I don't have much yet, as I did not attend the meeting in Grand Junction and the audio is not yet available, but one topic I've heard discussed is Commissioner Bray indicated he would support moving the archery season to a fixed September 1-30.
I do not know the reasons presented at the meeting, but here's my personal initial thoughts.
Pros:
Cons:
I'm trying not to look at it from a selfish, personal aspect, but I feel I can't. I'd love to be convinced otherwise, but I don't see the benefit except for retired bowhunters, which is awkwardly the makeup of most archery organization leadership boards.
I do not know the reasons presented at the meeting, but here's my personal initial thoughts.
Pros:
- The dates are always easily known.
- The ELK rut typically runs past the end of archery season, so this would put archers more into prime time.
- Potentially more time to archery hunt pronghorn.
- For those without a typical working man's schedule, season would open 5/7 times on a weekday, meaning less hunters in the woods opening day.
Cons:
- Mule deer will be much more difficult to find with the later start as they've started rubbing and heading into the timber.
- More overlap with other seasons, such as muzzleloader pronghorn, bear rifle and early rifle deer seasons.
- Fewer weekends for weekend warrior types, and season would open 5/7 times on a weekday.
- Less of a "quiet time" gap between archery and first rifle.
I'm trying not to look at it from a selfish, personal aspect, but I feel I can't. I'd love to be convinced otherwise, but I don't see the benefit except for retired bowhunters, which is awkwardly the makeup of most archery organization leadership boards.