Wolves do affect business

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Dear WDFW:

I would like a permit to set "conibear type traps set under water and non-strangling foot snares"
Sitka-Blacktail said they were legal for damage control.
Also could you send me a pamphlet describing these types of traps and how they work for wolves because I have no clue how an underwater conibear is suppost to capture a wolf, and don't even know what a "non-strangling foot snares" is....


~Thanks

KFhunter

Nice to see you still have the ability to spin a conversation.

A non strangling snare is just that one that catches an animal by the foot instead of the neck, like a bucket snare.  Gee you mean you don't know everything?

And underwater conibear type traps are obviously for beaver. But you conveniently left out padded leg hold traps. ohhhhh that was part of your spin. Sorry to call you on it.

[KFhunter]

no spin,  I said body gripping traps which is all inclusive.

[KFhunter]

In 2005 the Banderob’s processed 205 elk, the majority for nonresident hunters. In 2013 they processed 31 elk for mostly resident hunters.    

Wolves have certainly affected local businesses and I feel for the people like the Banderobs.  Out of state hunters spend a lot of money through motels, restaurants, bars, processing, taxidermists, etc.  I am not rich and am on a tight budget, but I always make a point to spend money in the community where I am hunting.

So answer this.  Am I doing more to help local businesses by perpetuating the myth that the elk in Montana and Idaho are decimated, or do I try and tell people the truth that there is still very good hunting there?  It amazes my how many people simply think there are no elk left and that's not true.  I have no agenda and nothing to gain here, other than trying to help folks see that they can still hunt Idaho and Montana and have a good hunt.

Signed,

A wolf lover

One could argue you're driving away dollars from local business in WA by sending people to MT/ID/WY promising them awesome hunts.

How many people after reading you or Idahohntrs post said they would be hunting ID from now on and screw WA?

I remember quite a few, if I were a motel owner in a small hunting community I'd be irritated you're saying the hunting is just fine in MT.
I'd also be screaming for WDFW to ensure Elk hunting for future generations right here at home   

[JLS]

One could argue you're driving away dollars from local business in WA by sending people to MT/ID/WY promising them awesome hunts.

How many people after reading you or Idahohntrs post said they would be hunting ID from now on and screw WA?

I remember quite a few, if I were a motel owner in a small hunting community I'd be irritated you're saying the hunting is just fine in MT.
I'd also be screaming for WDFW to ensure Elk hunting for future generations right here at home   

So should I lie to folks about the hunting in MT and ID?

You seem to think that everything is mutually exclusive, and that just because I promote elk hunting in MT and ID I don't promote hunting in Washington.  I spend plenty of money in local communities here on hunting trips.

Signed,

A wolf lover

[KFhunter]

Well you could tell em all where the wolf free honey holes are 

Wish I knew of some wolf free honey holes in NE/WA 

[JLS]

Well you could tell em all where the wolf free honey holes are 

I have.

It's pretty obvious to me that your main interest is being snarky, given that we don't agree on what long term affect wolves will have in Washington and I've driven business from Washington to Montana and Idaho.

Signed,

A wolf lover

[KFhunter]

You want to ease people's concerns over wolves,  I want to fire them up.

[KFhunter]

Complacency doesn't get anything done.

If hunters don't demand more from WDFW then they won't step up. 

You know that in your profession, the media knocks on your sups door he/she sits up a little straighter in their chair and starts making phone calls. 

[Special T]

The reason why the ammount of wolves is important is because the effect opportunity.  If people goout hunting and dont see animals they get discouraged. Some will give it a year or two, some will move to a different area and many will just hang up thier gear.
People dont pay high prices to hunt out of state for mediocre hunting, I know I wont and that is likely one of the reasons why WA has so little out of state hunters here. There was a time when you could go Anywhere in Id and see pleny of elk.
I started my hunting as a duck hunter. I went deer hunting once but lost interest because there wasnt enough action/deer. For all of its double speak Wdfw doesnt do much to recruit hunters, but does plenty to frustrate the hunters it still.has.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

The reason why the ammount of wolves is important is because the effect opportunity.  If people goout hunting and dont see animals they get discouraged. Some will give it a year or two, some will move to a different area and many will just hang up thier gear.
People dont pay high prices to hunt out of state for mediocre hunting, I know I wont and that is likely one of the reasons why WA has so little out of state hunters here. There was a time when you could go Anywhere in Id and see pleny of elk.
I started my hunting as a duck hunter. I went deer hunting once but lost interest because there wasn't enough action/deer. For all of its double speak Wdfw doesnt do much to recruit hunters, but does plenty to frustrate the hunters it still.has.

So hunting is all about success and not about challenging yourself? I guess that's probably why people hire a guide or hunt game ranches. They don't want to feel like a failure or don t want to make the effort to do what it takes to be successful.  To me a successful hunt is being in the outdoors, maybe sharing a camp with good friends or family, and matching wits with whatever game is in the area. I have many times hunted an area with slim pickings and once hunted a Texas game farm by invitation. I guarantee you if I had to make a choice which I would rather do, I'd choose the slim pickings free range hunt 100% of the time. It's a lot more satisfying when you have success.  No time spent in the woods should be considered failure, even when you come home empty handed.

[KFhunter]

The reason why the ammount of wolves is important is because the effect opportunity.  If people goout hunting and dont see animals they get discouraged. Some will give it a year or two, some will move to a different area and many will just hang up thier gear.
People dont pay high prices to hunt out of state for mediocre hunting, I know I wont and that is likely one of the reasons why WA has so little out of state hunters here. There was a time when you could go Anywhere in Id and see pleny of elk.
I started my hunting as a duck hunter. I went deer hunting once but lost interest because there wasn't enough action/deer. For all of its double speak Wdfw doesnt do much to recruit hunters, but does plenty to frustrate the hunters it still.has.

