall seasons on their property, that will push the problem birds to other areas. Allow landowners to register their lands for the fall/winter hunt when and if they experience turkey problems. Hunters can check an online listing of landowners who have fall/winter turkey problems.
Post by: Kain on February 21, 2012, 06:20:46 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on February 21, 2012, 07:18:39 PM
Thank you for contacting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the proposed changes for the 3-year season setting package.
Department staff members are now collecting public input for the 2012-2014 regulations development. We have passed your suggestion on to the appropriate manager for consideration. For details on hunting regulations and the season-setting process, visit the Department’s web page on the Internet at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/.
Thank you for taking the time to write the Department to provide your suggestions.
Sincerely,
Wildlife Program Customer Service
(360) 902-2515
Post by: cmiller85 on February 22, 2012, 12:35:11 AM
Elk
Thank you for reducing antlerless elk harvest in NE Washington, this will hopefully allow our herds to grow.
I don't really see how this is a good thing. In 2010 there were 60 antlerless elk harvested in the NE units across all weapon categories combined. Factor in special permits and that number jumps to 85 (as far as I can figure). I could be wrong but I just don't see how this low number is detrimental to the herd. :dunno:
Furthermore, I see that the WDFW is changing the late season for archery to any bull. Are they for real? In 2010 there were 28 anterless archery kills reported in District 1. I'm willing to bet that a very large percentage of that number was during the early season too. As if the late hunt wasn't hard enough, now we are limited to bulls only? :bash:
I for one am not so optimistic that the WDFW will give us anything back even if the NE herd grew beyond carrying capacity. Next thing you know it will be any bull for the archery general season. Then, with a little popularity, it would go special permit and we lose even more.
It used to be any deer for muzzleloader, then it went to any buck.
Then we were down to it being any deer for archery, then it went to any buck.
Now its 4 pt. minimum across the board in places like 117
They seem to be doing the same thing with elk and my fear is that we will never get our seasons back. So even if reducing harvest did help the herd we are likely never to see any reward. I guess what it all comes down to is that I have no faith in the WDFW. >:(