ODFW Archery changes proposed Ochoco limited entry

[BrianMaguire]

Archery Hunting Regulations
The Department is proposing to add the Ochoco Unit as a limited entry archery area. Proposed
regulations would be consistent with those for the Sled Springs Unit. Deer bow hunters would
be required to have controlled Ochoco elk bow tag (used or unused) to hunt deer in the Ochoco
Unit. Hunters would be able to hunt other general season archery areas.
The Department is proposing to change the bag limit for the general archery elk season. The bag
limit would be determined each spring. Wildlife Management Units to have a “One Elk” bag
limit will be based on criteria which have been used to determine the bag limit for the general
archery deer season for several years and to determine the bag limit for hunters with Permanent
Disabilities permits for both deer and elk for 2005. Criteria include:
– Firearms tag numbers within a unit
– Distribution of firearms tags within a unit
– Population characteristics of the elk herd within a unit
The Department is proposing to eliminate the compound bow let-off limitation. Oregon has
restricted let-off to a maximum of 65% since 1990. It is now difficult to purchase bow with 65%
let-off and the Pope and Young Club now directs hunters to comply with State regulations.

ODFW proposed changes for the Oct 7th meeting

[ehunter]

Brian so set me straight If I want to hunt the ochocos I will have to apply? So if I have points for say the Whenaha unit I will lose those points?

As to the deer that is the way the drawing used to be. I actually liked it a lot. It did reduce the people. Of course there were not as many bow hunters then as there are now.

[tailchaser]

ehunter, yes you would loose your points. It would be set up the same as wenaha, sled springs, walla walla, mt emily, etc.....One by one they all fall down. I'm all for finding some ways to limit our bowhunting numbers in the field, but think there are many other ways to do it rather than making it all a draw. Before you know it, all of the other units will be overcrowded from people who didn't draw tags, complaining will start, and ODFW will be forced to make that unit into a draw also. I think I saw just as many california, washington, nevada, and even idaho plates as I saw from Oregon over east. But you know that's not going to change, money talks.......

tc

[Washington Hunter]

I think you would only lose your points if you appled for Ochoco and drew it. But I'm not sure I understood the question correctly.

[Whatchaketchemon]

I am not sure how feasible this idea actually would be but it seems like a permit system of some sort may work. Have a station in Prineville or somewhere where they issue a given number of permits for a predetermined period of time. I know that this would be hard to enforce due to the lack of funds government agencies seem to have when it comes to inforcement but it may be a start. I would like to see the harvest statistics for the Ochoco unit in relation to the amount of hunters. I am sure that the animals are over stressed and that is part of the reason there are fewer numbers. Just a thought.

[BrianMaguire]

If you wanted to hunt Ochoco, you would apply just like wenaha. So if you had points and drew you would loose them. This is what actually REALLY worries me, most of us archers have boat loads of points. I have 6 now, so I will draw the tag next year, no problem, but the next year everyone else who has a boat load of points may give up on other hunts and go for Ochoco.

ODFW is doing this (from Tom Thorton and Brian Ferry directly) "officially" because the bull ratios are 16:100 and the MO is 20:100. Forget it that the LOP tags are near 100% on bulls and the rifle hunter kill 80% of the bulls, etc. So the easiest target is the archers. I think with my 6 points I may just go for the rifle tag next year. It is a gimme for me.

[Rank Amateur]

If they go to a draw, the out of staters will be limited to 5% of the total, so that will definately slow down that aspect. It is surprising that ODF&W would defund themselves, but in looking at your guys posts, there definately seems to be a crowding issue.

[ehunter]

Brian we have been thinking the same thing we have nine points I ahte to give them up but I would like to hunt the Ochoco's if they really reduce the number of hunters. um!! I am thinking the same thing.

[ehunter]

Rank I think we all are starting to see the effects of reduced number of tags. As rifle hunters lose their options it seems like a good bet to go bow because they can hunt the area's that they want and I don't blame them. So now I am not sure about hunters numbers but it is seems crowded all over. Plus with the West side shut down people have to go East to hunt.

[billc_sbio]

Yep, here we go again!

This is EXACTLY what happened with Rifle Tags for the Eastside all over again!

For those not old enough to know or remember this, this is just how it started with Rifle Tags.

First Steen's Mtn. and the Trout Creek Mtn.s hunts, then they added a few more. Soon it was 100% Draw for the ENTIRE East side!

Now, with almost everybody applying for/acruing Preference Points, you have to wait for almost 10 years to get to hunt in many units.

For us old guys, who've been around a long time, some of us will NEVER get to Rifle Hunt in our units of choice ever again in Oregon!

I think one important question might be has it really IMPROVED the targeted animal herds OR the hunting?!!

[BrianMaguire]

I think one important question might be has it really IMPROVED the targeted animal herds OR the hunting?!!

I think it has improved the bottom line.

[billc_sbio]

I think it has improved the bottom line.

Yeah, right!

[Gun Rod Bow]

It's the old question of mananging for quality animals, or mucho access.

The other three units that are currently draw are contiguous units that butt up to Mill Creek WS. Also the Washington side of the line is pretty limited. This gives a "zone" where the state can manage for quality.

Think seriously about the choices. When you have a limited entry tag, it's great to have a quality hunting experience. But sitting the year out may be the cost.

I think the better choice is limiting the access, ie. no motorized vehicles. This gives the game some refuge and naturally reduces the competition for the hardy hunter.

If over harvest is the concern (which I doubt) then make the tags bull only. Or draw separately for cow tags. From what I've seen the state would be happy with less elk to manage.

My $.02

[BrianMaguire]

Yeah, right!

Your joking right? The 500,000 (very conservative since there are 10,000+ applications for the 600 willy tag alone) $4.00 application fees equate to more than $2,000,000 in revenue per year. It don't cost that much to administer even with fat PERS outlays. You have to remember the marginal cost for an additional draw is very low, that is almost all black ink.

[billc_sbio]

I totally AGREE w/you!

But it has done little for the hunters OR the game!

I like some of GRB's suggestions and agree w/him also.

Trouble is sometimes it's not just "sitting out a year", try 5-6 years...or more!