Colockum Elk E-Mail!!!

[Slider]

I received this in an E-Mail today!!!


>
> Long time readers know that I elk hunt in the Colockum Wildlife Area.
> My family settled in this area around 1880.  At one time my
> grandfather owned or leased in excess of 3,500 acres, and along with
> two other families, was in the process of purchasing all of that and
> more.  His untimely passing at a young age resulted in my Grandmother
> selling his holdings to the state.  My Uncle Neil owns the section of
> land that rema ined.  It is the Colockum Ranch.  The road from the
> Wenatchee side accessing the Colockum, runs past his and my cousins
> property.  They see what goes up and down this road.
>
> What they saw a lot of this summer was truck loads of dead elk.
> Starting at the end of July, as soon as antlers mature and harden,
> Yakima tribal hunters are decimating the Colockum elk herd.  On the
> last Friday of deer season in the area, my dad and brother saw Indian
> hunters with a very large 7 point bull in the back.  Nothing was open
> at the time for elk, but the elk was dead, none the less.  Relatives
> have seen truck loads of spikes, the only size bull us non Indians are
> allowed to shoot.  The man in charge of running the area has been told
> by his superiors, "hands off".  It is estimated by people in the area
> that the tribes killed 48 large bulls during the summer of 2008.  My
> Uncle works very closely with the Game Department in the area.  He
> tells me the Colockum elk herd is down by 1500 animals.  All rules for
> this herd will change for the 2009 season. 
>
> I really have a hard time comprehending the greed in these hunters.
> They are absolutely classless as far as hunters go.  For my lifetime,
> the top of the mountain in the Colockum has been an elk preserve.  It
> was donat ed land from one Arthur Coffin.  He donated the land for the
> preservation of elk.  Non-tribal hunters cannot access this land at
> any time.  Absolutely no trespassing.  Doesn't apply to the tribes.
> They not only kill elk in the preserve, they camp on it.  This year it
> was estimated that over 40 hunters made up this camp at one time.  The
> elk have had decades of conditioned learning that they are safe in the
> preserve.  Not any longer.  And if tribal hunters can't kill their elk
> by hunting on a game preserve, they spot light at night, and it is
> legal by their rules.  Amazing.
>
> What is even more amazing to me is the fact that the Colockum elk herd
> was started by non-Indians around 1913.  Elk were introduced to the
> area from the Yellowstone herd.  Why do the tribes get to hunt for elk
> that weren't there prior to our putting them there?  I asked this
> question and was told they have found drawings on caves near the
> Columbia River showing elk.  According to the powers that be, this was
> enough to give them elk rights on the Colockum herd.  I say it is
> shady closed door decision making at its worst. 
>
> I have two references in my collection that state elk were not readily
> available in Washington, except for the Roosevelt's.  In the diary of
> Lewis and Clark, Le wis wrote that the tribes on the Columbia River
> really liked elk meat and were quite willing to trade for it, as they
> didn't have a successful means of killing them unless one stumbled
> into a bear pit.  I have read that the Nez Pierce traveled to Idaho
> for their elk hunts.  In another publication I have, written by R.
> Roundtree about himself, he describes how he and his brothers had to
> travel to Idaho for elk.  They settled the Pe Ell area prior to the
> Civil War.  But, because they found a drawing, all the history goes
> aside.
>
> Unless I am very mistaken about Indian traditions, they drew pictures
> of animals for reasons other than they were in the area.  They would
> draw them to gain power over them for the hunt.  They drew pictures in
> thanks for a successful hunt.  Those pictures they found could have
> been elk killed in Idaho, which everything I have read shows both
> tribal hunters and non-tribal hunters went for Rocky Mountain elk,
> prior to their introduction here.
>
> Non-tribal hunters have to draw a permit to shoot a branch antlered
> bull.  In 2004, when my dad and brother were drawn, 28 permits were
> issued.  This year 3 were issued.  Just when we thought the practice
> of not shooting big bulls was starting to pay off, the Yakima tribe is
> decimating them.  Plus, they ki ll spikes and cows also.  I would like
> to see the spike only rule go away.  All it is doing is giving
> classless tribal hunters carte blanche on big elk.  Another item I
> intend to pursue is getting my hands on the paperwork that had to have
> been drawn up when Mr. Coffin donated all the land to the state for
> the elk preserve.  It has to contain language pertaining to
> preservation.  Allowing tribal hunters onto that land is not
> preservation.  I am thinking someone could take that information and
> make the state nervous. 
>
> Hunting in this area has been going downhill for the past 3 years.
> Now we know why.  When TRN sent out the questionnaires to the
> gubernatorial candidates, one of the questions was whether they
> supported these closed door secret meetings.  Our newly re-elected
> governor chose not to respond.  Guess what?  We already knew the
> answer.  Soon, elk in the Colockum will go the way of salmon, crab and
> the Nooksack elk herd, which was nearly wiped out by tribal hunters.
>
>
>
>

[dbllunger]

Slider thanks for more frustration.

