Lions & Dogs

[Machias]

Morons used a photo of a bobcat for a lion story.  Other then that the really good news is they are opening up the whole state!!

http://www.komotv.com/news/local/16647776.html

[DeKuma]

Cool.  Doesn't affect me as I do not run dogs, but it is great news for those of you that do!

[bowhuntin]

Maybe their next step will be to have a pilot program for baiting bears. So, do you have to get drawn for a chance to run your dogs on big cats or is this just more for damage control statewide?

[Cougeyes]

What other counties do you think will take part?  I doubt many will other than the already 5 county area.  Seems like it is just based off of counties with prior cougar complaints and public safety concerns, so possibly a few of the west side counties?

[billythekidrock]

What other counties do you think will take part?  I doubt many will other than the already 5 county area.  Seems like it is just based off of counties with prior cougar complaints and public safety concerns, so possibly a few of the west side counties?

I would not be surprised if Thurston County took part. We have lots of cougars and lots of urban growth. Maybe the eastern portions of Pierce, King and Snohomish.

[Antlershed]

What other counties do you think will take part?  I doubt many will other than the already 5 county area.  Seems like it is just based off of counties with prior cougar complaints and public safety concerns, so possibly a few of the west side counties?

I would not be surprised if Thurston County took part. We have lots of cougars and lots of urban growth. Maybe the eastern portions of Pierce, King and Snohomish.

But I don't think the majority of the population realizes there are that many in TC, so who knows if they will take part. I did just deploy my trail camera to try and get some proof though. 

[HoundGirl]

My understanding is they are opening it to ALL counties in WA. And who ever said something about baiting bears... not even close to the same thing.

[RubblesPH]

Anyone hear any new rumors about opening up other counties in WA?  I think the application period opens in August....right?

Rubbles

[bucklucky]

Well whens the draw, I need a lifesize long tail for my Taxidermy display.. Havent got drawn yet for the eastside, maybee I have a chance now.

[GoldTip]

Any chance they are going open it to more than just the few whom have and own dogs?  I know Machias, you and I discussed this last year as well.  I still can't say I agree with it only being open for the poeple who own dogs, I understand it, but can't say I agree with it.

[provider]

It looks like it is finally getting changed so all have equal opportunity to apply...   not just those who own hounds.

[Intruder]

I found it interesting that the article worked in the wording "that the big cats' population is declining".  They did say it was according to animals rights activists but it goes back to the whole thing that people believe what they read.  So every bunny hugger in Seattle is now convinced that cougars are on the decline when the reality is that the population is at worse stable in most places and certainly expanding in others. 

[WAcoyotehunter]

 There's a study now that the WDFW is pushing to say that the hound hunters are killing all the mature animals and causing disorder in the population.  Total BS.  I'm not sure that one biologists opinion is a good starting point for season setting.  The harvest stats are pretty clear that boot hunters kill as many lions in the hound units as the hound guys.  they also kill nearly equal #'s of males/females...WTF?

[RubblesPH]

I sure hope they open up some areas in the Blues. 

I also agree with bearmanric...I hope they don't open it up or everyone.  My personal belief is that there will be a lot of guys without dogs that will put in and anticipate that they can get someone to run their hounds for them because they drew a tag and the hound owners just want to run their dogs....."I'm really just doing the houndsman a favor by letting them run their dogs for me."  If you don't have hounds or have a 100% guarantee that you'll be able to run someone else's dogs, your probably taking that opportunity away from a deserving houndsman. 

[bearmanric]

when they do bear damage you have to own the hound's. the blue's has to many Kittie's. been there.Rick

[provider]

Since "taking opportunity away" was brought up, I'm curious...  What criteria defines a "deserving" hunter?

[bucklucky]

Maybee the houndsman that has spent thousands of dollars and hours apon days apon years of training able hounds to track and tree Lions?

[provider]

Oh, so we'll use the amount of money spent, and experience level applied, to whatever your preferred hunting method?  Sounds good.

[Bscman]

I'm gunna be selfish for two seconds here and say I don't want hounds opened up in my area..............yet.

I wasn't all for banning hounds in the beginning, and do want the bill banning hound hunting for cats overturned...but having a couple groups of dogs running the woods I'm trying to hunt (without dogs) is really gunna screw up my chances for a nice cat.

Give me one more year, first, so I have a little better chance!

[bucklucky]

I hear ya Bscman, There are so many places that wont see hound guys around that are gated and walk-in only. I think there is plenty of opportunity for hound guys and boot hunters alike. Trust me I'm a hound guy and a boot hunter. 

[Houndhunter]

letting everyone put in, thats bs. so you want guys who have never owned a hound in there life or even know anyone who has hounds to put in? instead of guys who have to put up with there hounds all year long, do the training and such?

a deserving hunter? lets take this for example some one who puts in for an archery tag but doesnt have a bow yet and doesnt know if he'll even have the money to get the bow let alone have enough for the trip, and while having no expeirence in the area or expeirence in the type of hunting method and this would be a wise choice? because thats exactly what you'd be doing putting in for a hound permit. im sure some people know others with hounds, but think about the hundreds or more that would put in blindly hoping to get that tag

no, if everyone was able to put in it would completly screw over my, and everyone i know, chances of getting to run lion in our state. and that isnt right

[bucklucky]

Hound Hunting   

Why? Gelouse because the dogs can tree a Lion and you cant even call one in Sorry , I thought that was funny. Just playin.

