Contact Your State Senators and Reps - Skagit River Elk Culling

[pianoman9701]

For those who don't know, the State has culled 15 elk in the Skagit River Unit without the use of hunters. Please contact your state senators and representatives to request that they receive an accounting for this from the DFW. To find who your legislator is, go here:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

Here's what I sent to Senator Benton. I urge you to write your own email or letter, but at the very least, copy and paste mine to send out. Mark the email "Priority" or "Urgent". If you do copy and paste mine, make sure that the middle paragraph applies to you specifically. Thanks for your support.
PMan

"Good morning Don,

As you may or may not know, Elk season is upon us. Hunters across the state are hoping to fill elk tags to feed their families.

Something very disturbing happened last week. The state Department of Fish & Wildlife hired gunners to cull 15 elk in the Skagit River area. The elk were shot at night and the culling was not publicized. These elk should've been killed by hunters, the people who pay the bills for the WDFW and have purchased tags for elk. That area has an elk over-population problem and the farmers there are very eager to work with hunters to help with this problem.

Several years ago, the Master Hunter program was started to address these specific issues - positive landowner/hunter interaction to resolve problem animal issues. As a Master Hunter candidate, I put in countless hours of study and conservation work to achieve the certification. Since receiving my Master Hunter certification, I continue to work conservation projects to keep my certification current and take pride in the fact that I'm a safe and ethical hunter, focused on giving hunting a positive public profile and habitat improvement for the good of our citizens AND abundant wildlife. I don't care as much that Master Hunters weren't used to perform this service, although that's specifically what the program is designed to do. I do care that ALL of our state's hunters were kept completely out of it.

This action was done in secret. No one in the hunting community was notified. The DFW is out of control and it's clear that they're not interested in supporting the sportsmen who support them. I urge you to look into this immediately for the good of our hunters and our wildlife. Thank you and please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss this PRESSING ISSUE.
John"

[Widgeondeke]

I just wrote my reps from district 44

Will see what they have.to say

[pianoman9701]

 

[CP]

Sent, and to the Governor as well.

[hntrspud]

Done 

[mulehunter]

Thank you, Got Email sent. 

[pianoman9701]

Sent, and to the Governor as well.

Good idea. Hadn't thought about that.

Any of you union guys out there? Maybe it's time to call in your favors from the governor for electing him. Just sayin'.

[mulehunter]

 

[huntnphool]

 

[mulehunter]

I heard there is a Commissioner office meeting in MT Vernon at 1:30 discuss about it..    I am not 100% sure.

[pianoman9701]

Dear Governor Inslee,

I write to you today about the culling of 15 elk in the Skagit River area of our state. This was done in the night, by either state or federal shooters to ease the elk depredation problems being experienced by farmers in that area. Why wasn't this done by our state's hunters? Why didn't the Department of Fish & Wildlife stand up for us and issue permits to licensed hunters instead of doing this the way they did? It is hunting season and there is no viable reason that this shouldn't have been done by hunters.

I'm a Master Hunter for the state. I studied many hours, have worked countless volunteer hours to improve habitat for our state's wildlife, have proven my skills in shooting, and teach Hunter Education. The Master Hunter program was designed, among other things, to address landowner/wildlife conflict by sending Master Hunters in to harass or cull problem animals. The fact that the DFW did not use Master Hunters or any other licensed elk hunters to alleviate these problems shows an extreme lack of judgment and an indication of a larger problem within the DFW; they are not focused on wildlife issues and on the people who pay a large prtion of their bills - the state's 175,000 hunters.

Governor Inslee, I implore you to have your staff look into this incident and get to the bottom of it. Although I realize that our wildlife needs volunteerism to help improve habitat and keep our wildlife abundant, I can't sit by a watch our DFW thumb their noses at us while they concentrate only on seafood and shellfish issues. I'm beginning to think that my participation in the Master Hunter program is a one way street - to benefit the image of the WDFW and provide for them my free labor. All of the state's hunters, not just us Master Hunters, are being snubbed and we're getting angry about it.

I hope that our state's wildlife is as important to you as it is to me and other hunter conservationists. The wildlife needs us and our concern and our volunteer work. Please support us and our efforts and get to the bottom of this incident in particular, and this prevailing attitude on the part of the DFW administration, in general. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
John Wallace
Master Hunter

[Bob33]

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Skagit-farmers-ask-for-help-from-marauding-elk-220586981.html

[mulehunter]

If I am the land owner, I would let a lot of hunters hunt my land to thinn out Elk Herd.

