Observing waterfowl hunters

[CP]

I need some volunteer hours if I’m going to renew my MH status and I’m considering the task below but I’m feeling it’s just a bit creepy.  Is anyone doing this or have you observed others observing you?   

Volunteers are needed to assist WDFW, as observers, with monitoring Snow Goose hunter activities, on Saturdays from November through January of the 2010 Snow Goose hunting season, on Fir Island in Skagit County. Participating volunteer observers are required to have their own vehicle, provide proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance, and current Driver’s License. Volunteer observers will be required to read and complete a WDFW Volunteer Packet. Additionally, volunteer observers are required to travel to Fir Island and monitor assigned areas during hunting hours. There may be significant miles driven on Fir Island. Participating volunteer observers will be required to remain in or adjacent to their vehicles on public property. Volunteer observers will be required to observe and report hunter locations and activities to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers patrolling Fir Island. Participating volunteer observers will be prohibited from initiating contacts with the hunting public and to make observations in a non-confrontational manner.

[whitey]

My buddy completed his hours just trimming back fisherman trails at the local hatchery.Not to mention any trees laying across the trails He was able to haul it out for firewood.
Id rather do that then help them Puss bellied lazy Gamies.
Let them bust suction and to their job.
But regardless of which one You choose.Good luck on renewing Your M.H status.It is all for a good cause.

[runamuk]

gamies cant be everywhere at once  I wouldn't find this really any creepier than being the fish checker at a dock or any other job.....its just something that needs done

[sisu]

I second whitey.

[WSU]

Seems like anyone who bitches about poaching or other unlawful hunting shouldn't complain about WDFW employing free labor to help fight such things...

[White Tornado]

Perhaps the observers are more for research than to catch hunters breaking the rules. While I think the quality snow goose hunt fields are a great idea, some tweeking of the program could make it better for everyone who wants to use these areas.

On the flip side, while the gamies could and should do more to curb the unethical crap that goes on at Fir Island and all of our public hunting areas, more eyes can only help. The conduct of just a few so called "hunters" makes all of us look bad in the eyes of an uneducated public. These individuals have allready caused increased restrictions on Fir Island that affect all of us. Personally I wouldn't mind more observers in all of our public hunting areas. Anything that we can do to help curb unethical hunting practices is only going to help stop further restriction's on waterfowling in our area. I think if we do not find a way to help solve this problem some politicians will and we will not be happy with the result.

[blackbart]

Anyone observing on public grounds had better be doing it from a good hide, not their vehicle. Sounds like a good recipe for confrontations and screwing up someone else's hunts. Even if it is "only" at Fir Island it sounds like trouble to me. If the observers aren't hidden well they will flair birds how is it different than harassing waterfowlers? And doing it for your personal gain? Is that really what we want our fellow hunters doing?

[Whitenuckles]

Anyone observing on public grounds had better be doing it from a good hide, not their vehicle. Sounds like a good recipe for confrontations and screwing up someone else's hunts. Even if it is "only" at Fir Island it sounds like trouble to me. If the observers aren't hidden well they will flair birds how is it different than harassing waterfowlers? And doing it for your personal gain? Is that really what we want our fellow hunters doing?

Id rather other hunters do it than tree huggers.  But I do agree with the rest of your statement!

[singleshot12]

Could be another ploy to turn hunter against hunter?  It's getting nuts out there!  Makes a person want to give up hunting in this state.

[whitey]

I don't want to Be the downer.
That wasn't what I was trying to get across.
I just have a vision in My head of the gammie sitting their Butts in the truck waiting for an Observer to report back then rolling over to hand out a ticket on hear say.
That's right hear say.
They do! I been on the bad end of the "Hear Say" deal.
And was guilty until I was found Innocent.

I don't believe that is the intent of this program.But I could see where it could get heated up.
I suppose if a guy didn't like it He could always bail.

I would like to wish You the best at what decision You make.

Everybody have a great Thanks Giving.
Whitey

[400out]

Snitch 

[CP]

I’m also kind of leery about how they would use the data collected.  I hadn’t considered that they would use it to issue citations, but that they might use it justify more changes to the regulations.  Maybe require even more decoys per hunter, etc.

