Free: Contests & Raffles.
No offense to you WAcoyotehunter, but any houndsman that helps WDFW with problem animals is shooting us all in the foot. I got a serious problem with the fact they even ask for houndsmans help. WDFW is our 2nd worst enemy in this state. They got rid of coyote hunting with dogs all on their own without any pressure from the legislator or the general public. We will never have a chance to get back hounding when someone gets rid of every problem animal that shows its face. Just something to think about. I know its got to be tempting to be able to get your dogs out in the off season, but we as houndsman need to stick together for our common cause. By the way, nice catch and good looking dogs too! I hope I don't sound to much like a jerk.
It is dumb that they only call when there's a problem bear/cat... But there is seriously no opportunity out there unless your hooked up with the wdfw, timber companies, or a few other programs. I struggle keeping dogs that can hunt, pretty tough for an avg guy to run dogs here. So I would most definitely jump at any chance with problem animals and not think twice about it.
WDFW tried to get hounds back on the landscape a couple years ago and I attended that meeting. They want to have hounds as a tool, but the legislators (Hans Dunshee particularly) and HSUS and PAWS would not budge, despite the WDFW force feeding them some good biology. I used to think that way- that if the houndsmen could stick together and tell the WDFW to try to catch a problem cat without dogs that we might get them to notice the need.... but they do know. They are handcuffed by the initiative. (which they were disallowed from "taking sides on")As far as the coyote thing goes... I get it, but don't like it. The WDFW did that because they were afraid there would be legislation and the animal rights folks would tack on more crap. They went with the coyote rule to avoid another crazy initiative.
