Letter Regarding Colockum Elk - The Reel News "The Tribes Killed Elk"

[ICEMAN]

I have never and will never step foot into an indian casino.  I am hoping that others would stop going to them as well.   The cat is out of the bag and as long as they have money they will continue to push for more and more.  

 

[loveipabeer]

I would like to reiterate what NWTFhunter has said. How many of you have sent a letter or email?

Copy, paste and send this letter to somebody.

The tribal hunting abuses of the Colockum elk herd continue to get worse every year.  Recently an article was published by John Fulwiler on “The Reel News”; December 2008 issue.  It has been posted on Hunt Washington in a discussion, and many of us in this State are fed up with the abuses and mis-management of the herd, and would like to see changes ASAP. 

The WDFW appears to be more concerned with political correctness than with trying to right a wrong.  The Yakama Tribe is not working to control hunting abuses on elk in the Colockum.  The WDFW Elk Mgt. statement for the Colockum area indicates that the Yakama Tribe is to assist in the management and share harvest data, etc.  From what I’ve heard, this is not happening. 

Please take the time to read John Fulwiler’s article.  It is indicated that close to 50 branched antlered bulls were harvested by the Yakama’s from the Colockum area in 2008.  The total number of elk harvested by them must be a substantially greater number. 

The Yakama’s website in regard to hunting this area indicates that they are to hunt for sustenance and ceremonial purposes only. 
As taken direct from their website (http://www.ynwildlife.org/pdf/yakamahuntingrights.pdf) 

  “Members of the Yakama Nation, and other tribes, hunt throughout their
ancestral lands in Washington State for the purpose of gathering meat for sustenance and ceremonial purposes. It is not the custom of tribal people to hunt or gather food for sport or leisure, but is instead a traditional and cultural activity that is needed to provide food for funerals, memorials, name givings, food feasts, and family dinners. On the reservation and ceded areas, these laws and rights override the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife.”

We all know that they are more often hunting for trophy elk and very often, selling the antlers for substantial profit.  There are rumors of many of them driving closed roads, hunting on the Game Reserve, and hunting at night.  These activities are clearly; legally, ethically, and morally wrong.

I know that if someone were to document this abuse of treaty rights with video, and slip it to the mass media, there would be huge public outcry.  What also needs to be done, because it sounds to me like the Yakama’s treaty rights in regard to hunting the area will not likely go away; is that WDFW and the Yakama’s need to be forced to sit and come up with a workable, enforceable management plan for that area which will stop the blatant tribal hunting abuses.  Currently, they are threatening this resource for everyone – it is a sickening thought.

Something needs to be done before the herd is completely decimated, and/or someone takes matters into their own hands against these tribal hunters.  We as taxpayers are paying to have that area’s game managed, and currently, the Yakama Tribal hunters are undermining all efforts in a very significant way.  What are your suggestions for solving this problem?  What would you suggest to best draw attention to this issue?

Sincerely,


    Senator Parlette's email address is:  parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov
Here is Phil Anderson's email. director@dfw.wa.gov

[forest cat]

Thanx loveipabeer,
I get so po'ed about this subject! I for one have sent a copy of this letter, with my autograph,
to  Mr. Anderson. There are enough hunters on this forum, that if voiced their opinion, it could keep him busy  formore than just an afternoon.

[bowhuntin]

Writing a letter to Mr. Anderson just doesn't seem like it will have much impact other than making him aware of how we feel about the indian's and their lack of stewardship for the land and animals. This is a federal issue, it was a treaty between the federal government and the tribes not the state and the tribes. The whole situation sucks, just like with the wolves. I just don't see any cooperation or management between the state and tribes for managing our wildlife.

[NWTFhunter]

Writing a letter to Mr. Anderson just doesn't seem like it will have much impact other than making him aware of how we feel about the indian's and their lack of stewardship for the land and animals. This is a federal issue, it was a treaty between the federal government and the tribes not the state and the tribes. The whole situation sucks, just like with the wolves. I just don't see any cooperation or management between the state and tribes for managing our wildlife.

