2004 regs question

[MountainLion84]

The 2004 big game regs are out, and I am a little baffled by the ODFW's continuing to disallow bear and cougar hunting without a valid elk or deer tag, during controlloed hunts. They did acknowledge that they no longer have the right to dictate who can or cannot carry a firearm. This has to be a show of power and/or stubborness. If someone is going to party hunt, they wouldn't need to hide behind the "I am bear/cougar hunting," idea, as no one needs to justify why they have a gun in the woods anymore. With that all out on the table, why not increase the opportunity for some additional predator harvests

[McBaine]

While they can't dictate what you can carry, they can tell you how a game animal can and can't be taken. So during those times, without a valid unused tag, you can't use a centerfire rifle. You can use a bow or handgun. I hope this clarifies the situation.