Is it time to make Bow Seasons same rules as Rifle and Muzzy?

[M_ray]

What Lemondog said

About 5-8 years back I proposed eliminating All the choices and going to a draw system For only one species as to eliminate so many people diluting each category with 3 choices AND get rid of multi season. The idea Got blasted. The mass majority want more choices and are not willing to give them up. Until then we are are stuck with the system most want and the Dept. is doing just that keeping the majority happy so they aren’t to blame.

[Stein]

What Lemondog said

About 5-8 years back I proposed eliminating All the choices and going to a draw system For only one species as to eliminate so many people diluting each category with 3 choices AND get rid of multi season. The idea Got blasted. The mass majority want more choices and are not willing to give them up. Until they are we are stuck with the system most want and the Dept. is doing just that keeping the majority happy so they aren’t to blame.

   People want to buy more special draw applications and WDFW is happy to sell them.  Sometimes, we are our worst enemy although there are people that understand the odds and still prefer the existing system.  I would bet that 90% or more of the general hunting population doesn't understand it.

The general tag does represent significant opportunity and there are a bunch of people that cherish hunting every year far and above the quality of experience, length of season, having to chose weapon and side of state, odds of seeing a legal animal or any other metric.  It's a valid position, just not one I personally agree with which is why there won't be significant change.  A bunch want to keep it and a bunch want to change.  The only thing that will actually change is the numbers of tags actually available.

[Ironhead]

What Lemondog said

About 5-8 years back I proposed eliminating All the choices and going to a draw system For only one species as to eliminate so many people diluting each category with 3 choices AND get rid of multi season. The idea Got blasted. The mass majority want more choices and are not willing to give them up. Until they are we are stuck with the system most want and the Dept. is doing just that keeping the majority happy so they aren’t to blame.

   People want to buy more special draw applications and WDFW is happy to sell them.  Sometimes, we are our worst enemy although there are people that understand the odds and still prefer the existing system.  I would bet that 90% or more of the general hunting population doesn't understand it.

The general tag does represent significant opportunity and there are a bunch of people that cherish hunting every year far and above the quality of experience, length of season, having to chose weapon and side of state, odds of seeing a legal animal or any other metric.  It's a valid position, just not one I personally agree with which is why there won't be significant change.  A bunch want to keep it and a bunch want to change.  The only thing that will actually change is the numbers of tags actually available.

Washington is the laughing stock of the West, even California has better Widlife Management!

[Stein]

True, but management and tag scheme are two different issues in my mind.  Tag schemes are pretty much financially driven from what I have seen, states work to maximize the revenue for whatever tags they have available.

[buckfvr]

Changes are on the horizon.  It cant go on as is in the direction its going.

I wish everyone would write in and demand harvest report to include public and private land hunts/success.  It would provide more usable information for hunters who travel and apply for permits. 

Also, I would argue the day they make baiting deer/elk illegal, the harvest success halves.  I mention this because wdfw talk about it each year AT LEAST.  Whitetail hunters in ne wa. will experience wide spread failure, imho.

[callturner]

Go to a draw only system. You put in for what you want, where, and how and if you get drawn you get to hunt. If not, you don't. Problem solved.

That's real good ! I have 22 points for moose and they live in my back yard basically!

[M_ray]

What Lemondog said

About 5-8 years back I proposed eliminating All the choices and going to a draw system For only one species as to eliminate so many people diluting each category with 3 choices AND get rid of multi season. The idea Got blasted. The mass majority want more choices and are not willing to give them up. Until then we are are stuck with the system most want and the Dept. is doing just that keeping the majority happy so they aren’t to blame.

BTW this suggestion was for 1 choice quality tag and keeping a general season. So really not all that different Than now but it would increase your chances of drawing the quality tag much sooner. We would be drawing a quality hunt every 3-5 years as opposed to 15-20 🤷🏻‍♂️ What’s not to like?

Those that still want ALL their choices don’t understand that taking 3 choices Out of the system from everyone increases their odds and in the same 15-20 year period they would prob have 3 or 4 quality hunts instead.

This is a better option than trying to match weapons and seasons to even opportunity.