Thumbs up to the Muks

[RG]

I have been a critic of tribes and their hunting and fishing practices for years. I have twice recently come across tribal biologists from the Muckleshoot tribe while they were involved in mule deer surveys.  I spoke at length to their biologist this week and learned they are spending tens of thousands of dollars in a joint project with WDFW to study mule deer mortality in Washington. WDFW has no funding available to do the study so they stepped up and paid the bill and supplied the people and equipment.  The results have already provided a lot of valuable information that would not have come to light. 

I may not be a fan of tribal hunting and fishing practices in our state but I absolutely have to give them credit for their commitment to this effort which will benefit all mule deer hunters in Washington.

I think it is important to give credit where credit is due sometimes.

[Taco280AI]

  If you're going to call someone out when they mess up or do wrong need to do the same when they do well

[RG]

If you're going to call someone out when they mess up or do wrong need to do the same when they do well

thank you

[Eli346]

 

[buckfvr]

I hope you have contact info for the tribes bio so you/we can hopefully get an accurate accounting of what was determined.........maybe find out some things we wont hear about after wdfw edits for content.

[CAMPMEAT]

The tribes do better than our WDFW because, they CAN, do something about something. Unlike our WDFW, that has to go through Conservation Northwest and all of the other liberals monies to get an OK to do anything about anything. I have never bitched about the tribal seasons, or anything else, because we weren't here when any treaty was signed.

[bigtex]

Guess I'll be the devil's advocate on this one. Obviously since we're talking mule deer this is on the eastside. Up until a couple years ago the Muckleshoot's couldn't even hunt the eastside until they petitioned WDFW and were granted the opportunity on the eastside. This royally pissed off the Yakama Tribe which supposedly is looking at suing WDFW and the Muckleshoots. So it's just hard for me to really be "happy" the Muckleshoot's are doing anything on the eastside, ya it's great their doing bio work, but realistically they shouldn't because they should stick to their historically ceded areas, and not "new" areas. Also, just to let you guys know, the Muckleshoots have shot some Bighorn Sheep on the eastside...

[lewy]

They have got plenty of money to spend, no doubt. I wish they would police there own bad apples with some of it......

[GUscottie]

Guess I'll be the devil's advocate on this one. Obviously since we're talking mule deer this is on the eastside. Up until a couple years ago the Muckleshoot's couldn't even hunt the eastside until they petitioned WDFW and were granted the opportunity on the eastside. This royally pissed off the Yakama Tribe which supposedly is looking at suing WDFW and the Muckleshoots. So it's just hard for me to really be "happy" the Muckleshoot's are doing anything on the eastside, ya it's great their doing bio work, but realistically they shouldn't because they should stick to their historically ceded areas, and not "new" areas. Also, just to let you guys know, the Muckleshoots have shot some Bighorn Sheep on the eastside...

Due to my profession...I spoke to a kid who shot two in one year with one shot. Got me pretty upset. But he "paid his fee to the tribe" and that was that, no further repercussion and he and his dad kept the two rams.

Sorry to thread jack.

I also agree that I'm glad to see they're paying to study mortality and such, but it frustrates me when they're hunting in areas that they had never hunted before the recent permission.

[huntnphool]

I spoke at length to their biologist this week and learned they are spending tens of thousands of dollars in a joint project with WDFW to study mule deer mortality in Washington.

  They really need a study? Have them set up tents at each entrance into the Entiat on December 1st, and count how many bucks are trucked out of there until their antlers drop, that should give them a good start.

WDFW has no funding available

No balls either!

How about diverting some of their wolf recovery cash.

[vandeman17]

I spoke at length to their biologist this week and learned they are spending tens of thousands of dollars in a joint project with WDFW to study mule deer mortality in Washington.

  They really need a study? Have them set up tents at each entrance into the Entiat on December 1st, and count how many bucks are trucked out of there until their antlers drop, that should give them a good start.

WDFW has no funding available

I was going to mention the same thing. Easy to do a winter "study" that way. Might also just follow the tire tracks and tennis shoe prints to the gut piles next to the roads.

