Steve Rinella's Quality WA Elk

[ctwiggs1]

Extending that logic every kid who tags along with a parent is a poachee. Tag along on a quality tag? Poacher. Spot a goat on your brother's goat hunt? Poacher.

Either we are pretty much all poachers or you're looking for any and all reasons to attack the guy.

  

Or any birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife....  If Janis didn't have a bow/gun, he wasn't hunting.

That argument would never have been made had this not been a celebrity. 

[TheSennett]

Extending that logic every kid who tags along with a parent is a poachee. Tag along on a quality tag? Poacher. Spot a goat on your brother's goat hunt? Poacher.

Either we are pretty much all poachers or you're looking for any and all reasons to attack the guy.

  

Or any birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife....  If Janis didn't have a bow/gun, he wasn't hunting.

That argument would never have been made had this not been a celebrity.

There seems to be a difference between Janis actively participating in calling the elk (listen to the podcast if you haven't done so) and a child who "tags along" with their parent who has a proper license and tag, or a "birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife."  I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer or the prosecuting attorney if you want... 

Also, "being a celebrity" has anything to do with following the rules.  I'm a big fan of MeatEater and Rinella.  As I said in my first post, I'd wager that everything they do is on the level.  However, its still an interesting discussion topic.  Even more so when you are broadcasting your actions to a national audience. 

[CedarPants]

I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer

I've had that very discussion with 3 different WDFW officers over the years and they've all indicated that it was perfectly fine to call elk for a hunter with a special tag.  Were all 3 of them wrong and are there a lot of people being cited for this that we just never hear about 

[HikerHunter]

@TheSennett
So you are saying that if you pull a quality elk tag, you won't have a buddy helping glass, you won't have a buddy helping call, you won't have a buddy to help you at all? You may be an exception, but for the vast majority of everyone else, I find that hard to believe.

Plus, I think its pretty easy to argue that anyone calling, glassing, helping to spot game does not meet the "hunt" definition: "To Hunt: Any effort to kill, capture, injure, or harass a wild animal or wild bird". They are not making an effort to kill anything, the tag holder is the only one making an effort to kill.

I think ctwiggs was right on point, this wouldn't be an argument if he wasn't a celebrity.

[ctwiggs1]

Extending that logic every kid who tags along with a parent is a poachee. Tag along on a quality tag? Poacher. Spot a goat on your brother's goat hunt? Poacher.

Either we are pretty much all poachers or you're looking for any and all reasons to attack the guy.

  

Or any birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife....  If Janis didn't have a bow/gun, he wasn't hunting.

That argument would never have been made had this not been a celebrity.

There seems to be a difference between Janis actively participating in calling the elk (listen to the podcast if you haven't done so) and a child who "tags along" with their parent who has a proper license and tag, or a "birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife."  I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer or the prosecuting attorney if you want... 

Also, "being a celebrity" has anything to do with following the rules.  I'm a big fan of MeatEater and Rinella.  As I said in my first post, I'd wager that everything they do is on the level.  However, its still an interesting discussion topic.  Even more so when you are broadcasting your actions to a national audience.

I've seen a lot of arguments pop up here on a yearly basis over the last decade or so:  Which optics are the best, which caliber you should shoot, whether you should run with heavy or light arrows, which pack to buy, whether or not you could duct tape a muzzleloader to seal it, etc.

This is the first time I can remember people saying "this was potentially illegal because his buddy was calling elk for him."  Anybody who draws a quality (late Sept) elk tag would be wise to have a buddy calling for them.  I cannot recall this ever being questioned until a celebrity did it.

...But I could be wrong.

[TheSennett]

I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer

I've had that very discussion with 3 different WDFW officers over the years and they've all indicated that it was perfectly fine to call elk for a hunter with a special tag.  Were all 3 of them wrong and are there a lot of people being cited for this that we just never hear about 

"Were all 3 of them wrong" --- possibly.  It all depends on the facts and each person's understanding of the facts. 

@HikerHunter --- If the definition of "hunt" includes to "harass" a wild animal, then calling arguably falls into that category.  I haven't gotten bored enough to dig into the statutes or regulations on the issue.  If someone has, feel free to weigh in. 

