Wolf poachers - would you turn one in?

[predatorpro]

i probly wouldnt... 1 i dont want wolves here just like everyone else, 2 i would hate to see the media get ahold of info like people shooting a wolf since it would get more attention than a double homicide...someone would think they are doing the right thing by turning in a person for shooting a wolf but when the media goes nuts over your still a hunter and fall into that group of the people that the media portrays to all be heartless evil poachers....following that law would not benefit the hunting community at all

[Killmore]

I would just walk away after I bought the person a beer, I believe this happens already in nearby states. That is why there is no wolves in some places . Them good old boys do keep them mouths shut!!

[magnanimous_j]

I doubt I would turn one in, but I strongly disagree that poaching wolves is the right way to handle this. Unless you can feasibly poach them out of the state (which you can’t), then poaching them just keeps them on the protected list longer. Ideally, we could convince the state government that they shouldn’t be here and act accordingly. Barring that, the only way to keep them in check is to open up a hunting season on them, which will never happen if people are out there poaching em all day. On the other hand, god forbid, a couple of them are coming right for you…. Well that’s self defense.

[bearpaw]

I think I should comment about this topic. The position of Hunting-Washington has already been posted with the link in the first post, that is still the position of this forum.

With that said I have expressed my concerns about what I see happening with the wolf issue to numerous people in law enforcement. Washington is more or less following in the footsteps of Idaho and Montana with this wolf issue and I can tell you that the wolf issue has not been healthy for a land that has prospered by enforcing laws. Unfortunately, this isn't an issue we can ignore and hope it will go away, it is really only beginning in Washington and we will see this issue get much bigger and much more polarizing as wildlife herds are impacted and more citizens are impacted with livestock and inevitable pet losses.

I would encourage everyone to be proactive about this issue with legislators when the time comes. If we hope to maintain order in our society we must work to change laws that are outdated or don't work. I think this poll indicates to me that this wolf issue is already a bigger problem than I thought it was. I think that lawmakers need to look very closely at this issue and consider the consequences very carefully.

Hunting-Washington does not condone the illegal killing of wolves or any other wildlife. An organized and civilized society must have laws and those laws must be enforced for a society to remain organized.

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[Curly]

How come I can't see the poll results? 

[jackmaster]

Grouse pointer, you make it sound like noooone made their voice heard about the displeasure about wolves, well we all sent emails and phonecalls to the right people, guess what, they didnt give a rip...... we all voiced are opinions and emails and phonecalls when hound huntn was on the choppin block, guess what? again it do squat  we all did the same thing when it came to losing trappn, somethn that supported many a family and clothed them and made them extra money for hard winters and again we were told to pound sand  the problem is hunters are a tiny piece of the pie but contribute more to are wildlife than any other group and NO-OOOOOOOONE, cares more about our wildlife than the sportsman does, you can say what you want, but hunters that are willing to take a chance with everything they hold dear and whack a few wolves that shouldnt be here speaks more than any anti tree huggn bunny lover ever could.......

[Special T]

I think we have been swimming against the current ever since the "deal" was struck for the delisting process.  I agree with BP that WA is going to follow the history of Id and MT.  I have done my part by sending letters to the agency that supposedly represents me (WDFW) and my legislators.

Lets take a little lesson from parts of ID. IDFG worked within the system to try and appease the DoW and others of their ilk. What did it get them? NOTHING! There are/were places in ID where the general consensus was that "poaching" wolves was acceptable. They tended to not feel the effects as bad as other areas... They also had less bunny huggers living in the area. Fast forward to today. Areas that have open season have NOT eliminated wolves, it has only reduced their presence. Guides that have been given cart Blanche to knock down wolves have elk and deer in their valleys, only because they have a safe haven during the "non" hunting season...

So what does this mean for us? In secluded area that do not catch the attention of the WDFW or the USFS people who take action into their own hands MAY have a local effect on wolves. They will never wipe them out and will only provide a safe haven if they live around others like them and done quietly.

