Archery deer and elk seasons begin

Tomorrow, Sept. 1, is a big day in the hunting world, as several hunting seasons are set to open. Dennis note: I want to go after doves close to home, but a grouse hunt or two during September is warranted. As I have mentioned before, would be great to combine a fishing and hunting trip during September, as the fishing season on many waters stay open through Sept. 30.

Deer

The archery season for black-tailed, mule and white-tailed deer is set to begin tomorrow, Sept. 1. There are various Game Management Units opening and the dates differ in many of the units, so a thorough and detailed study of the big game pamphlet is necessary. Also the legal deer to be taken may be different in the open units.

Muzzleloader deer seasons begin on Sept. 29.

Elk

Archers will be able to pursue elk beginning next Tuesday, Sept. 4, in many GMUs in Eastern Washington. Again, the definition of a legal elk may be different in the various units, so study the pamphlet carefully.

Cougar

The early cougar hunting season is scheduled to also begin tomorrow and continue through Dec. 31. The late cougar season will begin on Jan. 1 and continue through March 31. Any legal weapon may be used in both seasons.

So why two seasons with the second beginning the day after the first ends? Starting Jan. 1, hunt areas may meet or exceed the harvest guideline and may close. When hunting cougar after Jan. 1, confirm the cougar season is open in the area you want to hunt by calling 866-364-4868.

Game Management Unit has a harvest guideline of seven to nine cougars, with an average harvest of seven. The GMU 105 numbers are two for the guideline and four for the average harvest. GMUs 108 and 111 numbers are five to six and four.

The GMU 113 guideline is four to six with an average of five. GMU 117 numbers are six to eight and four. The two main GMUs I hunt have no harvest guideline and average seven.

This writing does not show all of the GMUs and numbers, so be sure and check the Big Game Pamphlet. However, the numbers are quite revealing to us.

This change in the cougar seasons is a great improvement. Instead of having archery only in one season, muzzleloader in another season and then modern firearm in another season, any legal weapon is allowed from Sept. 1 through March 31. The restrictions begin with the second season when each hunter needs to check to make sure the season hasn't closed because of the number of animals taken.

Mourning dove

The mourning dove season opens Sept. 1 and continues through Sept. 30 with a bag limit of 10 per day and 20 in possession. Remember, the European collared dove does not count as part of the mourning dove limit. This means if a hunter shoots five mourning doves and then a European collared dove, the hunter is able to shoot five more mourning doves.

This person will have 11 doves, but only 10, the limit, mourning doves. The collared doves are larger than the mourning doves and they have a black line or collar, around their neck.

Forest grouse

The season for forest grouse opens on Sept. 1 and continues through Dec. 31. Four birds of any species is the daily limit. This is a great time to participate in hunting in the morning and evening, plus fishing during the day. Many lakes close on Sept. 30, so hunting and fishing is possible. Be sure and check the regulations to determine which waters are still open.