Damage permits in May/June??

[BLUEBULLS]

I don't get the problem here. It's the WDFW's job to handle problem animal and crop damage complaints. They could just go shoot the animals themselves, but they've chosen to give the tags to WA hunters. There's no waste here. If anything, it's allowing the paying hunters to solve a problem and get some meat to boot. Start worrying about the wolves, not what opportunities that some get and you don't.

did you know they sell the tags? and trophy hunt?

Crop damage is a good excuse to make a little more cash than normal. With that said, If I were given a tag I'd be out there hunting for the biggest bull around but I'd wait until horns had hardened.

[pianoman9701]

I don't get the problem here. It's the WDFW's job to handle problem animal and crop damage complaints. They could just go shoot the animals themselves, but they've chosen to give the tags to WA hunters. There's no waste here. If anything, it's allowing the paying hunters to solve a problem and get some meat to boot. Start worrying about the wolves, not what opportunities that some get and you don't.

did you know they sell the tags? and trophy hunt?

Crop damage is a good excuse to make a little more cash than normal. With that said, If I were given a tag I'd be out there hunting for the biggest bull around but I'd wait until horns had hardened.

Well, they'd be dumb to give them away when many of us would pay. I'd like the hardened antlers, too, but I'm mainly after meat.

[KopperBuck]

This herd isn't to be managed for hunter opportunity. They're more of a nuisance than anything (and an expensive one).

Damage tags are not a way to make more money, far from it... making a buck is an exception. A pickup on wheat after killing an elk is not going to do the damage those animals will over a period of time, not even close. Orchards can get hammered by them. Fence isn't free, nor is the time taken to fix it.

[BLUEBULLS]

This herd isn't to be managed for hunter opportunity. They're more of a nuisance than anything (and an expensive one).

Damage tags are not a way to make more money, far from it... making a buck is an exception. A pickup on wheat after killing an elk is not going to do the damage those animals will over a period of time, not even close. Orchards can get hammered by them. Fence isn't free, nor is the time taken to fix it.

they go for like $5000 each... sounds like a pretty good way to make money to me.

Best way to keep them off private would probably be to farm part of the res. 

[longknife]

This herd isn't to be managed for hunter opportunity. They're more of a nuisance than anything (and an expensive one).

Damage tags are not a way to make more money, far from it... making a buck is an exception. A pickup on wheat after killing an elk is not going to do the damage those animals will over a period of time, not even close. Orchards can get hammered by them. Fence isn't free, nor is the time taken to fix it.

Yes, not letting hunters out to damage hunt results in no pay from the state to replenish what they lost. If they let hunters on their land, they can still get funding.
And you are rite, fence is expensive, and my wages at $33.50 an hour to install isnt cheep!

[rtspring]

I know a whole hell of alot about the HANFORD herd. I grew up in prosser and know the land around there better than alot of people.

These farmers that are whining about the elk destroying their crops is a bunch of B.S.  Yes they do get damage to their land, But when hunters try to go out  to hunt their land they are denied almost everytime. Trust me I know been there done that. So how can you complain about your crops but not allow the hunters to come and take care of the animals population that is causing them hardship? I know i Know they have the right cause  they own it,  B.S. flag waving

I will tell you it is about $$$$$, I know 100 percent without a doubt that they are milking the system and geting money from the state for damage , and then they are turning around and selling permission to hunt their land. This is fact not fiction.

How do I know this? I had a great uncle through marriage had one of the ranches that bordered Hanford for many years up on the rattle snake. Famers talk just like other people and words gets around what is going on. This ranch back in the 80'S I was allowed to hunt, if you were not family you absolutely were denied hunting. Guess what, they not once called about crop damage while others around them were getting all they could. He could have easily charged big money to allow access but some people arent all about money in this world.

So they want their cake and eat it too.

[KopperBuck]

I know a whole hell of alot about the HANFORD herd. I grew up in prosser and know the land around there better than alot of people.

These farmers that are whining about the elk destroying their crops is a bunch of B.S.  Yes they do get damage to their land, But when hunters try to go out  to hunt their land they are denied almost everytime. Trust me I know been there done that. So how can you complain about your crops but not allow the hunters to come and take care of the animals population that is causing them hardship? I know i Know they have the right cause  they own it,  B.S. flag waving

I will tell you it is about $$$$$, I know 100 percent without a doubt that they are milking the system and geting money from the state for damage , and then they are turning around and selling permission to hunt their land. This is fact not fiction.

How do I know this? I had a great uncle through marriage had one of the ranches that bordered Hanford for many years up on the rattle snake. Famers talk just like other people and words gets around what is going on. This ranch back in the 80'S I was allowed to hunt, if you were not family you absolutely were denied hunting. Guess what, they not once called about crop damage while others around them were getting all they could. He could have easily charged big money to allow access but some people arent all about money in this world.

So they want their cake and eat it too.

