2020-21 Hunting Season Comments to WDFW

[Landowner]

I haven't read all the threads, so this may already exist on the forum somewhere.  Apologies if so. 

WDFW comment period is open on 2020-21 hunting season issues.  Here is link:

  https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/season-setting

Take a close look at the cougar quotas proposals----WDFW tells me they have no collars that work on cougars in the Blue Mountains.  So, what are the quotas based on?  Predators are hammering elk and deer. 

WDFW tells me this comment process is what they rely upon, even as poorly as the proposals are explained by the department. 

[bobcat]

Next year will be the big changes, as they'll be setting the 2021-2023 seasons. I haven't seen much in this year's proposals to get excited about.

[bbarnes]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

[hunter399]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

NOPE
Divide the state for deer hunting as well.

[headshot5]

It would be cool to start a sticky with changes hunting-washington folks propose for the 2021-2023 season.  We end up with a lot of good ideas that fall through the cracks by the time the season setting comes around. 

[D-Rock425]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

under our current management this is a terrible idea.

[Karl Blanchard]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

NOPE
Divide the state for deer hunting as well.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

NOPE
Divide the state for deer hunting as well.

Not east/west but choose a species. 

[Bango skank]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

NOPE
Divide the state for deer hunting as well.

Not east/west but choose a species. 

Id love to see that happen.  Choose black, mule or white.  They need to greatly reduce the number of deer multi permits too, like down to the level of multi elk permits.

[Karl Blanchard]

Undeviide the state for elk hunting.

NOPE
Divide the state for deer hunting as well.

Not east/west but choose a species. 

Id love to see that happen.  Choose black, mule or white.  They need to greatly reduce the number of deer multi permits too, like down to the level of multi elk permits.

Even better! If we aren't gonna set gmu or regional quota's and continue to have otc hunting, we need to better distribute the harvest/pressure.

[trophyhunt]

I love all these ideas for restricting us non native hunters, while the rest.......................

[Bango skank]

I love all these ideas for restricting us non native hunters, while the rest.......................

I think choosing species tags would really preserve otc hunting in the long run.  A lot of guys want to hunt mule deer, then if they fail its hey, northeast wa has otc "any buck" late whitetail rifle, ill go over there, slam dunk.  Really, theres nothing easier to kill than a yearling whitetail buck during the rut with a rifle.  People are using it as their backup plan easy meat.  Its a vulnerable resource, and with the way the deer numbers are going i expect the late rifle whitetail will end up going to permit only.  Making a person choose a species will alleviate a lot of the whitetail pressure i believe, which would help protect the resource so that hopefully it wont have to go to special permit for the late hunt.  I see it as s way to help retain otc opportunity, not as a restriction.

[Karl Blanchard]

I love all these ideas for restricting us non native hunters, while the rest.......................

this thread is about proposed changes that WDFW CAN IMPLEMENT.  WDFW has literally ZERO power to restrict tribal harvest. LITERALLY ZERO. So I see no reason to discuss it and derail this current thread. We all hate it but theres nothing that wdfw can do.

Even if we could snap our fingers and make it change right this second and we got dogs and bait back, i would still advocate for the above recommendations. Our deer need BIG help and a free for all season isn't the answer.

Think about this. WA has less habitat, more hunters, and the least amount of deer than any western state but we are the ONLY state with completely unrestricted harvest. How does that make any sense at all The answer is it doesn't.

[Ridgerunner]

Bango's comments actually make alot of sense to me. 

I did see in the proposals that the early desert quality tag would now open on the same day as the general deer season(plus waterfowl).  So much for being a quality experience if you draw that tag.  It should open a week later than the general like it always has. 

[trophyhunt]

I agree with what you both are saying, it makes sense.  I just hate that it needs to be done, and the other issue will never get solved which will ensure more restrictions. (For certain races)