Bowhuntin, but we can not ignore blatant violations when they occur.  If there is solid evidence that the tribes are breaking the law in the the form of over harvest, waste, or illegal means of harvest the WDFW has to do something about it.
If Joe Plumber the hunter witnesses a violation and reports it to WDFW, and SGT Smith shows up and takes a report and doesnt follow up with an investigation, Joe should be on the horn with the WDFW finding out why nothing was done. But I feel that any officer would do what is right and investigate.
I posted earlier that I got a call from one of the WDFW officers the other day and I couldnt take the call...... well he called back today and we had a talk about how the WDFW takes these complaints of tribal hunting violations serious. And that we should report any and all violations immediately.  But he also stated that it is a very political issue to say the least.
And there are people from the WDFW div that have been to this site and read what we are talking about here.

Will anything ever change regarding the treaty rights?  I doubt it. But we cannot sit on our asses when there is a violation that has been documented and think what am I going to do about it... We must speak up and say enough is enough.
Active lobbying through groups such as RMEF to make changes down the road. Using the statement "oh well, I am just going to hunt other states" is not the answer. If you or I enjoy hunting a certain game animal we must do what is right, but not always easy to ensure that there is an opportunity for our children and grandchildren to hunt them.

[WDFW-SUX]

Active lobbying through groups such as RMEF to make changes down the road

 

[bowhuntin]

Writing a letter to Mr. Anderson just doesn't seem like it will have much impact other than making him aware of how we feel about the indian's and their lack of stewardship for the land and animals. This is a federal issue, it was a treaty between the federal government and the tribes not the state and the tribes. The whole situation sucks, just like with the wolves. I just don't see any cooperation or management between the state and tribes for managing our wildlife.

Bowhuntin, but we can not ignore blatant violations when they occur.  If there is solid evidence that the tribes are breaking the law in the the form of over harvest, waste, or illegal means of harvest the WDFW has to do something about it.
If Joe Plumber the hunter witnesses a violation and reports it to WDFW, and SGT Smith shows up and takes a report and doesnt follow up with an investigation, Joe should be on the horn with the WDFW finding out why nothing was done. But I feel that any officer would do what is right and investigate.
I posted earlier that I got a call from one of the WDFW officers the other day and I couldnt take the call...... well he called back today and we had a talk about how the WDFW takes these complaints of tribal hunting violations serious. And that we should report any and all violations immediately.  But he also stated that it is a very political issue to say the least.
And there are people from the WDFW div that have been to this site and read what we are talking about here.

Will anything ever change regarding the treaty rights?  I doubt it. But we cannot sit on our asses when there is a violation that has been documented and think what am I going to do about it... We must speak up and say enough is enough.
Active lobbying through groups such as RMEF to make changes down the road. Using the statement "oh well, I am just going to hunt other states" is not the answer. If you or I enjoy hunting a certain game animal we must do what is right, but not always easy to ensure that there is an opportunity for our children and grandchildren to hunt them.

I am not saying stand around and do nothing. My point was that it is kind of pointless to contact a state organization like the wdfw because there hands are tied because of treaty is with the Federal Gov't. Seems like emails should be directed towards those that the treaty was originally signed with, which is the Feds.
 
I am glad the Game Warden investigates but there isn't much he can do other than document and as long as they are in their ceded areas it isn't illegal for them to shoot animals.

I think the better thing to do rather than lobbying the RMEF, is to contact those that are land managers in the Colockum and get them to close down roads to make it more difficult to do what they do. Not gate roads but kelly hump them so they can't get keys.

[NWTFhunter]

Bowhuntin, that wasnt directed at you.  Sorry if it looked that way.

I agree that we should be sending to the fed as well, need to find a address.
But the state monitors what animals are taken, or are supposed to be informed by the Indians for sound management.

Who do you reccomend in contacting in regards to getting these land owners to work better with us?  I used RMEF as an example to get things rolling. I have never been affiliated with them and not sure what stance they take on this issue. But thought that they would be a good start.

[bowhuntin]

I am not sure but less roads would definetely help stop some of what is happening up there. When I went to school in Ellensburg you could take a drive up there and see hundreds of elk no problem. I am sure that is what makes it so easy for them to harvest so many bulls.

I don't know if it would work but maybe involve the RMEF, MDF or even Kittitas Field and Stream and get volunteers to work hand in hand with the DNR, BLM or Forest Service and get roads closed down to make access harder for them. Some how I don't think gates would work because as others have stated they can get keys to the gates.

