Salmon, Idaho's 1st Annual Wolf & Coyote Derby, Dec 28-29

[JLS]

that the derby won out in the courtroom also says a lot for Idaho. 

Actually, all it really says is that the Forest Service didn't violate their permitting rules/process.

[bearpaw]

This forum attempts to promote all faucets of the hunting, fishing, and outdoor sports to the public and we get approx. 50,000 unique visitors per month. Because we are more focused on hunting, this is one of the best opportunities we have in the state of Washington to recruit new hunters. Every week I see guys posting on this forum that they are new to the sport and I see many members offering advice and help to many of those asking questions.

As I mentioned before, the Coyote Madness (contest) is one of the most popular topics every year. Other popular topics are the catfishing weekend and the summer picnic. It's these fun activities that will draw people to our ranks, I am amazed that there are people who call themselves hunters who are actually opposed to promoting our sports. However, I will not be discouraged by this, we will continue to have contests on this forum and I actually hope to increase the number of activities that we promote. This will only increase the popularity of our sports, as I mentioned before, the goal should be to involve one million people in Washington in hunting and fishing contests.

If we ever reach that goal, then two million should become the next goal.

[kentrek]

Interesting.. .I can't help in the debate on how to get more support in the hunting industry but I can tell you that in the 6 weeks I spent hunting this year I only seen a hand full of true hunters under 30 years of age...in the next 10 years all my competition will be getting too old for the 45 deg slopes

As much as a like getting away from other hunters we need numbers to keep laws from turning us addicts into outlaws

[kentrek]

I also need to add that this forum is huge for hunting an every state needs one..contests and other outings are just a non digital version of "hunt wa"

Keep up the good work 

[GoPlayOutside]

I Love Idaho!!!

[JLS]

I don't recall saying I was ever opposed to promoting our sport.     However, I don't see it the same as you do so my way must be too pampered.

My original opinion was that the wolf derby would do more harm than good.  I stand behind that.  I don't like derbies in general, and stand behind that too.  I have no desire to make them illegal, but neither will I participate in them for my own idealogical reasons.

I don't care how WDFW markets to hunters.  I can't control that.  I don't care if you promote contests.  I can't control that.  I can control how I represent myself and every other hunter out there when I share with them my passion for hunting and the opportunity to pass that along to my kids.  When parents of my kids' classmates ask me about hunting out of the blue, that tells me that the message is getting across.  When I have acquaintances come up and ask me about hunting out of the blue, that tells me the message is getting across.

It does no good to recruit 100 new hunters via a derby if you alienate 10000 non hunters in the process.

[haus]

Personally believe promoting aspects of hunting such as independence, subsistence, healthy organic diet, supporting local business, license expenses being donated to wildlife conservation, and the locavore movement are far better means to get someone into hunting and/or help them at least understand why you do it, than said wack-a-coyote/wolf events. Bullet points such as these are more familiar and understanding to the urban/suburban non-hunting types, kind of a middle ground so to speak. Key point...I never ever say Sport...ever.

That being said I'm not opposed to the wack-a-coyote/wolf events nor am I concerned that such events burning the ears of anti-hunting individuals are somehow counterproductive in the long term. Just ensure such events proceeds go to a conservation project that helps all wildlife, that'll help keep the fence sitters from leaning towards believing the propaganda from an anti-hunter.

[GoPlayOutside]

JLS...you verbalize your opinion and stand point very well.....you don't need to keep backing it up.

I don't see it as alienating 10,000 (or any so called amount) hunters by recruiting 100 hunters. 

I see it as promoting our sport and heritage to a younger and/or different population.  In a time when our hunting privileges and "times a field" are being sucked out from under us with each passing year, and with the uncontrollable cost increases to do so....this is one route to open this heritage up for more to enjoy and get excited about.

Anti's will always be anti....Haters will Hate....PETA TYPE GROUPS WILL NEVER NEED AMMUNITION! 

You know what got me hooked to Fishing (which in turn got me hooked to the Outdoors and eventually Hunting) when I was 4, 5, and 6 years old?  It was when my Grandpa would take me to Five Mile Lake Park for an annual fishing Derby.  There, I was surrounded by 100's of Kids that were catching fish, and having fun.

[KFhunter]

JLS thinks derby's are unethical.
I think he should try a few out before he passes judgment.

 

What say you JLS?  think you can tilt your chin down a little bit and mingle with the slope heads?  You might like it 

[JLS]

JLS thinks derby's are unethical.
I think he should try a few out before he passes judgment.

 

What say you JLS?  think you can tilt your chin down a little bit and mingle with the slope heads?  You might like it 

Thanks, but no.  I have absolutely no desire to enter a contest that offers prizes and rewards for killing the most or the biggest animals.  For me it is for the meat and/or the love and enjoyment of the hunt.  If I happen to share the experience with a friend or family member, that's a bonus.

There is no chin up here.  My hunts are as blue collar and pedestrian as they come.

[GoPlayOutside]

Well then do your ethical job to control the Predator population when it's out of balance.  Or, don't pass judgement on others that do their job and yours....so that we all can enjoy the future of hunting for Meat.

[JLS]

Well then do your ethical job to control the Predator population when it's out of balance.  Or, don't pass judgement on others that do their job and yours....so that we all can enjoy the future of hunting for Meat.

How do you know I don't?

[GoPlayOutside]

I don't.

But don't tell people you believe that a predator control device is "hurting" the Hunting Heritage.

[JLS]

I'll tell them what I believe, and in this case I think the derby will do/did do much more harm than good.

Some control device, it resulted in zero dead wolves.  It prompted an editorial in the NY Times and will be the impetus for increased fundraising efforts by groups that oppose the killing of wolves.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/opinion/sunday/wolf-haters.html?_r=0

It did (IMO) nothing to raise nationwide awareness about wolf populations and their ability to withstand a high degree of hunting and trapping pressure.  It did nothing to educate the public about the dispersal and growth of wolf populations that show it does not need further protection under the Endangered Species Act.  It did nothing to raise awareness about the habitat work and winter range acquistions across the Rocky Mountains, paid for by hunters, that contribute to the deer and elk herds that support the wolf population.  It did nothing to further educate many of the American public that hunters have paid the way to restore game populations from ground zero, and continue to do so.  It did nothing to educate the public about the North American model of wildlife management and its foundation principles. 

Instead, we "raise awareness" about a disease that is a whole lot more fear mongering than it is reality, and can be avoided by practicing decent hygiene.

[GoPlayOutside]

You have it wrong.

Their goal was not to "educate the public" or "raise awareness".
Their goal was to Kill Predatory animals for the sake of the areas Game Populations.

These days, there seems to be too many "talkers", "educators", "bloggers", "gossipers", "think tanks", etc.
When the rubber meets the road.....Someone needs to actually DO WORK and take action.