[ctwiggs1]

I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer

I've had that very discussion with 3 different WDFW officers over the years and they've all indicated that it was perfectly fine to call elk for a hunter with a special tag.  Were all 3 of them wrong and are there a lot of people being cited for this that we just never hear about 

"Were all 3 of them wrong" --- possibly.  It all depends on the facts and each person's understanding of the facts. 

@HikerHunter --- If the definition of "hunt" includes to "harass" a wild animal, then calling arguably falls into that category.  I haven't gotten bored enough to dig into the statutes or regulations on the issue.  If someone has, feel free to weigh in.

I've never heard of anybody getting cited for calling elk.  If that logic prevailed, every guide would be cited if they didn't hold onto their tag until the last day.

[TheSennett]

Extending that logic every kid who tags along with a parent is a poachee. Tag along on a quality tag? Poacher. Spot a goat on your brother's goat hunt? Poacher.

Either we are pretty much all poachers or you're looking for any and all reasons to attack the guy.

  

Or any birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife....  If Janis didn't have a bow/gun, he wasn't hunting.

That argument would never have been made had this not been a celebrity.

There seems to be a difference between Janis actively participating in calling the elk (listen to the podcast if you haven't done so) and a child who "tags along" with their parent who has a proper license and tag, or a "birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife."  I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer or the prosecuting attorney if you want... 

Also, "being a celebrity" has anything to do with following the rules.  I'm a big fan of MeatEater and Rinella.  As I said in my first post, I'd wager that everything they do is on the level.  However, its still an interesting discussion topic.  Even more so when you are broadcasting your actions to a national audience.

I've seen a lot of arguments pop up here on a yearly basis over the last decade or so:  Which optics are the best, which caliber you should shoot, whether you should run with heavy or light arrows, which pack to buy, whether or not you could duct tape a muzzleloader to seal it, etc.

This is the first time I can remember people saying "this was potentially illegal because his buddy was calling elk for him."  Anybody who draws a quality (late Sept) elk tag would be wise to have a buddy calling for them.  I cannot recall this ever being questioned until a celebrity did it.

...But I could be wrong.

Quick search on WDFW website...

https://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/86/Do+I+need+a+hunting+license+if+I%27m+just+helping+my+child+or+others+to+hunt%3F

Do I need a hunting license if I'm just helping my child or others to hunt?
If you are only watching or guiding, you do not need a hunting license. However, if you are directly assisting and participating (such as driving game or packing hunting weapons), you will need the appropriate hunting license.

[Odell]

Extending that logic every kid who tags along with a parent is a poachee. Tag along on a quality tag? Poacher. Spot a goat on your brother's goat hunt? Poacher.

Either we are pretty much all poachers or you're looking for any and all reasons to attack the guy.

  

Or any birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife....  If Janis didn't have a bow/gun, he wasn't hunting.

That argument would never have been made had this not been a celebrity.

There seems to be a difference between Janis actively participating in calling the elk (listen to the podcast if you haven't done so) and a child who "tags along" with their parent who has a proper license and tag, or a "birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife."  I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer or the prosecuting attorney if you want... 

Also, "being a celebrity" has anything to do with following the rules.  I'm a big fan of MeatEater and Rinella.  As I said in my first post, I'd wager that everything they do is on the level.  However, its still an interesting discussion topic.  Even more so when you are broadcasting your actions to a national audience.

I've seen a lot of arguments pop up here on a yearly basis over the last decade or so:  Which optics are the best, which caliber you should shoot, whether you should run with heavy or light arrows, which pack to buy, whether or not you could duct tape a muzzleloader to seal it, etc.

This is the first time I can remember people saying "this was potentially illegal because his buddy was calling elk for him."  Anybody who draws a quality (late Sept) elk tag would be wise to have a buddy calling for them.  I cannot recall this ever being questioned until a celebrity did it.

...But I could be wrong.

To be honest, its the defense of Rinella on here that has way more to do with him being a celebrity. Nobody has accused anybody of doing something illegal, a few of us (who are also fans) are having a discussion about what might be a potential grey area and others are pretty dang defensive of someone they have never met.

And this has been questioned on here before quite extensively, about guiding and compensation. It is also an issue in fishing where you need a bunch of licensing to accept compensation.