Fair enough. My point is damage tags aren't to make a buck. PERIOD. I wish we could sell our tags. But you know what, if I own that land, better believe I'm either gonna hold it or sell it. Problem with that? Let's talk dollars.. Elk beat the *censored* out of ground. Buy 'em out, talk to your local legislators, or.. guess I don't have another option. My point is, this herd is not a quality herd. It's a nuisance. Buy the ground and work it, reap the benefits. Or scratch it our like most dryland ranchers. Can't blame folks for owning land. Sounds like everyone pissed about timber companies charging to hunt their land. There's other land and elk to hunt in this state. Just b/c they grow them big there doesn't mean we need to make an exception. Actually, let's turn it into a gov tag auction only. That way we throw it to the state instead of the grower.

Elk might have been native ONE TIME. But look at the transplants.. and no pressure. So I guess a guy shouldn't farm because folks can't hunt across the road.

[rtspring]

Damage tags aren't out there to make a buck, I totally agree. But they are being used to make a hell of alot of money by the farmers. FACT!!

Nuisance herd? Maybe to some people but to some they are like winning the lotto to get a chance at them.
Most anyone in this state if given the chance would pass on all bull tags if they could go hunt the Hanford area just once to get at these elk. There are bulls out there that Dan Agnew would love to get his hands on. The biggest bulls in the state are in this herd. this equals big money to get at them. FACT !!

6 years ago that I remember right there were a group of people busted for poaching out there on the Hanford area, These people were from all over the West Coast, paying big dollars to be snuck in off the highway then picked up at a pre determined point. They were taking no meat just antlers. Well they all got caught and paid the piper.

This herd is worth thousands to anyone that has land around them, not only hunting rights but damage collections from the herd.

So this is my point, if they are causing this much of a hassle why for christs sake don't they open it up and kill them??  Well I will tell you no other reason than the all mighty dollar.. They can feed U and I all the BS they want but this is why.

If any farmer wants crop damage money, he should allow anyone hunting access, or else not be given the right to cry foul when the elk tear up his place.  this is my point....

So ask yourself this, Do the farmers really want them gone?  I highly doubt it, mayeb some but for sure not all of them...

[KopperBuck]

Damage tags aren't out there to make a buck, I totally agree. But they are being used to make a hell of alot of money by the farmers. FACT!!

Nuisance herd? Maybe to some people but to some they are like winning the lotto to get a chance at them.
Most anyone in this state if given the chance would pass on all bull tags if they could go hunt the Hanford area just once to get at these elk. There are bulls out there that Dan Agnew would love to get his hands on. The biggest bulls in the state are in this herd. this equals big money to get at them. FACT !!

If any farmer wants crop damage money, he should allow anyone hunting access, or else not be given the right to cry foul when the elk tear up his place.  this is my point....

So ask yourself this, Do the farmers really want them gone?  I highly doubt it, mayeb some but for sure not all of them...

From a cooperator's perspective, production is the goal, not managing wildlife, nor hunters. While it'd be nice to allow anyone access to his/her ground to control damage, fact is - I wouldn't. Half the folks don't know how to close a gate or stay on a road. That's just the truth. Probably most the folks here would be alright, but I'm guessing not the majority that could afford the type of tag you're talking about. Or the rest of the minions that help in the chase... that's another conversation

You lose ground that can produce, it's DAMN HARD, and NEAR IMPOSSIBLE to get that back. Farm/Ranch Preservation. Scratching out dollars to feed and provide, the dollars to manage horns are pushing those folks away. There's a give and take - and this is not a take situation in my opinion. Not worth it, and I'm glad WDFW see's it the same (I hope).

We continue to price ourselves out, especially the growers and producers. I love to hunt as much as the next guy, but at what price? High enough to drive out century owned ranches? We're almost at 120 years.. but it's conflicts like this that brings influential money that sways the argument. Food for thought is all.

Cooperators aren't in it for damage hunt dollars. Those dollars don't make a lot of 

[longknife]

Reminds me of the Nile valley for a few years. Farmers would complain about crop damage. The F&G opened it up for archery after the late season.
When the farmers said no to hunters to hunt on their property, the state said, if you dont let the hunters out to solve the problem, we dont pay for the problem.

It is a money making deal for farmers, but nothing like what they would have made in actual crop.  when you see farmers feeding them alfalfa, it will just call them in.

[BLUEBULLS]

some ranches actually employ a person to take hunters who have paid $5k for a tag, to a few, it is all about money.

Some of the farms have springs made to keep elk on the property....

[KopperBuck]

some ranches actually employ a person to take hunters who have paid $5k for a tag, to a few, it is all about money.

Some of the farms have springs made to keep elk on the property....

And sometimes the gov't pays for it

But really, how is that any different than baiting for deer? Or planting food plots?

[pianoman9701]

some ranches actually employ a person to take hunters who have paid $5k for a tag, to a few, it is all about money.

Some of the farms have springs made to keep elk on the property....

And sometimes the gov't pays for it

But really, how is that any different than baiting for deer? Or planting food plots?

It may not be different at all. It's not about fair chase, it's about a landowner having animals removed from his property.

[KopperBuck]

  Agree with you 100%. While there is always the exception, most times this is a legitimate effort.