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Author Topic: Ebey wildlife area a joke  (Read 8147 times)

Offline seaduckhunter

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Ebey wildlife area a joke
« on: October 07, 2010, 08:24:18 PM »
Called the game department about the unit today.   They are only releasing on about 1/3 of the land and closed off the best part for hunting.  I asked why they shut down the land to the west they said because it had cows on there and they were going to make it waterfowl hunting only.   I am fine with that but there is a big section further west that would be more suitable for pheasant also since it is a dry field and doesnt get water.  Their response they are going to make that a bird watching area.   What funds they generate?  This area is as large as the area they release in now.

Offline Hangfire

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2010, 10:45:34 PM »
I was told by a F&W employee that the director feels bird watching is economically more important than fishing and hunting combined. He also has a charter boat that he takes clients in the salt water for bird watching. I am attempting to verify this is his feelings, and action.

Offline grundy53

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2010, 10:51:31 PM »
I was told by a F&W employee that the director feels bird watching is economically more important than fishing and hunting combined. He also has a charter boat that he takes clients in the salt water for bird watching. I am attempting to verify this is his feelings, and action.

You gotta be kidding me! What a complete idiot. No wonder the WDFW is so f'd up!  :bash:
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Offline grundy53

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2010, 10:53:58 PM »
And if thats true he should make them buy licenses..... and put in for special permits to watch birds in the best bird watching areas....  :twocents:
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Offline BlackRidge

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2010, 11:19:53 PM »
Sounds like conflicting interests if this guys trying to profit from it on the side

WDFW seems to be the joke more and more  :'(
Theres plenty of room for all of gods animals.... right next to the mashed potatoes!

Offline Hangfire

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2010, 03:16:25 AM »
I found a information bulletin put out by F&W about the economic value of watchable wildlife. In the F&W website look for a Nature Tourism Benefits Was.url. I can not get it onto this page. Essentially it says that watchable wildlife if a business, would be second in dollars, only to Boeing.
I can't sleep tonight and will see if I can get a portion copied onto this site or better directions to this bulletin.

Offline Hangfire

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2010, 03:35:27 AM »
Look under the F&W website,  wildlife viewing. In the search portion, type in economic value wildlife tourism. This should bring up the bulletin.

You can see from the information on this bulletin where they are going. The demand is increasing, the hunter numbers decreasing.

This information should probably be under a different thread, so more members can be aware.

Offline Special T

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2010, 01:57:14 PM »
http://wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/tourism/

 Wildlife Watching: Untapped Economic Boost for Rural Communities
"Compared to commodities, money spent on wildlife watching is second only to the combined value of all field crops. Its value is larger than the value of livestock; and larger than the combined value of all fruits, nuts and berries produced annually!"

One of Washington's most valuable natural resources-our native fish and wildlife- is often overlooked when it comes to assessing an area's economic health. Leaders from Washington's rural areas may want to look again, however.

Washington's rich, diverse wildlife populations occur mostly in rural areas where people love to visit and enjoy watching wildlife. Surprisingly, these visits have a profound impact on rural economies.

Over $1.7 billion is spent annually in Washington on wildlife watching activities, mostly in rural areas. This is money spent locally on food, lodging, transportation and equipment. Wildlife watching activities support more than 21,000 jobs, making it second only to Boeing, and 5.2 times larger than Microsoft's employment in Washington. Wildlife watching yields $426.9 million in job income and generates $56.9 million in state and $67.4 million in federal tax revenues each year.

Even with these numbers, Wildlife Watching is an untapped economic resource for rural economies and Washington. It needs a jump start to meet it's potential.

Wildlife Watching: A Growing Industry
Did You Know?

Wildlife watching creates 21,000 jobs in Washington.

Wildlife Watching is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry.

Wildlife thrives best in rural areas – a natural attraction for developing rural economies.

Washington is 4th nationally in expenditures on wildlife viewing, accomplished with little promotion.

Nature-related tourism is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, with wildlife viewing the #1 outdoor activity in the U.S.

Wildlife viewing is the fastest-growing recreational activity in the United States, exceeding hiking, skiing and golfing. Washington's wildlife resources contribute to social, economic, and cultural qualities of the state and its communities.

Wildlife viewing opportunities occur primarily on public lands and have a significant positive impact on local economies in small towns and rural areas.

Washington ranks fourth in the country in wildlife-related expenditures, achieved with minimal promotion. California, Florida and New Jersey are the only states that surpass Washington, and all have extensive promotional efforts underway.

