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

[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.

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.

well if thats what it takes to get it some real attention and then maybe something being done about what is really happening then i would mind losing my right to own a couple firearms.

with the way hunting has been in this state id rather archery hunt a couple crappy unit and hope to shoot a doe or cow then to tromp around during modern firearm season and hope to see a 3pt legal buck or spike bull which arent there to begin with.

i know i sure in the hell wont be out shooting tires. but trust me that would be the way to get the attention needed to have this subject in the public eyes. not just the hunting community.

anti hunters hate us hunting already taking our one deer and one elk a year. think how much they hate indians taking 30 deer or elk each throughout the year.

[NCWCracker]

Bring your cameras / video cameras w/you and document every time you see them hunting.  I have heard several say they've witnessed them setting up camp in the reserve.  ....Take a friggin' video of it and send it in!!!  Every time you see them with bulls, cows, bucks and does - take a pic/video & send it in w/date and license #'s!!   
Would be great if an organization could pay someone to follow them around, or if someone or a group w/free time organized to do it.

[GoPlayOutside]

Bring your cameras / video cameras w/you and document every time you see them hunting.  I have heard several say they've witnessed them setting up camp in the reserve.  ....Take a friggin' video of it and send it in!!!  Every time you see them with bulls, cows, bucks and does - take a pic/video & send it in w/date and license #'s!!   
Would be great if an organization could pay someone to follow them around, or if someone or a group w/free time organized to do it.

That is a great idea.  There is enough of us up in the woods hunting, hiking, camping, scouting, etc....Get pix or video of them out of season.  Of course, they have no season, but that might make the news channels, papers, and media wake the hell up and pay a little attention.  There's gotta be some liberal media outlets that would love to question or break a story like this.  Also, make it obvious that we are videoing them, and we are keeping records of what they hunt, where, and when.  It might pursuade even a couple of them to stay off some of the hills. 

[runniNgunnin]

we should almost start a whole other thread or here for indian "sightings" documenting where when what and how with pictures/videos.... THEN lead the media onto this thread and i bet they would wont to poke there nose into the issue of "legal native poaching".... 

[WACATHUNTER]

NWTFHUNTER, Any reply from the WDFW?

[NWTFhunter]

NWTFHUNTER, Any reply from the WDFW?

Cat, yes I was called the other day and we had a discussion about the indians hunting up there. He said that they are hunting with in the areas ceeded to them, and though I have not witnessed any violation he stated that any report recieved did recieve investigation.  He didnt want to say anything that would comprimise his job, and was careful with his words.  I dont blame him.  In my opinion, he knows there is a problem on this subject and that we are pissed about certain  practices.  He didnt come right out and give a solution, but he didnt argue that gathering evidence and creating a case was bad thing to do.
Now on wolves, he knows they are here. He refered me to the WDFW page that discusses this topic. I havent read it yet though.
Any documentation of wolves from us is needed, pics and gathering of scat is ideal.  He stated in remote areas trying to find a wolf on a sighting can be very difficult.  He didnt dispute them being in the blues, or the NE corner of the state at all.  He did say that the state wants to properly manage them, what that means exactly we will have to see or get more involved.

I urge you all to carry a camera in your adventures and take pics on both subjects, and contact the WDFW !!!!!!

[runniNgunnin]

i think this has came full circle now.... "Any documentation of wolves from us is needed, pics and gathering of scat is ideal." then you contact another WDFW employ, and he tells you that it was a coyote. You shoot the "coyote" that weighs 80 lbs and then you go to jail, lol        ITS A CONSPARICY!!!   

i think the world is coming to and end so every body start saving up your cambells soup !!!

[NWTFhunter]

Runnin, I dont think any WDFW employee is going to dispute a good clear photo of a wolf as being a yote. Or the examination of scat confused with yote.  When you report any complaint, get the officers name, follow up find out what steps were taken. If you are not satisfies go higher up the chain.  Never release pics that you only have one copy of, keep a seperate sample of scat in the freezer.

