dieselchessy has pretty much nailed it in #28! Plus, you can insert most Western States names in this thread, instead of WA. Unfortunately, that's just the price we pay for evolution. "Manifest Destiny" at it's finest.
50yo lifer from Central Wa, plus one set of grandparents were born here 100 years ago. What a state "it was"! I'm sure several members here can say "we" were fortunate enough to grow up and see and experience all the opportunities we once had. It really saddens me how this majestic state has had to adjust to the mass amount of humanity that has invaded it. Honestly, that's a selfish emotion though, as everyone has the right to seek out where to be live, work, and be happy. I could expound on "what you missed; the deer, elk, birds, salmon/steelhead" that I experienced, but that's just bragging. I'll give you a little more state info instead..if it's boring I do apologize, just skip by.
The overpopulation from my generation and the ones following us (including the influx of the retiree's as well), has created a tremendous vacuum on the available resources. The pendulum has swung too far for us to be able to ever counteract the damage that has been done to the ecosystem to support the required infrastructure that was needed for the US, and subsequently to continue to sustain the flourishing economy that most of us have benefitted from ("for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction.."). Deforestation, stream and river manipulation, the "abuse" Puget Sound has withstood (volumes on this), shrub-steppe winter range depletion, re-introduction of alpha predators, general urban sprawl, agricultural overdose (orchards, row crops, grazing, pesticides, etc), and this list goes on and on. As a result of these extenuating variables, our big game/and migratory fish #'s have dropped significantly in the past 4 decades. Remember; of the 12 Western States, WA is the 2nd highest in POPULATION, yet the 2nd SMALLEST!
WDFW had to react to these changing times by shortening and changing seasons, implementing restrictions on weapon/season (we didn't have to select your weapon/season when I was young), stipulations on buck/bull hunts, etc. It all boils down to there are too many people for the limited amount of critters and available hunting areas. In hindsight, could there have been other/better choices made, probably so...but hindsight is 20/20. Since the implementation of the point system (1996), I've applied yearly and have been drawn for a "Quality Deer/Elk tag" once each in 25 years. I agree, as said above that the drawing is basically another revenue grab for the state. I think it was around $300/ea for the boy and I for all the tags/permit entries/hunt&fish combo. This year there was a "special" if you basically bought everything, which we did, So like $600-ish combined to hunt or fish all year...some think it's too much? I'm paying it regardless.
I'm fortunate that for the last 25 years I have had access to some private ground for mule deer hunting. That's where I've taught my son to hunt as well. Honestly, if I had to take my kid out on the public ground with me when he was 5yo during modern rifle...he wouldn't have had much fun I suspect. Then when he started hunting himself at 9yo, that sentiment still rings true. It would have been much more difficult to have the success that he tasted so young, on the public ground in Wa. I take my hat off to the folks that don't have access for their kids like I happen to do. Elk is another story, as I live adjacent to the " Colockum elk area", and we won't even hunt it! Complete and total CF during modern, all for a "true" spike only. I have elk in my pasture late summer/fall, and throughout the "hood" as well (nocturnal mainly). We put-in for special permits and get a cow draw every 5 years or so, in fact I have a cow tag now that goes until 12/31. Maybe we'll get a branched bull someday. Might go ML next year for elk, as I'm getting up in points again..just depends on what's available.
Essentially WA is a beautiful state, with a very liberal government, but a good economy (well...we HAD a good economy). Hunting/fishing opportunities might be better where you are from, that just depends. A strong tribal population here, with multiple treaty tribes making up 1-2% of the state population, which are eligible for up to 50% of certain species as well (I'm rusty on my tribal doctrine, so don't hold me to this info). Property prices...depends on where you're from? I may come off sounding like a dreaded "environmentalist" which I'm not at all! I'm a realist, who has made my living in the construction world, plus I have several friends within WDFW and local tribal agencies. They share their frustrations at times with management policies, as we all have bosses that we have to report to.
In closing, it's a real cool state! You can tell a "real" Washingtonian that when we go out of state hunting, the other locals think we're local too! BTW, we're looking at moving out of state when the kid goes to college though...
wdfw.wa.gov
