Traditional-Only Seasons or Hunts?

[Al Dente]

Agree 110%.  There is plenty of data to support it.

[Doug S]

   
   I learned about this west Virginia heritage season because of this thread. I think i will do this hunt. I havent hunted W.V. in years but have a few good spots. Probably little competition. Like it 

[Mighty Big Country]

Preston, you have made a very succinct argument for trad/primitive seasons.  There is a world of difference between game populations in the East/Midwest vs. many of the Western States.  Why are gun seasons anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks in most of the country while archery seasons typically in the same states run from 3-4 months?  This is due to higher success rates for gun seasons over archery seasons.  Success rates in the past and the number of animals taken was much higher during gun seasons.  As Preston mentioned, we have already seen some Western states beginning to restrict unlimited OTC tags for a draw due to higher archery season success rates.  I would invite everyone to do a little research and look at the data available for 35+ years for the MacAlester Traditional hunts.  Who amongst us wouldn't be in favor of a trad/primitive season if it meant maintaining our long seasons? 

As for a concern over someone picking up a recurve/longbow to participate, it happens anywhere there is a special season.  Some will stick with while others fade away.  I picked up a recurve in the late 80's to potentially draw a tag for MacAlester while living in Oklahoma.  After 35 years, it looks like I stuck with it!

[A tag]

I feel like you will have to be more specific on which western state is being referred to. There is a lot of western states All are managed different and have different challenges. It hard for anybody to speak for the state or states in question unless they live there or hunt there every year.

I can speak for the panhandle zone of Idaho. Overharvesting is not a issue here in fact in 2021 we got a week of season back that was taken way because of a predation issue the state was having greatly affecting our elk herds. With the help of sportsmen and the fish and game Predator reduction has been greatly helping to the point we where given a week back. Every state will have there own issues that will have to be managed within.

I personally would not be in favor of adding a primitive hunt here unless it was a added season late in the year not affecting any other sportsmen hunting opportunity. In other places it might makes since I don’t live there or understand there local issues.

[PrestonTaylor]

Hey Greg (A Tag), you're right every state is different and each has its own concerns and issues. And I hear you, that in your state, Idaho, you've tried a traditional archery season, and in your words "it didn't work". What do you mean by it didn't work? There wasn't enough participation? It didn't reduce the success rate?

Also, in response to your thought, "I personally would not be in favor of adding a primitive hunt here unless it was a added season late in the year not affecting any other sportsmen hunting opportunity. In other places it might makes since I don’t live there or understand there local issues."
- These Traditional Archery seasons or units or tags should not be reducing other user groups opportunities/tag numbers/season length. For example, in petition and proposals I have submitted to my state's DFW and FGC, the Traditional Tags would be NEW seasons, NEW opportunities, and NEW tags. In other states where it is being proposed the goal would be to maintain existing seasons before they become limited entry draw hunts.

[A tag]

Where the traditional hunts failed here was lack of participation. A lot of traditional bowhunters thought the state was to restrictive on equipment used on the hunt. One rule was you had to use wood arrows no carbon, or aluminum. Another was no motorized vehicles could be used to aid in the hunt. Meaning once you got to camp you had to hunt by foot no driving to other trail heads from camp, no ATV ect.  You can see where I’m going with this a lot of guy where not as traditional as they thought they where.

My suggestion for setting up a traditional hunt in other states would be where do you draw the line for what is considered traditional. That will cause much debate between traditional bowhunters causing more divide. Nobody want to be told there equipment is not traditional. For the record I never disagreed with the restrictions Idaho put in place on equipment.

I would support all states if time allows and animals numbers support it adding traditional seasons. I think it would do a lot to promote traditional archery to young hunters wanting to participate in another season. It would also generate revenue if states sold a traditional permit to hunt in the season. I added that because when talking to the government you have to make it benefit them :-) I think it will be hard to talk states out of draw hunts as planed because of the revenue generated from hunters buying points. I know I give Wyoming $50 a year for the opportunity to hunt there several years down the road. Think about how much money a state like Wyoming makes just on their elk preference points a year.