Illegal shed hunting

[Cougeyes]

Why is there even a "rule" for the L.T. Murray and other elk closure areas that wont allow people in there until May 1 if there isn't even any enforcement for it.  I am tired of hearing about people picking up sheds inside the boundary this time of year when the state doesn't even open the gates until May1.  I abide by the regulations for the area and choose to hike and shed hunt away from the boundary.  Last year we went up and hiked all over Joe Watt (both high and low) saw tons of people.  People are picking the area clean before they even open the gates.  It's getting way to competitive and ridiculous that some people are choosing to do this.   

[HHPro]

I know a few of those illegal hunters as do you so I guess if someone was to rat on them maybe it would scare them enough to stop.

[MADMAX]

Don't count on that
 shed hunting is now gotton to be a money maker , just look on eBay
It will only stop if its truly policed and even then it should be done by volunteers on horseback IMO and the people blatantly trespassing fined big time
I used to go over and find sheds starting mid April but that was as they say back in the day,  now I wait and play it legal 1- May  and hope I get one or 2

[klickriverchromer]

I think we need some "REAL" Eyes in the woods instead of some stupid cameras... They got collars on the big bulls so IMO they should have a sting set up.. They obviouslly no where to look.. I no I follow the law and don't no anyone that doesn't.. IMO if you no someone that brakes the law and u don't turn them in YOUR JUST AS BAD!!!!!!

[Alan K]

I can understand your guys' frustration. Nothing worse than playing by the rules knowing people are blatantly breaking them and getting away with it.

I've steered clear of that zoo myself, at least as far as shed hunting goes. I enjoy stopping by the feed station in the winter, but that's as much time as I spend in the area.

[HHPro]

IMO if you no someone that brakes the law and u don't turn them in YOUR JUST AS BAD!!!!!!

I agree but I don't think just me turning them in will do anything it would take a few complaints to get things going legally and I know nobody else that knows them will turn them in.These 2 or 3 people don't sell them they do it for the greediness of getting them before anyone else.

[billythekidrock]

Maybe F&W should charge for shed hunting..then they might enforce a season.

[HHPro]

If you wanna talk to one of the guy's who does it regularly he is a member on this site.PM me and I will tell you his screen name.

[blacktail luv]

If you wanna talk to one of the guy's who does it regularly he is a member on this site.PM me and I will tell you his screen name.

 


This could get good.

[Cougeyes]

I agree HHPro that it will take more than a few complaints to have anything come of it.  I have heard from some people that they know some other people that go in there and pick sheds before May1 but without hard evidence, that is actively catching them coming out with sheds, there is nothing anyone can do.  Sure i could throw out a few names of some of the people but without evidence there is no case.  And what a case that would be.....what a 100-200 dollar trespassing fee.  I really dont think the fine is really that steep.  And without a great way of enforcing it many people could pick up a lot of sheds.  I'm just complaining because i spent half of the day today in the Taneum up high and away from the boundary area looking for sheds and where i normally go there is too much snow, most of the elk are still in the boundary area. 

[jackelope]

If nobody makes a complaint there will never be a few. Not making a complaint because nobody else will is a crappy ass reason for not making a complaint.

IMO if you no someone that brakes the law and u don't turn them in YOUR JUST AS BAD!!!!!!

I agree but I don't think just me turning them in will do anything it would take a few complaints to get things going legally and I know nobody else that knows them will turn them in.These 2 or 3 people don't sell them they do it for the greediness of getting them before anyone else.

[Miles]

Maybe F&W should charge for shed hunting..then they might enforce a season.

While they are at it, maybe they should outlaw the use of calls when bear hunting.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Maybe F&W should charge for shed hunting..then they might enforce a season.

Then the "natives" would be given privileges, kind of like huckleberries, "traditional shedding areas" and whatever... 
lets see how many pages it will go now.... 

[boneaddict]

I think all shed hunters should have kids in sports and maybe a job, then they'd do alot less illegal hiking.  Maybe say you have to have a job before you can get your shed hunting license.

[Austrian Hunter]

  I have a job just no time to shed hunt!!!  cant eat the things anyways!!!

[billythekidrock]

Maybe F&W should charge for shed hunting..then they might enforce a season.

While they are at it, maybe they should outlaw the use of calls when bear hunting.

Don't think that they haven't though of it.

[383man]

Maybe F&W should charge for shed hunting..then they might enforce a season.

   sarcasm noted, but don't give em any ideas, before you know it it will be in the regs...lol

[billythekidrock]

Maybe F&W should charge for shed hunting..then they might enforce a season.

   sarcasm noted, but don't give em any ideas, before you know it it will be in the regs...lol

Glad someone could read between the lines.

[HHPro]

If nobody makes a complaint there will never be a few. Not making a complaint because nobody else will is a crappy ass reason for not making a complaint.