[270Shooter]

Glad to somebody else is pissed about this .

[Guy]

So... What can be done about it?

Anything? I know a few have tried to at least raise the issue and have been largely shut down. Frankly, I don't have an answer.

[Head-shot]

Need to send the Liberals after them. Maybe send them a copy of the email.

[heavy hauler]

 

[TheHunt]

What can we do?  Nothing!   We could not buy any licenses and hunt out of state to take all the money out of their hands.  But what would that do?  I do not think enough people would not hunt in Washington to make enough of an impact.

So there is nothing we can do...   

[saylean]

start protesting with signs to get media attention would be about the only thing I can figure.

[BENCHLEG]

i have given my idea on another post. on this site we have many people so band together and hit them where it hurts. do not buy a hunting license this year. send an e-mail with all members participating in the boycott to wdfw and involve a lawyer, maybe i am ranting but screw this crap we need to STAND- UP-OR-SHUT-UP.j

[dreamingbig]

Need to show some anti-hunters where this is going down and let them protest up there!

[bobcat]

i have given my idea on another post. on this site we have many people so band together and hit them where it hurts. do not buy a hunting license this year. send an e-mail with all members participating in the boycott to wdfw and involve a lawyer, maybe i am ranting but screw this crap we need to STAND- UP-OR-SHUT-UP.j

Sorry but I need my fix and can't go a year without hunting. And with two young children I can't afford to do all my hunting in other states. So count me out on that idea.

I just forwarded this e-mail to PETA.......lol....it is lighting up there forum like you would not believe!!! They all seem to be in agreement that sportsman follow rules and these tribes are just doing what they want.....I hate being on that forum......but I will keep everyone posted if they decided to go all ANTI HUNTER ON THE INDIANS!!! LOL

Do you have a link? I'd like to check that out. Sounds like fun.   

[Guy]

Now that's thinking outside the box. I like it.

[NWTFhunter]

just type in the web address.  We can go from there.

[alecvg]

Found it here ya guys go:

http://www.peta.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13122

[NWTFhunter]

There are NO replies to your topic there !!!!

[NWTFhunter]

I just left one there.

[PacificNWhunter]

Thanks for the post, it was a good write up. sickening though

[NCWCracker]

That letter was written in "The Reel News".
My ideas, which I've also posted on other threads;

1.  document it with video and/or camera when you see them "hunting", especially when they've got several big bulls and/or bucks loaded up, also when they are breaking a law such as when they are on the game reserve, or driving on closed roads.  Turn it in, and if you get good shots that make them look really bad, send it to media so they are exposed to the public.

2. flood the politicians with letters, such as this, which you can copy and use if you wish;

Dear    ,

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,

 

[roadhuntking]

I support PETA......People..for the..Eating..of..Tasty..Animals!

[BENCHLEG]

nice i have that shirt and on the back it says i have room for all gods creatures, right next to my mashed-potatoes and gravy. J

[Slider]

i have given my idea on another post. on this site we have many people so band together and hit them where it hurts. do not buy a hunting license this year. send an e-mail with all members participating in the boycott to wdfw and involve a lawyer, maybe i am ranting but screw this crap we need to STAND- UP-OR-SHUT-UP.j

Sorry but I need my fix and can't go a year without hunting. And with two young children I can't afford to do all my hunting in other states. So count me out on that idea.

I just forwarded this e-mail to PETA.......lol....it is lighting up there forum like you would not believe!!! They all seem to be in agreement that sportsman follow rules and these tribes are just doing what they want.....I hate being on that forum......but I will keep everyone posted if they decided to go all ANTI HUNTER ON THE INDIANS!!! LOL

Do you have a link? I'd like to check that out. Sounds like fun.   

I think they are to busy with the Kitty fish right now!!! 

[chad s.]

I had no idea peta had a website, until this thread. What a disturbing cite, I lasted about two minutes over there, and read a few fishing threads, before I wanted to throw my computer threw the window. What a bunch of un-educated knuckleheads.

[high country]

too bad they outlawed body gripping traps.......imagine how quickly this cold be neutralized with the proper placement of some whiskey bottles and pennars on a good ol' grizzly trap........sounds like we need to grab the model 94's and relive history.

[270Shooter]

Ya those PETA guys are freaks. I have a sticker on my truck that says people eating tasty animals!!!