[MountainWalk]

while i prolly wouldnt try for it, im all for everyone being able to. A deserving hunter is one who has bought his liscence. that democratic enough for me. so what. get a little something back, and now folks whine about it for not being exactly what they want.  Ive long thought that the folks most unwilling to compromise are those that deserve it less.

[bucklucky]

And if you dont have hounds that are able to track and tree a lion how are you gona hunt them with a hound permit? Do the people that dont have a hound hope they have someone that is willing to take them? I see your point and agree to an extent but these permitts are to remove lions in certain counties therefore the guys with the dogs get the nod. Thats how I am looking at it. Personally I wouldnt care as long as it was within the rules for me to hunt them for someone else. Im not positive but beleive you can have up to 3 other individuals on the tag that can help out with the hunt. I dont think a guy can just go to any houndsman and have them tree a lion for them unless its all documented ahead of time. Not sure exactly how it works . I dunno, not trying to argue . Now if Lion season was open with no draw and a quota I could see it working just fine for everyone, but thats my opinion.Maybee open a general for all areas till like December or Jan, them open it to hounds also. At least it gives boot hunters like Bearmanric that like predator calling a oportunity before the hound guys? And if the quota is met before hand , persuit only.

[Houndhunter]

yes 3 dog holders are allowed


i got a question about extending the # of counties, if they do does that mean that boot hunters will not be able to hunt in those units during that time period? cause im sure that would make lots of unhappy hunters

[bucklucky]

I absolutely hear ya on that one Rick. Nice Talking with ya at the meet and great. I was wanting to check out your calls while I was there too, just not enough time. Poaching is every where , had a 5x5 bull shot right by my house one night next to the road and htey didnt take a thing. I think it was some kids. I hate all poaching.

[Machias]

Rick if you are aware of illegal hound hunting activity I sure hope you are contacting your local wardens and turning the folks in.  IF you just making assumptions about hound hunters I'd appreciate if you wouldn't do that.  I know quite a few hound hunters and none of them break or even stretch the rules.

[bearmanric]

I REMOVED MY POST'S. DOESNT MATTER WHAT I SAY I'LL BE WRONG. SO THIS WILL MEAN NO BOOT HUNTING FOR COUGAR THIS YEAR. IT WILL COME AT BAD TIME'S FOR CALLING..  THIS WILL BE FOR HOUND HUNTER'S ONLY. YOU HAVE TO OWN DOG'S. THEY WILL NEVER BRING BACK BAITING. WICH IS WRONG. BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO. GOOD LUCK HOUND GUY'S. RICK

[Machias]

Well that's a bit melodramatic, Ric I probably call as much as I hound hunt, I think your exagerating just a tad there my friend.  Should be good for both types of hunting.  Good luck to you as well.

[Machias]

I won't get into the who deserves what.  As a dog handler, you know where I am coming from.  I am happy for the possibly expanded opportunities and if I don't get drawn I'll just take my guys down to OR and run some of them eastern OR bobcats.

[bearmanric]

what i'm saying is we wont be able to boot hunt were you guy's are hound hunting. in certain area's.  i'm hoping everything is not snowed in so soon this year. good luck. Rick

[bearmanric]

it's frustrating. when we bear baited the last year. there were 8 different hound's guy's camped above us. they laughed and stuff the leader blue eagle from the Kalama area said they would get to keep hunting and the bear baiter's would lose. this guy had talked with the lady that was the head of the humane society.  she was smart got us divided. we almost got into a big fight. we all loaded all our gun's. they were getting abusive. Darvin ekland was the other big hunter. ever since then i have been frustrated. sorry i wont say any more. you have a good year hunting. Rick

[Machias]

Rick Hound hunting today is NOTHING like it was before, IMO.  I'll give you that there were slob hound hunters, probably a couple still around, but Hound Huning is under such scrutiny now not much goes on without someone watching and reporting...even when guys are on the up and up which I believe they mostly are now.  But please don't judge a whole group of hunters for an encounter with one group of slobs.

[RubblesPH]

 

We were running the same areas that the fish and game guys were.  Not sure why, but they seem to think that they need to put there dogs on the ground the same time we were, just adding to the competition and aggravating many of the guys that had waited years to hunt and then had deal with several other Non-permit groups running cats. 

Not sure why they just couldn't take their sample and collect collars as the permit hunters were filling their tags.

Kinda frustrating and it also got a little heated on the hill with one particular group of hound guys that were running their dogs for the WDFW biologist. 

I know at least one of the forum members on here runs their dogs for WDFW, maybe you could enlighten me on why the do this. 

I'd sure like to come a little more educated about it.  Probably a good explanation for it.