Public comment periods open for Washington hunting season, wildlife feeding prop

[bearpaw]

Looking at the wording I don't think this affects food plots?

[baldopepper]

Looking at the wording I don't think this affects food plots?

I think it explicitly exempts food plots as I read it.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Headlines.......State wdfw caught planting CWD among Wash deer so they can restrict hunting.  Just a crazy conspiracy theory.....for now.

[Skyvalhunter]

 Ever stop to think about what animal we have that travels farther and faster than all the others, that happens to carry CWD prions and disburse those through defacation... ? Wolves spread CWD Prions farther and faster than any other animal we have...

[greenhead_killer]

Headlines.......State wdfw caught planting CWD among Wash deer so they can restrict hunting.  Just a crazy conspiracy theory.....for now.

I’ve had this same thought and would not put it passed some of the crazies in there.

[HillHound]

All just another way to end hunting in Washington. anybody who thinks this is actually about spreading CWD I’m sorry to say, but you must be smoking something crazy. The wolves and the feeding stations would be first on the list if ungulate populations and cwd spread was their concern. To all you legal regals that will follow ANY law put in place, so you plan to continue this? This is specifically to stop new recruitment of young hunters and to push older hunters out sooner. All part of their master plan to end hunting.What about when they ban decoys? They definitely congregate waterfowl, turkeys, etc. sounds like they need to be illegal. How about tree stands, they definitely give you an unfair advantage. Going to follow that when they make it a law? How about when they start to fine people and farmers for not keeping the animals from congregating on their property. I’m sure you would be good with arresting the alfalfa farmer who doesn’t have the money to comply. I suppose you people are the same that are cool with your kid turning into a toaster instead of a boy and your school not needing to tell you as a parent they have switched their “status. I mean after all it is the law. There have been many bad and discriminatory laws in our countries history. For those of you who think that can’t happen again, I fear you are wrong!

[hunter399]

Headlines.......State wdfw caught planting CWD among Wash deer so they can restrict hunting.  Just a crazy conspiracy theory.....for now.

I’ve had this same thought and would not put it passed some of the crazies in there.

What happens now if we don't get any more positive cases.
Does the state know that we are in a CWD epidemic.....?
Statewide ban seemed like a overly strong response.

[hunter399]

Looking at the wording I don't think this affects food plots?

I could do the food plots on private,I can't do it on public grounds.
I've dumped a lot mineral/salt on public,like to think over the years I may of helped other hunters that hunted the area.
Especially after about a dozen setups,I only hunt two or three.
I've always left the salt for the deer/elk/other hunters to hunt over.
I was always ok with that.

Food plots are just a lot of work for a public land deal.
Most places I hunt are walk in only.
If it isn't near a spring or creek or irrigation, you might get it to hold for spring/early summer. Plot will die from summer heat before hunting season starts. Trying to hide a food plots,I thought it was hard to hide trail cam and salt block. I was always ok with peeps hunting around my setups,I might lose my mind,if I put in so much work to put in a public land food plots. Have someone set up there opening day.

It might work for some young guys,with strong back a lot of grit.
I'm getting to old and lazy for that to work for me .

[Roslyn Rambler]

I was searching for loopholes in the proposal. I specifically remember the proposal mentioned "turkey"

Someone could argue "I'm feeding turkey, not deer and elk"

Did they strike "feeding turkey" ( aka, a bird ) from the proposal?

Also, "animal husbandry" Someone could argue, " I'm feeding my horses, goats & sheep, not deer & elk"

I don't see mention of "turkey" & "animal husbandry" in the new rules / laws

[hunter399]

I was searching for loopholes in the proposal. I specifically remember the proposal mentioned "turkey"

Someone could argue "I'm feeding turkey, not deer and elk"

Did they strike "feeding turkey" ( aka, a bird ) from the proposal?

Also, "animal husbandry" Someone could argue, " I'm feeding my horses, goats & sheep, not deer & elk"

I don't see mention of "turkey" & "animal husbandry" in the new rules / laws

Baiting game birds is illegal. According to the spring regulations.
It probably applies to fall as well .
Not many "loophole" on this one.
I'm more curious about an effective date that this goes into effect.

[Rainier10]

I was searching for loopholes in the proposal. I specifically remember the proposal mentioned "turkey"

Someone could argue "I'm feeding turkey, not deer and elk"

Did they strike "feeding turkey" ( aka, a bird ) from the proposal?

Also, "animal husbandry" Someone could argue, " I'm feeding my horses, goats & sheep, not deer & elk"

I don't see mention of "turkey" & "animal husbandry" in the new rules / laws

Baiting game birds is illegal. According to the spring regulations.
It probably applies to fall as well .
Not many "loophole" on this one.
I'm more curious about an effective date that this goes into effect.

The way I read it is it goes into effect 31 days after filing. I’m just not sure if March 24th when the director approved it is the filing date or if the filing date is further out.

[hunter_sean08]

Ever stop to think about what animal we have that travels farther and faster than all the others, that happens to carry CWD prions and disburse those through defacation... ? Wolves spread CWD Prions farther and faster than any other animal we have...

In addition to wolves and other predators- birds carry it too. There are studies on crows having translocated infectious prions through their feces. Talk about the ability to carry prions further and faster than anything else. Crows and other carrion-consuming birds could be raining CWD down all over the place.

[Rainier10]

Looking at the wording I don't think this affects food plots?

I think it explicitly exempts food plots as I read it.

That is what I think also but yesterday at our Hunter education annual instructor in service training event we were told that food plots are illegal as well. I questioned it and was told that if you plant a food plot or apple tree to attract deer and then shoot a deer in that food plot or next to that apple tree you will get ticketed.

I was shocked to hear that as that is not the way I read section 2A of the new WAC.

[Bob33]

Looking at the wording I don't think this affects food plots?

I think it explicitly exempts food plots as I read it.

That is what I think also but yesterday at our Hunter education annual instructor in service training event we were told that food plots are illegal as well. I questioned it and was told that if you plant a food plot or apple tree to attract deer and then shoot a deer in that food plot or next to that apple tree you will get ticketed.

I was shocked to hear that as that is not the way I read section 2A of the new WAC.

I think they are wrong.

(4) Exceptions: Hunting on or over the following is not considered an unlawful use of bait while hunting deer or elk:
(a) Locally common agricultural and ranching practices including salt or mineral distribution, and feeding;
(b) Food that is available from undisturbed wild, volunteer, or planted vegetation; including fruit trees, orchards, vineyards, and food plots;

[nwwanderer]

A cluster for sure, WA seems to like them.  Could an officer conclude that my planting crops is a food plot?  The deer/elk/turkeys/quail/pheasants/tweedy birds sure think so.  Again, they have bitten off way more than they can chew