Has shed hunting come to this

[Skyvalhunter]

A friend of mine on the east side was an avid shed hunter in the Leavenworth area. One of his favorite spots was an area above private property where part of the Camas elk herd  used to hang out. Well one of the private property owners started feeding the elk and now they stay on his property year round. He even went as far as to install video surveillance so he could watch when the bulls drop their antlers so he could go out and retrieve them. Evidently they shoot a few during the season. This just doesn't seem right to me.

[MADMAX]

Nothing new
Its been a rat race for the last 20 years, used to be a nice spring walk in between cowlitz springers

[nwwanderer]

Have seen families with members that hire runners to beat their kin after a horn drop watch.  Try to contain yourselves in areas under stress, they really need to be left alone, thanks

[cbond3318]

I wish the demand for antler in China would tank so it can get back to supplying local small business with craft stock and drive down some of the shed madness.

[trophyhunt]

Have seen families with members that hire runners to beat their kin after a horn drop watch.  Try to contain yourselves in areas under stress, they really need to be left alone, thanks

I really try to contain myself when I see guys posting about going out antler hunting in January or feburary, your correct, they need to be left alone.  Guys are getting out way too soon.

[cbond3318]

Have seen families with members that hire runners to beat their kin after a horn drop watch.  Try to contain yourselves in areas under stress, they really need to be left alone, thanks

I really try to contain myself when I see guys posting about going out antler hunting in January or feburary, your correct, they need to be left alone.  Guys are getting out way too soon.

There is a way to do it and a way not to do it, but there are a lot of people that don't give a rip about how they go about it.

[trophyhunt]

Have seen families with members that hire runners to beat their kin after a horn drop watch.  Try to contain yourselves in areas under stress, they really need to be left alone, thanks

I really try to contain myself when I see guys posting about going out antler hunting in January or feburary, your correct, they need to be left alone.  Guys are getting out way too soon.

There is a way to do it and a way not to do it, but there are a lot of people that don't give a rip about how they go about it.

Agree, even when I wait till late March and I see elk or deer in the woods I try to steer away from them without bugging.

[vandeman17]

Have seen families with members that hire runners to beat their kin after a horn drop watch.  Try to contain yourselves in areas under stress, they really need to be left alone, thanks

I really try to contain myself when I see guys posting about going out antler hunting in January or feburary, your correct, they need to be left alone.  Guys are getting out way too soon.

There is a way to do it and a way not to do it, but there are a lot of people that don't give a rip about how they go about it.

Agree, even when I wait till late March and I see elk or deer in the woods I try to steer away from them without bugging.

If I am out early, which has been a few years, I glass an area very thoroughly before I hike through it. I am not really looking for sheds as much as I am trying not to bump any critters. 

[woodswalker]

And this sort of crap is NOT helping our herds...I can see the woods being closed unless folks get some sense.

[MADMAX]

hmmm, wonder what got them pushed hard

https://www.foxnews.com/us/incredible-video-shows-elk-herd-crossing-snowy-oregon-road

[pianoman9701]

Interesting article on the WDFW website regarding winter feeding of wildlife, asserting that feeding is "discouraged". Depending on what they're using to attract the wildlife, they may be killing these animals.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/living/winter_feeding/wildlife.html

[Old Man Yager]

Have seen families with members that hire runners to beat their kin after a horn drop watch.  Try to contain yourselves in areas under stress, they really need to be left alone, thanks

I really try to contain myself when I see guys posting about going out antler hunting in January or feburary, your correct, they need to be left alone.  Guys are getting out way too soon.

I go in Jan and Feb, but I'm mostly just looking for last years drops that have been missed because they couldn't be seen in the brush. If I see Elk, I'm just taking mental notes on where I've seen them so I'll have a place to look in Late March and April.

[MtnMuley]

hmmm, wonder what got them pushed hard

https://www.foxnews.com/us/incredible-video-shows-elk-herd-crossing-snowy-oregon-road

ODFW trying to get them out of the valley.

