Thurston County no shooting zone

[billythekidrock]

I would also mention the decades of safe hunting that has already gone on in that area..

[WSU]

I said that I don't support the ordinance, and that it is not based on any factual finding.  As I understand it, there has been no confirmed incident of dangerous shooting that is motivating this ordinance.  It would be helpful to point out decades of safe hunting and shooting, and the fact that the public waters of Thurston County belong to all of us, not just people that own homes adjacent to our waterways.

[WSU]

Does anyone know when the next public meeting is, or when this ordinance is supposed be up for passage?

[goober]

Jon at Cedarville farms is heading up much of the defense. He has requested to be CC'd on all emails so that he can track the number of replies. Here is his testemony at the last meeting and some other correspondence relating to this that was forwarded to a number of guys.


I felt people might be interested in this correspondence I had with Captain Dave Drewry.  It emphasizes the need that we must get organized and keep our communications open amongst ourselves. 
 
It also demonstrates how we "hunting worms" are being shoved into an ever shrinking can.  This creates higher concentrations of hunters in the remaining hunting areas which only exacerbates the same problem with the neighboring residents in those locations.  Hence they in turn, petition their county officials to shut these areas down too.
 
FYI - I have only received 50 forwarded e-mails as of last night in opposition to the Proposed Thurston Co. No Shooting Ordinance.  This is very discouraging to me, as it appears that there are tens of thousands of hunters out there that just don't care.  Most of you on this mailing list have made your views known to the county commissioners and forwarded them to me.  I am not preaching to you.
 
FYI - Some of our support has come from concerned citizens not only in Washington State, but Oregon, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Arkansas.  Their support is very much appreciated and encouraging.
 
Thanks,  Jon




-----Original Message-----
From: Cedarvillefarms <cedarvillefarms@aol.com>
To: CaptDave@PeninsulaSportsman.com
Sent: Sun, Mar 6, 2011 7:26 am
Subject: Re: eld inlet


Dave,
 
Your information and time is very appreciated.  It is some what discouraging to find out that many of us new nothing of your ordeal with similar issues.  That point reinforces the need for all of us to unite and work together to stop the further loss of our hunting area's in this country.  If we were well organized we might even succeed in the possible reclamation of some of these areas already lost.
 
I am truly sorry that I was unaware and could not lend my voice when you guys needed it most.
 
Jon





-----Original Message-----
From: Capt. Dave Drewry <CaptDave@PeninsulaSportsman.com>
To: Cedarvillefarms <cedarvillefarms@aol.com>
Sent: Sat, Mar 5, 2011 9:18 pm
Subject: Re: eld inlet


Thanks Jon-- I have been involved in no-shoot zones in Island Co. -- w/ Deer Lagoon and Penn Cove;  and my own Jefferson County. Alot of what we dealt with up here in Jeff Co. was the enacting of no-shooting zones. site/ boundary specific. in various areas around the county. Paradise Bay / Indian Island/ Irondale specifically. There was  DNR and WDFW land that was part of the closures and that made it sting that much more. In addition re-designation of DNR land where waterfowlers were walk-in hunting and the conversion of those leases into County parks-- ie. no more hunting. Jeff.  Co. could skirt some laws with that re-designation and made it easier to shut down hunting.  What you are dealing in Thurston Co.  is a more blanket approach to regulation which is more far-reaching. Kitsap has had the 300yd. no shoot ordinance in place for a while now and that has inherently shut down most waterfowl hunting in that county. I'm going to do my best in watching on your issue down there. Keep up the good work, and don't hesitate to let me know how I can help you guys down there. The cards are stacked against us for sure. --Capt. Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: Cedarvillefarms
To: CaptDave@PeninsulaSportsman.com
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 7:25 PM
Subject: Re: eld inlet


Dave,
 
If we can ever be of help in like issues please don't hesitate to ask.  I would be interested to know how you fared or handled your previous situation.
 
Thanks for your help & support in this matter.
 
Would you like to receive any future information and updates on this issue from us? 
 
Need to reply only if interested.
 
Thank You,
Jon McAninch
Cedarville Farms Waterfowl Club






-----Original Message-----
From: Capt. Dave Drewry <CaptDave@PeninsulaSportsman.com>
To: Cedarvillefarms@aol.com
Sent: Sat, Mar 5, 2011 5:12 pm
Subject: Fw: eld inlet


Jon-- For your files. Best of luck in the battle. We have dealt with similar issues up here in Jefferson Co.  -- Capt. Dave
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Capt. Dave Drewry
To: bocc@co.thurston.wa.us
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 5:04 PM
Subject: eld inlet


Thurston County Commissioners,
 
~ I am writing in  regards to the proposed no shooting zones in Eld Inlet and other marine waters of the county. The proposed 300 yard shoreline buffer for discharge of firearms-- ie. hunting shotguns is overkill.  This will eliminate any opportunity for waterfowl hunters in your county to hunt the saltwater as most of these inlets and bays will not allow for waterfowl hunters to anchor safely and hunt in the deep waters offshore. We have a unique opportunity within the Puget Sound to hunt sea ducks and diver ducks and to eliminate that opportunity is not beneficial to the hunters that seek the ducks, the shellfish businesses ( Taylor, etc. ) where they provide depredation and the local businesses and conservation projects they support.
 
~ Please do not eliminate waterfowling opportunity in Thurston County-- oppose the proposed 300 yard buffer. 100 yards or less is more than enough to still allow hunting and provide safety for county residents.
 
