WDFW Response to Sauk Mt. Accident...

[JoshT]

Just read this... I'm a little worried.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=aug0608b

[Machias]

Yea I read that two days ago.  Knee Jerk!!

[rainshadow1]

I don't think that release, in and of itself, was too bad. We need to remain vocal and intelligent, and courteous, and not be slogging though the poop like the antis already are. Keep writing letters, keep making carefully thought out statements. Stay in the game. But I expected worse.

[Diehard0123]

"staggered recreation times and locations and temporary recreational area closures"
They did this at the prison I work at with convicted felons after a big fight at the prison.  Does this mean they are saying we are just as dangerous as convicted felons?

[littletoes]

The link doesn't say much that is bad, just what is expected to say. Maybe I'm missing something from the link?

If we write letters, remember to remind them on how few accidents there have been....in thier own writings, one in the past twenty five years, thats not bad at all, yes it is too many, although I do doubt that any number of new laws/restrictions will not help. 

Is there a place where we can send e-mail responses???

[Ray]

Like I said before. I believe it says this is all on the table:

1) Min age for hunting license
2) Change the opening day of W Wa bear season. Maybe to September?
3) Analyze if the High Buck Rifle Season is still a risky situation.
4) Youths will probably have a new regulation stating how and what constitutes supervision from an adult.

[bowhuntin]

I posted this on another thread, but what if they brought back baiting for bears, this would keep most hunters away from trails because they would be sitting on bait? This way there would be no need for staggered recreational use. Just a thought. 

[edmondshunter]

I think mandatory age req. for youth hunters is a good idea.  My hunter safety class was full of 10-15 year old kids with there parents helping them along.  I wouldn't be in the same room with some of them if guns were involved.

Having said that,  I think a youth hunter can be well trained and safe in the woods with guns.  But we should be more diligent in training and supervision of our youth.

As the statement said, the states record of safety says a lot about how training keeps us and other outdoorsman safe.  I'm just saying both young and old could use a refresher.

I was bothered by the advise to make lots of noise to make your presents known.  Most of us get out to get away from that sorta thing

[sisu]

I have been reading all this with great interest. The biggest element missing from the accident was a REAL adult with the kids. My cousins and myself were shooting guns at grouse and ducks from age 9 or 10 BUT grandpa or uncle WAS there with us the entire time. When we turned 15 we were allowed to hunt for deer but again there was a very firm message. #1. You leave your deer stand before allotted time you were in trouble. #2 If you shot a deer we had coaching whistles to blow for alerting the family to assemble at a designated spot and on NO circumstances we were to track a wounded deer without grandpa or uncle with the shooter. While the tracking took place everyone was either put back in stand positions or they left for camp. That was our way and we always had a good time with no problems. We, the kids, knew if we violated the rules there was a consequence to pay and it would not be good.
What happened to parenting?
What happened to family time with the family?
Where did common sense go?
Why does government have to act as the family unit today?
Why does government have to think for our society today?
I'm not trying to stir up a poop pile here but what do parents do? I would imagine that 99.9999% of the parents on this site are like my uncle and grandpa, so you probably don't have the answers either. If a married couple is not willing to take the time to be a good set of parents then get yourself fixed and eliminate a problem before it starts.

[sisu]

I think mandatory age req. for youth hunters is a good idea.  My hunter safety class was full of 10-15 year old kids with there parents helping them along.  I wouldn't be in the same room with some of them if guns were involved.

Having said that,  I think a youth hunter can be well trained and safe in the woods with guns.  But we should be more diligent in training and supervision of our youth.

As the statement said, the states record of safety says a lot about how training keeps us and other outdoorsman safe.  I'm just saying both young and old could use a refresher.

I was bothered by the advise to make lots of noise to make your presents known.  Most of us get out to get away from that sorta thing

I've assisted with a class here at 9 Mile Falls and I asked the same question about age. The state has not been willing to state an age for taking the class. I believe they took this course of action to avoid a law suit.  Secondly, I believe that if hikers should be required just like we are to wear hunter orange or international flourecent pink during said hunting season. If it's required of us why shouldn't they be required to do the same since they are in the same area as us.

[ICEMAN]

The arguement about colored clothing is a losing arguement. Many types of hunting are done or can be done in full camo, like bear hunting. I imagine that since the lady was bent over, probably wearing black hiking pants or something dark, that orange would not have been seen anyway. (Her blue parka was obviously not noticed.) 

My arguement is that this was an accident, caused by poor decision making. It could have been done by a twenty year old, a forty year old.... If it had, would there be as much uproar, or legislation considered? I think not.

A total shame and waste of life. The hiker deserved a more careful hunter, and did not get one.

[KillBilly]

The arguement about colored clothing is a losing arguement. Many types of hunting are done or can be done in full camo, like bear hunting. I imagine that since the lady was bent over, probably wearing black hiking pants or something dark, that orange would not have been seen anyway. (Her blue parka was obviously not noticed.) 

My arguement is that this was an accident, caused by poor decision making. It could have been done by a twenty year old, a forty year old.... If it had, would there be as much uproar, or legislation considered? I think not.

A total shame and waste of life. The hiker deserved a more careful hunter, and did not get one.

Very well said IceMan

[bearmanric]

there will be less area's next year to bear hunt. you can count on that and later season's. and they will never bring baiting back. the game department is against it. Rick

[WDFW-SUX]

If they allowed us to bait there wouldn't be any mistaken targets

[ICEMAN]

If they allowed us to bait there wouldn't be any mistaken targets

Unless some furbearing pastry starved enviro-whacko jumped in on a bait can....

Oops, sorry about that.....