Raids target alleged wildlife poachers and traffickers (WA)

[luvmystang67]

Has anyone seen anything about this?  This is a news site I normally frequent so I know what my political opponents are reading for garbage, but I came across this interesting story.

Thoughts, comments, rumors anyone?

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49075661/ns/local_news-seattle_wa/#.UFjC8z0tz-o

[pianoman9701]

Now this is what our WDFW LE should be doing. Nice busts guys! More for me down the road.

[h20hunter]

here is another article...

http://www.nwsportsmanmag.com/2012/09/18/major-wildlife-trafficking-busts-across-washington-today/

[bearpaw]

Glad they are nailing these wildlife trafficers. Our herds cannot support commercial marketing, that nearly caused the extinction of many species in the past.

[mkcj]

And here I thought it was global warming for the lack of Deer and Elk in the Clockum. Just 250 Elk killed in 1 year that should not have been would have been 800-1000 Elk 3 years later.

[bobcat]

I wonder if the Yakama native living in Wenatchee got busted in this deal. I sure hope so. From the stories that were posted on here about him and his "activities," it was obvious he wasn't hunting just to put meat on the table for himself.

[Bob33]

  to WDFW.

[Gunfire]

Nice bust.  I sure hope these lowlifes get prosecuted.

[Woodchuck]

Well that explains the wardens and U.S. Marshall's at a resturaunt in town yesterday. 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Did natives preserve there right to commercialize game meat?  Is it legal for natives to sell it? 

[BNAElkhntr]

Great Job  WDFW  Keep it up I'm sure there are more POACHERS 

[Knocker of rocks]

Did natives preserve there right to commercialize game meat?  Is it legal for natives to sell it?

I don't think so.  This is all I could find:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-12-071

It doesn't give Native Americans any exemptions.  It also seems to to Federally prohibited regardless of wether the individuals are native Americans or not.

But I have been to a wedding where we had elk burgers, and the host bought the meat at a reservation in Montana.  I'm glad the Fed's didn't show up, I was hungery

[grundy53]

Glad they caught these pukes.    :

[bobcat]

Glad they caught these pukes.    :

Very appropriate name for them! I like!

[Fl0und3rz]

here is another article...

http://www.nwsportsmanmag.com/2012/09/18/major-wildlife-trafficking-busts-across-washington-today/

Here's a data point on the whole "how much game meat is $250 worth" game wastage violation question.

Cenci describes his investigators being asked if they could get venison to eateries for less than the $40 a pound for New Zealand elk. He says Washington elk goes for $500 whole.