[MADMAX]

👍
Ty

[eastfork]

Maybe we need to stay a shed season and require license to do it. Sounds like it needs regulated since everyone seems to be on different pages on this topic

[pianoman9701]

I'm unsure about needing another license but I wouldn't be opposed to a season. MT has an opening day for popular areas and it's quite an event.

[snake]

I vote no for a shed season.  Makes about as much sense as gun control.

[spoonman]

Guys were down in mudflow last weekend!?!? There is a open date of May 1st I believe  for there and some could care less.

[pianoman9701]

I vote no for a shed season.  Makes about as much sense as gun control.

I forgot. Which Amendment covers shed hunting?

[birddogdad]

Interesting article on the WDFW website regarding winter feeding of wildlife, asserting that feeding is "discouraged". Depending on what they're using to attract the wildlife, they may be killing these animals.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/living/winter_feeding/wildlife.html

thought you would need big  brothers approval to feed wild game thru winters?

[lord grizzly]

I vote no for a shed season.  Makes about as much sense as gun control.

I forgot. Which Amendment covers shed hunting?

its amazing isn't it....

[blackveltbowhunter]

Perhaps it's not an amendment, but it certainly affects my right to liberty and the pursuit of happinness. 

I agree with the sentiment and I understand the frustration with idiots. But have to agree with pro shed crowd, their is anti harrassment laws in place,  as well as restricted areas, if you can't monitor and punish the current violaters what good is it to restrict others,  just to feel good about it.

   Statewide season is crazy IMO, what about antlers that drop in someone's back forty? I  work in the woods alot and find sheds often would I now have to leave them? Are we going to restrict all forest operation as well? Shed hunting itself is not the issue animal harrassment is. Laws against that already.

And again it comes down to enforcement. Plenty of areas are closed by wdfw to provide safe zones. If everyone played by the rules it would be perfect. But so many do not that it almost seems like a joke to even have them. Basically making prime areas for anyone who is lazy and willing to risk it.

If anything should change it should be a focus on monitor and patrol of ALL safe zones, as well as severe punishment for any motorized harrassment and non motorized hazing.

[TommyH]

Perhaps it's not an amendment, but it certainly affects my right to liberty and the pursuit of happinness. 

I agree with the sentiment and I understand the frustration with idiots. But have to agree with pro shed crowd, their is anti harrassment laws in place,  as well as restricted areas, if you can't monitor and punish the current violaters what good is it to restrict others,  just to feel good about it.

   Statewide season is crazy IMO, what about antlers that drop in someone's back forty? I  work in the woods alot and find sheds often would I now have to leave them? Are we going to restrict all forest operation as well? Shed hunting itself is not the issue animal harrassment is. Laws against that already.

And again it comes down to enforcement. Plenty of areas are closed by wdfw to provide safe zones. If everyone played by the rules it would be perfect. But so many do not that it almost seems like a joke to even have them. Basically making prime areas for anyone who is lazy and willing to risk it.

If anything should change it should be a focus on monitor and patrol of ALL safe zones, as well as severe punishment for any motorized harrassment and non motorized hazing.

 

[lord grizzly]

Perhaps it's not an amendment, but it certainly affects my right to liberty and the pursuit of happinness. 

I agree with the sentiment and I understand the frustration with idiots. But have to agree with pro shed crowd, their is anti harrassment laws in place,  as well as restricted areas, if you can't monitor and punish the current violaters what good is it to restrict others,  just to feel good about it.

   Statewide season is crazy IMO, what about antlers that drop in someone's back forty? I  work in the woods alot and find sheds often would I now have to leave them? Are we going to restrict all forest operation as well? Shed hunting itself is not the issue animal harrassment is. Laws against that already.

And again it comes down to enforcement. Plenty of areas are closed by wdfw to provide safe zones. If everyone played by the rules it would be perfect. But so many do not that it almost seems like a joke to even have them. Basically making prime areas for anyone who is lazy and willing to risk it.

