212 archery elk season change, reversal
Received an email,
UPDATE on WMU212 Archery season (June 12, 2024)
As outlined in previous communications, the ABA had been involved in many discussions with senior FW folks in late April and early May challenging a proposal to change the November portion of the general elk archery season in WMU 212 to a Primitive Weapon antlerless elk special license season (similar to the existing Primitive Weapons seasons in December and January). That change became official when the draw booklet came out.
The ABA continued to have discussions around this change, and we were informed by email yesterday (June 11) by senior FW that they have been reviewing the October 31 proposed end date for the archery elk season in WMU 212 and have decided to keep the November 30 archery season end date. The new third Primitive Weapons antlerless elk draw season will still be established for Nov 1-30 and overlap with the archery season. Great news for the bowhunting community and the ABA appreciates the review, the update and retaining the general elk archery season for the month of November.
The challenges in managing the elk in WMU 212 are extremely complicated. Think everyone can agree on that and what the challenges are. In particular, access - which has been a historical problem in 212 for years and likely to get worse and not better with the change of land ownership, urban expansion, etc. The “solutions” are the hard part. The ABA has committed to work with FW at all levels to engage in a collaborative, consultation process to work on finding “ideas” to address the “too many elk” issue. To get local people/groups
together and involve all the parties in coming up with ideas to better meet the harvest goals and management strategies. Get input, buy in, participation from those involved and the hope would be to increase access/harvest (particularly the antlerless component).
More details on that initiative will be coming later in the year.
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