Feel free to hunt?

[bob maier]

So what does everyone think about feel free to hunt ground and trapping? Is feel free to hunt also feel free to trap? It's been kinda quiet around here lately so I thought this would stimulate some conversation.Just thought about fishing? Would fishing be allowed on feel free to hunt?

[bugs n bones]

I suppose it goes for both hunting and trapping, but i would most defiantly ask the owner first.

[bobcat]

Found this:

Are public access opportunities available for recreation other than hunting?
The vast majority of private lands in our access program are designed to improve hunting access.  Some locations allow other public access (e.g., fishing).  The Department is working toward expanding “watchable wildlife” related public access opportunities. 

NOTE:  Other activities (e.g., target shooting, camping, ATV use) are not allowed on private properties under agreement with WDFW

Not sure if it answers the question. For more go here:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/hunting_access/private_lands/faq.html

[gramps]

I asked a game biologist about trapping on feel free to hunt land and he referred me to an enforcement officer who thought it would be OK.
Since then...a couple yrs ago, I have met one landowner who did not want anyone to trap on his feel free to hunt property.
This brings up a question....who has the final say?  or what does the landowner/game dept agreement actually say?

[TheNoob]

The problem is that most of the land is private and hunting and trapping in Washington state is a big difference. Hunting and trapping are too different things and the thought of people trapping animals on thier land just dont sit well with them.Of course until they need a trapper because a cat kills thier little pets. Just remember that nothing is "OK" until you get writen permission from the owner. 

[Special T]

Since this is a live trap state with no clamping or snare traps there shouldn't be any problem... The problem might lie in the contract for the feel free to hunt program. It is tied into the CRP program so the pull the WDFW has with land owners isn't as strong as you may think... Much of the Feel free to hunt land is marginal dry land wheat land that is subject to erosion and thus enrolled in the CRP program.

[Humptulips]

To clear this up I e-mailed WDFW Enforcement. This is the answer I received.

"Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.  The “Feel free to Hunt” is for hunting only and is a special program where landowners are enrolled with the department to maybe assist with deer/elk damage, or other issues."

So by this if you wish to trap on Feel Free to Hunt land you better get permission first. 

 

[bob maier]

Bruce, that was pretty much what I already figured. Just thought I'd see what everyone else thought. Always a good idea to get landowner permission.