Calling elk legal?

[Rooster1981]

Huh  I thought that was common practice. I guess I assumed every business was bonded and insured to cover you but in case you get sued. for instance  a client getting injured or killed on a hunt. If I had a guiding buissenes and was taking in tens of thousands of $$ I would want my assets covered.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I can't even find a biz lisence on dol.  but an insurance policy would b a must for me but it's probably not required.

[bobcat]

I think the business license would be from the county, not the state.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Where is BearPaw ? I am sure he could clear this up real quick 

[norsepeak]

wow, can't believe how much time you guys have wasted worrying about this...anyway, yes we do have to be licensed.  We have to have a permit from the forest service (very hard to get and getting expensive) which requires us to have a large bond, and we have supplemental insurance to cover us in case a client has a health problem or gets injured while hunting with us and we have to have a business license and pay taxes on everything we do.  So we are not getting rich by any stretch of the imagination, in fact anymore if we cover our expenses and make enough to buy a steak and beer at the end of the season, we are doing good.  We just do it because we love to hunt elk and help people hunt elk and have a good time.  We have been lucky enough over the years to help several dis-abled hunters fill their tags, and that has been the most fun.

[bobcat]

So norsepeak, how do you feel about the WDFW issuing statements that it's illegal to call elk unless you have a valid hunting license and tag for that area and season?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Arrest me then, before I was old enough to hunt my dad would let me blow on an elk call out of season when we would go scouting. 

[Curly]

Calling elk in and of itself is not what would make it illegal. What would make it illegal would be calling the elk with the intention of killing (either by yourself or someone else). The purpose is what matters. This also means whether one has a firearm or not is irrelevant.

Well, if one considers calling elk to be harassing the elk, then you wouldn't even need the intent to kill (by yourself or someone else) for it to be considered "hunting".

As Rooster81 pointed out, the legal definition of "hunting" is where they get you:

Good question  Legal definition of hunting:   To Hunt: Any effort to kill, capture, injure, or harass a wild animal or wild bird.

That's all it says. The way I interpret it is if you are calling elk you are trying to harass or capture them for yourself or someone else. I would say it is Illegal to call elk with out a hunting license and tag.[/quote]


In order for calling elk to not be considered illegal, the definition of hunting would need to change.  Or, it would at least need clarified so that some of the folks at wdfw will stop interpreting it like they are.  (I suppose that would mean somebody gets a ticket and takes it to court and the lawyers can argue about the definition of hunting and a judge can rule on it). 

[Curly]

Oh, and if it is illegal to call elk, then they may as well start ticketing all the waterfowl guides as well.     

[bobcat]

Oh, and if it is illegal to call elk, then they may as well start ticketing all the waterfowl guides as well.     

Well, I'd guess that normally a waterfowl guide would have the proper licenses for waterfowl hunting, since most of them are hunters as well.

But how about this scenario- there is an early waterfowl season for kids, right? So any guide, or dad, who is calling ducks and geese for kids during this hunt, would be in violation. Basically they could be cited for hunting out of season, correct?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

How many of us have hunting partners that don't buy a hunting license? This will affect a very small portion of those in the woods this year. 

[buglebuster]

You guys are all over analyzing this, you will never get a ticket for calling for a partner.

[Curly]

You guys are all over analyzing this, you will never get a ticket for calling for a partner.

 

The time to get worked up about it is when someone is actually cited.  I doubt any game warden is actually going to pinch someone on this technicality.  Sure, it would be best if wdfw didn't come out with that email and make that statement about being illegal, but I'm not going to worry about it. 

[Maybee-R]

Im not one to want or look for a way to push the envelope on the laws. For years I thought I played by the book and actually had some sense of pride for it. Now I find out this isnt legal and what? report my self? Ive had help with calling before..and likely will return the favor.
Fight it now. Get the thing in writing so all of us can put it to bed. Overturn the stupid unjust law.

[bobcat]

The thing is calling elk for a friend is NOT illegal. Just because one person interpreted the law that way doesn't make it so.