Scattering Elk Herds before the Hunt

[Special T]

probably PETA. 

Actually, that is not too far outside the realm of possibility. 

One way to find out is to use the Freedom of Information Act. If it is a government agency that is doing this, there was an expenditure of public funds at some, if not all levels.  Be it the lease or rental of aircraft, or the flight time & fuel of a department owned aircraft, it is all public money, and all open to disclosure if requested.

Making a request requires that the agency respond to the request and if they fail, there are actions that can be taken against them.

FOIA must be very specific in order to get a responce and cost $50 or something like that...

It is highly likely that it is some one other than the WDFW. 

About 10 years ago Peta got in thier inflatable zodiak and ran around the skagit river delta to protect the ducks from hunters by scaring them away. Unfortunatly for these mental midgets they went out on a calm day and drove through all the resting birds in the slews and refudge. Hunters were gift wrapped with early limits on an otherwise slow day of hunting.

It is my oppinion that whitnessed nefarious actions are likely the result of some bunny hugger operation, OR a private individual hazing animals for some reason.

[woodswalker]

I've asked WDFW local biologists and enforcement about this issue in the past.  They get downright offended by any suggestion they have scattered herds before the modern season.

These are the same bios who are PROUD of making sure hunters dont get a crack at the migrating mulies in the Methow....

[Goldy79]

Hmmm. I've heard quite a bit of large caliber rifle's during archery season in the Rimrock. Bummer somebody is getting noisy for you modern folks but that's life! Best of luck.

[Blacktail Sniper]

probably PETA. 

Actually, that is not too far outside the realm of possibility. 

One way to find out is to use the Freedom of Information Act. If it is a government agency that is doing this, there was an expenditure of public funds at some, if not all levels.  Be it the lease or rental of aircraft, or the flight time & fuel of a department owned aircraft, it is all public money, and all open to disclosure if requested.

Making a request requires that the agency respond to the request and if they fail, there are actions that can be taken against them.

FOIA must be very specific in order to get a responce and cost $50 or something like that...

It is highly likely that it is some one other than the WDFW. 

About 10 years ago Peta got in thier inflatable zodiak and ran around the skagit river delta to protect the ducks from hunters by scaring them away. Unfortunatly for these mental midgets they went out on a calm day and drove through all the resting birds in the slews and refudge. Hunters were gift wrapped with early limits on an otherwise slow day of hunting.

It is my oppinion that whitnessed nefarious actions are likely the result of some bunny hugger operation, OR a private individual hazing animals for some reason.

That is not exactly correct.

Yes , it helps with specific dates, times, people, location, etc. but regardless, all FOIA requests MUST be responded to, in I believe 5 days or so. If not, there are very real monetary penalties that you can get from them for failing to respond.

It may take a little foot work, but for example, a request for any air flights by or for WDFW for example on such & such dates in whatever county, GMU, etc will be a solid starting point.

As for costs, I have not done this for a few years, but the request for the information and their response does not cost any more than a stamp and envelope to mail the request...now, if you want copies of their response, be it one page or 100, then yes, there usually a per page charge.

However, I believe you can request to come in and view the documents for free if you are willing to put in the time, then only pay for any copies you want, if any at all.

[Band]

I've asked WDFW local biologists and enforcement about this issue in the past.  They get downright offended by any suggestion they have scattered herds before the modern season.

I'll go toe to toe with any WDFW employee who claims they haven't done this.  Years ago when I hunted the Bethel unit for modern firearm elk (before it went spike only) they spent a significant amount of time chasing the herd from huntable land to the off limits feeding station land the day before the opener.  The snow was piling up and elk were all over the place.  After the helicopter work they were scarce opening day.  I believe the stories that many of you apparently do not believe because I've seen it first hand.

[Jonathan_S]

I don't doubt the veracity of it happening where big herds abound.

However, some guy tried telling me they do this in the NE     yeah because they have to break up those enormous herds that are so easy to find.