[full choke]

I don't neccesarily think it is such a bad thing to do- especially on Fir Island. If there was ever a place that needed to be reformed- that is it! I don't hunt there much anymore, but I have been through there a couple of times the last couple of seasons and I was actually appalled at what I saw. And I was just on the main road- what do non-hunters think? There were wounded and crippled snow geese all over the place. A group of maybe thirty to thirty-five "hunters" all camoed up standing in the middle of a low cut green field waiting for the snows to fly over them? It was embarrassing. I realize that wdfw is trying to clean it up and that is a good thing. That place has always been horrible for skybusting and general slop *censored*- but it has really taken a turn for the worse. I say go for it- who cares if a few *censored* bags think you and your team are snitches? Also- why is it such a bad idea to require more decoys per person? Hunting geese in fields requires decoys- often times a lot of decoys. I know that Fir Island is a bit of a specialized hunt, but maybe if more guys were doing it right the geese would react better? I just personally hate pass shooting- and it is a sad state of affairs when that is the only means that those geese get hunted. On the other hand maybe I am pissing in the wind- I have seen how our "hunting" bretheren go about their business out there and there is no way that it will be sustained. Just too many eyes on them- it is a anti's wet dream.

[whitey]

I don't neccesarily think it is such a bad thing to do- especially on Fir Island. If there was ever a place that needed to be reformed- that is it! I don't hunt there much anymore, but I have been through there a couple of times the last couple of seasons and I was actually appalled at what I saw. And I was just on the main road- what do non-hunters think? There were wounded and crippled snow geese all over the place. A group of maybe thirty to thirty-five "hunters" all camoed up standing in the middle of a low cut green field waiting for the snows to fly over them? It was embarrassing. I realize that wdfw is trying to clean it up and that is a good thing. That place has always been horrible for skybusting and general slop *censored*- but it has really taken a turn for the worse. I say go for it- who cares if a few *censored* bags think you and your team are snitches? Also- why is it such a bad idea to require more decoys per person? Hunting geese in fields requires decoys- often times a lot of decoys. I know that Fir Island is a bit of a specialized hunt, but maybe if more guys were doing it right the geese would react better? I just personally hate pass shooting- and it is a sad state of affairs when that is the only means that those geese get hunted. On the other hand maybe I am pissing in the wind- I have seen how our "hunting" bretheren go about their business out there and there is no way that it will be sustained. Just too many eyes on them- it is a anti's wet dream.

I agree.
I have seen the lazy gammies and the sky busting B.S...
I just think WTF..
We all have seen some bad chit going on there.
Just have to look at the whole picture which I havent..

[ICEMAN]

Participating  Volunteer observers will be required to observe and report hunter locations and activities to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers patrolling Fir Island. [/b]

So the only reason for the volunteers is to spy on hunters and report activities? 

Why don't they just hire PETA to patrol for them?

[goober]

Anyone observing on public grounds had better be doing it from a good hide, not their vehicle. Sounds like a good recipe for confrontations and screwing up someone else's hunts. Even if it is "only" at Fir Island it sounds like trouble to me. If the observers aren't hidden well they will flair birds how is it different than harassing waterfowlers? And doing it for your personal gain? Is that really what we want our fellow hunters doing?

Get a life! If they are in a vehicle (especially on Fir Is), they are on a road. The same road that any vehicle can drive down at any time and probably the one the hunter parked on. How is that going to disrupt the hunt?

[Skyhigh]

That's right hear say.
They do! I been on the bad end of the "Hear Say" deal.
And was guilty until I was found Innocent.
Whitey

Sooo, why dont ya fill us in on the details of your "bad" experience, so we will all know what to look out for...To me it sounds like there is a big chip on someones shoulder...

I am all for the extra eyes watching...Sounds like a program called "eyes in the woods"

ifn ya aint doin nuttin wrong, ya aint got no worries...Ifn your doin sumpin wrong, ya gots lotsa a eyes watching and ya better be nervous..

Should matter, as there are no white geese in the area!

[dreamunelk]

You should volunteer.  This is the reason for the MH program.  I would suggest researching the Fir Island goose hunt on your own.  While you are getting some good input here you are also getting some ignorant comments.

The main reason they are running the program this way is because of bad hunter ethics.  WDFW has put a lot of effort and money into working with landowners to solve damage complaints by allowing hunter access.  As a kid we had access to almost the whole island.  Than hunters thought it would be a good idea to shoot geese in peoples yards, from roads, and just generally act very poorly. All of the hunters have got a permit to hunt the area and are aware of the rules.  Still some choose to ignore.  Your efforts will be to maintain hunting access for the hunters who follow the rules.  As an extra set of eye's you are assisting the WDFW not replacing some one.  You will find that many will appreciate your efforts.  As for ones that don't: these are the hunters that give us a bad name and ruin are hunting access on private lands.

I could go on and on here but, the short version is you will not only be providing a valuable service to the WDFW you will be providing and even more valuable service to your fellow hunters!  Also you will be proving that hunters do care and are a valuable tool in handling damage issues as well as can act responsible on private lands..