Free: Contests & Raffles.
Because the wdfw game commission is doing their best to make it as difficult as possible for the sportspeople of Washington state. If they make the rules difficult to adhere to, they are hoping people will just give up.
What would be the penalty if you don’t? Sounds like they will not seal your pelt….but beyond that, is there a stated penalty?
I drop off grouse wings at the bin whenever possible. I have a large stack of envelopes for mailing duck/goose wings to the feds. My fish are checked at the dock regularly. Selfishly it is always sad to see a fin cut on my lingcod or a salmon head get hacked apart but I also understand that there are good people spending their life trying to find solutions to complex problems. As the world grows we must somehow incorporate science and data into game management. You can be involved, make some efforts to help, or sit on the side lines criticizing these decisions.Nobody is thrilled about having their boat checked for invasive species or the new and burdensome CWD rules but hopefully we all get how big of impacts failures to comply can have. If the hunters/fishers/trappers can not work together and put in some extra effort towards working with the WDFW then perhaps we shouldn't be harvesting or transporting game. It is not a right and never has been. This is simply a fact that must be accepted. Play nice, pull the bad apples out of the bin, and move forward with life. I don't need a bunch of bobcat jaws and I bet most of you don't either. My antler pile already finds itself hanging from barn rafters.
Quote from: Huckleberry on August 31, 2024, 09:31:51 AMI drop off grouse wings at the bin whenever possible. I have a large stack of envelopes for mailing duck/goose wings to the feds. My fish are checked at the dock regularly. Selfishly it is always sad to see a fin cut on my lingcod or a salmon head get hacked apart but I also understand that there are good people spending their life trying to find solutions to complex problems. As the world grows we must somehow incorporate science and data into game management. You can be involved, make some efforts to help, or sit on the side lines criticizing these decisions.Nobody is thrilled about having their boat checked for invasive species or the new and burdensome CWD rules but hopefully we all get how big of impacts failures to comply can have. If the hunters/fishers/trappers can not work together and put in some extra effort towards working with the WDFW then perhaps we shouldn't be harvesting or transporting game. It is not a right and never has been. This is simply a fact that must be accepted. Play nice, pull the bad apples out of the bin, and move forward with life. I don't need a bunch of bobcat jaws and I bet most of you don't either. My antler pile already finds itself hanging from barn rafters.Sounds great, but they are completely against us and do not go with the science so tell me again why we should help them collect it? And nobody has yet answered. What information can they get from this lower jaw that they cannot get from the tooth? If Someone can tell me what extra info can be gleaned from this it might be easier to comply because I do not believe there is any benefit to taking the whole jaw from us other than to devalue our trophy
All the commission does with science is ignore it and push their agenda
With out a doubt there will be a small subset of individuals impacted to a point of a PITA - those industry folks working to make a living off wild game and dealing with large numbers of bobcat and the occasional recreationalist who wants more than a hide. For those who want a euro mount perhaps ask for it back?My previous experience with sealing has been a phone call and set up a meeting time/location. The department staff has been fun, engaged, and always left me feeling like it was not a total waste of time. I have only had to drive to the office a handful of times. We know the rules before the season starts so if they are a deal breaker do not participate. Pulling a jaw off the skinned animal is not difficult nor is leaving it out to dry. I hope most hunters are capable.Bobcat are traditionally a “by chance” species. Jumping some hoops every now and then for a unique animal is not the end of the world or a reason not to shoot. I don't know the number of trappers who retain the full skull so I won't speak on that. I imagine it's reserved to those especially big cats. Again, perhaps ask for it back? As for science, what is used or ignored, that has always been tricky but having a data set is never a bad thing. Why not use the available resources (hunters) to gather it. I'm game because I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and without working together we won't make it there. I also like doing the leg work and extra engagement adds to the process. I stand behind the WDFW. Both of my draw tags this year have undergone significant recent changes. These changes are for the better and due to hunters expressing concerns. I now stand to benefit. There are a lot of folks that won't like my stance on spring bear or the changes to grouse season. I am OK with that as we are all entitled to our opinions. My comments to the commission were submitted in a thoughtful and educated fashion. A sacrifice in opportunity or personal time/property (in this case) is occasionally necessary. I am a conservationist for the resource and the heritage. The laws, and changes within, are quite simply are the only compliance tool available.
