Klickitat Sheriff Swears in Hound Hunters to pursue Cougars & Bears

[pianoman9701]

"A Central Washington sheriff has sworn in hound handlers to pursue cougars and black bears, saying he expects his office to be quicker and more aggressive in responding to dangerous animals than the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer said he’s heard increasing concerns from ranchers and others about predators.
Since the sheriff took charge of chasing predators last last month, a cougar seen in a field with cattle was chased and euthanized, a livestock-protection measure Songer said he doubts Fish and Wildlife would have taken..."

Read on.

https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/livestock/washington-sheriff-takes-lead-in-pursuing-cougars/article_cae2a1a4-d0e1-11e9-9965-937aa24afc1e.html

[Buckhunter24]

Smart move by the sheriff and.the rancher who let him know

[trophyhunt]

Let freedom ring!!!!   

[Special T]

This realization will bust Eastern Wa  wide open for dealing with cats.

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[Timberstalker]

Awesome.  What a step forward.  Good move, Sheriff! 

[Jgarrigus]

Been a fan of Songer ever since I met him when he chased me down on deer huting on private property. Dropped the right name and he let me hunt on. Also love his stance against WA new gun laws, as well as the sheriff posse they have out in Goldendale.

[rainshadow1]

Really hope this sets a trend.

Wise move, and puts the authority and ability to respond into the correct hands.

"The State" needs less and less hands-on authority in communities. (Not just in the case of Animal Damage, but you've got to start somewhere.) WE THE PEOPLE are the ones who are supposed to say so.

Way to go, Sheriff Songer!

[KFhunter]

I sent it to Ferry County SO and Stevens County SO 

[buckfvr]

This is the only way eastern wa. and even western wa. rural communities can take care of their unique problems without interference from metropolis western wa.

[Karl Blanchard]

Hope this starts to snow ball into other counties though I fear with it being publicised like this the wrong people will catch wind of it and here come the lawsuits.

[KFhunter]

Hope this starts to snow ball into other counties though I fear with it being publicised like this the wrong people will catch wind of it and here come the lawsuits.

This isn't hunting though, this is protecting people and property from dangerous entities (this case large predators) but it could be a tweaker, a eco terrorist, alien from outer space, dangerous out of control robot...In those cases regular deputies are equipped to handle most situations, but when it comes to large predators such as mt lions and bears the deputies are not equipped to handle it, so they've enlisted people who are due to WDFW's failure or unwillingness to do so. 

It is the ultimate job of the Sheriff to protect the people who voted him or her into office, and in fulfilling their oath of office this sheriff has seen a need to deputize houndsmen in order to effect that mandate. 

It would be false to equate this act to "hunting" when it is not.  For a deputized houndsmen to be called into service there must first be a complaint lodged, a concern from a citizen that there is or is about to be a dangerous encounter with a dangerous animal or property destruction by a dangerous animal.   Then a deputized houndsmen can go and mitigate that threat. 

It has nothing to do with "hunting" and everything to do with protecting people and property 

[Karl Blanchard]

Hope this starts to snow ball into other counties though I fear with it being publicised like this the wrong people will catch wind of it and here come the lawsuits.

This isn't hunting though, this is protecting people and property from dangerous entities (this case large predators) but it could be a tweaker, a eco terrorist, alien from outer space, dangerous out of control robot...In those cases regular deputies are equipped to handle most situations, but when it comes to large predators such as mt lions and bears the deputies are not equipped to handle it, so they've enlisted people who are due to WDFW's failure or unwillingness to do so. 

It is the ultimate job of the Sheriff to protect the people who voted him or her into office, and in fulfilling their oath of office this sheriff has seen a need to deputize houndsmen in order to effect that mandate. 

It would be false to equate this act to "hunting" when it is not.  For a deputized houndsmen to be called into service there must first be a complaint lodged, a concern from a citizen that there is or is about to be a dangerous encounter with a dangerous animal or property destruction by a dangerous animal.   Then a deputized houndsmen can go and mitigate that threat. 

It has nothing to do with "hunting" and everything to do with protecting people and property 

did I say it was about hunting? No sir I did not. Government isn't supposed to infringe on our constitution right to keep and bear arms either but in our law system where there is a will there is a way. To think otherwise is foolish. There will be a fight over this with the antis, mark my words

[MooseZ25]

Stevens and Ferry Counties have had a deputized predator specialist for a year or better.  He has been chasing predator issues non stop.  Actually he cant keep up with problem cats or wolves.   

[Special T]

One other point should be noticed.  Decentralize the authority and it makes it much harder for the Anti groups to attack and sue. There are 39 counties they would have to keep tabs on instead of just the state.  While these groups are well funded and organized. There are 17 counties in E WA. When DOL or HSUS has to show up at each of the counties it will make thier burden costlier than thier current setup.

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[KFhunter]

Stevens and Ferry Counties have had a deputized predator specialist for a year or better.  He has been chasing predator issues non stop.  Actually he cant keep up with problem cats or wolves.

they could deputize houndsmen too, could even be the same guys as Sheriff Bob Songer deputized. 

those houndsmen can be reimbursed for personal expenses (I think that's allowed?)