[chinookie23]

Guess I'll be the devil's advocate on this one. Obviously since we're talking mule deer this is on the eastside. Up until a couple years ago the Muckleshoot's couldn't even hunt the eastside until they petitioned WDFW and were granted the opportunity on the eastside. This royally pissed off the Yakama Tribe which supposedly is looking at suing WDFW and the Muckleshoots. So it's just hard for me to really be "happy" the Muckleshoot's are doing anything on the eastside, ya it's great their doing bio work, but realistically they shouldn't because they should stick to their historically ceded areas, and not "new" areas. Also, just to let you guys know, the Muckleshoots have shot some Bighorn Sheep on the eastside...

Due to my profession...I spoke to a kid who shot two in one year with one shot. Got me pretty upset. But he "paid his fee to the tribe" and that was that, no further repercussion and he and his dad kept the two rams.

Sorry to thread jack.

I also agree that I'm glad to see they're paying to study mortality and such, but it frustrates me when they're hunting in areas that they had never hunted before the recent permission.

The young man that shot 2 sheep did get a big fine (4 digit fine) from the tribal court along with his cousin who was with him. They also had there hunting rights taken away for 2 years and 1 of them also got hit with being a felon in posession of a firearm. They didnt shoot 2 rams, 1 was a yew which they didnt get to keep.

As far as them hunting over on the eastside. the Muckleshoots hunted anywhere in the state until the Buchanan decision. Then they had to show anthropological evidence of them being over there and hunting which they did. So they werent actually given permission to hunt over there.
As far as the mortality study goes. They along witht he state are trying to find out why the deer herd isnt recovering like it should be being that it is closed for harvesting does. Is it hair loss, predators, poaching, low pregnancy rates ...... nobody knows hence the study. I hope somebody figures it out so the herd can rebound like we all want it too. thats what i know...... which isnt much i know.

[huntnphool]

Is it hair loss, predators, poaching, low pregnancy rates ...... nobody knows hence the study.

Nobody knows huh? How convenient that you left out the slaughter of mature bucks after December 1st!

[j_h_nimrod]

The tribes do better than our WDFW because, they CAN, do something about something. Unlike our WDFW, that has to go through Conservation Northwest and all of the other liberals monies to get an OK to do anything about anything. I have never bitched about the tribal seasons, or anything else, because we weren't here when any treaty was signed.

Neither were they...

[mossback91]

The tribes do better than our WDFW because, they CAN, do something about something. Unlike our WDFW, that has to go through Conservation Northwest and all of the other liberals monies to get an OK to do anything about anything. I have never bitched about the tribal seasons, or anything else, because we weren't here when any treaty was signed.

Neither were they...

  I agree with nimrod.......Equal rights my a** Sorry but this crap gets old........

[ICEMAN]

RG, sorry, but I am not inclined to give the muks credit. They are attempting to lay claim to a hunting heritage based upon showing "anthropological evidence" that they hunted there in the past, at the same time as they discredit the anthropological evidence that Kennewick man predated all tribes of this state. They argue that they were here first, therefore nobody that follows can have the same privilege.

They claim not to know why deer or elk herds are in decline? Really? We do not need a casino funded tribal biologist to come to his grand conclusion that mule deer are Indian property and that white man should stop hunting them so that they can be harvested by "natives" in sweat pants  and t-shirts, for ancient tribal ceremonies and so they can sell jerky on Craigs list; and enter antler competitions at sportsman shows.

Sorry, not going to give them credit for anything.

If I were king I would break these treaties and allow the tribes the privilege of competing for work, paying taxes, and standing in line with the rest of us, not going to the front. I surely will not give them any credit where it is not deserved.

[TheKid#10]

    Amen.

[Special T]

All those negative thing May be true. And Perhaps the Mucks  are not cleans as the wind driven snow.

That said In my estimation a real man owns up to his mistakes, and gives credit when & where its due. 

[elkfins]

I have been a critic of tribes and their hunting and fishing practices for years. I have twice recently come across tribal biologists from the Muckleshoot tribe while they were involved in mule deer surveys.  I spoke at length to their biologist this week and learned they are spending tens of thousands of dollars in a joint project with WDFW to study mule deer mortality in Washington. WDFW has no funding available to do the study so they stepped up and paid the bill and supplied the people and equipment.  The results have already provided a lot of valuable information that would not have come to light. 

I may not be a fan of tribal hunting and fishing practices in our state but I absolutely have to give them credit for their commitment to this effort which will benefit all mule deer hunters in Washington.