So hunting is all about success and not about challenging yourself? I guess that's probably why people hire a guide or hunt game ranches. They don't want to feel like a failure or don t want to make the effort to do what it takes to be successful.  To me a successful hunt is being in the outdoors, maybe sharing a camp with good friends or family, and matching wits with whatever game is in the area. I have many times hunted an area with slim pickings and once hunted a Texas game farm by invitation. I guarantee you if I had to make a choice which I would rather do, I'd choose the slim pickings free range hunt 100% of the time. It's a lot more satisfying when you have success.  No time spent in the woods should be considered failure, even when you come home empty handed.

Translation:

Wolves will make you a better hunter.


What a disgusting ideology you hold, not everyone buys a fist full of tags just to go camping 
I buy tags to kill stuff and eat it.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

The reason why the ammount of wolves is important is because the effect opportunity.  If people goout hunting and dont see animals they get discouraged. Some will give it a year or two, some will move to a different area and many will just hang up thier gear.
People dont pay high prices to hunt out of state for mediocre hunting, I know I wont and that is likely one of the reasons why WA has so little out of state hunters here. There was a time when you could go Anywhere in Id and see pleny of elk.
I started my hunting as a duck hunter. I went deer hunting once but lost interest because there wasn't enough action/deer. For all of its double speak Wdfw doesnt do much to recruit hunters, but does plenty to frustrate the hunters it still.has.

So hunting is all about success and not about challenging yourself? I guess that's probably why people hire a guide or hunt game ranches. They don't want to feel like a failure or don t want to make the effort to do what it takes to be successful.  To me a successful hunt is being in the outdoors, maybe sharing a camp with good friends or family, and matching wits with whatever game is in the area. I have many times hunted an area with slim pickings and once hunted a Texas game farm by invitation. I guarantee you if I had to make a choice which I would rather do, I'd choose the slim pickings free range hunt 100% of the time. It's a lot more satisfying when you have success.  No time spent in the woods should be considered failure, even when you come home empty handed.

Translation:

Wolves will make you a better hunter so be thankful for that.

Nope, translation, ...... Time in the woods makes you a better hunter, no matter what you come home with.

[KFhunter]

OK Genius how do you suppose people aquire tags to hunt a dwindling supply of game animals if WDFW makes them permit only?

That's the future, already the tags are being restricted in the NE going to antlered bull only,  that is a measurable decrease in hunter opportunity there hoss.
Next up it'll be off limits as the herd declines further like Lolo

What do you say to those who've been buying 30 years worth of OIL draw permits for moose when WDFW cuts that off?


But hey turkey is doing well,  tell them all to just take up turkey hunting huh?  Or how about fishing for trips! 
We got a lot to be thankful for you're right sitka 

[Special T]

You miss my point Sitka.  Recruitment for hunters is LOW, and it is lowered by less OPPORTUNITY, i did not say harvest.  That said there is a reason why the WDFW attempts to give Jr hunters a special shot at does and ducks in a kids only season.

There are MANY opportunites for our free time and hunting is just one of them. I will use your example.  If i can go experience the outdoor through camping and hinking why do i need to hunt? If there is little opportunity then why pack the gun and buy the tags, why not just take the camera out? Why not just travel to the 3D shoots around the state and shoot my bow at foam if its just for the experience?

IMO it is this competion for sportmens time AND $ that the WDFW seems to not Care about or take for granted. WDFW would like to look at it differently but sportmen are THE CUSTOMERS, and not treating them like one is arrogance. I payed to hunt N idaho with out of state tags, and i was rewarded with seeing deer every day multipal times. I Payed MORE for a better experience. I did not shoot a huge deer, but a nice little 4 point WT and i had a great time because i saw animals.

Most hunters that have the hunting bug can tell you thier experience when they became "hooked" on thier kind of hunting. I've never taked to a hunter that was passionate about hunting that didn't have opportunity.

[Odell]

The reason why the ammount of wolves is important is because the effect opportunity.  If people goout hunting and dont see animals they get discouraged. Some will give it a year or two, some will move to a different area and many will just hang up thier gear.
People dont pay high prices to hunt out of state for mediocre hunting, I know I wont and that is likely one of the reasons why WA has so little out of state hunters here. There was a time when you could go Anywhere in Id and see pleny of elk.
I started my hunting as a duck hunter. I went deer hunting once but lost interest because there wasn't enough action/deer. For all of its double speak Wdfw doesnt do much to recruit hunters, but does plenty to frustrate the hunters it still.has.

So hunting is all about success and not about challenging yourself? I guess that's probably why people hire a guide or hunt game ranches. They don't want to feel like a failure or don t want to make the effort to do what it takes to be successful.  To me a successful hunt is being in the outdoors, maybe sharing a camp with good friends or family, and matching wits with whatever game is in the area. I have many times hunted an area with slim pickings and once hunted a Texas game farm by invitation. I guarantee you if I had to make a choice which I would rather do, I'd choose the slim pickings free range hunt 100% of the time. It's a lot more satisfying when you have success.  No time spent in the woods should be considered failure, even when you come home empty handed.

Good for you. Guess what, you are not the standard all new hunters aspire to.

They want opportunity. They want to see game. I bet you did too when you started.

Your logic suggests that the best hunting would be in a place where the fewest game animals are. After all, its only about being outdoors and challenging yourself.