Skagit plan

[nwwanderer]

Check it out in the Capital Press

[baker5150]

https://www.capitalpress.com/state/washington/skagit-elk-new-approach-for-old-problem/article_0ed6623a-815d-11e9-8c1d-0329ad24ee48.html

[huntnphool]

"Fish and Wildlife is a complete flop at managing the elk.”

[jamesfromseattle]

“There’ll be elk crap where the kids are getting tackled,” he said.


I grew up in Seattle.  There was human crap on the fields where I got tackled.  Deal with it.

[Stein]

I can't imagine why landowners can't get more effective hunters out there.  If there are 300 elk in the valley and you have a farm that is frequented by elk it would seem a slam dunk to simply post an add in here selling permits subject to a quick interview.

It's funny how different the view on elk depredation is compared to wolves and bears.

[baker5150]

I can't imagine why landowners can't get more effective hunters out there.  If there are 300 elk in the valley and you have a farm that is frequented by elk it would seem a slam dunk to simply post an add in here selling permits subject to a quick interview.

It's funny how different the view on elk depredation is compared to wolves and bears.

Have they been previously allowed to sell their damage tags? 

I know of landowners giving them away.

[Stein]

Yeah, but the article said that many of them go unfilled.

[Fishmaker57]

I have talked extensively with the Enforcement agent that used to deal with this issue. One of the problems is that , while the department does give out multiple landowner tags, many of the landowners won't allow hunting on their property.....they would rather just complain and think the agency can just magically make them disappear. The area in question isn't that large, and they seem to have a good handle on how many elk are there, and how many calves are born each year. Why not trap and haul the excess to another location? I am sure it would cost less than the $1.4 million in damages they claim is happening each year.

Maybe just drive them over the hill and dump them in the Methow Valley......be nice to see something with 4 legs in the woods once in a while!

 

[Buckjunkie]

I had a damage permit last year for the first time. A friend hooked me up. 

We could only hunt on 80 acres owned by the landowner and they had to be antlerless.  We saw several bulls we couldn’t take. We would see elk every day on surrounding properties, but they just never came on the piece we had permission.

The damage permits need to be for a unit or designated area with landowner permission. They seem too restrictive to be effective.

[WSU]

Part or a lot of the problem is lots of folks don’t allow hunting. That’s their right, but it also creates lots and lots of safe areas that allow elk to hang out.

[ghosthunter]

Part or a lot of the problem is lots of folks don’t allow hunting. That’s their right, but it also creates lots and lots of safe areas that allow elk to hang out.

True

And several complain to see what they can get out of the state. Free fence, money,
Tags they can sell.

I shot a cow several years ago on this damage hunt. Elk just across the fence, waited the entire day before they crossed over.
Another problem is you got to be able to hit what you aim at. Lots of surrounding homes up there. No place to just be slinging lead. Bow hunters, rifle, muzzy lots of poor shots.

[Stein]

So the solution may be that you can only apply for damages if you participate in allowing hunting or department hazing or lethal removal.  I'm no farmer for sure, but if you are unwilling to be part of the solution you should not expect to get help.

[Buckjunkie]

So the solution may be that you can only apply for damages if you participate in allowing hunting or department hazing or lethal removal.  I'm no farmer for sure, but if you are unwilling to be part of the solution you should not expect to get help.

You don’t work for government do you?

[Stein]

No, not smart enough apparently.  I did grow up in MT on the highline and witnessed the good and bad of the farming community though.

[Buckjunkie]

No, not smart enough apparently.  I did grow up in MT on the highline and witnessed the good and bad of the farming community though.

I like your solution.