More gates to keep us out

[Ripper]

I don't care what the reason, or who it's for. All I know is what's been said already, IF THEY PUT UP A GATE THEN NOBODY SHOULD HAVE A KEY! period, no one user group is any more or less important than the other. It's my tax money that pays for these lands, there is NO excuse for locking me out. I'm with you Skyvalhunter, If they put up a gate then the Natives should have to walk in also. I'm sorry Plateau if you think I'm making false accusations about your people, but we see it so often when they take seasons or access away from non natives for the benefit of them. Look at the Puget Sound sturgeon fishery they took away this year. We used to be able to fish year round and keep 1 a day and 5 a year between 36 and 54 inches. Now we can only retain in June and Sep1 to Oct 15. The Natives can fish year round and keep 10 a day any size! They estimate that sport anglers took on average 540 fish a year. How many do you think the natives are taking now? I'm sorry but I'm sick and tired of constantly giving away for the benefit of a few. I don't care who was here first, it's time to adapt and be equal!

[PlateauNDN]

If you don't mind can you provide the area that was gated off?  I spoke with a member of our wildlife dept. and they are unaware of any areas being locked within our Ceded Areas and not aware of anybody getting keys to any locked gates so, it's not us.  I don't know the circumstances and if it's for what you say it is then yes, it's not fair but, I also don't think it is for "exclusive hunting" as has been mentioned.  Just because you haven't seen picking doesn't mean it doesn't happen.  I also agree with the walking comment.

The other situations I cannot speak to because I don't know the regs for the Tribes in regards to sturgeon fishing in the Sound.  Until somebody provides facts or details there really is nothing to argue about, it's hearsay and rumors.  There's always going to be issues and somebody is always going to disagree one way or the other so that's really all I have to say. 

[bobcat]

it's not fair but, I also don't think it is for "exclusive hunting" as has been mentioned.

OK, I think it was me who used those words, if you prefer I could change that to "exclusive access," which is what they would have if they have keys to gates and are allowed to drive into the area, in which nobody else can. So, with exclusive access, they also have an area to hunt that nobody else will be hunting. It's just not right, and it sounds like you agree.

It seems there was a similar scenario a year or two ago, where the rumor was a tribe, or tribes, had keys to gates and were allowed to drive into public lands so that they could hunt bears (with bait).

I get really sick of hearing of these things.

[BOWHUNTER45]

All I want is for us to have access to National forests and state Owned lands so we can all enjoy ...We are tax payers and we have the right to enjoy the land we live on ...needing passes to enter land WE own is BS and I have a problem when We the people let them get away with the BS... Something needs to be done now and not later ...look where later has gotten us so far !

[sled]

   We should not assume anything.  We also know that natives have no special rights right?

[FC]

If you don't mind can you provide the area that was gated off?  I spoke with a member of our wildlife dept. and they are unaware of any areas being locked within our Ceded Areas and not aware of anybody getting keys to any locked gates so, it's not us.  I don't know the circumstances and if it's for what you say it is then yes, it's not fair but, I also don't think it is for "exclusive hunting" as has been mentioned.  Just because you haven't seen picking doesn't mean it doesn't happen.  I also agree with the walking comment.

The other situations I cannot speak to because I don't know the regs for the Tribes in regards to sturgeon fishing in the Sound.  Until somebody provides facts or details there really is nothing to argue about, it's hearsay and rumors.  There's always going to be issues and somebody is always going to disagree one way or the other so that's really all I have to say.

If you would like I can probably PM you GPS coordinates for the area that has just been gated. I'm not sure if I marked it with my current gps or not, I had it marked prior but had to warranty the unit and lose all of our stored scouting data. Ripper and I both signed on the petition against the current sturgeon fishery in the north sound and both read the final decision on it. The decision made is public record if you care to look it up.

If you want the gps location PM me.

[grizzlyadams]

I think we may all be getting heated over a false reason for closure that was given to us by the FS workers. If I remeber it correctly when we asked for the reason for the closure, the guy said he really didn't know. When we pressed him a bit, he came up with the tribal berry picking excuse. It may be the real reason and it may not be. If it is for tribal concerns and that excuse was an accurate statement then we all have reason to be very upset. No matter what the reason, it just isn't right. We need to do some digging and find out what the reason is for sure, then let our voices be heard loud and clear that we are not going to take these closures lying down anymore.....Period!!!!!

Lets not fight amongst each other. Lets take the fight to the Forest Service and the ones making these decisions!

[bobcat]

grizzly,

Just to avoid confusion, let me point out that this is DNR land (state) and not Forest Service, according to the original post in this thread.

So be sure to contact the Department of Natural Resources about this, and not the U.S. Forest Service.

[Curly]

This exactly why I will not buy a discover pass, pay the *censored*s and they still lock it up, vote goldmark out and didier in,  I think there is something else up their sleeve.

 

[washelkhunter]

Is it a logging sale perhaps and they want to avoid conflicts with the gen'l public. That happens all the time.

[FC]

Is it a logging sale perhaps and they want to avoid conflicts with the gen'l public. That happens all the time.

No the top was logged a few years ago. Grizzly is right too, the guy told us the berry-picking thing in a way that sounded like he was just talking smack.

[Kc_Kracker]

So that means locking out all non natives?

im a hardcore salmon fisherman, welcome to my world 

[washelkhunter]

DNR cant lock you out in favor of someone else. Somethings fishy and you deserve a prompt answer. contact your local rep and sick them on it.

[Ripper]

i just got an Email response from DNR tonight. They said it is not their area or gate. They said it's on USFS land, so I will contact them and see if they will give me an answer. I'm a hard core fisherman also KC, so I should be used to this, but for some reason, it never gets any easier!

[washelkhunter]

This should be interesting. Lock out the taxpayers in favor of those who dont pay taxes.