IMO if you no someone that brakes the law and u don't turn them in YOUR JUST AS BAD!!!!!!

I agree but I don't think just me turning them in will do anything it would take a few complaints to get things going legally and I know nobody else that knows them will turn them in.These 2 or 3 people don't sell them they do it for the greediness of getting them before anyone else.

You tell me who I can tell that will take names and actually give a sh!t I know the "ONE" game warden we have can't patrol the boundaries alone and county police are pretty busy so if you know one person I can tell that has the time and resources as well as the give a crap you tell me because I have reported things to the game department before and got nowhere.

[YoterHunter]

if you know people that slip into the oak creek area. tell them to smile while there up there. they have 17 camaras scatterd threw out the area. to catch people picking up horns early.

[YoterHunter]

ive always thoght that both sides are part of the feed station.are they climbing over the gate . becouse there is no access on the sides.

[jackelope]

If nobody makes a complaint there will never be a few. Not making a complaint because nobody else will is a crappy ass reason for not making a complaint.

IMO if you no someone that brakes the law and u don't turn them in YOUR JUST AS BAD!!!!!!

I agree but I don't think just me turning them in will do anything it would take a few complaints to get things going legally and I know nobody else that knows them will turn them in.These 2 or 3 people don't sell them they do it for the greediness of getting them before anyone else.

You tell me who I can tell that will take names and actually give a sh!t I know the "ONE" game warden we have can't patrol the boundaries alone and county police are pretty busy so if you know one person I can tell that has the time and resources as well as the give a crap you tell me because I have reported things to the game department before and got nowhere.

Did you try the State Patrol? You have names apparently. I'd think you could get somewhere.

[HHPro]

I have names but I don't have solid evidence other then his own big mouth bragging about doing it.

[elkslayer069]

Open mouths sink ships. and rightly so

[Transka]

I was thinking of going and waiting in line when the gate opens with my 11 year son but by the sounds of it is it really worth it heck i would be happy finding 1 set but i have never gone up there to do it so would have no idea where to go?

[HHPro]

Open mouths sink ships. and rightly so

If your dumb enough to sneak in a closed area then even dumber to run your big mouth around a small town you deserve everything you get.

[383man]

Open mouths sink ships. and rightly so

I was in the navy, and I believe the quote goes "loose lips sink ships"...fyi lol

[HHPro]

I was thinking of going and waiting in line when the gate opens with my 11 year son but by the sounds of it is it really worth it heck i would be happy finding 1 set but i have never gone up there to do it so would have no idea where to go?

If you can go during the week I have been up there the first week and have found a few.I don't care how many people there is there not going to find them all and even if you don't find anything its quality time with the boy  

[383man]

man it must get crazy over her, i'm used to shed hunting in idaho, no competition, go all day long without seeing a single soul, doesnt even sound fun over here

[bigtex]

Believe me there is enforcement of it, just not much. A study done by an independent group in 2008 found that Yakima County should have 7 WDFW Officers, Kittitas should have 5, well both counties have 3 officers. DNR is also suppose to patrol the area, but the DNR Officer based in Kittitas county has a patrol area consisting of 15 eastern WA counties, and he is the only DNR Officer for those 15 counties. WDFW does make cases for these violators every year, but a lack of personnel is the big problem, not a lack of will to enforce it.

[Fetch em up]

Believe me there is enforcement of it, just not much. A study done by an independent group in 2008 found that Yakima County should have 7 WDFW Officers, Kittitas should have 5, well both counties have 3 officers. DNR is also suppose to patrol the area, but the DNR Officer based in Kittitas county has a patrol area consisting of 15 eastern WA counties, and he is the only DNR Officer for those 15 counties. WDFW does make cases for these violators every year, but a lack of personnel is the big problem, not a lack of will to enforce it.

 
I know all the WDFW guys in that area, and they would love nothing more than being able to catch the trespassers.  Unfortunately, they don't have the manpower to "camp" on the area and wait for a violation.  If some of the guys on this site have some names, vehicle descriptions and plates, and even better if you know when they're going to be in the closure, they would be there to get them.  The best cases WDFW Officers make often times come from good tips from the field.     If you don't want to do it yourself, pm me with GOOD info (the more specific the better) and I'll make sure they will get it.

[shedcrazy]

I saw three guys inside the boundary, they looked like shed hunters to me

[YoterHunter]

they need to put a couple camaras watching the gate. so they will get plate number. picture of the person or persons climbing over the gates.has any one contacted the feeding station to let them know about it.

[klickriverchromer]

I'm working on it.. A person on this site is providing me w/ some good info just need a little more and I will deliver them on a platter to the law..  Anyone have access to small, but powerfull gps tracking devices.. I've gotten some good ideas from this site..