My email to the WDFW regarding the closure of public lands to bear hunting

[bankwalker]

ok i got a big question about this...well maybe its not to big.

but does this included tree farms as public lands? like say hancock tree farm.

i have not read the proposals, frankly i dont understand them to clearly. at least the ones that i have read...

[bobcat]

No, private land is private. Weyerhaeuser, Hancock, Green Diamond, whatever...would be open August 1st for bear hunting. But the problem is with all that public land NOT open, everybody who wants to hunt bear in August will be concentrated into much smaller areas. Not to mention the fact that much of that private timberland is closed to public entry in August due to fire danger. So yeah, even though I know a couple good spots on private land that I could hunt bears, I do not want to see public land shut down. Like I said in my letter to the WDFW, if it's shut down in August there's just as much reason to shut it down in September as well.   

[bankwalker]

No, private land is private. Weyerhaeuser, Hancock, Green Diamond, whatever...would be open August 1st for bear hunting. But the problem is with all that public land NOT open, everybody who wants to hunt bear in August will be concentrated into much smaller areas. Not to mention the fact that much of that private timberland is closed to public entry in August due to fire danger. So yeah, even though I know a couple good spots on private land that I could hunt bears, I do not want to see public land shut down. Like I said in my letter to the WDFW, if it's shut down in August there's just as much reason to shut it down in September as well.   

ok cool. i was worried for a second...

but i still am due the those reasons you posted. closing public land to hunting is just down right stupid. and the reasonings behind it are rediculous.

[markts]

If someone walks into a busy street and is killed by a hunter driving a pickup, will they ban hunters from driving? If you are hiking in the woods during hunting season, you should know it and dress in blaze orange just like us. It was unfortunate that someone died but hell-o. Markts

[klickriverchromer]

I HATE LIVING IN WASHINGTON, BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO MOVE.  WDFW ARE R-TARDS THERE IS NO QUESTION.  OBVIOUSLY CAN'T HIRE GOOD HELP.  MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST LET THE NATIVES RUN IT.  OH WAIT, THEY ALREADY DO...............

[billythekidrock]

If someone walks into a busy street and is killed by a hunter driving a pickup, will they ban hunters from driving? If you are hiking in the woods during hunting season, you should know it and dress in blaze orange just like us. It was unfortunate that someone died but hell-o. Markts

You totally get it. Here is a quote from my letter to F&W about this very issue.

This is a knee jerk reaction to a very unfortunate situation that should not have happened. That hunter should have never been out there unsupervised and he broke a major rule in not positively identifying his target. I am not trying to minimize the situation, but more people in Washington die every week by drunk drivers then in year’s worth of hunting accidents. When that happens do you blame the individual driver or do you blame all the other people that had a drink that week? The blame for this unfortunate incident rests solely on the shoulders of the individual hunter and the rest of us should not have to shoulder that blame. More importantly, our children should not have to suffer the consequences.

[bobcat]

Well, I agree, except I don't feel everybody hiking in the woods should feel like they need to wear orange or they will be shot. It is a good idea to wear bright colors so as to not look like a deer/elk/bear, but I don't think a victim of a hunting accident should be blamed for not having worn orange that day.

[actionshooter]

Well, I agree, except I don't feel everybody hiking in the woods should feel like they need to wear orange or they will be shot. It is a good idea to wear bright colors so as to not look like a deer/elk/bear, but I don't think a victim of a hunting accident should be blamed for not having worn orange that day.

I agree, its not a hikers responsibility to wear orange, its the hunters responsibility to identify the target.

Well said on your letter Willie. Its been about 3 days, I need to send another 

[PWN Kurt]

I don't think anyone is blaming the victim of the hunting accident.  I was just suggesting that other parts of the country it is not uncommon to 'recommend bright colors' during deer season.  It's not required.  If somebody wants to run around the woods with antlers tied to their head, I'm sure they could.

If nothing else, if they become lost or injured, it makes it easy for rescue crews to spot them.

...with the bright colors...not the antlers!

[markts]

I am in no way blaming the hiker for being shot, But if we are required to where orange while in the woods hunting, why shouldnt everyone in the woods. Seems like a no brainer. Markts

[bobcat]

So archery hunters should wear orange too, you're saying

Have you ever thought a person was a deer/elk/bear because they weren't wearing orange?

The WDFW can require us to wear orange as hunters because we need a license to hunt but the state can't require everybody who leaves their house to wear any particular color. Sounds Communist to me.

[markts]

I dont remember saying anything about archers but in case you havent noticed, there are more and more people in the woods these days. It is my opinion that everyone should do his or her part to be safe. I have been told about you and your archer elite way of thinking, and it is showing now with the name calling. I thought this was a friendly discussion. For your comment you can kiss gun toteing a$$. Markts

[billythekidrock]

I dont remember saying anything about archers but in case you havent noticed, there are more and more people in the woods these days. It is my opinion that everyone should do his or her part to be safe. I have been told about you and your archer elite way of thinking, and it is showing now with the name calling. I thought this was a friendly discussion. For your comment you can kiss gun toteing a$$. Markts

Archer elite way? WTF?

Markts - Basically you did state that archers (and ml, hikers, etc) should be forced to wear orange since "we (rifle hunters) are required".

I think it is ridiculous to force non-hunters to wear anything similar to hunter orange. The next hunter who shoots a non-hunter person will use the excuse of "I though they were an animal, they weren't wearing orange". It is the hunters responsibility to identify his target.

[PWN Kurt]

I hope we don't have to force anyone to wear anything.  Cyclists don't have to wear day-glo colors, but they make an educated decision to do so...

[markts]

My apoligies to all. I shouldnt have even got on here this morning. It was decided this morn that my marriage is done, and I guess I was looking for a fight.  I believe there are hunters out there way over 20 or 30 that have no business with a gun and would hope hikers and bird watchers and such would not wander the woods during bear season in dark clothing, or crawl around picking salal or berries in tan jump suits during cougar season, ect ect ect. Again my apoligies Markts