Capt. David Drewry
owner/ operator
Peninsula Sportsman Guide and Outfitting Service LLC-- Port Townsend, WA
Cabins at Treefrog Woods
www.PeninsulaSportsman.com
360-379-0906

[WSU]

I've looked at the RCW which enables the county to enact this type of ordinance.  If I understand the proposal correctly (300 feet/yards from any shoreline in Thurston County), then it appears the ordinance may exceed the County's authority.  It does not appear that safety is reasonably at issue in all of the closed areas.  Other's thoughts?

[WSU]

I received a response to my email, and sent the following reply.  Others should do the same and keep the emails and pressure coming.

Sandra,
 
I appreciate your reply, and I agree that public safety is an important concern.  I believe a more narrow regulation could accomplish that same purpose.  Specificially, wouldn't a regulation prohibiting the discharge of firearms toward the shore accomplish the purpose of providing safety to homeowners along the shore?  Also, looking at the proposed map, it encompasses areas that have no homes that are anywhere near the area which will be covered by the ordinance.  One prime example is the Nisqually Delta area.  It seems to me that the ordinance exceed the authority conveyed upon the county by RCW 9.41.300.  The proposed ordinance is not limited to those portions of Thurston County "where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property will be jeopardized."  As such, the ordinance as proposed will certainly be subject to legal challenge as it exceeds the authority conferred upon the County. 
 
I applaud your efforts to provide a safe environment for the citizens of Thurston County.  As a hunter, however, I worry that future generations will not have the opportunity to enjoy the tradition and our public property as the public has in the past.  Hopefully all sides can come to a resolution that protects the interest of the homeowners as well as those that enjoy the use of the public property of Thurston County.
 
I would appreciate a response to this email with your thoughts.
 
Sincerely,

[Curly]

WSU, that is very good letter you wrote there.  If the commissioners have responded to my email, I hope I can write one as eloquently as yours.  I have a hard time not telling them exactly how I feel........(if you know what I mean).

(I may have an email at my home email.......I'll check when I get home tonight).

[goober]

These guys are doing all that they can to get guys on board. Let's help them out!

WIN A HUNT FOR TWO AT
CEDARVILLE FARMS WATERFOWL CLUB

 Cedarville Farms is raffling a hunt for two with Cedarville Farms Waterfowl Club, to take place in the 2011/2012 season.  Conditions for eligibility are as follows:
 
1.  Entrants must send comments to Thurston County Commissioners smithr@co.thurston.wa.us in opposition to the proposed No Shooting/Hunting Ordinance.
     
2.  Entrants must forward a copy of their comments to Cedarville Farms cedarvillefarms@aol.com or by mail to:

Cedarville Farms
15 White Oak Lane
Oakville, WA 98568.
     
3.  Entrants must show proof of membership in one of the following organizations; Washington Waterfowl Association, Delta Waterfowl, or Ducks Unlimited.
     
4.  Entrants shall receive one chance to win per organization membership (anyone belonging to all organizations shall receive 3 chances to win).
     
5.  Entrants shall receive an additional chance to win if they show proof of newly joining any of the 3 organizations after January 1, 2011.
     
6.  Anyone who has already forwarded their e-mail to Cedarville Farms as of March 8, 2011 shall automatically be entered for one chance to win, regardless of organization membership or not, but if they send proof of membership(s) they shall receive an additional chance to win.
     
7.  The hunt shall be set on a date convenient to all parties, and shall include a night's lodging at Cedarville Farms.
     
8.  Entries must be received by September 1, 2011.
 
9.  Any winning entrant that can not attend the hunt may donate it to either of the above organizations to be re-raffled at a later date.

10. Entrants shall be responsible to provide current contact information to Cedarville Farms.

11. Entrants must have current and proper licenses to hunt.

[bobcat]

goober, thanks for posting that! I already emailed the county so now I will have to do some research and figure out which group to join. I'm thinking the Washington Waterfowl Association- didn't they do the most in the fight against this no shooting ordinance? Or, maybe Ducks Unlimited would be good because my girls would probably like looking at the magazine. 

[Curly]

WWA sounds like a great group.  www.waduck.org/ is the web address. 

[ICEMAN]

Bump,

We need help!

[boots]

email sent

[White Tornado]

Just saw this and sent in my email to the commissioners. I am hearing that there has not been much support for this write in campain. Just a thought but the more hunting lands we loose on the wet side means that many more west side hunters headed to eastern washington.

The thought of that alone should prompt a flood of emails and support from eastern washington!!!   

[sakoshooter]

I'm not a member(yet)of WA Waterfowl Assoc but I just sent them an email asking what they are doing as an organization to combat this encroachment into our limited hunting areas.

[lokidog]

I sent an email last winter and sent another today:

"I am emailing in regards to the proposed no shooting zone in Eld Inlet and the poorly planned expansion of that zone to include more of the South Sound.

I am opposed to this TAKING of the use of public land/waters by the PUBLIC! 

As far as I am aware, this proposal has no actual basis in public safety but has been put forth by a minority of county residents who have property along Eld Inlet.  These citizens have no right to move to an area, impact the environment with their homes,chemically treated lawns, and often leaky septic systems and then demand that a traditional, safe use of the PUBLIC land/water in the area be discontinued.  These people knew that this area was used by duck hunters for several months each fall when they chose to move there.  This demand, by them, is as absurd as new residents of Lacey demanding that Ostram's mushroom farm leave the area because the smell bothers them.

In years past, I have hunted for waterfowl in this area and saw no occasions where there was a safety issue involved.  There are currently laws that prohibit reckless shooting of firearms.  We do not need more laws restricting the PUBLIC'S access to Public land/water.

Please do not support this attempt by a small group of people to put their wants ahead of an established, safe tradition of hunting waterfowl in Eld Inlet and elsewhere in the South Sound.

Thank you for your time,

Edward and Kelli Fisher
Taxpayers and owners of two Thurston County properties."