I think it is important to give credit where credit is due sometimes.

Considering how the muck's have opposed the Puget sound marked selective summer Chinook fishery in MA9 & 10, their "subsistence" commercial fishery of sockeye outside the locks, the maze of nets in the Duwamish every year, and pretty much their whole approach to hunting and fishing,  I have a hard time being anywhere happy about this.
What do you think they are going to want in "exchange" for their funding and work on this project?

As far as I'm concerned, the mucks can go to hell.

[boneaddict]

I like the idea of this thread, and giving them credit for them for doing something good, but lets face it.   They bought a free pass to annihilate what is left.   Do you think they are doing this for goodwill?   Really?   Your WDFW said basically go ahead and have free reighn on the animals you have to apply your whole life to hunt.   How many Mucks do you think historically came over here and hunted?

[CAMPMEAT]

The tribes do better than our WDFW because, they CAN, do something about something. Unlike our WDFW, that has to go through Conservation Northwest and all of the other liberals monies to get an OK to do anything about anything. I have never bitched about the tribal seasons, or anything else, because we weren't here when any treaty was signed.

Neither were they...

The ball is in their court and we know they won't attempt to change anything that's in their favor. And the corrupt gubmint is too chicken sh17 to do anything about anything.......

[stevemiller]

Wait, I hunted here before as well(every year for almost 30 years in WA.) does that meen that now I have the RIGHTS to hunt anywhere anytime in WA. State?

[chinookie23]

Is it hair loss, predators, poaching, low pregnancy rates ...... nobody knows hence the study.

Nobody knows huh? How convenient that you left out the slaughter of mature bucks after December 1st!

were talking about the muckleshoots here NOT the yakamas. the mucks have tags and all animals are accounted for.

RG, sorry, but I am not inclined to give the muks credit. They are attempting to lay claim to a hunting heritage based upon showing "anthropological evidence" that they hunted there in the past, at the same time as they discredit the anthropological evidence that Kennewick man predated all tribes of this state. They argue that they were here first, therefore nobody that follows can have the same privilege.

They claim not to know why deer or elk herds are in decline? Really? We do not need a casino funded tribal biologist to come to his grand conclusion that mule deer are Indian property and that white man should stop hunting them so that they can be harvested by "natives" in sweat pants  and t-shirts, for ancient tribal ceremonies and so they can sell jerky on Craigs list; and enter antler competitions at sportsman shows.

Sorry, not going to give them credit for anything.

If I were king I would break these treaties and allow the tribes the privilege of competing for work, paying taxes, and standing in line with the rest of us, not going to the front. I surely will not give them any credit where it is not deserved.

muckleshoot also does not allow the sale of game animals or their parts of animals. I also know one of them that just mailed his check off to the IRS for the taxes he owes.

Bottom line is muckleshoot does manage the herds that they hunt on. more so than WDFW and they pay for studies and do other things to try and help the herds rebound. not harvesting does and cows where the herds cannot handle it is just 1 example another is limiting the amount of animals thier hunters can harvest. they dont have 1 guy killing 10-20 bull elk or deer......

[RG]

My original point is I've been a critic of tribal hunting and fishing practices but the Muks don't have to spend their money, manpower, and equipment to help WDFW with this. They are doing it and I appreciate that point. The research will benefit us all. The hunting and fishing, like wolves in Washington, are a fact of life for the foreseeable future and we should work together on those issues. I choose to see there is some good in it too. Im that way about things, everything isn't always just doom and gloom, sometimes the sun shines where I live.

[bigtex]

they dont have 1 guy killing 10-20 bull elk or deer......

I don't think Bruce Richards who has been the WDFW Officer in Enumclaw for over 40 years would agree with you....

[chinookie23]

LMFAO Bruce Richards. He has been chasing the muckleshoots his whole career. Time for him to retire now and let the younger guys take over  maybe they can catch them...... kool dude though.

[lewy]

  I'm sure he has had a frustrating career trying to do his job with his hands tied behind his back. Like I said earlier, any good the smucks are "doing" is far out weighed by the bad, esp. in the units hunted by numerous tribes basically unregulated. This is the same old dead horse, but ill beat it

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

The Muks have the resources to help fish and wildlife. From what I have seen with my own two eyes with what some of the Muks do. I wouldn't hold my breath.....