Washington State Blacktail Deer Habitat Foundation

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Something I have pondered starting for a long time is beginning a foundation to raise funds to buy conservation lands for blacktail deer habitat in Western Washington. Habitat is shrinking every day, tribes, developers and others are buying up public lands, or private tree farms, lost forever to hunters. I will have more time towards the end of next year to really get something going and am planning on researching all aspects until that time. Would you support this as a member? It would take years to develop a significant amount of funding, but the goal would be to buy several hundered acre tracts suitable for cultivating good blacktail numbers. I'm not exactly sure how DU manage's their properties, but it would be a similar idea. Open to the public for all hunting/ fishing, recreation, etc..

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I would add too that the plan would be to follow the Washington Wildlife and Rec Coalition's process for selecting suitable lands. A pool of two or more sites would be scoped and selected, members would then vote on which project they would like the foundation to bid on for purchase.

[PolarBear]

I'm all for it!  My land and my neighbor's 100 acres are no deer or elk hunting zones.  I convinced him to set aside 20 acres of timber and brush next to 80 acres of oat grass hay for the blacktails.  The locals have shot the crap out of the blackies around here and since we set this area aside they are coming back.  I fertilize a huge blackberry patch, hazel nut brush and oak trees just for the deer.  Between that and killing off as many coyotes as I can it has really helped the health of the herd.  We need small "sanctuary" lots for deer to escape that will eventualy benefit the huntable land adjacent to that area.  As far as the tribes, I had a long conversation with my buddy who is a local tribal member who is getting ready to raise holy hell with the tribal leaders about their hunting and fishing practices.  He is beyond pissed at how little they do to preserve habitat for fish and wildlife.  He told me yesterday that it is no wonder that regular hunters and fisherman hate the tribes because all they do is take and not give back.  His point is if the tribes can spend millions on casinos, hotels and golf courses, why can't they put money into wildlife habitat, hatcheries, curbing their seasons and patching up relations with sportsmen.   I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I agree, we need to help control our own future. Our politicians will have this on the back-burner. Montana has similar programs, conserving thousand's of acres adjacent to huntable lands.