SSS : poll

[pianoman9701]

I would agree with P-mans oppion of "staying beyond approach", however since we do not have ANY support from the WDFW or the politicians i don't think it matters. With out departmental support or Political support hunters either die a slow death or a quick one. Unless there is some kind of ideological change in this state the best we can do is hold the line, we certainly wont make any real gains....

EVEN if some one a mild as Rob Mckenna had been elected GOV he wouldn't likely be overly concerned about hunting and what is going on... We would have a chance, but he would likely be preoccupied with state revenue, budgets, shoots etc. About the best outcome would be to get some REAL sportsman running the WDFW again.

Sorry, but you're way off the mark ST in my opinion. Hunters may only comprise just under 4% of the population, but our activities/sport are currently supported by over 80% of the population. Yes, hunting is supported by a large majority. But, when we make the statements that are being made here, we'll lose that public support. The public has been brain-washed into thinking wolves are good under almost any circumstance. But they also think, as do many hunters, that lawless poachers are bad. Combine the two and give the general public the impression that hunters in general support the illegal killing of those big cuddly critters and you lose much of your non-hunter support, support that's necessary for us to accomplish many other things like a hunting rights amendment.

We'd be much better off educating the public about the downside of the wolf plan than publicly saying "forget it, I'm doing what I want regardless of the law", and making all of us look like extremist poaching wackos.

[Special T]

I guess where we disagree is "public support". Public OPINION may be favorable of hunters but the public does not support us. The public hamstrings us due to ignorance or apathy because peta paints the public a Disney view of nature.

There is a huge disconnect between vocal support and the willingness to do something about it. (active)

I think that this poll shows that there IS a problem... In general when citizens feel like they have some recourse on a problem they work within the system. MOST people don't want to be a criminal or be thought as one... Until they are ignored, maligned, and lied to. Mind you there are MANY other instances in history where people rattled their pitchforks against the laws to facilitate change. 

[trophyhunt]

I guess where we disagree is "public support". Public OPINION may be favorable of hunters but the public does not support us. The public hamstrings us due to ignorance or apathy because peta paints the public a Disney view of nature.

There is a huge disconnect between vocal support and the willingness to do something about it. (active)

I think that this poll shows that there IS a problem... In general when citizens feel like they have some recourse on a problem they work within the system. MOST people don't want to be a criminal or be thought as one... Until they are ignored, maligned, and lied to. Mind you there are MANY other instances in history where people rattled their pitchforks against the laws to facilitate change. 

The poll does show what most think, I'm a little surprised of the number of guys who would turn in their fellow hunter on a wolf? 

[pianoman9701]

I guess where we disagree is "public support". Public OPINION may be favorable of hunters but the public does not support us. The public hamstrings us due to ignorance or apathy because peta paints the public a Disney view of nature.

There is a huge disconnect between vocal support and the willingness to do something about it. (active)

I think that this poll shows that there IS a problem... In general when citizens feel like they have some recourse on a problem they work within the system. MOST people don't want to be a criminal or be thought as one... Until they are ignored, maligned, and lied to. Mind you there are MANY other instances in history where people rattled their pitchforks against the laws to facilitate change. 

According to statistics I've read, you're incorrect. And, PETA is the group that most see as extremist, not hunters. This poll is skewed and has nothing to do with the public support of hunters. It has only to do with hunters' perception of that support and about what they should do about it with regards to the wolf plan.

[KFhunter]

FYI

hunting is making a comeback in the greenie tree hugger crowd.  Sustainable, non-gmo, no vaccines etc etc etc

[Special T]

According to statistics I've read, you're incorrect. And, PETA is the group that most see as extremist, not hunters. This poll is skewed and has nothing to do with the public support of hunters. It has only to do with hunters' perception of that support and about what they should do about it with regards to the wolf plan.

I agree with you that this poll reflects how HUNTERS feel. IMO it reflects how HUNTERS are not getting ACTIVE support from the 80% of the population that say they support us, and if its OK to take matters into their own hands.

Often times in Polls there is a large disconnect between what people say and what they are willing to actually do. If 80% of people supported hunters we would still have hound hunting, trapping, and a wildlife council full of sportmen that reflect those who foot the bill for conservation. Unfortunately none of things are a reality, so 80% of the public SAY they support hunters but obviously there isn't a lot of follow through.  THAT was my point.


"The public hamstrings us due to ignorance or apathy because peta paints the public a Disney view of nature."
This is my WAG as to WHY the public takes no action, but i have no real proof. I would wage money on apethy because very few people are affect by the issue of wolves.

[pianoman9701]

OK. So make sure you pi$$ off the final remaining support we have by broadcasting that we're going to illegally shoot wolves on sight "no matter what anyone says." I'm sure that will help hunting's future.

