So WDFW does chase the elk around... UPDATED

[KFhunter]

That Robinson belongs to Olympic Helicopters they do sub contract work for Northwest Helicopter.  Game counts, relocations, fire work etc.

good info to have

[YJ Guide Service]

Seen it happen outside of Ellensburg in the manantash unit about ten years ago a helicopter dropped bags of flour out of it to break the herd up and to get them to move out I guess....This state wants our money for everything but doesn't want us to kill or catch anything I don't understand it...

[Westsideelkchaser]

So the helicopter is being paid to count mule deer but instead they're following herds of elk around trying to get photographs? And our hunting license money is paying for this? 

I was waiting for someone to say this haha good to know sportsmans money is spent well!

[cem3434]

Seems to be very similar to a hunter catching a domestic dog running game while in the field in my opinion. The only difference I see, is someone would get in some serious trouble for shooting one over the other. The state doesnt care about our opportunities or if we are even successful in the field. This is just one more reason that I am done hunting in this state as soon as I waste my 16 quality points.

[LDennis24]

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/dec/08/helicopter-survey-conflicts-whitman-county-muzzleloader-elk-hunt/

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Nice! 

[luvtohnt]

Is anyone in this thread aware of how a helicopter survey for deer is done?

Brandon

[Gringo31]

The bigger issue is the lack of trust we have for the WDFW.



Because of the other things they have pulled, it's assumed this is intentional.  I'd be upset as well....

[frazierw]

Is anyone in this thread aware of how a helicopter survey fro deer is done?

Brandon

pretty sure they just fly around and count the deer they see.

[birddogdad]

Is anyone in this thread aware of how a helicopter survey fro deer is done?

Brandon

if they are surveying DEER, why were they counting and documenting the ELK?? sounds a bit off.. also I don't buy the "cant do it out of hunting season" angle of the response..

generally, the reply demonstrates a lack of care for interaction with hunters based on some needed data collection.. lots of area in the grid and could have returned to this spot later once identified hunters there... survey during a season and direct impact of anyone on the ground is just bad form...

[LDennis24]

I understand how the survey's are done and I understand the need to get them done whenever they can find time between weather and schedule conflicts with other season's and other survey's. It's not like you can cover the state in a chopper and get an accurate count of the animal's your surveying in a matter of a few days. However I was given a different explanation of what they were doing that day than Lander's was given and that show's that they are changing their story. Which means they are trying to cover their &%$! They weren't surveying elk, so why even interfere with the elk herd? Why did they tell me they simply photographed them and then went on there way when I saw them stay with the elk for over a mile? Along with other hunter's in the area? I heard that someone even called the sheriff's deparment about it! When I was following the elk no other hunter's were near that I could see and that to me mean's someone else saw them doing the same thing in a different area nearby. I was told they were merely taking photo's and then he started asking me questions related to elk statistic's and if I saw one with a collar. Sounded like they were collecting data on elk too.

[cbond3318]

I read the article, which was good to see it will get some notice but, I believed it. They took the opportunity to survey ungulates in the area and collect data that was unrelated to their specific survey at the time but gathered data none the less. I think it is a true indication of the WDFW's lack of concern at all for hunters. They knew darn well someone was on those elk and they made the chose to swoop in and collect information on them. I would assume from the fairly steady platform in the Helo and binoculars they could have gotten that info from afar.
Do I think they were specifically trying to thwart your hunt? not necessarily. do I think they knew you were hunting them, absolutely they just didn't care. I feel for ya, the fact of the matter is they just don't care about us.

[luvtohnt]

Is anyone in this thread aware of how a helicopter survey fro deer is done?

Brandon

pretty sure they just fly around and count the deer they see.

Generally a grid pattern is required to get an accurate count. It is not just flying around at their discretion.

Is anyone in this thread aware of how a helicopter survey fro deer is done?

Brandon

if they are surveying DEER, why were they counting and documenting the ELK?? sounds a bit off.. also I don't buy the "cant do it out of hunting season" angle of the response..

generally, the reply demonstrates a lack of care for interaction with hunters based on some needed data collection.. lots of area in the grid and could have returned to this spot later once identified hunters there... survey during a season and direct impact of anyone on the ground is just bad form...

Once you start if you break the pattern you will have to re-survey the entire area over. As a participant in the funding of WDFW I would much rather they disrupt a few hunters then re-spend thousands of dollars to re-survey an area! Not to mention they take aerial photos of species they are not surveying quite often. It is no different than you or I taking a picture of an elk while deer hunting.

The bigger issue is the lack of trust we have for the WDFW.



it's assumed this is intentional

I am curious as to what the general lack of trust comes from?

That is a dangerous statement, and assumptions like this are probably what is causing your distrust with the WDFW. I have spent countless hours volunteering with them just so I can learn how things are done within the organization. I just wish I could go on a flight with them!! (this is not directed at you Gringo just a general statement as many seem to assume this is intentional).

[westside bull]

This again makes WDFW look bad hopefully something good comes from this. Bio sounds like a real meat head!!!

[Naches Sportsman]

The things that come up when I read this.
1.) It costs thousands an hour to use a helicopter and they are flying when the helicopter is available for usage. Who cares if they were working on the weekend. Many biologists I know work odd schedules to adjust for the surveys they have to do. Sometimes there is a time line they have to follow to get surveys done. They don't care about hunting season. They have a job to do.

2.) They always do surveys this time of year on deer and elk as if they surveyed them in the summer, they wouldn't get a good count of the herds due to loss of animals from hunting.

3.) Sounds like they were counting wildlife which included deer and elk if they saw them. Wouldn't you want them to know how many elk are in the area to better manage for future hunting seasons?