A few years ago we spotted a huge grizz sow while hunting and took lots of pics of her. Now we didnt have the cameras that some of the guys on here have !!  But we did take pics and sent them in. They disputed our pics, so the next week we gathered scat that we found the same day.  WOW how fast they wanted to know where that came from.  This was the same time frame that one was shot by a local land owner with a shotgun after raiding his livestock. But not the same grizz, but general location.
I feel that if you provide the proper documentation they cant dispute it.

[runniNgunnin]

NWTF, i know im just saying... ive been reading these "wolf" post for days now, and it seems like we all just keep getting the go around. i know we all need to keep good records, photos, etc. its like there is always a loop hole for keeping them on the list, and not managing them. i would have to say the anti's did a good job F'n sh't up on this one, lol

[Slamadoo]

Where did you see a Grizz at?

just curious

[NWTFhunter]

We were hunting out of Chewelah, in 04.  She had 2 cubs with her, but we havent had an encounter since.

[whacker1]

I will be sending the suggested post regarding tribal hunting/poaching methods to all of the Spokane area legislators tonight along with Mr Anderson.

A quick comment on the wolves - Now that there is snow on the ground, I would also take pictures of wolf sign for those of you who run into it.  You can usually take pictures in the snow with a ball cap or a hand next to it to differentiate size of animal from a coyote.  We took several pictures in Idaho of Wolf Sign.  I too have seen evidence of the Grizz in the NE corner, sign and scat, haven't yet seen any Griz standing around for pictures yet.

For those that don't think these issues will be heard - please take the time to send a note to your legislator.  We have some legislators (Republican) that very well could be reading our posts, as they think like us and apply for the same special permits as we do.  Granted these are the more rural legislators, but they are around.  I believe that the Media will get a hold of this in the next few years and it is up to us to keep wolves and tribal hunting methods in front of the media with good footage.  I have never witnessed these accounts, but I do know of similar stories as those mentioned.  I believe that I will ask the WDFW if they will give better descriptions of the tribes and the areas that are within the designated ceded hunting grounds along with the acceptable hunting methods.  I think that in itself would make a good post for this thread. 

[NCWCracker]

I recieved a similar response from Senator Parlette this afternoon as well.  Also suggested to send letter to State Reps Condotta and Armstrong, which I did.

Mike Armstrong was just named the "ranking Republican on the House State Govt. and TRIBAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE".

State Rep. Armstrong's email address is:  armstrong.mike@leg.wa.gov


Another idea;  we need to remember to bring this up fresh on this site in June....which is about the time to start patroling the Colockum with video cams in hand...

[Up a Creek]

Hi there,

I'm new to the site and since I hunt the Colockum area I would be more than happy to keep a camera with me. I'm one of those people who wants to do something instead of sit back and watch our hunting opportunity's disappear.


Grill Master

[DOUBLELUNG]

Do they have to cross private ground to access this area?  Dig the road up! 

There is public access to the Colockum, but I don't understand why the state can't simply gate the entire area and ban the use of any motorized vehicles. Indians aren't going to hunt somewhere they can't drive.

+1.  If the Colockum was actually managed primarily for wildlife, and not recreation (including hunting), tribal harvest would not be an issue.  Decommissioning and gating roads, enhancing habitat and implementing winter range motorized access closures, would be wonderful for elk, and other wildlife; and would create a quality Colockum elk hunting experience for those hunters fit and ambitious enough to either hike in, or ride horses in, to hunt. 

It is obvious WDFW WON’T go there, due to the outcries from ORV riders, truck-based hunters, and the elderly and disabled – unless conservationists are the most vocal group demanding it.

Tribal hunting is a fact of life.  Complaining about it is a waste of time, even less useful than complaining about taxes.  Access management - applied to everyone equally - is the only PRACTICAL answer.