New WDFW Bobcat Rules- Absolute BS

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Anyone get to see the new rules regarding bobcat harvest/trapping? Now hunters must submit a fully intact lower jaw that is dried BEFORE the animal can be sealed! Understand that taxidermists cannot legally take possession OR have the fur tanned unless it has the Cites (seal) tag attached per law.
This is so much ridiculousness and if any biologist or cat specialist is reading this, please let me know the reason behind this absurd requirement. Bobcats are at NO risk for species decline or listing; furthermore, why in the flying-fornication can't the same information be obtained via a tooth sample just as we do with bear and cougar. You are now asking a successful hunter/trapper to remove the jaw of the cat whose European skull is a prized possession in remembrance of the hunt and memory. Furthermore, removal of the lower jaw, unless you have done this quite a few times, is tough and requires more time for the hunter to take the cat to a taxidermist if had plans for a rug, mount, etc. The jaw must be removed, given time to dry, THEN submit to WDFW before a seal is applied, THEN the hunter can take it back to the taxidermist in order to have mount work/tanning completed. Let's make this process even more hard for the very people that supply you (WDFW) with the funds to do your 'studies' while inconveniencing and taking half the skull?  What kind of nonsense is this?
Sorry....having a moment. I'm pretty levelheaded but this new rule is absolute garbage and has no value to an animal that is at risk...

**off soap box***

[Cougartail]

They want the jaw? Pay for it. IT HAS VALUE!

[Ridgeratt]

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.

[fishngamereaper]

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.

Or make us all criminals...

[MADMAX]

The inmates are running the asylum
What a bunch of maroons

[BigCutty3]

Kind of reminds me of the grouse wing submission.  Submit your grouse wings and WDFW rewards you by chopping off the best most enjoyable part of the season.  You can’t dream this stuff up if you try care about your clientele.  As BRT said, bobs are in zero chance of being overharvested by human hunters or trappers with the ridiculous sanctions already in place.

[MADMAX]

The ought to be concerned about why the Selkirk Mountains Woodland Caribou Recovery Area isn’t working

Hooooowoooolllllll

[Cougartail]

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.

  that's  what 24 hour checks are all about.

[lewy]

I think we all refuse to do it . 

[HillHound]

It’s a bunch of crap and they shouldn’t get away with it. They can get everything they need from the tooth. I’ve said it before it’s gonna be no time they’re gonna require the right side of your six-point bull elk. Anything they can do to lower the value and memories of our kill.  If they want it, they should pay us the full value of European bobcat skull. I’m on board with us all not complying with this. Or taking a nasty bloody one in and throwing it on their counter and telling them show me how to do it .

[jrebel]

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 would document the fact you tried to get your pelt sealed and they refused (maybe on video) and move on with life.  Never killed a bobcat but got my trappers license a few years back and have planning on trapping one as I have time.  I’m only doing it for the hide and skull (personal) not looking to profit….this would take away from the skull euro for sure. 

[Cylvertip]

It does not seem clear if they are keeping the jaw.  Is it only an examination.  It says "present", not "submit" 

[Ridgeratt]

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?   

They sealed pelt is a Cities requirement, which I believe is a Federal ordinance.

They also state to not put it in a plastic bag!!  Just bag it let it ferment a bit then present it to the regional office for verification.

[slm9s]

Next year you'll have to turn in your elk's antlers before you can gut it!

[Huckleberry]

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.