Big Game and Turkey Harvest Information
Jim Rieck, Game Harvest Manager

Deer, Elk, Bear, and Turkey Harvest
Big game and turkey harvest information provides some of the most useful data for wildlife managers to evaluate game animal population status. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) uses a mandatory reporting procedure to estimate the harvest of deer, elk, bear, and turkey. Data for the 2001 hunting season (Table 1) shows some interesting facts that most hunters may not be aware of. Perhaps the most surprising fact is that all user groups, modern firearm, muzzleloader and archery hunters enjoy similar success rates during the general hunting seasons. If the special permit harvest is added to that of the general hunting season, modern firearm and muzzleloader success rates climb somewhat. Muzzleloader deer and elk hunters currently enjoy the highest success rate while archery deer and modern firearm elk hunters have the lowest success rates.

Harvest statistics for the 2002 hunting seasons are not yet available (June 2003) because of late and low hunter reporting rate. Ideally, everyone would submit the hunter reports and do it on time. The deadline is set so that complete and accurate information can be made available to wildlife biologists, hunters, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission for use while establishing the hunting seasons for the coming year.

In order for the reports to be reliable and useful, around 90 percent of the reports have to be submitted by the deadline. If that is not done, a follow-up survey needs to be conducted. Because around 30 percent of the hunter reports were not made on time, a sample of the hunters with outstanding reports is made by telephone in order to calculate the harvest success rate of those who did not report. This estimate is added to the tabulated mandatory reports to determine the harvest and hunter participation figures.

Special Permit Hunting Harvest
In addition to the deer and elk general hunting seasons, there are special permit hunts, which make it possible to hunt antlerless deer or elk, in special areas, or during special times. Mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and moose hunting are available only by special permit. The same is true for spring black bear and fall turkey. Harvest for these species is tabulated and based solely upon the reports returned by the hunters. Harvest is not estimated to include hunters who did not submit a report.

Cougar – Though it is required to have a cougar transport tag to hunt cougar, it is only necessary to report cougar hunting activity if a cougar is taken. If a cougar is taken, the head and pelt must be presented for inspection to an authorized WDFW employee. A tooth sample is collected and the WDFW employee is responsible to report the harvest to Wildlife Program staff in Olympia. These reports are used to establish the minimum reported cougar harvest figure presented in the Game Harvest Report.

Game Harvest Report
The Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes game harvest statistics each year. Many hunters find this information useful. Printed reports are available for a minimal fee at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regional offices or the Olympia headquarters. The report can also be viewed or downloaded from the Department of Fish and Wildlife Internet site at www.wa.gov/wdfw.