The ROOT of the problems is how we are being represented by our WDFW and State reps/sen. IF they reacted more like WY we would not be in this pickle. Our leaders have resorted to appeasement and it never works.

DELAY is the tactic that worked for the DoW and it is succeeding here. Best option would be for our leaders to grow a pair of balls and handle this issue, but that is not going to happen. A few people will take the risks and handle the problem them selves, however this will be ineffective.  If the legal liberal hunting and trapping of wolves in states like MT and ID, then I doubt Illegal method by a few will be effective. What choice does the state give its citizens?  What other recourse does the state provide than to become outlaws? IT DOES NOT! WY is the ONLY state that has seen this problem for what it is. They are apparently the only state represented by real men. 

[Miles]

How come I can't see the poll results? 

Because the person that started the poll elected to have them hidden until the voting closes.

[hrd2fnd]

How come I can't see the poll results? 

Results available  after Voting closes on October 04, 2012, 10:49:29 PM

[h2ofowlr]

My two cents on the issue.

In the end poaching wolves will keep them protected longer.  Lower populations will prevent the state from being able to manage them.  And any kind of poaching helps anti-hunters push to restrict hunting rights.  It's a short term "solution" that delays fixing the issue.   

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

I couldn't disagree with you more.  When Idaho exceeded there goal, the groups that sided with allowing a season lied and then went to the courts to block a hunting season.  They say one thing then do another when push comes to shove.  Their is another court battle brewing in regards to this seasons hunt.  If you allow them to hit the lofty numbers they want again the antis will hit the courts even harder and tie it up.  You live in Washington if you forgot.  Then things will get way out of control.  We are probably looked at as uneducated rednecks by the tree huggers.  Obviously a few of you have been spent way to much time in some Seattle surrounding liberalized institutions. 
I don't need to put my private schooling, batchelor's degree or masters degree to use here, to tell you guys you are being screwed and it's going to get worse.  Band together and push back or your all going to loose out.  You can fix a problem for just $.22 cents to $5.00 a day.  Straight shooters required.  Flimsy wrists folks need not apply.

[KFhunter]

I think Washington will be far worse than Idaho or Montana - this states demographics are far different, this is truly a divided state.  This wolf issue will ignite other battles as more people come to cohesive voting force; civil disobedience has already been mentioned and I hope it does not come to that, but fear it will. 

This is a fascinating topic, and yes a little risky for H-W.  Frankly I'm surprised this is going so well and I encourage folks to temper their anger and have a civil discussion.   

 

[GrousePointer]

Here's what I see "civil disobedience" getting us...

No hunting of any sort in areas the wolf occurs because some initiative will come along encouraging people to stop "irresponsible hunters" who poach.

It could very well happen if you're not careful.

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[turbo]

It's not poaching to me, it's conservation. Civil disobedience on a bad law. I would encourage killing every wolf you see and find a way to kill the ones you don't. KILL EM ALL!! Of course, I would NEVER risk my hunting rights but you go right ahead. It's war..

If you don't think conservation groups planted the wolfs to control our hunting rights then I will meet you at the I-90 bridge, bring your wallet, it's for sale...

[GrousePointer]

Good luck with that.

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[KFhunter]

I doubt I would turn one in, but I strongly disagree that poaching wolves is the right way to handle this. Unless you can feasibly poach them out of the state (which you can’t), then poaching them just keeps them on the protected list longer. Ideally, we could convince the state government that they shouldn’t be here and act accordingly. Barring that, the only way to keep them in check is to open up a hunting season on them, which will never happen if people are out there poaching em all day. On the other hand, god forbid, a couple of them are coming right for you…. Well that’s self defense.

The question isn't if you yourself would poach a wolf, we cannot broach that subject within the confines of H-W user rules.

The question is if you would turn one in if you witnessed it happening - doesn't matter why, and THAT is one of the problems with our wolf plan....you are not allowed to protect your property (livestock) only your life if in immediate danger.

Last time I checked, it is not illegal to NOT turn someone in, there is no burden upon a witness to come forward.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

Therefore we can discuss the ethics of it.