Free: Contests & Raffles.
I understand your grief, but almost understand where wildlife is going to have to go with these requests. At some point, I feel the hunter assumes a bit of risk, and should hesitate a tad bit before pulling the trigger.
Gona have to start glassin hoofs before the shot?
About three years ago I still had an archery deer tag when an island local called us to say there was a wounded buck near his house. After a bit of a tracking, we found it and I did manage to shoot it and tag it (I probably wrote this story before). It turns out that part of its leg was missing, which would have been no big deal, but the meat was sour and strange (smelled "piney"). I called WDFW and told them the story. They said normally they would come out and look at it, but considering where we lived, they accepted emailed photos from me. They decided to mail me a new tag, explaining that they only make this exception maybe 3 or 4 times a year. It seems like something similar should have happened in your case.
Quote from: weathergirl on January 03, 2013, 07:55:13 PMAbout three years ago I still had an archery deer tag when an island local called us to say there was a wounded buck near his house. After a bit of a tracking, we found it and I did manage to shoot it and tag it (I probably wrote this story before). It turns out that part of its leg was missing, which would have been no big deal, but the meat was sour and strange (smelled "piney"). I called WDFW and told them the story. They said normally they would come out and look at it, but considering where we lived, they accepted emailed photos from me. They decided to mail me a new tag, explaining that they only make this exception maybe 3 or 4 times a year. It seems like something similar should have happened in your case. Agree with you, but the current issue is that hoof rot is going to reach pandemic levels in these SW GMU's and wildlife cannot simply re-issue tags for every punky elk that gets shot. Pretty soon the amount of hunters in these areas will probably decrease to a big degree to avoid the risk. Olympics sounding better and better boys and girls?
I understand your grief, but almost understand where wildlife is going to have to go with these requests. At some point, I feel the hunter assumes a bit of risk, and should hesitate a tad bit before pulling the trigger. This opinion will surely be unpopular. I am more aggrivated at them changing their mind.
Yeah, the first mistake was tagging it when you discovered the hoof rot was really bad, second mistake was calling WDFW and asking about it. Seems like they need to get a cohesive plan for addressing this as some folks get replacement tags and others do not. If an animal is inedible due to no fault of the hunter it IS the state's responsibility to allow the opportunity to harvest an edible animal. The "oh, too bad you took the risk of harvesting something not edible" is a bunch of pooh!!!!!!I would be more than happy to sign a petition to at least get his points back.
Well put AKIRKLAND, The fact the officer told us to chuck the elk in the woods and get a duplicate without knowing the current policy is was one thing. But then calling back three hours later and saying sorry you guys are icky stuff out of luck is another. After doing some research on hoof rot that night maybe we could of salvaged some or most of the animal. At the time I didn't know a dam thing about it. and I sure the hell wasn't going to eat any of it without knowing, that's why we made the call. After thinking about for a few days the somebody from the State should be charged with game wastage. I understand about not issuing any more duplicates but how about letting the officers in the field know that. But not reinstating the points that is total stuff. No wonder they are so many renegades out there that are anti game dept. I have always been a supporter of the dept. But after this debacle they have lost me and my support. I will spend my money in Idaho.
This month's issue of Bugle carries a small article about our problem here in SW WA. It's starting to get national attention. RMEF has offered funds to the WDFW for research.
