Weekender report on Facebook.

[Kain]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150090548326761&set=a.390652606760.166104.385127436760

Naithan Kain The WDFW likes to pretend we dont exist but there is plenty of small game hunting opportunity open until March 15th as well as trapping. (Rabbits, fox, bobcats, raccoons, coyotes). Get out there and thin some predators.

[grundy53]

Funny how they don't like to mention predator hunters.

[btlsoom]

They might not mention us but we are here to stay.  March 15 is a long way off so we have time.

R

[JimmyHoffa]

Newspapers and sporting goods stores seem to forget a lot too.  I get the "You can't be out hunting, there aren't any seasons open." comment from time to time.  But I wonder if WDFW is somewhat limited on space for their reports or if it is actually something more along the lines of not promoting because it doesn't fit within a certain image among the public perception.

[Kain]

Newspapers and sporting goods stores seem to forget a lot too.  I get the "You can't be out hunting, there aren't any seasons open." comment from time to time.  But I wonder if WDFW is somewhat limited on space for their reports or if it is actually something more along the lines of not promoting because it doesn't fit within a certain image among the public perception.

That is what I think is going on.  The whole point of the weekender report is to inform people what opportunities are available out there.  You would think with the budget crisis they are in they would be pushing the activities that actually make them money.  I just wanted to remind them that we are out here and that we predator hunters do contribute money and valuable predator management for them.

Last comment I left.  Feel free to add your own so they know you guys exist.  

Naithan Kain Yep the rabbits, fawns, calves and bird nests will all benefit from fewer predators. The predators themselves will also benefit from less competition, fights over territory and the spread of diseases like mange and rabies.

As for the stores I can only assume the demand for predator and trapping supplies is probably to low to make the shelf space and knowledgeable staff worth it.  Cant really blame them there.  I have noticed an increase in the predator calls, equipment, and videos at a few stores lately.  The Wholesale Sports down here in Vancouver has a pretty good selection year round.

[beagledog]

Hey Kain keep that rabbit season stuff on the down low 
Man I love the long season ans so do the beagles

[Kain]

Hey Kain keep that rabbit season stuff on the down low  
Man I love the long season ans so do the beagles

 You hound guys are a dieing breed so I dont really see a lot of competition coming anytime soon.  Down here rabbits are just about as hard to find as deer.  
Besides more predator hunters means more rabbits not less. 

[btlsoom]

At times, I feel we Predator hunters get the bad rap as we are "sport" hunters since we generally do not consume what we harvest in comparison to deer or elk hunters.  Hence, I can see more attention to the "meat" and potatoes game and fish where not much attention is paid to the scavengers we chase. Although they are just as prevalent as the others and are the fastest growing portion of the hunting sports, they just keep it low key.  We may be out of mind to them but NOT out of the picture...

[JimmyHoffa]

It pertains to what predator is being hunted.  Bears are yummy, and I've heard cougar is too.  Cougar season over here is open until March 31, and I really don't see any mention for it...the exception being when a nuisance cat kills someone's bull or horse or sheep.  As soon as elk season ends I usually get the impression that 'hunting season' for most here ends with a little mention of ducks.

[Kain]

Its all in how they package the message.  If the WDFW came out and did actual public outreach and education on how valuable predator hunters and trappers are to wildlife management it would make a lot of difference.  Not to the bunny huggers but to the sane non hunter public.    That recent video I saw with Dave Ware and Donny Martorello talking about the value of hound hunters in controlling cougar population was a perfect example of how the WDFW can educate the public on how important predator management is.

It is also important for us to speak up and remind them sometimes.

[littletoes]

Man-O-Man, you ain't helpin' Cain!

Its crowded enough in dem predator woods!


Aw, we're a crazy crowd. The colder, THE BETTER. The Deeper the snow, THE BETTER.

Man I love Predator Huntin'. just wish i was better at it.

[Kain]

I know I know, we all want the woods to ourselves.    The problem is that we wont have enough people to stick up for each other against the anti's if we keep going this way.  The large game clubs are not going to help us.  The message that is getting out is that we are all just thrill killing sports hunters and we are not getting any help from the department.  They already got rid of most hound hunting and severely reduced trapping.  They are going after cougar general season, night hunting, bear season keeps getting chipped away.  I am guessing it wont be long before you start seeing calls for a coyote season and no dogs except for birds.   

[littletoes]

I know I know, we all want the woods to ourselves.    The problem is that we wont have enough people to stick up for each other against the anti's if we keep going this way.  The large game clubs are not going to help us.  The message that is getting out is that we are all just thrill killing sports hunters and we are not getting any help from the department.  They already got rid of most hound hunting and severely reduced trapping.  They are going after cougar general season, night hunting, bear season keeps getting chipped away.  I am guessing it wont be long before you start seeing calls for a coyote season and no dogs except for birds.   

Absolutely!

The BIGGER problem is that they allow the ENTIRE population to vote on subjects, when they should ONLY allow folks that purchase a hunting license  to vote on subjects that involve the harvesting of animals.

Its EASY to brain wash folks just by HOW you ask the question. Anyone can think harvesting animals is evil when you only think meat comes in cellophane.

[Kain]

Well Im not going to tell people they cant vote when the wildlife in this state belongs to everyone.  Sure we pay the majority of the bills but the problem is we dont get that fact out there enough.  We cant even get more than a handful of guys to even try.  When the only message that the non-hunting public gets to hear is whatever HSUS tells them, I see that as OUR fault.  We are not telling people what the truth is and we are not forcing WDFW to stick up for us.  

Management through hunting is one of the most valuable tool there is for healthy wildlife and the money we spend is the number one source for habitat conservation.  With those two facts we could do so much outreach and education.  If we could just get people to write a letter or even leave a message on a Facebook page.

[littletoes]

Talking to the Choir here...


Tell me this, how can we do anything when our Rep's are "untouchable", and non-responsive? Although the Fish & Game Department does seem to acknowledge letters.