WDFW wildlife management in GMU 564

[washingtonhunter121]

Agreed same thing has been going on in lincoln creek. With the weyco permit access fees coming into play for the Pe Ell unit who owns almost all of lincoln creek as well but it is still going to be open for public access for all with the same rules. I must say there are still elk in lincoln creek it is just hard to find them after about a day or two at the beginning of the season because so many people are running the roads like crazy. Also a big problem is people will literally hear a shot glass and find where people shoot and go run into the area and get on a herds tracks. It sucks and that herd was strong and had good genes. Everyone that i talk to in the area that is local would love to have the restrictions go to normal or even shut it down for 2 or 3 years. It seems like poor management by the state and sounds like it is on the way to how battleground is.

[ELKBURGER]

I completely agree that "They" don't want elk in 564 but unless they are going to explain to the public why, then I don't think they should make decisions to eradicate a species out of an area.  I realize that it is quite obvious that they don't want them here but I think that those of us that enjoy hunting elk in our local area deserve a right to know why WDFW is allowing people to hunt them completely out of the unit.  Just my opinion 

You are right......They need to explain thier goals, reasoning and plans how to acheive the goals.

[jackmaster]

i to have wondered over the years why battle ground is managed the way it was, wdfw makes it look like it is over flowing with huntable animals......but we know it isnt..... great post pigfuz 

[pianoman9701]

I live in the BG unit and don't hunt it for elk or deer - very slim pickins

[Pigfuz]

This is a picture of two of the elk left in our area.  only other one i have seen is also a cow.  No bulls.

[Pigfuz]

Well I guess I might as well give up on this argument because clearly I will not be able to change anything.  Here is the reply that i got from the Vancouver team for WDFW.

Thank you for your interest in elk in the Battle Ground GMU.  You are correct, elk in this GMU are managed to keep the population low, with either sex seasons as you reference.  This is done on purpose so that a significant elk population does not manifest in the suburban habitats and private property that dominate the Battle Ground GMU.  Situations such as this are an unfortunate reality in places like Longview, Packwood and Sequim, WA and Estes Park Colorado.  Elk in such settings damage private property, eat ornamental and commercial plants, cause traffic issues, etc.  While some people like them, many do not, and once established, they can be difficult, expensive and dangerous to manage.

 

Note that the elk in the Battle Ground GMU are managed as part of the Mt. St. Helens Elk Herd.  You can find the herd plan at:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00771/  The plan will be updated at some point but significant changes related to management of the Battle Ground GMU elk population aren’t likely.



 





Well if private landowners get to influence the regs that much then I am going to start trying to get leagal beaver hunting.  Beavers have caused thousands of dollars of damage for us but if i shoot one of them and get caught then I will be fined thousands more and possibly get jail time.

[pianoman9701]

Well I guess I might as well give up on this argument because clearly I will not be able to change anything.  Here is the reply that i got from the Vancouver team for WDFW.

Thank you for your interest in elk in the Battle Ground GMU.  You are correct, elk in this GMU are managed to keep the population low, with either sex seasons as you reference.  This is done on purpose so that a significant elk population does not manifest in the suburban habitats and private property that dominate the Battle Ground GMU.  Situations such as this are an unfortunate reality in places like Longview, Packwood and Sequim, WA and Estes Park Colorado.  Elk in such settings damage private property, eat ornamental and commercial plants, cause traffic issues, etc.  While some people like them, many do not, and once established, they can be difficult, expensive and dangerous to manage.

 

Note that the elk in the Battle Ground GMU are managed as part of the Mt. St. Helens Elk Herd.  You can find the herd plan at:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00771/  The plan will be updated at some point but significant changes related to management of the Battle Ground GMU elk population aren’t likely.



 





Well if private landowners get to influence the regs that much then I am going to start trying to get leagal beaver hunting.  Beavers have caused thousands of dollars of damage for us but if i shoot one of them and get caught then I will be fined thousands more and possibly get jail time.

One of the major goals of successful wildlife management is to limit the opportunity for wildlife/human conflict. The Master Hunter program was developed specifically to deal with such conflicts on a case-by-case basis and some wildlife management goals and quotas are developed to deal with these conflicts with an overall plan, such as the one ongoing in 564. Your comment about beaver fits right in with that. Damage beaver permits are easy to get as long as you can show damage.

[Humptulips]

Well I guess I might as well give up on this argument because clearly I will not be able to change anything.  Here is the reply that i got from the Vancouver team for WDFW.

Thank you for your interest in elk in the Battle Ground GMU.  You are correct, elk in this GMU are managed to keep the population low, with either sex seasons as you reference.  This is done on purpose so that a significant elk population does not manifest in the suburban habitats and private property that dominate the Battle Ground GMU.  Situations such as this are an unfortunate reality in places like Longview, Packwood and Sequim, WA and Estes Park Colorado.  Elk in such settings damage private property, eat ornamental and commercial plants, cause traffic issues, etc.  While some people like them, many do not, and once established, they can be difficult, expensive and dangerous to manage.

 

Note that the elk in the Battle Ground GMU are managed as part of the Mt. St. Helens Elk Herd.  You can find the herd plan at:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00771/  The plan will be updated at some point but significant changes related to management of the Battle Ground GMU elk population aren’t likely.



 





Well if private landowners get to influence the regs that much then I am going to start trying to get leagal beaver hunting.  Beavers have caused thousands of dollars of damage for us but if i shoot one of them and get caught then I will be fined thousands more and possibly get jail time.

If the beaver are on your land and doing damage you are completely legal to shoot or trap them year around. No permit required except if you wish to use bodygripping traps. Call the Regional office. I'm sure they will confirm that.

[jackmaster]

WOW........ so i sure hope they decide to manage wolves the same way     

[pianoman9701]

WOW........ so i sure hope they decide to manage wolves the same way     

No, only non-cuddly critters are managed with game management and scientific data. Cuddlies are managed with emotion and dreadlocks! 

[jackmaster]

DAMN IT piannoman, you are always right  a man can dream thought, right?

[Pigfuz]

WOW........ so i sure hope they decide to manage wolves the same way     

No, only non-cuddly critters are managed with game management and scientific data. Cuddlies are managed with emotion and dreadlocks! 

WOW........ so i sure hope they decide to manage wolves the same way     

No, only non-cuddly critters are managed with game management and scientific data. Cuddlies are managed with emotion and dreadlocks! 

^^^^ So true 

[Humptulips]

WOW........ so i sure hope they decide to manage wolves the same way     

Small game, furbearers and unclassified wildlife get managed that way. Big game, most birds and Threatened & Endangered wildlife, you will need a permit that they probably won't give you.

Another thing that plays into your question, You can get reimbursed for damage caused by elk to crops from WDFW. Hence the Departments bias to limit elk damage. Sorry, they won't pay for beaver damage.