[MichaelJ]

OMG!  Go to the parenting forum.... are you KIDDING ME??   

Michael

[270Shooter]

Make a profile and voice your Opinion!!! Help me out in my wolf thread .

We need a favorite type of steak thread

[mossback91]

Make a profile and voice your Opinion!!! Help me out in my wolf thread .

We need a favorite type of steak thread

I enjoy tofu steak!!!

[270Shooter]

Make a profile and voice your Opinion!!! Help me out in my wolf thread .

We need a favorite type of steak thread

I enjoy tofu steak!!!

HAHAHAHA

[alanger]

Well damn we gotta do something about this. I mean it's kinda hard just to go out and declare war with them. But maybe there should be a forwarded e-mail going around with the story in it. That story should trigger someone's head to go do something. Look it's already made all of us start thinking about it. Well get something done about it, we can't do anything about it if we don't advertise what these cousins are doing to our hunting land.

Think about it.

[bankwalker]

i was asking a warden about this subject the other day. and he was just as upset if not more then most of us are with this subject. he told me they are trying to do what they can but a quick solution is out of the question and its gonna take years to get this solved no matter how much the public knows about it. that this has been on the adgenda(sp) for a while now.

[alanger]

You have a great point bankwalker. You know it will take a lot of time but still if we do put it out there to the public we can make somewhat of a difference.  .

[rewent12003]

well if the tribe called an open season on the herd then lets call open season on the tribal hunters that are doing this. hey they arent classified as a wsdfw regulated animal. wouldnt they be considered a ferile animal causing depridation

[alanger]

sure if u really want to take it that far. you know who knows how far it will go it is triggering eyes all over. people make a webpage, we should all start e-mail forwards. if anyone does let me know a bunch of people should just to get it out there. we hunters know what is happening but we must let the word out to everyone. lets get out and spread it!!

[natural born killer]

Why not rally together at the footsteps of the capitol building in olympia ,instead of allerting peta. I'm sure you would get media if they were notified!

[alanger]

Well we have to do something. Someone needs to start something.                         

[buck470]

Well sounds like Frankdown had something he's trying to get started, Tell us more!
What kinda help you need?

[firefighter4607]

The only reason that the Yakama Tribe is going after the Colockum is because they have slatered the heard that used to roam the Simcoes, around Status Pass and US 97. There used to be great elk and deer hunting around there, now you are lucking if you see anything!! The indians need to be stopped!! What is next the Yakama Tribe Claims that they hunted in the Walla Walla Watershed and Margaret Units, then they move on to destroy the heards there as well? I know that what ever we try to do it is like  but this is insane. Also for the fishers, the Yakama tribe is the ones that take a whole lot of salmon from the Columbia River in between the John Day Dam and Bonniville Dam. I am from Goldendale so I have had to see what the Yakama tribe has done. AND TO TOP IT OFF THEY ARE A NATION WITHIN IT SELF SO OUR LAWS AND TAXES DON'T AFFECT THEM!!!

[alanger]

                                                                          how much can really happen though?


 

[bankwalker]

saddest part of all this is my 23yrs old. ive hunted the cle elum/ellensburg area for deer and elk for the last 10yrs and the decline ive seen in just the last 5 yers is insane. just plain insane.

and really its gonna take alot of patitions(sp).

someone who knows about starting them should get one going.

we need to boycot hunting and fishing till this crap is stopped. i would gladdy give up my hunting as protest. just one year of this would be a HUGE hit to the wdfw and the local towns we hunt in. think of the gas, and food money, some people who stay in camp grounds and etc etc etc.

[alanger]

yeah i no. they not just shoot our animals they just trash the woods. i cant tell u how many campgrounds i have gone to in okanogan county that have been trashed and see indians trash them

[mossback91]

yeah i no. they not just shoot our animals they just trash the woods. i cant tell u how many campgrounds i have gone to in okanogan county that have been trashed and see indians trash them

where'd you see that?? most natives around here stick to the reservation when camping and hunting......

[alanger]

well at one point they had been up in salmon meadows and i guess i shouldnt say a bunch of places but they do trash the woods. sinlahekin is one spot but not recently and they arent the only ones but it still sickens me that people do that.

[mossback91]

I think the salmon meadows trash was from the mushroom pickers and they are not natives...........the natives in okanogan county have awesome hunting land and really have no need to hunt elsewhere

[alanger]

yeah i no they were the mushroom pickers remember the ticket!! but hey they got good hunting and fishing land but they still leave their land just to tamper with ours. thats waht all this is about, them shooting animals on public land and poaching our fish but hey i guess they shouldnt have called it "public" land if they cared what would happen to it.

[alanger]

or atleast wanted different results to happen!