Clay: New hunting pamphlet requires study

The 2014 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations Pamphlet is available online and in most sporting goods stores. The special permit application deadline is May 22, so it is time to study the pamphlet and meet with your hunting buddies about which hunts to submit permit applications.

Several changes appear in the pamphlet. An increase in the antlerless elk permits for the Colockum hunt has been rumored, but it is significant. Last year the hunt was from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 and this year it is from Oct. 29 through Nov. 2. This hunt is in the same two Game Management Units, 328 and 329.

In 2012 2,442 hunters submitted applications for this permit hunt with nine being the average points needed to be drawn. In 2013 the hunter number was 2,558 and the average points were 10.

Last year 190 permits were offered, but this year 425 permits will be offered. The 235 permit increase is due to elk survival and mild winters being one factor, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Sounds as if the Colockum elk herd is doing well, but we don't want a harsh winter to kill hundreds of animals. Fish and Wildlife is addressing this situation in the proper manner; an overabundance of animals means more permits.

The cost of a second deer tag for a Washington resident dropped from $68 to $43.40. The special hunt permit applications remain the same at $7.10, with the quality elk and deer, plus any moose, bighorn ram and mountain goat permit applications remaining at $13.70 each.

The modern firearm general deer season for mule deer remains the same length; Oct. 12 through 20 last year in most GMUs and Oct. 11 through 19 this year. The late season for white-tailed deer will run from Nov. 8 through 19 in GMUs 105, 108, 111, 113, and 124 for any buck, while the same time in GMUs 117 and 121 the buck must be a 4-point minimum.

Besides the increase in the Colockum antlerless hunt, various other hunt permit numbers have either increased or decreased. For example the permit hunt for elk hunters 65 years and older for the Alkali hunt increased 100 percent from five to 10 permits, while the hunt day numbers remained the same.

This is an example of the importance of checking each hunt carefully. Not only have hunt dates and numbers changes, some hunts have been eliminated altogether, such as the master hunter Lakeview hunt in Deer Area 2011.

Let me use myself as an example of how many permits a hunter may want to submit. Deer: Quality hunts, buck deer hunts, antlerless hunts, second deer hunts, 65 and older hunts, hunters with disabilities and master hunter deer hunts.

Elk is next: Quality hunts, bull hunts, antlerless hunts, 65 and older hunts, hunters with disabilities hunts and master hunter hunts.

Moose: Any moose, antlerless only hunts, 65 and older hunts, hunters with disabilities hunts and master hunter hunts.

The result is a bunch of money spent on permit applications, with a distinct possibility of not being drawn for any of them. I consider spending the money on the permit applications as a way of supporting the specific species of big game animal.

My hunting partners find it easiest to purchase licenses and submit hunt permit applications online. My job is to act as group leader. The group leader's information is submitted first with the specific hunt information, such as hunt choice numbers.

My group might apply for the buck deer category where up to four hunt choices are allowed or we may apply for just one. The quality deer category allows only two hunt choices maximum. These are choices the group needs to decide before the special permit application deadline of May 22.

After using the online procedure for several years, I find it easy, fast and accurate. The results of the drawings will be available by the end of June. As for the past four years, postcard notification will not take place.

Pick up a copy of the Big Game Pamphlet and study it, cover to cover. It will be time well spent.