Post by: ST42 on December 30, 2013, 10:34:13 PM
I'm not much for posting, but I am very grateful for this forum. I have enjoyed most posts and really appreciate all the members that contribute their stories and knowledge for other to share.
So a little about myself. I lost my dog, Zack vom Wildflugal, back in 08' and it hit me hard, really hard. He was in his prime and would typically be retrieving ducks in the morning, and pheasants, chukar, and quail in the afternoon. The dog actually saved my life while sea duck hunting after my boat capsized off of Hoods Head. After he passed, I put up my shotguns, duck boat, and decoys. I dropped my subscriptions to Gun Dog, Gray's, Shooting Sportsman, Upland Almanac, DU, and Delta Waterfowl. My hunting life sucked. I buried myself into my family and work.
Last spring my wife said she had enough. She told me that if I don't get back into bird hunting, and stop moping about every fall, that she was going to slap me upside my head. She made arrangements, and I am now blessed with a very promising pup, Emmitt v.d. Brandenburg.
So its been 5 years since I've hit the uplands and things have changed. Upland bird hunting in this state seems to be boom or bust, at least for me. All of my former spots are all but devoid of birds. The few spots that still hold game are doing so, but barely. I'm hunting public land or land that landowners have graciously opened up to the public. So I realize that I'm not the only fellow hunting "my spots". I'm sure many of you know that it is important to get pups out as much as possible to get them as much experience in the field as one can. I have been making two and sometimes three trips to the east side every week so that I can get Emmitt exposed to game. We've had success with ducks and geese, but upland just hasn't come together. The places that held chukar and quail are producing singles and doubles. I've held my fire every time. Something has to be left behind for next year. The dog gets the point, but not a retrieve. Such is hunting....
Today we were hunting, and since my old spots are hurting so badly, I decided to try new ground. This is where my story takes a turn for the worst. We hit several walk in hunting spots West North West of Ephrata. We hunted four spots, in three of the spots we found wasted game. The first spot we were looking for chukar. We found them. Three of them lined up on a rock, and left to rot. So I guess if you don't get six, then the coyotes need to eat???
Next spot. A pile of doves. Not mourning doves, but they sure were very close. Five of them. Just left laying next to the wheat stubble. Last spot. Closest to town. Shot out old TV, clay targets, paper targets, two raw chickens, one raw turkey, one cottontail, two quail, and four zip locks with quail or dove breasts in the bags.
I'm so disgusted, and angry. I don't get it. I love hunting Chukar. You bust your balls, prey that you don't twist an ankle, end up with a lame dog, or worse. Then after you shoot three of them, you just let them lay on a rock! The doves. I know they aren't mourning doves, so maybe an invasive bird like the starling? Not a game bird? Kill them and stack'em up?
Then of course, Mr. Rancher. Thanks for letting Joe Blow hunter litter your range with all his crap and garbage. Hope you don't mind that he left the quail and rabbit laying there....
I just had to vent.
:bash:
Post by: ST42 on December 30, 2013, 10:45:24 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Post by: ICEMAN on December 30, 2013, 10:47:39 PM
Ok to vent here also.
Ice.
Post by: KFhunter on December 30, 2013, 10:48:18 PM
well done sir!
*golf clap*
edit: I didn't see the pictures so that raised your score a full point!
One of the better pilgrim rants I've seen.
I don't mean to make light of the problem, it's just that the type of people who'd do that aren't the same type of people who'd join this forum.
You're preaching to the choir so to speak. Hunting Washington is full of hunters and conservationists, not poachers and trash dumpers. At least I'd like to believe that's the case.
Post by: KFhunter on December 30, 2013, 10:51:28 PM
That's a vent for sure. I would call the game warden and see if he can catch those dirt bags.
Maybe a heads up about game wastage, not much else can be done at this point. Maybe they'll drive in a couple extra times.