 

[CP]

There is a meeting tomorrow in Mount Vernon that is very pertinent to this issue.  If you can please attend and support our hunting opportunities.

Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee Special Meeting in Mt Vernon

http://kirkpearson.src.wastateleg.org/senate-natural-resources-and-parks-committee-to-hold-special-meeting-in-mount-vernon/


On Tuesday, Oct. 29, a special meeting of the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee will be held at the Skagit County Commission hearing room in Mount Vernon. Topics of discussion will include hunter-education programs, road closures on state natural-resource lands and an update on the management of the North Cascades elk herd. Each topic will include testimony from relevant state-agency personnel; the latter portion of the meeting will feature an opportunity for public comment.

Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, chairs the committee and encourages anyone interested to attend the meeting and provide public testimony on the topics being addressed in the meeting, or any issue relating to the state’s natural resources.

“Residents of the Skagit Valley are passionate about natural-resource issues with good cause – this is one of the most beautiful and diverse areas of the state.” Pearson said. “This meeting is a unique opportunity for residents of our area to take part in forming public policy by speaking directly with legislators and state officials without traveling to Olympia. I hope those interested will join us and share their thoughts.”
Details about the meeting can be found below. Recognizing that some will not be able to attend in person, Pearson also encouraged interested parties to share their thoughts on the topics with him via email at Kirk.Pearson@leg.wa.gov or by phone in Olympia at (360) 786-7676.

[mulehunter]

There is a meeting tomorrow in Mount Vernon that is very pertinent to this issue.  If you can please attend and support our hunting opportunities.

Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee Special Meeting in Mt Vernon

http://kirkpearson.src.wastateleg.org/senate-natural-resources-and-parks-committee-to-hold-special-meeting-in-mount-vernon/


On Tuesday, Oct. 29, a special meeting of the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee will be held at the Skagit County Commission hearing room in Mount Vernon. Topics of discussion will include hunter-education programs, road closures on state natural-resource lands and an update on the management of the North Cascades elk herd. Each topic will include testimony from relevant state-agency personnel; the latter portion of the meeting will feature an opportunity for public comment.

Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, chairs the committee and encourages anyone interested to attend the meeting and provide public testimony on the topics being addressed in the meeting, or any issue relating to the state’s natural resources.

“Residents of the Skagit Valley are passionate about natural-resource issues with good cause – this is one of the most beautiful and diverse areas of the state.” Pearson said. “This meeting is a unique opportunity for residents of our area to take part in forming public policy by speaking directly with legislators and state officials without traveling to Olympia. I hope those interested will join us and share their thoughts.”
Details about the meeting can be found below. Recognizing that some will not be able to attend in person, Pearson also encouraged interested parties to share their thoughts on the topics with him via email at Kirk.Pearson@leg.wa.gov or by phone in Olympia at (360) 786-7676.

Thank you.   

[Blacktail Sniper]

Just sent the following:

 
The following message was sent to Senator Randi Becker (R), Representative Gary Alexander (R) and Representative J.T. Wilcox (R) of the 2nd district.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TO:    Senator Randi Becker 
   
CC:    Representative Gary Alexander
Representative J.T. Wilcox 
   
FROM:    Mr. Dennis ****** 
   
STREET ADDRESS:    ********
   Yelm, WA 98597-8615 
   
EMAIL:    *********
   
PHONE:    (360) *********
   
SUBJECT:    Skagit River area elk culling 
   
MESSAGE:    Good Morning,

As you may or may not know, Elk season is upon us for modern firearm hunters, and early seasons for muzzle-loader and archery hunters have come & gone. Hunters across the state are hoping to fill elk tags to feed their families.

I write to you today about the apparent culling of several elk in the Skagit River area of our state. This was apparently done under the cover of night, by either state and/or federal USDA shooters to ease the elk depredation problems being experienced by farmers in that area.

This apparently is not a new problem:

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Skagit-farmers-ask-for-help-from-marauding-elk-220586981.html

These elk should have been killed, tagged and utilized by Washington State hunters - the people who pay the bills for the WDFW and have purchased their licenses and tags for elk, deer and other hunting & fishing opportunities. Instead, this action was or is apparently being done in secret, hence the lack of apparent publicity, notification. or opportunity for some of the many licensed hunters in the state to put their hat into the ring and help solve this problem.

The WDFW's actions and decisions on handling this issue seem to indicate a clear message that they're not interested in supporting the sportsmen who support them.

