Free: Contests & Raffles.
Quote from: pianoman9701 on March 06, 2019, 10:55:55 AMWith the end of public access came unlimited power for the timber companies to tie up their land for those who'll pay the price, an ever-increasing price, it seems. And for those who've hunted those woods for years and can no longer afford it, tough luck. Timber companies control a large % of the private land in our state. It's time to dial back the tax benefits they receive of lowered tax rates on their land, deferred until timber weighing. I have little doubt that in some cases with the new rules, the income generated per acre from access fees will outpace the value of the timber on that land over the same period of time that it takes to grow. That makes it a different business and the land should be taxed accordingly. We must give the timber companies an incentive to work with the people of the state to open up their lands or assess a fair real estate tax from those who charge exorbitant fees for that access. Grays Harbor County tried to pass a resolution increasing taxes. Weyco sued them and the county backed down.
With the end of public access came unlimited power for the timber companies to tie up their land for those who'll pay the price, an ever-increasing price, it seems. And for those who've hunted those woods for years and can no longer afford it, tough luck. Timber companies control a large % of the private land in our state. It's time to dial back the tax benefits they receive of lowered tax rates on their land, deferred until timber weighing. I have little doubt that in some cases with the new rules, the income generated per acre from access fees will outpace the value of the timber on that land over the same period of time that it takes to grow. That makes it a different business and the land should be taxed accordingly. We must give the timber companies an incentive to work with the people of the state to open up their lands or assess a fair real estate tax from those who charge exorbitant fees for that access.
Nice of them to send this out AFTER the spring bear deadline. No spring bear limited access pass... Hancock is a mismanaged corrupt joke, they need to go so we can actually have a decent opportunity to hunt IMO
Quote from: N7XW on March 06, 2019, 11:53:18 AMQuote from: pianoman9701 on March 06, 2019, 10:55:55 AMWith the end of public access came unlimited power for the timber companies to tie up their land for those who'll pay the price, an ever-increasing price, it seems. And for those who've hunted those woods for years and can no longer afford it, tough luck. Timber companies control a large % of the private land in our state. It's time to dial back the tax benefits they receive of lowered tax rates on their land, deferred until timber weighing. I have little doubt that in some cases with the new rules, the income generated per acre from access fees will outpace the value of the timber on that land over the same period of time that it takes to grow. That makes it a different business and the land should be taxed accordingly. We must give the timber companies an incentive to work with the people of the state to open up their lands or assess a fair real estate tax from those who charge exorbitant fees for that access. Grays Harbor County tried to pass a resolution increasing taxes. Weyco sued them and the county backed down. Especially with the new rules, I think a solid case could be made to tax them as a commercial property, not timberland. That would make them have to chit or get off the pot with regards to what business they're actually in and public access to their land. As well, the WDFW should be putting pressure on them with regards to damage permits to allow hunters unfettered access to fill those tags. They want the best of everything and in the process, WA hunters and taxpayers get screwed.
Very disappointed by the new rules. I’ve had the pass for two years now and had just got done talking myself into a third...until I saw the rule change. Now it’s a big NOPE! Your gonna make me pay double (600$) to ride with my wife in Kapowsin? Not gonna happen. Like I’ve said in previous post, deer hunting in there is a joke, spring bear hunting is a waste of points (8.2% percent success in 2017) and shed hunting is a circus. If you buy this pass you should go into thinking that it’s a 300$ elk special draw where your odds are 1/1200.
I believe the objective of the change of policies is an effort to boost deer populations and the quality of bucks. I think they could have made different changes to accomplish this. The old rules allowed a family to go up (with one permit) and kill an animal for each tag holding family member. When you put 1200 permits up for sale that quickly diminishes the deer population in an area. I think last year they changed the rules to a two point minimum, which was a good first step. Now, they are going away from the general antlerless deer harvest on the properties they manage, and I think that was a great move as well. However, instead of making families buy two permits for husband and wife (and potentially more for children over 18), my opinion is that they should put a limit on harvest of animals per permit instead. Whether it is one animal of each species per permit or two? However, I think making families buy two permits isn't the way I would have done it. Pretty much across the board there has been an effort to get more participation from women and children into hunting and the outdoors in general. If you put a limit of one deer tag per permit, then it allows families to go up and do all of the other outdoor recreational activities that tree farms provide while still working toward the goal of improving the deer population and quality. Just a thought that crossed my mind. By the way, I am surprised that these permits are even managed via Hancock. They own very little in the Kapowsin tree farm anymore, and I didn't even know they owned any in the White River. I am not as familiar with that farm, but know the Muckleshoots bought around 90,000 acres from them in that tree farm a few years back (I believe Hancock still manages it for them). I know a large chunk (if not all) of the Eatonville tree farm was sold recently as well. Hancock is fazing out of the timberland management/investment business so when this permit came out as a Hancock permit this year I was surprised. The management and decisions within these farms is voted on by the stakeholders (land managers) within the farms. Even though you are buying a "Hancock Permit", the land you are hunting is mostly owned and/or managed by other companies. I am assuming they have stayed with the Hancock label out of convenience. I am pleased to see that the new landowners are all working together to keep the permit and area managed as one block though. With the checkerboarded ownerships in those areas I have been interested to see how they would manage recreational access.
Quote from: ASienkiewich on March 06, 2019, 12:49:58 PMNice of them to send this out AFTER the spring bear deadline. No spring bear limited access pass... Hancock is a mismanaged corrupt joke, they need to go so we can actually have a decent opportunity to hunt IMOWhere is the new rules listed saying this? I can't seem to find it on the website. I only see the rules about individuals needing there's own permit and such.
I think that was the best comment, on any subject, I've ever read on this forum. Well done. I'm in timber as well, but normally just let this stuff fly and don't get down in the weeds since it seems to never be a subject people are willing to be educated in. Hopefully this will help some folks learn a bit more about the industry before immediately labeling all large timber owners evil, corrupt, slimy organizations.
Quote from: cougforester on March 06, 2019, 06:44:10 PMI think that was the best comment, on any subject, I've ever read on this forum. Well done. I'm in timber as well, but normally just let this stuff fly and don't get down in the weeds since it seems to never be a subject people are willing to be educated in. Hopefully this will help some folks learn a bit more about the industry before immediately labeling all large timber owners evil, corrupt, slimy organizations. I agree well put. We all know from his writing ability that he doesn't fell trees for a living.