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,
