Colockum Elk Discussion

[colockumelk]

Recently many of you have noticed that I've posted many many things about what should or should not happen to the Colockum elk herd.  Sometimes I've played the devils advocate sometimes I have pushed for things that I strongly believe should happen.  Part of thise was to get everyone to brainstorm in an open discussion.  That's also what part of my polls were for.  To get a feel and to get good ideas for what would or might work best.  I have learned alot and I hope you have too. 

Such as I have learned that while permit only would help the elk herd there are many variables that have to be considered and also maybe some consequences throughout the state.  Also through my research of this option I have learned alot else as well. 

The most important thing that I learned about from these discussions is that the one thing that about 99% of everyone on here has agreed on is road managment.  Almost everyone I've talked to want and believes that there needs to be some road closures in the Colockum.  Heck even the WDFW believes so as well.  While many of the other things we might not agree on we do agree that the more road access there is the more animals you are going to have poached and the more animals will be killed by a certain pair of brothers.  Also with more road access you will have a lower percentage of spike recruitment.  Compare the Teanaway and the Nanum/Quilomene if you don't believe me. 

So since you have all taught me so much and have narrowed down exactly what needs to get done lets continue this process and discuss how we should go about closing down the roads.  Such as raising money, which roads to close down, how many roads to close down etc. 

Again I want to thank all of you for participating and giving me your input.  As promised none of your opinions fell on deaf ears.  So lets work on closing some roads, let me hear it.   

[robodad]

Recently many of you have noticed that I've posted many many things about what should or should not happen to the Colockum elk herd.

You should really start combining all these tons of threads into one so it is easier to follow !! 

[C-Money]

Close/block only the roads that are marked by sign's. The road closures must be enforced by law enforcement officers, or it will only hurt the people that follow the law!

[colockumelk]

C-Money there isn't any money in the budget to hire more enforcement officers.  So more enforcement is not going to happen.  Also as much as I would love to make the penalties for road violations and for poaching alot stiffer, the WDFW does not set those fines and penalties, the legislature does.  And according to the legislature since they are "only animals" the penalties are strong enough.  So neither of those options are valid. 

The only answer is road closures.  There is nothing wrong with making people actually get out and walk when they hunt.  As for disabled hunters that's what gates are for.  I understand your family likes to drive their ATV's around for recreation.  So I understand your concern. But I assure you even if we closed down all but the main roads there would still be plenty of miles that you could drive around on.  And if that isn't enough pretty much the entire Manastash has ATV and dirt bike trails that you can literally drive all over.  There isn't a whole lot of area in the Manastash that you can't ride on. 

[colockumelk]

Recently many of you have noticed that I've posted many many things about what should or should not happen to the Colockum elk herd.

You should really start combining all these tons of threads into one so it is easier to follow !! 

I'm hoping the other ones will just die off

[robodad]

Recently many of you have noticed that I've posted many many things about what should or should not happen to the Colockum elk herd.

You should really start combining all these tons of threads into one so it is easier to follow !! 

I'm hoping the other ones will just die off

Just gets confusing trying to switch back and forth between all them just like the draw results threads, you'll see what I mean when they start showin up !!! 

[jackelope]

we can lock them if you really want them to die off...

just pm me the links and i'll lock them. if i do that no one will be able to reply to them. if you want to do this i will do it tomorrow. i am going to bed soon.

[MichaelJ]

Sweet stuff Aaron, I agree with ya on pretty much everything but haven't followed all of the Colockum threads... seems like there's a lot of repetitiveness (SP??  )  so I quit a while ago... lol  Nice to see a thread though where no arguments 'should' start...

Michael

[colockumelk]

That's my goal is no arguing but then again what's the fun in that.  Like I said most of the purpose of the last threads was to raise awareness and also to start troubleshooting the problems.  I think most of us agree the underlying problem is too much road access so hopefully we can start trouble shooting on what the best course of action should be and how to go about it. 

[gasman]

I believe the first step would be to consult the land owner (DNR, FS,or WDFW) and get permission and or a permit to add a gate at there specs, the agency in charge will need to provide the locks for said gates. Make sure you let them know your intention.

Then after permission was received you would need to raise the money to build or have materials donated for the gate. Have someone build the gate to the specs of the agency. then instaal the gate.All this is going to need to be done with the supervision of the controlling agency.
The agency may want to see all materials donated and labor provided for the job before they will allow any thing to happen, so you will need to talk with them first to see what they will allow you to do, they may tell you to go away and not bother them again with it.

Here is an example:
In order for a group of people (lets say a jeep club) to perform a "clean up" of an area they must first get pemission from the land mangers to see if they will allow for them to clean up (remove) garbadge.

No this does not make any sence, but that is the burocacy of it. Even to do trail maintenace for a trail there must be a plan in effect before it can be done.

Just like an eagle scout: if an boy scout who is on the verge of earning his "Eagle Badge" wants to replace a foot bridge on a trail because the bridge is broken and needs repair, he must first provide a plan with materials before he can start, and its not just a requirement for the project but the land owners as well (FS, WDFW or DNR).

[Buckrub]

Clockum,

If indeed the Yakima herd is doing fine then why is the wdfw reducing the number of permits?

[bowhuntin]

Clockum,

If indeed the Yakima herd is doing fine then why is the wdfw reducing the number of permits?

The WDFW hasn't even done their surveys yet to determine how many permits to give out this year, so how do you make the claim that the Yakima Herd isn't doing fine?

[Buckrub]

Clockum,

If indeed the Yakima herd is doing fine then why is the wdfw reducing the number of permits?

The WDFW hasn't even done their surveys yet to determine how many permits to give out this year, so how do you make the claim that the Yakima Herd isn't doing fine?

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/seasonsetting/2009-2011_recommendations/final_2009_03_20/elk_general_seasons_special_permit_regulations.pdf

Pg. 49 if you don't want to read the entire file.

Page 65:
Go permit only in the Colockum. Bulls are down 70%oin
five years. True spike is not the answer.
wdfw rresponse
There are over 6,000 hunters that hunt the Colockum elk
herd during the general season. The Agency is not ready
to implement that drastic of a measure at this time.

[Dave Workman]

Why not just do campouts up there starting in August?

[bowhuntin]

Clockum,

If indeed the Yakima herd is doing fine then why is the wdfw reducing the number of permits?

The WDFW hasn't even done their surveys yet to determine how many permits to give out this year, so how do you make the claim that the Yakima Herd isn't doing fine?

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/seasonsetting/2009-2011_recommendations/final_2009_03_20/elk_general_seasons_special_permit_regulations.pdf

Pg. 49 if you don't want to read the entire file.

Page 65:
Go permit only in the Colockum. Bulls are down 70%oin
five years. True spike is not the answer.
wdfw rresponse
There are over 6,000 hunters that hunt the Colockum elk
herd during the general season. The Agency is not ready
to implement that drastic of a measure at this time.

Thanks for the link. Didn't know they had conducted any surveys yet. I don't think the reduced number of permits is anything to worry about. If I remember right they increased tags for archery last year. I think it is a little early to proclaim the Yakima Herd is in trouble. If this trend continues for the next couple of years then I can see making that claim. Just something to keep an eye on though.