For sure, it is illegal to pay your buddy to call elk for you.

[CedarPants]

I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer

I've had that very discussion with 3 different WDFW officers over the years and they've all indicated that it was perfectly fine to call elk for a hunter with a special tag.  Were all 3 of them wrong and are there a lot of people being cited for this that we just never hear about 

"Were all 3 of them wrong" --- possibly.  It all depends on the facts and each person's understanding of the facts. 

So, you suggested we go "argue" it with the WDFW officer.  I submitted the fact that I've had that discussion (not argument) 3 times with WDFW officers.  Your response is that they could be wrong and it depends on each person's understanding of the facts.  The fact that you used the term "argue" leads me to believe you've already concluded that the facts as you understand them are that it's illegal.

It doesn't feel like you are trying to have a discussion.  It feels like you are trying to rally people around your position that this should be illegal.  Good luck.

@BigTex - if this is in fact illegal, please educate us.

[BULLBLASTER]

Extending that logic every kid who tags along with a parent is a poachee. Tag along on a quality tag? Poacher. Spot a goat on your brother's goat hunt? Poacher.

Either we are pretty much all poachers or you're looking for any and all reasons to attack the guy.

  

Or any birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife....  If Janis didn't have a bow/gun, he wasn't hunting.

That argument would never have been made had this not been a celebrity.

There seems to be a difference between Janis actively participating in calling the elk (listen to the podcast if you haven't done so) and a child who "tags along" with their parent who has a proper license and tag, or a "birder, or any hiker who takes their binoculars out and glasses wildlife."  I don't make the rules and I'm not looking to argue legal definitions.  Y'all can do that with the WDFW officer or the prosecuting attorney if you want... 

Also, "being a celebrity" has anything to do with following the rules.  I'm a big fan of MeatEater and Rinella.  As I said in my first post, I'd wager that everything they do is on the level.  However, its still an interesting discussion topic.  Even more so when you are broadcasting your actions to a national audience.

I've seen a lot of arguments pop up here on a yearly basis over the last decade or so:  Which optics are the best, which caliber you should shoot, whether you should run with heavy or light arrows, which pack to buy, whether or not you could duct tape a muzzleloader to seal it, etc.

This is the first time I can remember people saying "this was potentially illegal because his buddy was calling elk for him."  Anybody who draws a quality (late Sept) elk tag would be wise to have a buddy calling for them.  I cannot recall this ever being questioned until a celebrity did it.

...But I could be wrong.

Quick search on WDFW website...

https://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/86/Do+I+need+a+hunting+license+if+I%27m+just+helping+my+child+or+others+to+hunt%3F

Do I need a hunting license if I'm just helping my child or others to hunt?
If you are only watching or guiding, you do not need a hunting license. However, if you are directly assisting and participating (such as driving game or packing hunting weapons), you will need the appropriate hunting license.

I guess I am a poacher then since I called bulls for a buddy in a draw only unit this year. He even bought me lunch... 

Someone should probably report me and collect their 10 points 

[TheSennett]

Man, you folks are really touchy.  You'd think with deer opener around the corner everyone would be a little happier.  I was just looking to have a conversation as pointed out by Odell.  I don't have a dog in the fight.  Don't really care what you personally do either.  Should we talk about religion and politics now?

[Odell]

"lemme ask you this...so we go down and go...this is a question for Janis, because Janis is actually the one...I'm the one hunting but I'm not the one hunting. I'm the trigger man. Because Janis is the one calling, which is the hard part." Steve Rinella Ep 135:titillation.

Like I said, interesting grey area, this is what Steve is paying Janis to do.

Still love the show, still respect them. Really wish they hadn't been as specific in public with all the details. Guess that's my last word.

[yakimanoob]

Man, you folks are really touchy.  You'd think with deer opener around the corner everyone would be a little happier. 

You've got that backwards.  Everyone is antsy and touchy because season isn't quite here yet and we're tired of waiting 


I think most of us on here agree that 1) Rinella and his crew are awesome advocates for the hunting rights and public lands we all hold dear, and 2) we would have preferred he didn't talk about the specific spot he was hunting in such detail. 

[Igottanewknee]

Anybody see that dead horse I'm supposed to beat? Or is this going to be another Kaepernick thread...... come on 60 pages!!