Dear Snow Goose Hunter:

[CP]

Anyone else get the “Dear Snow Goose Hunter” card from the WDFW? 

For those that didn’t they are advising that “sky busting” is crippling an unacceptable number of birds and the future of snow goose hunting depends on maintaining strong ethics.  The implication being that they will close snow goose hunting down in Area 1 if hunters do not clean up their acts.

[Ray]

There are a lot of skybusters. But trying to regulate by leveling threats is ridiculous.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Got the same card.  Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of "hunter" who do not know the capabilities of their shotguns.  I was stunned numerous times by people shooting at snows that were easily 100 to 150 yards up....  saw way too many snows get hit in the 80+ yard range and glide a couple of hundred yards.  To even more amazement was seeing the guy who setup in a field near us shoot at swans.    We told the gamie when we got out by the road and he went and talked to them.  I know public hunting is a "zoo" but it has gone beyond that.  Not sure what the fix is,  but people need to be aware of their guns capabilities and their own. 

[Ray]

Yes, but the entire logic of their statement is almost a repeat of why they closed the elk hunt near the skagit. It doesn't take much to notice that. So you can guess who the source of the message was.

In fact the future of goose hunting there depends on population. People breaking the law will be justly punished as they should be. So I would say trying to regulate ethics and leveling threats is really out of the scope of the game department in this example. They need to regulate by law, population of animals and safety. This is now a pattern.

[h2ofowlr]

They only issued those to the known skybusters!  

A lot of geese get shot at just because they fly over ones location.  Many don't leading the bird, so they shoot it in the tail.  At least there is a healthy population of eagles that are well fed.

If they see individuals doing stuff they shouldn't, pull there snow goose cards for the season.  That will slowly elimate those guys.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Ray,  I think you hit it... it is almost an exact repeat of what they said regarding the Elk "Hunt" in Skagit valley. 

[singleshot12]

Should of known this was coming with all the complaints from the bird watchers viewing the hunting and seeing crippled birds. But what is  just as harmful and unethical is the flock shooting that occurs on a daily basis.
I would hope some sort of ethical hunter ed. program be put in place instead of a hunting closure. We finally have an all time record for snows and I would hate to see their population controlled by any other means.
Increasing the limits to trained and responsible hunters is more natural than destroying their nests or spraying them. But unfortunately most anti-hunters would rather have that done than see us hunt them.
 

[sisu]

I've applied for all my cards each year and just can't get my truck to drive west. I know Ray & Pacyew would like but the thought of being around the traffic, people that think 180 deg. from me, I just can't do it.

I love to goose hunt but...

[Fishnclifff]

Anyone hunt the Stanwood areas? Thinkin about hittin it this weekend.
I got my card and haven't shot a goose yet.

[singleshot12]

It's not what it used to be sisu,you're not missing out here on the west side,it's turning into a fiasco, it may be my last year.

[h2ofowlr]

Anyone hunt the Stanwood areas? Thinkin about hittin it this weekend.
I got my card and haven't shot a goose yet.

I wouldn't do it.  Went over there today and it was a packed house.  Elbow to elbow.

[Special T]

10 years ago i Cut my teeth hunting public ground and did pretty good. I had a lot a of drive/ambition a new dog and only a wife, no kids... I love the waterfowl in the area, great hunting. Last year when i put my dog down i gave up hunting ducks, with a couple of exceptions.... Only hunt private land, and would go out in a boat... I once had a "hunter" set up behind me on the dike @ big ditch wearing a camo jacket and Yellow Helli Hanson rain gear bottoms!   I LOVE watching ducks bank into the blocks, but i found i could hardly get the birds working until some A$$ Hat had to shoot his gun or screw things up.... Now I've hunted the refuge at Ridgfield, and that was a pleasurable hunting experience... Only needed chest waders and they had fixed blinds... Killed a few birds and had a good time..

[washelkhntr]

LOL, I got the same one in the mail, I was gonna post it on here and ask you guys the same....but you beat me to it.

[h2ofowlr]

There is one group of guys that hunt the snows just about everyday that have become highly noticed by all for the long shooting, flock shooting and ground pounding.  Most of them are running around in Toyota Pick-ups or Toyota 4Runners.  With the exceptions of one in a new silver Chevy 4 door w/ canopy and tinted windows.  We will see if these particular individuals help ruin it for the group.  I only mention these guys as they now wait until the geese are in the fields and set up on them where ever they are located and pound them.   

[Ray]

Instead of leveling open threats to close the season for everyone the game department should consider if there is a real impact on the population of the game and if there is a safety problem. If it is a safety problem then they can deal with that individually as they encounter it instead of taking the issue with others who are innocent. If it is for game population concerns then we as hunters should be responsible for recognizing that there will be penalty to pay for sky busting birds and wounding too many.