If anything should change it should be a focus on monitor and patrol of ALL safe zones, as well as severe punishment for any motorized harrassment and non motorized hazing.

However still not unprecedented and by your logic hunting seasons impede on your  pursute of happiness. State wide may be on the extreme end but man the internet has turned shed hunting into a dangerous season for vulnerable animals coming off winter. I think there should be restrictions

[MADMAX]

The areas posted to no public entry until 5/1 need to be monitored and enforced
But after 25 years of shed hunting
It’s no longer what it was
Shed dogs
Drones
Trackers planted in sheds to bust guys
Guys stockpiling
Horse riders cutting off guys on foot
Do I still love it
Hell yes

I did sun river in Montana a couple years ago
Vehicles parked a week before it opened and a line opening day miles long
It is indeed looking for brown gold
With all the negatives and greed thrown in
People are our own worst enemies

Lots of things have changed since I started
It’s now $$ and a selfie to a lot of folks
Too bad

[snake]

I vote no for a shed season.  Makes about as much sense as gun control.

I forgot. Which Amendment covers shed hunting?

No mention to 2A was given.  Like others have said already.  The laws are already in place to protect the animals.  It's all about enforcing the laws we have.  Similar to my comment about gun control, laws are in place already, just need to enforce what is there.

[eastfork]

Ok, we are going to have violators on any law
 That's why the jails are full. But if the fines where greater than they are now, then even the casual violator  may think twice. I still think a license would be could.  Also, make it area specific.  Increase fine amounts to make them think twice. And also stricker patrols. License fees should be high enough to keep most people out of the woods pushing animals around

[pianoman9701]

I vote no for a shed season.  Makes about as much sense as gun control.

I forgot. Which Amendment covers shed hunting?

No mention to 2A was given.  Like others have said already.  The laws are already in place to protect the animals.  It's all about enforcing the laws we have.  Similar to my comment about gun control, laws are in place already, just need to enforce what is there.

You said it makes as much sense as gun control. We have Constitutional rights regarding gun control. We have no Constitutional right regarding shed hunting. There may be laws in place for specific refuges and other areas, but there are no laws in place for most of the state regarding shed hunting. Some people think they're necessary to protect fragile animals in the wintering grounds. People get crazy on shed hunting and many either don't realize or don't care about their impact on these animals.

[snake]

I vote no for a shed season.  Makes about as much sense as gun control.

I forgot. Which Amendment covers shed hunting?

No mention to 2A was given.  Like others have said already.  The laws are already in place to protect the animals.  It's all about enforcing the laws we have.  Similar to my comment about gun control, laws are in place already, just need to enforce what is there.

You said it makes as much sense as gun control. We have Constitutional rights regarding gun control. We have no Constitutional right regarding shed hunting. There may be laws in place for specific refuges and other areas, but there are no laws in place for most of the state regarding shed hunting. Some people think they're necessary to protect fragile animals in the wintering grounds. People get crazy on shed hunting and many either don't realize or don't care about their impact on these animals.

I agree with you.  We are basically saying the same thing.  I just don't think more laws will help. has nothing to do with constitutional rights.

[buckfvr]

Maybe everyone should get a participation trophy, and oh ya, kids need to be able to get some and then set some aside for seniors and disabled vets.....and maybe throw in a doe tag for n.e.wa.   

People are the problem and wdfw manages people, not animals.....they cant write citations to animals, otherwise they would.

[millerwheeler]

Creating another season  and another thing the government has there hands on will do nothing at all! Because at the end of the day certain people will bend , break or twist the rules .  should enforcement be out and watch the areas that aren't open  but at the same time there are many many other violations going on that seem alot more important . There just isn't enough of them to cover the size of areas there given .

[Skyvalhunter]

What would you like to see done?

[beauhunter]

To the comment of having to get a license and season to regulate shed hunting, I think most will agree that the state doesn't need to take anymore of our money for less opportunities. It will just give them another opportunity for them to control sportsman. Everyone else will just sneak in and take them before anyone else gets to go