Bad news for Yakima Canyon sheep

[ICEMAN]

Don't mean to stir the pot guys, but why wouldn't we want nature to take it's course on these herds? Seems that surviving animals would be the ones we want breeding later to avoid falling victim to this disease? It doesnt seem like wildlife is addressing Hoof rot or Blue tongue or ? Why this?

[270Shooter]

All I know is if they were going to give out unlimited tags I would surley be up the yakima canyon.

[Buckblaster]

Coach,
good thing you got your sheep when you did.  My 14 points may just turn into imaginary points in the future. I takes a long time to create a large enough herd to support hunting. If they die off, might not see sheep permits here again in my lifetime. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[andrew_12gauge]

Don't mean to stir the pot guys, but why wouldn't we want nature to take it's course on these herds? Seems that surviving animals would be the ones we want breeding later to avoid falling victim to this disease? It doesnt seem like wildlife is addressing Hoof rot or Blue tongue or ? Why this?

the problem with allowing nature to take its course is that pnemonia in sheep is very contagious it will be passed from one sheep to the next until there are no sheep left in any of the yakima area or quilomene units, effectively wiping out nearly every sheep in the state

[andrew_12gauge]

Coach,
good thing you got your sheep when you did.  My 14 points may just turn into imaginary points in the future. I takes a long time to create a large enough herd to support hunting. If they die off, might not see sheep permits here again in my lifetime. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

well there will still be lincoln cliffs, manson and mt hull, possibly swakane if the herd there can rally and stop playin in the highway, also rockys down in the blues but it would cut over half of the sheep tags in the state if this were to spread to the surrounding yakima area units

[woodswalker]

This indeed really sucks.  One option from F & W was to have hunters come in and thin them out as many others on here have suggested.  I agree fully and would be the first one to throw my name in the draw.  Not to get off track here, but those that were defending the moronic archery guys that shot the elk in Concrete can now kiss this possibility goodbye.  Legal is one thing, but ruining future hunts for the rest of us who hunt legally, ethically and morally is another.  I cannot imagine F & W would even consider having hunters take care of this problem after the backlash they have received from the elk hunt and the coincidental timing of it all.   It would be a PR nightmare!!!  My 2 cents

yes, i'm afraid you are right on this one....We need to police our own ranks...NOW or we wont have any ranks left hunting.

[boneaddict]

I'm not sick.  Why would you shoot me just because one of my freinds up river coughed.

[WDFW-SUX]

 

[ICEMAN]

Bone, don't ya get it? This is Obama's Healthcare Plan.

[coachcw]

It seems to me if there gonna kull them , then hunters who support the herd with our revenue should at least be able to harvest them with some kinda raffle , needs to happen soon though. Buck blaster would you use your pionts to shoot a sick ram ? I'd say noway thats way to speacial of a hunt . Id spend fiffty bucks to jump into a raffle though. they might as well make the best out of a sicking situiation.

[THINK_N_ELK]

Bone, don't ya get it? This is Obama's Healthcare Plan.

 

[boneaddict]

Long term  would be a concern of mine.  Even if you kill them all, obviously the problem is going to resurface.  There are basically three cures, and one is not the best option.  Kill the host,kill the vector or build an immunity to or kill the bug.  Not sure what the options are.  Natural immunity would be the best, but not sure that is a viable option....sort of like the bubonic plague.

[bearpaw]

Some on this forum may say they do not want to shoot a sick sheep, but if WDFW says the sheep must be killed, they might as well sell auction permits or hold a raffle for tags and have hunters do the eradication. I for one do not see myself drawing a tag anytime soon and I can't reallly afford a canadian sheep hunt, I would jump at the chance to purchase a tag or buy raffle tickets.

I am not too proud to shoot a sheep that's going to die anyway and I am sure there are others who feel the same way. It's unfortunate that $hit happens but the state should make the most of situation by salvaging some revenue from this resource and allowing some of us an opporttunity who want to contribute to the state's wildlife fund for a chance at a sheep.

I am certain there would hundreds, if not thousands of hunters who would apply for raffle tags. Revenue could be created by selling raffle tags, auction fees, or a combination. 

I don't see why any sane person would argue about the WDFW making money off a resource if it must be destroyed anyway. Why throw money away and then have the expense of killing the sheep taking away from other wildlife programs. 

[blacktailer]

Well said Bearpaw.  I agree 100%  Funds generated could be set aside for the future rebuilding of the herd

[NWBREW]

Well said Bearpaw.  I agree 100%  Funds generated could be set aside for the future rebuilding of the herd

That would be nice but if they did, the funds would probobly go into the states general fund.

Wasn't it 15 or 20 years ago that some mountain goats had to be reduce off of hurricane ridge on the O.P.. Instead of selling raffles or even offering a chance for hunters to reduce the herd they brought in and paid people to have it done? Seems like I remember something like that....really pissed me off. They could have made some money and given the opportunity to hunters.