New Elk Starving Videos Mt Saint Helens.

[Guns4Fun]

Good Day,   mark smith
 

Ya, like this is even a real name?!?! Mark Smith....LMAO Hi Mark....I am John Doe! Nice to meet you!!! 

Wow....you must think their is some real conspiracy going on here.....you don't even believe that his real name is Mark Smith? Why don't you check out the website he lists. www.ecoparkresort.com 

It is people like you that make "newbies" not even want to participate in forums like these.  Either you are for feeding the elk or not. Move on 

[FrankDown]

We have said that we are not against feeding the elk. 

We are against contributing to an organization that publicy decries that hunters are starving the elk.

[Guns4Fun]

Frankdown

I completely agree and respect your stand. I would not support an anti-hunting group either. Fortunately, Mt. Saint Helens Rescue is not an anti-hunting group and in my oppinion BBarnes should better clarify his video and where he really stands.

In my oppinion:

The elk are starving due to lack of food....pure and simple. Because of starvation, over pursuit by humans (hunters included-but definately not placing blame), lack of habitat and other environmental issues, there are dead elk. As hunters we need to come together and find a solution.

Is the solution feeding the elk? I don't know. As it was said in an earlier post it really is only a short term fix.

[FrankDown]

over pursuit by humans (hunters included-but definately not placing blame),

If hunters over pursued and over filled tags then there would be a deficit of elk.  Would there not?  It is not apparent that hunters are the cause, yet mismangement is.  If hunters filled appropriate levels of tags then there would be a more level population of elk to carry on a given area.

[ELKBURGER]

Im not sure what classifies a member as being a newbie, 1 month,  1week, It doesnt matter when someone found this site and chose to become a member. What matters is that the hunting public saw something in this site and was compelled to join. I think the bantering will make them turn tail and find a more accepting group to try and help the wildlife. Ive been a newbie since november. I know what is happening in s.w. wash. I know what BBarnes and Mark smith stand for and it is much bigger than the bantering on this site. I wouldnt be suprised if they no longer look to this group of members for any support. That would be a shame.

[FrankDown]

I cant speak for anyone else, but I feel like I have enough people pointing the fingers and blaming hunters for what is not a hunter problem.  THis is what I am stating, and what is being avoided.  If I wanted to support a group that blames hunters for elk starving, I could send my money to PeTa, Hsus, the fund for animals, just to name a few of hundreds.

[elkangel]

FrankDowner, I am not sure how much hunting you have done in our area.  You are right that hunters are not to blame, It is the way the WDFW manages hunting in our State that is the problem. 

Addressing you comment if  over pursuit there would be less animals, that shows you do not understand the GMU's and Access issues in the St Helens Area.  I would have thought that a guy who has over 405 comments on this sight and appears to be well educated would have put more research in to the facts than following fiction.  I suggest you look a the MtStHelensSociety.org web sight.  To read more on our anti hunting group.

I only have one other question for you FRANKDOWNER,  what is you solution regarding the elk problem at Mt. St. Helens?

[JoeVon]

Good Day,   mark smith
 

Ya, like this is even a real name?!?! Mark Smith....LMAO Hi Mark....I am John Doe! Nice to meet you!!! 

Seriously.  Check out the links provided, Moron.


Frankdown, I see where the rub occurs with the wording in the Video, but honestly, its pretty clear that neither Barnes, Mark Smith, nor the Mt. St. Helens Preservation Society are in any way "Anti".  Being as poorly worded as it may, it seems they are trying to show that generous season setting by the WDFW puts the animals energy reserves going into Winter at a lower level.  Thats just the way I see it, but I see how it could be taken as a stab to Hunters like ourselves. 

I've known Mark personally for about 10 years, and can tell you, in my opinion, that he's done more for the area on the Westside of the Mountain than any one man ever has.  I can only hope that Mark and Company will continue on with their mission, of PRESERVING our animals, which in turn PRESERVES our right to hunt for years to come.

Thanks Mark


Josef VonDracek

[callthewild]

http://www.theolympian.com/topstories/story/748822.html

this pretty much show this is legit.

[JoeVon]

http://www.theolympian.com/topstories/story/748822.html

this pretty much show this is legit.

My thoughts exactly.  If Mark wanted to put an "Anti-Hunter" spin on it, this would have been the perfect oppurtunity to.  Lucky for us, he's on our side.

[callthewild]

its really simple. it looks to me that he is just trying to help out an animal that we all enjoy. if you dont think that is what is being done. dont support him.

[JoeVon]

Almost as funny as naming your kid remington300mag...

[runamuk]

OK I finally was able to take the time to view your videos.  Your one 54 second video blames hunters for over pursuit and unregulated seasons.  If you took that 3-5 second statement out (just a few frames of video) it would be a far less inflammatory video.

In todays climate of animal rights and over legislation of our personal freedoms there are many who get suspicious of certain vocabulary.  It is not the words themselves but the fact that they have been hijacked by a movement that wishes to do away with all animal ownership and use.  I am very involved in the legislation attacking dog's and dog breeders, I have removed certain words from my vocabulary because they only promote animal rights agenda's.

I think what is happening to elk all over this state is a travesty and cannot figure out why all of our herds are not receiving more press   maybe elk are too boring, who knows.....

If you want to attract more help for your cause accepting a bit of criticism is necessary, and then using that criticism to strengthen your position will gain you more followers.  If helping the elk is the ultimate goal wouldn't spending 5 minutes cutting 5-6 frames of video be a better use of time than arguing your point with the people you just blamed?
 

[FrankDown]

We need fewer elk, a hunting plan that provides a regulated harvest of elk and more habitat," Smith said.

  This sounds a lot better than saying hunters are starving them.

wouldn't spending 5 minutes cutting 5-6 frames of video be a better use of time than arguing your point with the people you just blamed?

  This is what we have been trying to convey throughout this whole thread. 

I doubt that name calling can help you get your point across.

[JoeVon]

If i had to list some steps I would say....


1.  Increase summer/fall forage through thinning/logging.  Much of the Margret is planted with Douglas Fir that is all the same age, and doesn't allow much sunlight to the ground for forage to grow.  Where they have thinned looks great, tons of food, but not much of it has been thinned.

2.  Work on herd management through hunting, maybe more cow tags, maybe more bull tags?  I'm not sure on this because I'm not a bio...Try to find a good Bull to Cow ratio, that the forest is able to sustain and go from there??? I'm not sure where to start on this one.

3.  Increase Winter habitat.  The North Fork of the Toutle runs where ever it chooses on the mudflow.  Areas that once grew grass are able to be wiped out in no time due to ever changing river channels. 

These are just a couple of my dumb ideas.  I'd just like to see some commitment from our Game Department in fixing the situation.  Like Mark said in his article, "I'm not in favor of using starvation as a management tool".  Its time for them to step up the plate and offer some solutions..


Sorry I called you a "moron", remington300mag.  I guess I should have said smart@ss... lol