Idaho proposed special season open sight centerfire

[nevadabugle]

Those seasons/tags/limitations should be voluntary options - not forced limitations because some guys are too unethical, or too good with modern gear.

I would argue they should be voluntary "tools" available to our state wildlife agencies to meet specific objective.

Want to limit harvest in a unit for any management reason? There are only two options in my opinion. Limit tags and/or limit success rates.

One keeps hunters in the field. One does not.

 

[SDHNTR]

I love it. I hope this idea continues to spread. Put the hunt back in hunting.

 

[RockAndSage]

There are only two options in my opinion. Limit tags and/or limit success rates.

False choice here.

Having more tag types across shorter seasons limits success rates, while also giving more opportunities for guys to land a tag.

Completely eliminating the modern rifle season though, it's an absolute no-go for me - damn near at the same level as gun control itself. It's not right, to the point of immorality, to completely eliminate the ability for me, my 12yo daughter, or my 75yo dad, to hunt with the weapon that gives them the best chance of success.

 

[nevadabugle]

Having more tag types across shorter seasons limits success rates,

Ok, this is a fair point.

Completely eliminating the modern rifle season though, it's an absolute no-go for me -

I agree, and there is not a chance in hell that it ever goes this far. Look back at my point about the Oregon example. The trad only archery and Rifle hunt has coexisted for 30 years in that unit.

 

[realunlucky]

False choice here.

Having more tag types across shorter seasons limits success rates, while also giving more opportunities for guys to land a tag.

Completely eliminating the modern rifle season though, it's an absolute no-go for me - damn near at the same level as gun control itself. It's not right, to the point of immorality, to completely eliminate the ability for me, my 12yo daughter, or my 75yo dad, to hunt with the weapon that gives them the best chance of success.

Idaho has already collected data on season length and number of days afield by hunters and guess what - number of field days stayed the same.

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[HunterGatherer]

False choice here.

Having more tag types across shorter seasons limits success rates, while also giving more opportunities for guys to land a tag.

Completely eliminating the modern rifle season though, it's an absolute no-go for me - damn near at the same level as gun control itself. It's not right, to the point of immorality, to completely eliminate the ability for me, my 12yo daughter, or my 75yo dad, to hunt with the weapon that gives them the best chance of success.

I don’t think there has been any mention of taking away “any weapon” tags entirely. As hunting tech continues to advance it will be necessary to address every new technology and how it impacts management objectives and fair chase. Also, a “modern rifle” today is not the same thing as “modern rifle “ of 40, or even, 20 years ago.

It has always been the case that more “primitive” weapons are given better season dates and better units (better opportunity to compensate for lower potential success rate). I would expect to see the same with the new no-scope seasons - similar to the muzzleloader hunts we have. It would also make sense imo to make some units where herds are under objective more difficult to hunt, via weapon restrictions, to give herds a chance to recover, especially deer. Maybe give cow tags for the over objective elk units…

 

[RockAndSage]

I don’t think there has been any mention of taking away “any weapon” tags entirely.

I am all in for restricted weapons hunts. Trad bows, sidelock muzzloaders and straightwalled rifle cartridges. Let's give the animals a chance and limit our success in the meantime.

That's literally how I read this. Not as "in addition to", but "in lieu of". @nevadabugle , feel welcome to correct that impression if it was read wrong.

 

[nevadabugle]

As hunting tech continues to advance it will be necessary to address every new technology and how it impacts management objectives and fair chase.

This is spot on. I also see restricted weapons hunts as a way to organically grow sportsman who are willing to put some technology on the shelf.

If they are willing to put away the tech, they can hunt every year somewhere. Pretty good incentive if you ask me. This Creates opportunity and might slow the technological creep that all state agencies are faced with at the moment.

 

[RockAndSage]

It would also make sense imo to make some units where herds are under objective more difficult to hunt, via weapon restrictions, to give herds a chance to recover, especially deer.

Challenge: Go ask any wildlife management biologist what order of impact the following has on deer herds and overall deer kill on an annual basis:

1) Humans hunting under management
2) Winter Kill
3) Habitat Loss
4) Predator activity
5) Disease


I absolutely guarantee you, humans hunting deer will be at or near the bottom of that list in virtually every single zone in the West.

 

[rclouse79]

I am not sure if I am for or against it, but I have always wanted to buy a lever action rifle. Maybe this will be the excuse I needed.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Challenge: Go ask any wildlife management biologist what order of impact the following has on deer herds and overall deer kill on an annual basis:

1) Humans hunting under management
2) Winter Kill
3) Habitat Loss
4) Predator activity
5) Disease


I absolutely guarantee you, humans hunting deer will be at or near the bottom of that list in virtually every single zone in the West.

For sure there are a lot bigger challenges facing the deer herds than hunters but why continue to overpressure already decimated herds for the sake of opportunity and tag revenue. Many deer hunters I’ve talked to would support regulations that would give the deer a break for awhile- even if it means not getting to kill a buck every single year. Sure they could all die in the next big winterkill event but we gotta do something here. Look at the stats on deer herd numbers across the west- they’re collapsing.

 

[nevadabugle]

That's literally how I read this. Not as "in addition to", but "in lieu of". @nevadabugle , feel welcome to correct that impression if it was read wrong.

I think we are talking past one another. To your point, I suppose you are correct, proposals like this could take away a rifle hunt in a given unit. My point was that these efforts will never take away modern rifle hunting completely. Not even close.

But I would argue if a wildlife agency is worried about a wildlife population, they could close the unit to all, or restrict harvest in other ways which still allows hunters (albeit not all) to go hunting.

If given those two options I would choose the later. You may not and that's OK too.

 

[jayhawk]

O God, I can only imagine all the wounded deer running around from guys flinging bullets arrows at them at a range they shouldn't be, and not being able to see where they hit either.

Fixed it for you

 

[nevadabugle]

Fixed it for you

Don't take the bait, don't take the bait, don't.......

Cheers!