At the Fife meeting, WDFW had four options to choose from.

1. Status Quo
2. Sept. 5-18
3. 14 days starting the day after Labor Day
4. Oct 1-14 splitting GMUs with Muzzleloaders

The reasons WDFW (Donnie Marterelo mediated our group) stated changes were being considered were, as stated here a few times, 1) to avoid hunter confrontations with Labor Day weekend camping and hiking crowds and 2) to reduce the fire hazard risk.

Option 2 does not deal with the Labor Day situation and was not supported by those in attendance.

Option 4 received the very little support. I agreed with the sentiment in the group that this was the wrong direction because it would result in more division and resentment between hunting groups (archers vs. muzzleloaders) which is the last thing all hunters need now.

Most folks voted for the post labor day hunt but also made an argument that the best way to deal with the campers and rainfall issues would be to back the season up to the last two weeks of September, just before the muzzleloader season starts.

As a bowhunter I agree that this would be a nice way to deal with the stated problems, but I would always defer my preferences to the scientifically preferred approach. The job of WDFW is to balance public opinion with science. I hope they place a higher emphasis on true biology. They need to hear that message too.

Whatever your opinion is, WDFW is taking comments on all of the hunting season proposals until Feb. 10. I encourage everyone to do your own "squeaking".

-lobo