Letter to WDFW regarding 2009-2011 Bear Hunting Rule Change Proposals

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Bri -you wouldn't recommend any proposal that could be written better?

[WDFW-SUX]

Another solution to the August bear issue (if they wanted to help hunters) would be to follow the model that is in effect for the Anchorage area (Hatcher Pass trail) where hunting is not alloud within 1/2 mile of one of the popular trails. This way hunters are still alloud access to the resource but a compromise is made for the safety of the general population.

There are numerous ways to address the situations without eliminating the entire hunt all the WDFW has to do is a little reserch and there are examples of sucessfull workarounds in effect all over the country.

[Curly]

120 yards is nothing these days for ML.

A little off topic but...........120yds is nothing??? WTF - that is a long damn ML shot.

Anyway, I haven't prepared my letter yet but I won't be getting into modern vs. archery or ML.

I'm just going to point out that it is not warranted to change the bear season and it is just a knee jerk reaction to the incident at Sauk Mt.  

I plan to point out that there are many public areas available for bear hunting that are not near hikers and thus there would not be user group conflicts in the majority of public land areas.  To punish all bear hunters because of a stupid mistake by one person is ridiculous.  (My letter definatley will not mention anything about the shooting down south.)

I'm also going to mention that hunting opportunity for bears with hounds and baiting was taken away years ago and eliminating a whole month of bear season will most likely cause an increase in bear population.

I'm really getting tired of hunting opportunity getting taken away in this state.  The other issue I'm going to complain about is their proposal for eliminating the use of dogs for hunting coyotes.

[Curly]

I do not believe they have made up their mind about this.  What has happened is the public was outraged, called their legislatures who then went to WDFW and said we must do something about this.  WDFW floats this proposal.  If enough of a stink is made about it I feel that the commission would vote this down.  DONT GIVE UP!!!!!

 

[shanevg]

I've been trying to say it from the beginning.  My idea of opening at least archery and muzzleloading during the month is August is not in any way an attempt to segregate different groups of hunters or to "close down" forms of hunting.  I am doing nothing of the sort, as a hunter who hunts primarily with a rifle, trust me, I would love to have rifle open as much as the rest of you.  It is the only way I've ever successfully harvested an animal!  But I'm not emailing WDFW w/ a proposal to close down hunting in order to protect hikers and limit it to only archery hunting.  I am emailing WDFW to try to stop them from closing down all public land hunting in August, and any of the alternative that I suggested is better than the one they have proposed and will probably go through with.  So you guys can disagree and that is OK, but I think suggesting some form, any form of alternative other than just "don't do it" is helpful to all hunters.  All I ask is even if you disagree with my letter, make your own alterations or right your own letter that better portrays your views on it and MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

[yelp]

Nothing was mentioned in proposals about tribal hunters hunting public land in August ? or Coyote hunting in August on public lands closed to Bear Hunting!

[Slamadoo]

I would add something about more "hunter awareness" campaigns for the general public. How about the wdfw actually posting signs or having adds about wearing hunter orange during the fall. I feel like most people don't even realize that we are out there hunting. Let people know that if you are going to hike or bike during the fall and hunting season, it would be in your best interest to wear orange. Lets not put all the responsibility on hunters for keeping people safe.

[bobcat]

I don't think they should have to wear orange or any other color. A human does not look like a deer, elk, or a bear no matter what color they are wearing. I think it makes hunters look bad to suggest they should wear orange or they might get shot. Maybe deer/elk archery hunters should be wearing orange in September as well, since there are bear hunters with rifles in the woods.    

[Slamadoo]

Im not saying they should have to wear orange. Im just saying it would be a good suggestion. If I was a hiker during hunting season I sure as hell would be wearing orange. It is just a precaution and a way to make extra care that accidents like we had last summer dont happen.

And my point was more about making people aware that there ARE hunters out there in the fall. If I was a hiker I sure as hell would like to know that there are hunters out in the woods during the fall. I think that the vast majority of the population is not even aware that there are hunters out there until they stumble apon them in the woods.

I guess I just dont see the problem in making people more aware. Giving people the information and informing them.

[Slamadoo]

I think that a combination of increased non-hunter/general public awareness and the proposed hunting-alone age limit (14 or 16 I believe) would be sufficient enough to keep accidents like we had from happening, for hopefully many years to come.

[logger]

I think in cuurent times it's prision rules, every man for him self.

[billythekidrock]

I plan to point out that there are many public areas available for bear hunting that are not near hikers and thus there would not be user group conflicts in the majority of public land areas.  To punish all bear hunters because of a stupid mistake by one person is ridiculous.  (My letter definatley will not mention anything about the shooting down south.)

I'm also going to mention that hunting opportunity for bears with hounds and baiting was taken away years ago and eliminating a whole month of bear season will most likely cause an increase in bear population.

I'm really getting tired of hunting opportunity getting taken away in this state.  The other issue I'm going to complain about is their proposal for eliminating the use of dogs for hunting coyotes.

+1

[winston2789]

there should be no giving in to anything. the rules should'nt change.

[loper]

I do not believe they have made up their mind about this.  What has happened is the public was outraged, called their legislatures who then went to WDFW and said we must do something about this.  WDFW floats this proposal.  If enough of a stink is made about it I feel that the commission would vote this down.  DONT GIVE UP!!!!!

 

Just because it is a staff-supported proposal does not mean the commission has to go along with it; if you have been watching the ODFW commission lately you'll see they have thrown their own staff under a bus a couple of times lately.

It is a major overreaction to relinquish a month of hunting opportunity over a single avoidable accident.

[yelp]

So if the hiker was shot on private land by a bear hunter then I guess everything would be OK and there wouldn't be this issue...yeah right.  Private land maybe next.