I hope that our state's wildlife is as important to you as it is to me and other hunters, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Please support us and our efforts and get to the bottom of this incident in particular, and this apparent attitude on the part of the WDFW administration, in general.

I urge you to look into this immediately for the good of all user groups and our wildlife.

Thank you for your consideration of my comments and concerns.

Dennis ******
 
   
RESPONSE:    Mr. ******* has requested a response to this message. 

[Dhoey07]

The lady said that she would sell the farm to the state.  Why not buy it and set up a feeding station there?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good job ...If it was today I could be there in 10 minutes but I have to work tomorrow since I play hooky today ...But the word is out and hopefully we get some attention .......the hunt needs to begin 

[pianoman9701]

 

[bbarnes]

If you don't like 15 elk getting killed wait until the kill all the hoof rot elk that's next.

[pianoman9701]

If you don't like 15 elk getting killed wait until the kill all the hoof rot elk that's next.

I don't mind elk being killed. I mind when they're healthy and hunters don't get to do it. It seems very counter-intuitive to have federal agents culling healthy elk during elk hunting season, when there are plenty of hunters who would be thrilled to contact a farmer and kill his elk for him.

Hoof rot is another problem altogether and one I'd like to be involved with, if you can help with that. Thanks,
John

[Boss .300 winmag]

The lady said that she would sell the farm to the state.  Why not buy it and set up a feeding station there?

That would just cause more problems. More elk down low, and car vs elk. These elk need hunted hard!

[snowpack]

If you don't like 15 elk getting killed wait until the kill all the hoof rot elk that's next.

I don't mind elk being killed. I mind when they're healthy and hunters don't get to do it. It seems very counter-intuitive to have federal agents culling healthy elk during elk hunting season, when there are plenty of hunters who would be thrilled to contact a farmer and kill his elk for him.

Hoof rot is another problem altogether and one I'd like to be involved with, if you can help with that. Thanks,
John

But WDFW says hoof rot elk are healthy enough to be consumed by hunters and aren't a risk to domestics or other species, so I'd rather they use hunters to at least to do the intial cull of hoof rot animals.  If they weren't fit for consumption or posed some danger to other animals, then I'd not have a problem with the outside agencies.

[KFhunter]

How come ranchers are expected to install special fences, flaggery and get range riders to keep wolves off their product for market......but wheat farmers just have the problem animals gunned down in the middle of the night.

[pianoman9701]

How come ranchers are expected to install special fences, flaggery and get range riders to keep wolves off their product for market......but wheat farmers just have the problem animals gunned down in the middle of the night.

Wolves are protected and elk are not. Make sure you write to your reps about the federal wolf delisting.

[Boss .300 winmag]

How come ranchers are expected to install special fences, flaggery and get range riders to keep wolves off their product for market......but wheat farmers just have the problem animals gunned down in the middle of the night.

How come ranchers are expected to install special fences, flaggery and get range riders to keep wolves off their product for market......but wheat farmers just have the problem animals gunned down in the middle of the night.

Wolves are protected and elk are not. Make sure you write to your reps about the federal wolf delisting.

Wheat farmers have elk gunned down?

[KFhunter]

farmers - does the crop really matter to you that much??   

[Boss .300 winmag]

farmers - does the crop really matter to you that much??   

How come ranchers are expected to install special fences, flaggery and get range riders to keep wolves off their product for market......but wheat farmers just have the problem animals gunned down in the middle of the night.

was thinking that the east side had elk problems as well tearing up wheat crops. 

[KFhunter]

Oh 

Ya there is wildlife conflicts here too, lot's of elk in the hay fields and such.   
I didn't understand your post and thought you were calling me out because I got the wrong crop.


Doesn't matter which side of the state, I don't like the idea of government killing animals when hunters could do it.


I'm actually wishing I had this "problem"   

[snowpack]

farmers - does the crop really matter to you that much??   

How come ranchers are expected to install special fences, flaggery and get range riders to keep wolves off their product for market......but wheat farmers just have the problem animals gunned down in the middle of the night.

was thinking that the east side had elk problems as well tearing up wheat crops. 

pretty sure they do around Hanford.  maybe I'm mistaken

[KFhunter]

lot of it going on in the central wa area

some here too I guess in the river valleys

[Boss .300 winmag]

 

I'm actually wishing I had this "problem"   
[/quote]


yep i dont think they would last long eating my hay stack!