Possible Closures

[PAL]

Absolutely right Chris. You know, they close the salmon fishing when the runs get too low. How about hunting season just one season? Oh the uproar. Our economy is so dependent on hunters. Not really. They might shop a bit at the grocers, have a beer a the bar but mainly they like hanging out at their camps. They do buy gas here, but who benefits from that?
I say stop killing them. Maybe they would have time to get the herd larger.
And how will they enforce it? Signage? I think every time I see a "violator" I will call the WDFW and let them know. That ought to drive them nuts.
Of course, first their is the comment period and those comments will be looked at and then they will do what they want.
Also, I notice there were partial closings. The deer don't know the boundaries.

[Fun CH]

I've never flushed or had deer disturbed in the close to 40 years that I have been skiing on WDSW land. In fact I rairly see one. They seem to move into town during the winter.

I'd like to see the WDFW research that justifies the reason for the closures.

If people and deer don't mix why do so many deer hangout in town? Is it because that's the only place that they are not hunted? Snowmobiles aren't allowed on those lands anyway.

I don't think a few snowshoers and skiers are the problem here.

"Wildlife Services, a Federal Agency, Kills More Than 100,000 Animals in Washington Every Year"

"Wildlife Services has an almost $200 million annual budget and kills nearly 2 million animals every year, including tens of thousands in Eastern Washington. Yet despite its macabre work, few members of the general public know the agency exists."

https://www.chronline.com/stories/wildl ... ear,315338

[PAL]

"The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is looking for public input on a proposed annual closure for select areas of the Methow Wildlife Area. Designed to advance mule deer conservation at the Methow Wildlife Area, the closure includes 23,306 acres across five wildlife area units and would be in effect from Dec. 15 to April 15 annually.

The closure will support data collection on mule deer winter use and movement in a piloted approach intended to inform long-term stewardship at the wildlife area.

WDFW will host a public workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn Auditorium (51 State Route 20, Winthrop). All are invited to attend to learn more and share feedback on the proposed closure."

Well this ought to fill up the Barn. Maps can be seen at the WDFW Newsroom site. See map at this link below.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files ... losure.png