Fueling the tremendous growth in wildlife watching activities is the aging of the "Baby Boom" generation. As baby-boomers approach middle-age, their interests in outdoor activities changes to softer activities that can be combined with other travel pursuits.

Money Spent on Wildlife Viewing, Compared to Washington's Top Commodity Sales

Wildlife watching creates an economic boost to the state's economy that is nearly double that of the state's biggest agricultural commodity, apples. The Apple Commission has a staff of 48 people; 33 in-house and 15 field staff throughout the world, and a budget of $24 million. The WDFW's Watchable Wildlife Program began in 1997, has one person and a budget of $0.14 million.

Compared to commodities, money spent on wildlife watching is second only to the combined value of all field crops. Its value is larger than the value of livestock; and larger than the combined value of all fruits, nuts and berries produced annually!

Jobs Created by Wildlife Viewing

Viewing wildlife creates jobs in Washington's rural communities-from border to border. In areas suffering from declines in salmon fishing, wildlife viewing is keeping citizens employed and cities stable.

Wildlife viewing occurs primarily in rural areas in proximity to public lands. Rural economies experience greater economic impact from the "ripple effect" of dollars spent in their communities than do urban areas.

Demographics Fuel Wildlife Viewing

Twenty Years ago, and twenty years younger, "Baby Boomers" demanded intense outdoor activities.

As Baby Boomers reach middle age, their recreational preferences change to softer pursuits, fueling a dramatic increase in wildlife viewing.


If wildlife watching were a Fortune 500
company, it would rank in the top 25.

What Does a Wildlife Viewer "Look Like?"
   

Wildlife viewers tend to spend more on their trips than other tourists, directly impacting rural economies.

A wildlife viewer traditionally spends $100 to $130 per day, not including travel, and is generally responsible and courteous, making him/her an ideal market for local businesses that benefit from tourism.

Many wildlife viewers indicate that they consider themselves beginners to amateurs and feel a need for assistance on how and where to go view fish and wildlife.

They are interested in more than wildlife. Most watch wildlife while engaged in some other form of tourism and/or outdoor recreation.

They take trips related to: scenery, nature, outdoor adventure or learning about another culture.

They tend to be from the 25 - 54 age group.

They generally have a 50:50 gender ratio (very unusual.)

What Local Community Leaders Say
"We discovered we were rich in bird life. We developed a bird section for our chamber web page, produced two birding brochures, and started our first bird festival."

Walter Gary
Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce
Walter Gary, Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, "Our whole community has made a major commitment over the last two years to develop tourism.. We discovered we were rich in bird life. We developed a bird section for our chamber web page, produced two birding brochures, and started our first bird festival."

John Taylor, Director, Adams County Economic Development "The Othello Sandhill Crane festival has pulled together an unlikely array of cooperators to make a very successful economic and educational event for the Othello area."

In the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, the economic impact of birders at surveyed refuges is estimated to be in excess of $90 million per year.

An estimated 14,000 - 22,000 birders annually visit the Platte River in Nebraska and contributed between $25 to 50 million in the rural communities.

Rural Community Wildlife Festivals

    * Walla Walla (Foliage and Feathers Festival)
    * Othello (Sandhill Crane Festival)
    * Concrete, Rockport & Marblemount (Bald Eagle Festival and Skagit Valley Interpretive Center Projects)
    * Leavenworth (Salmon Festival)
    * Leavenworth (Spring Bird Festival)
    * Issaquah (Salmon Festival)
    * Hoquiam (Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival)
    * Othello-Coulee Dam (eastside cultural tourism project)
    * Lewis & Clark Trail (Bicentennial Celebration)

New Research Confirms-Nature-Based Tourism Hot!

A 1998 study commissioned by Florida Tourism has stunned travel officials. This national survey of travelers-to Florida and to non-Florida sites-reveals the importance that nature-based activities are to travelers. The following are the highlights of the non-Florida destination vacationer.

    * Nature-based activities are now a mainstream travel market, with substantial room for expansion.
    * 50% of Americans include nature-based activities on vacation.
    * 82% of families with children included nature-based activities on vacations.
    * Spontaneous decisions are significant. Travelers often decide which activities to include based on information available at their destination.
    * Income level is not a significant factor in nature-based travel decisions.
    * Neither is age a significant factor, at least below 50. Market expansion for tourists over 50 will occur if adequate information is available explaining nearby, low impact nature-based activities.
    * Expansion of nature-based travel market will occur through improved information on when and where nature-based activities occur in the local community

Improving Washington's Watchable Wildlife Industry

    State Needs

    Few opportunities exist for such a large payback for such a small investment. State funding could be the catalyst to help rural community economies, and to prepare for potential federal funding.

