Organized Boycott of Elk tag purchase due to private timber access permits

[AKBowman]

It's now or never. We shouldn't have to wait or depend upon our private organizations such as WFW to do this for us, this needs to be done by WDFW and they are NOT LISTENING. The only way to make them listen is to take away more revenue than Weyco provides them. WE NEED A LOBBYIST TO PASS THE LAW OF HIGHER TAXATION RATES FOR PRIVATE TIMBER COMPANIES THAT CHARGE THE PUBLIC FOR LAND ACCESS FEES.

Would you be willing to forego one season for the greater good of Elk hunting in Wa State?

If we can organize an effective boycott on here my vote is YES

[MADMAX]

Weyerhauser is selective on their access policies, over 25 years we hunted St Helens tree farm, its has slowly slipped away a little at a time.
no camping,no driving, walk- in only, fire danger,vandalism,trash dumping, meth labs, lets fix it with patrols, gates, eyes in the woods, etc.
if it were truly managed correctly like a national forest I guess it would be better.
it just seems like it sure has gone downhill

[RClare1223]

if the national forest in managed correctly then why do we feel the need to hunt weyco lands? if you really want to boycott elk hunting to make it work you would need to get everyone to boycott permit sales to. hit them both in the wallet and they will listen. I have been saying this for years that we all need to band together and stick with it and boycott all hunting to get license fees down. but to do it we have to get the whole state together.

[washelkhunter]

I would be happy to lobby on behalf of WFW.

[fireweed]

Weyerhauser is working up the details of the new St. Helens tree farm permit system right now.  This is confirmed information.  I did vote "yes" but I don't think the WDFW legally take a position on a property tax change.  That is the job of our state representatives.  Everyone needs to contact their reps before the legislative session starts in January and demand that the property tax shift be adjusted:  timber companies that charge access pay on a higher "current use value" than those that have free and unlimited non-motorized access.  Other states do it this way, why can't we? 

[pianoman9701]

I would not forgo purchasing my elk tag for this purpose. The WDFW has nothing to do with setting taxation laws. As a matter of fact, they would not take a stance of whether or not we should change the tax structure if asked to testify in a congressional hearing to do so. If you want to take real action about this issue, Join WFW and start getting involved in Region 5, where we're currently developing plans to 1. approach Weyerhauser regarding their reasons for implementing pay-to-play policies on their land, and 2. If necessary, convince a group of legislators to sponsor legislation to change the current tax structure for companies who don't offer their timber lands for open general public recreation use.

Without a statement from Weyerhauser which outlines their reasons for implementing pay-to-play, we're putting the cart in front of the horse. If the reason they're doing this is because of current vandalism and littering, the concerned hunting community may have to take an active part in helping the timber companies with policing and clean-up. A cooperative effort may convince them to back off. However, if we find that they're unwilling to work with a concerned hunting community and that the pay-to-play is set in stone, it would be appropriate at that time to seek legislative satisfaction through a change in how timberlands are currently being taxed, especially those lands not being actively logged. The current taxation system has been in place for over 40 years and may well need to be changed.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Weyerhauser is working up the details of the new St. Helens tree farm permit system right now.  This is confirmed information.  I did vote "yes" but I don't think the WDFW legally take a position on a property tax change.  That is the job of our state representatives.  Everyone needs to contact their reps before the legislative session starts in January and demand that the property tax shift be adjusted:  timber companies that charge access pay on a higher "current use value" than those that have free and unlimited non-motorized access.  Other states do it this way, why can't we?

[scout/sniper]

Funny that you mention not counting on WFW.
I haven't seen you at a single meeting, or contributing to any workgroups.
Knee-jerk reactions and rash proposals are not the answer.
Finding the real motivation behind their actions and working towards mutually beneficial solutions is the right approach.

[dartondude]

If y'all wanna boycott the elk season - its fine with me 

[Don Fischer]

Let's see if I get this. Either Weyerhaeuser accommodate us or we boycott to get their tax's raised?  Is this a joke? Not funny. Let's see, if anti hunter's say we either operate by their rules or they boycott to get firearms tax's raised, that alright with you? Weyeerhaeuser own's their land. Why not pull the same crap on all the farmers/rancher's that don't let you hunt?

[Biggerhammer]

Let's see if I get this. Either Weyerhaeuser accommodate us or we boycott to get their tax's raised?  Is this a joke? Not funny. Let's see, if anti hunter's say we either operate by their rules or they boycott to get firearms tax's raised, that alright with you? Weyeerhaeuser own's their land. Why not pull the same crap on all the farmers/rancher's that don't let you hunt?

This is great. How about we all don't buy Elk tags until every No Tresspassing sign in the state is removed and we all get free run of the place? Some peoples children.

Almost has the same stench as the current administration ramming health care down our throats.

[bigtex]

I would not forgo purchasing my elk tag for this purpose. The WDFW has nothing to do with setting taxation laws. As a matter of fact, they would not take a stance of whether or not we should change the tax structure if asked to testify in a congressional hearing to do so. If you want to take real action about this issue, Join WFW and start getting involved in Region 5, where we're currently developing plans to 1. approach Weyerhauser regarding their reasons for implementing pay-to-play policies on their land, and 2. If necessary, convince a group of legislators to sponsor legislation to change the current tax structure for companies who don't offer their timber lands for open general public recreation use.

 
WDFW has NOTHING to do with taxes. If you have a problem with taxes contact your state legislator.

[Ice Cap]

Be careful what you wish for.
If their tax rate is raised because they charge for access, they will not quit charging. They will completely eliminate public access!

[Heredoggydoggy]

A few years ago, I met a timber company employee at a chunk of timber company owned property in 113, and he said all their land was open for hunting, but not open to drive on.  No problem--I parked on the county road and walked in anyway.  shortly after that, I was at my rig at the end of the day, and heard a jeep crunching over the berms on one of the timber company roads.  I thought then that it wouldn't be long before all the timber company land was posted closed at that rate....

[pianoman9701]

Be careful what you wish for.
If their tax rate is raised because they charge for access, they will not quit charging. They will completely eliminate public access!

So that would be different from now how? They're going completely to pay-to-play. We've lost public access to their lands. Either we convince them to change their policies or we convince the legislators to change their tax structure.