In my opinion, hunters, their apathy, and inability to come together for a common goal are a big part of the reason we lost hounding and baiting. Had all the hunting groups in our state joined in solidarity, we'd have beaten that initiative. They didn't and we lost. And, we're still blaming someone else for the loss. 

I get where you're coming from ST, I just don't think it's productive. A negative profile will only ever hurt our sport.

[Curly]

The poll does show what most think, I'm a little surprised of the number of guys who would turn in their fellow hunter on a wolf?

I'm surprised as well.  I think the number was a little higher a few years ago when a similar poll was ran, but it is still surprising.  And because of that amount of guys that would turn in a wolf shooter, I'm afraid I will not be able to SSS due to the fact that there are so many of us that would turn in a guy for SSS.  It isn't worth the risk to me to get caught......but I'm glad some are willing to risk it.

[Special T]

As sportsmen we sure havent helped ourself out much by organizing properly and i agree with that statement.

I don't think we disagree as much as you may think. I was just reading the cards as they were laid out, as i see them. It could be that we (sportmen) need to hit rock bottom before we get our act together.  I think we may be nearing that point. On the poll about the new gold panning regs i didn't think i would see that much support for gold panners considering how rabid some fishermen can be.

[KFhunter]

The "would you turn in a wolf poacher" poll showed over 80% of hunters would not turn in a wolf poacher, and that was several years ago I can only assume it's higher now.  WDFW has failed miserably at hunter outreach and transparency on this issue.  Trust has eroded.

I think wolves are bringing hunters together in a common cause, so discussions like these are helping in that regard.  Yes it's too bad there is some dirty laundry bring air'd publically on here, but this forum is a discussion between hunters and I for one won't apologize for saying what I think about it. I can't sit at the table with each one of you and have a discussion over a bottle of beer so I come on here and do it.  CNW and other wolf advocate sites can see what we're thinking, but heck we know what they're thinking too.  I just don't see any meeting in the middle on this one.  They want to end hunting, public grazing and pretty much anything outdoors that isn't human powered and zero impact.

There just isn't any middle ground to be had.  The best course of action is to expose what they're really after and get grass roots sites up and running like Washington for Wildlife.  HW is the voice for hunters Washington wide, so for guys like me there is no better way to air my opinions on the matter.  WDFW reads this stuff but so does 1000's of other hunters.

It's early in the game and the pain hasn't really been felt by Washington hunters as of yet.  Some regional guys see it, but the big majority won't see it until THEIR hunting area gets devastated.

[Curly]

Well, there is no law saying you are required to turn in a poacher.  So, I will probably never turn in a guy that shoots a wolf..........and I have a hard time calling that guy a poacher; technically he is, but I won't call him one.  Also will not turn him in (even if they gave cash rewards or moose permits, I still wouldn't turn in the guy).

[singleshot12]

I f you feel you,your family or livestock is threatened by a wolf pack you HAVE that right to SSS or SSB(shoot,shovel,brag).
Wolves should be considered an invasive species. We are the top preditor so it is natural for us to eliminate a lesser and competitive mammal especially if we feel a sense of danger .

[trophyhunt]

Well, there is no law saying you are required to turn in a poacher.  So, I will probably never turn in a guy that shoots a wolf..........and I have a hard time calling that guy a poacher; technically he is, but I won't call him one.  Also will not turn him in (even if they gave cash rewards or moose permits, I still wouldn't turn in the guy).

amen brother!!

[wence5]

The "would you turn in a wolf poacher" poll showed over 80% of hunters would not turn in a wolf poacher, and that was several years ago I can only assume it's higher now.  WDFW has failed miserably at hunter outreach and transparency on this issue.  Trust has eroded.

I think wolves are bringing hunters together in a common cause, so discussions like these are helping in that regard.  Yes it's too bad there is some dirty laundry bring air'd publically on here, but this forum is a discussion between hunters and I for one won't apologize for saying what I think about it. I can't sit at the table with each one of you and have a discussion over a bottle of beer so I come on here and do it.  CNW and other wolf advocate sites can see what we're thinking, but heck we know what they're thinking too.  I just don't see any meeting in the middle on this one.  They want to end hunting, public grazing and pretty much anything outdoors that isn't human powered and zero impact.

There just isn't any middle ground to be had.  The best course of action is to expose what they're really after and get grass roots sites up and running like Washington for Wildlife.  HW is the voice for hunters Washington wide, so for guys like me there is no better way to air my opinions on the matter.  WDFW reads this stuff but so does 1000's of other hunters.

It's early in the game and the pain hasn't really been felt by Washington hunters as of yet.  Some regional guys see it, but the big majority won't see it until THEIR hunting area gets devastated.

preach it brother!

[hunter399]

I woulnd not turn in anybody for wolf poaching.But i woulnd not shoot a wolf,care about my hunting rights way too much for that.