        * Develop a pilot project with rural communities to create local wildlife festivals. Provide small grants to seed this concept. ($250,000 per biennium.)
        * Develop salmon viewing areas for the public to see spawning salmon return to their natal streams; after which the visitors will appreciate and want to protect salmon. ($500,000 per biennium.)
        * Fund capital improvements to Wildlife Areas for visitor parking and convenience facilities. ($1,000,000 per biennium.)

    Washington ranks fourth in the country in wildlife-related expenditures, achieved with minimal promotion. California, Florida and New Jersey are the only states that surpass Washington, and all have extensive promotional efforts underway.

          o Support/encourage funding of Watchable Wildlife positions in the departments of tourism and transportation.
          o Support the development of the state's Wildlife Areas as showcases for rural recreational opportunities. Provide funds to address the backlog of maintenance needs, and development of visitor facilities and recreational opportunities. ($10,000,000 per biennium.)

    Federal Legislative Assistance

    Legislation being considered by Congress offers great potential to address some of the many needs of rural communities, particularly fish and wildlife recreation, protection and viewing opportunities. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 (CARA) would provide an infusion of funds to help manage our wildlife resources for traditional uses and for the new, emerging trends. All seven titles of CARA would pump needed funds into rural economies.

    Gaining support of Washington's Congressional delegation is critical if this legislation is to become law. (Contact Rocky Beach - 360-902-2510)
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself. 

Confucius

Offline Special T

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2010, 01:58:52 PM »
I believe they wish to make us "Voyeurs" instead of active participants...  Its all about the$$$
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself. 

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Offline grundy53

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2010, 02:08:36 PM »
They probably count my scouting trips as wildlife viewing trips   :bash: :bash: friggin green tree hugging liveral. How is he in charge of hunting?  :bash: :bash:
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Offline Special T

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2010, 08:47:12 PM »
This is the link that says how much each activity is worth.... I haven't had time to investigate further...
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00570/wdfw00570.pdf

By the numbers:
Fish and wildlife generate annual economic
benefits for Washington’s economy:
$1.5 billion Wildlife viewing *
$1.1 billion Sport fishing *
$313 million Hunting *
$3.8 billion Commercial fishing +*
Source US Fish and Wildlife Service,
2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting
and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
+ Source: Fisheries Economics of the United States 2006 NOAA

I am curious how they came up with the numbers... and will be following up on this.... My gut reaction is to call BS. I am curious to see how this study was Framed..  :twocents:
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself. 

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Offline Ray

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2010, 06:46:38 PM »
Yeah those seem like some hocus pocus smoke screen numbers to me. Can you imagine how many dollars in gas hunters burn up scouting and hunting for elk and deer each year?

Offline D-Rock425

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2010, 07:16:59 PM »
My Grandpa hunted it Sunday said he wouldn't hunt it again.  I need to go down and check it out for myself.  What area to the west is going to be for duck hunting only? 

Offline Wacenturion

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2010, 09:40:47 AM »
Those figures are bogus at best.  People can come up with all kinds of reasoning to sell baloney.  Ask yourself.....are your local bird feed store....you know the one's with feeders, squirrel corn, some bino's, cute yard stuff..........are they as big as Sportco, Wholesale or Cabelas.

What a bunch of idiots.  They assume in their reasoning that a mass exodus of long billed, swaro equipped tree huggers from King County are going to head to the rural back roads of say Benton or Adams county, generating local income to those areas. 

This is like cap and trade only with non huntable wildlife.  Who in the hell funded all these state agencies for years...hunters and fishermen.  When is someone going to have the kahuna's to stand up to the go green crowd and tell it like it is. :bash:
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Offline Wacenturion

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Re: Ebey wildlife area a joke
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2010, 10:36:11 AM »
Also if watchable wildlife is so in demand these days, then why is Westport more like a ghost town of the 60'-80's.  At the height of salmon fishing glory there were about 270 plus boats going out.  Now a fraction of that...30 plus?  Mostly fishing.

With the lack of competition on the high seas and the abundance of sea birds, whales, beautiful sunsets, yada, yada, yada......where's all the watchable wildlife folks.

Something about those figures they use .....kind of like the tree falls in the forest thingy.  If you're out hunting and assuming you're not legally blind, and you look upon a watchable species......yep....bet you're being counted...lol.  Give me a break.
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