[bankwalker]

ill personaly patroll the area with a bench rifle set to shoot out past 700yds. ill shoot out the truck tires of any indians i see. or anyone taking deer or elk out of season.

seems like that would keep them out of the woods after a few dozen tires for pop. id rather see the deer and elk rot in the woods then to see them f'd *censored*s get thier hands on them. 

everyone says SSS to wolves. hell they are nothing compared to the indians and them taking animals just because they can.

well i can shoot out tires well...because hell i can. ill play the game on my terms and my rules.

[GoPlayOutside]

Sounds good to me.  Letters and complaints to Politicians haven't, and are not going to cut it.  Small rallies by a few "Gun Lovin Cowboys" isn't going to cut it either.  It's going to take a small shootout for the politicians and media to give a rip.

Pop some tires....

[bankwalker]

Sounds good to me.  Letters and complaints to Politicians haven't, and are not going to cut it.  Small rallies by a few "Gun Lovin Cowboys" isn't going to cut it either.  It's going to take a small shootout for the politicians and media to give a rip.

Pop some tires....

thats the only way i see to get some real attention to it. if not the killing of the animals. but why there are people shooting out indian tires. and if someone has to go down for the shooting of tires which is only a misdenmeanor(sp) at best then so be it.

this is not about indians hunting. they are poaching and they know it. just becuase thier laws state they can kill animals when ever doesnt mean anything. taking 48 branched antler bulls from the colockum herd is rediculous. and that doesnt even count the animals taken from teanaway, teanum, the rest of neanum, manastash, nile etc etc etc.

i know a couple indians personaly from the muckleshoot tribe that hunt stampede and they take 3 cows and 2 bulls every year. doesnt seem like much compared what other indian groups are taking but when it in a unit that is already whiped out then yes its alot.

[GoPlayOutside]

It's sad and pisses me off horribly when I go to work during the fall.  My buddies, family, and I talk about our spike hunts in the Colockum, or our muley hunts that are too crowded.  Then our two Tulalip Indian subcontractors tell us about their 4 6x6 bulls that they killed (by driving on the roads around Stampede).  All 4 were killed one week before the season opened for the rest of us. 
Then, we go out and bust our ass hiking for archery bucks in early December....and they tell us about the 5 big bucks they killed with their rifles in late December.
Well, I'm done hiring those "Land Raping" MF'ers.

[bowhuntin]

Sounds good to me.  Letters and complaints to Politicians haven't, and are not going to cut it.  Small rallies by a few "Gun Lovin Cowboys" isn't going to cut it either.  It's going to take a small shootout for the politicians and media to give a rip.

Pop some tires....

thats the only way i see to get some real attention to it. if not the killing of the animals. but why there are people shooting out indian tires. and if someone has to go down for the shooting of tires which is only a misdenmeanor(sp) at best then so be it.

this is not about indians hunting. they are poaching and they know it. just becuase thier laws state they can kill animals when ever doesnt mean anything. taking 48 branched antler bulls from the colockum herd is rediculous. and that doesnt even count the animals taken from teanaway, teanum, the rest of neanum, manastash, nile etc etc etc.

i know a couple indians personaly from the muckleshoot tribe that hunt stampede and they take 3 cows and 2 bulls every year. doesnt seem like much compared what other indian groups are taking but when it in a unit that is already whiped out then yes its alot.

That may be a way to get their attention, but I bet the stupid prosecutor would try to nail you with domestic violence or something really serious like they like to do to people. A domestic violence charge, only being a misdemeanor will cost you your right to bear arms.

[WDFW-SUX]

It's sad and pisses me off horribly when I go to work during the fall.  My buddies, family, and I talk about our spike hunts in the Colockum, or our muley hunts that are too crowded.  Then our two Tulalip Indian subcontractors tell us about their 4 6x6 bulls that they killed (by driving on the roads around Stampede).  All 4 were killed one week before the season opened for the rest of us. 
Then, we go out and bust our ass hiking for archery bucks in early December....and they tell us about the 5 big bucks they killed with their rifles in late December.
Well, I'm done hiring those "Land Raping" MF'ers.

good call.