Post by: Skillet on December 30, 2013, 10:55:27 PM
Post by: KFhunter on December 30, 2013, 10:56:24 PM
Think they're baiting coyotes... not an excuse, but probably what's going on. Bet you were being scopd while you were taking pics...
creepy feeling isn't it :o
Post by: merkelman on December 30, 2013, 11:01:32 PM
I too live in kitsap, originally from California and part of a very LARGE QU chapter before they went defunct. You would think that you would see waste like you saw there, but not so. Since I have been in this state I have not seen what you have encountered except for this year! I was in the Wenas and someone decided to dump their recently shot horse on a main road! Absoluey rediculous! Litter where hunters generally park, to included shell boxes, beer cans, etc. it is a real joke. I am sorry to hear about the waste you have seen especially if it is near the palisades coulee. An area that used to hold a fair amount of wildlife. Glad to hear you are out burning boot leather. Good luck and thanks for sharing! If your not going to eat it then stay home, my motto.
Post by: Stickerbush on December 30, 2013, 11:13:18 PM
Post by: wildweeds on December 30, 2013, 11:19:48 PM
What kind of dog is that st42?
Post by: Fishnfowler on December 30, 2013, 11:56:05 PM
Welcome back to hunting, that is a fine looking dog. I wish you better days afield in the future.
Post by: bracer40 on December 31, 2013, 05:53:26 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 31, 2013, 06:04:41 PM
Post by: Bill W on December 31, 2013, 06:25:29 PM
Post by: fethrduster on December 31, 2013, 06:58:50 PM
Post by: Brad Harshman on December 31, 2013, 07:11:39 PM
God bless, and Happy New Year.
Post by: ST42 on January 01, 2014, 01:54:40 PM
Sorry for the delay in getting back to your replies. Thanks to the Moderators for cleaning up my post title. I broke the first rule of posting.....Try not to do it while angry.
Skillet & KFhunter,
I suppose that it could be baiting. I actually am a very experienced predator hunter, between that and running a trapline, I paid for two spring quarters of College at the University of Minnesota. I had found that the only productive bait stands were winter kills and / or kills that weren't recovered. About the only thing that I had ever seen hit this kind of baiting, if that's what it is, is crows and magpies.
stickerbush,
Yep. Drahthaar. There's a huge debate as to the difference between German Wirehaired Pointers and Drahthaars. I'll leave that to you. Emmitt is a great dog and he is really coming along for a 10 month old pup. I made a big mistake in waiting too long after I lost Zack, my first Drahthaar. I should have manned up and got a pup ASAP. It cost me 5 years of field time and I will never be without a dog again.
FishnFowler,
After I have spent sometime thinking about those chukar, and your post. The only thing that I can think of is maybe they inadvertently shot more than their limits during a covey rise.... I'm just guessing. Had it happened to me, I would have taken them home. I would think that if approached by F&G, that the chance of a ticket after explanation, would be rather slim. Just makes me angry to think of them just wasting away.
Post by: mossy8352 on January 01, 2014, 02:29:35 PM
Post by: pens fan on January 02, 2014, 01:29:45 AM
Post by: Elkrunner on January 02, 2014, 08:00:21 AM
As far as the TV and other garbage that entire area all the way over to quincy is loaded with peoples crap that they dumped back there. Take a drive all the way over BAIRDS springs road and you will see what I mean. It's absolutely disgusting. TV's, mattresses, couches, etc.
Post by: AspenBud on January 02, 2014, 10:26:47 AM
Sights like this really shine a light on why so many logging roads have wound up being gated off from the public most of the year. There are a bunch of irresponsible slobs out there.
My favorite this season was a nice grouse hunting spot that someone had ditched the remains of a few deer, a bear hide, a dead coyote, and a fairly large rib cage in front of the gate. My assumption is it was people dumping the remains of their kills. If any of you have a dog that likes to roll in dead stuff you see the problem. Not a good way to start a hunt!
Post by: bracer40 on January 02, 2014, 06:23:16 PM
The quail and the chukar...it kind of tells you where small game ranks with people in this state.
Sights like this really shine a light on why so many logging roads have wound up being gated off from the public most of the year. There are a bunch of irresponsible slobs out there.
My favorite this season was a nice grouse hunting spot that someone had ditched the remains of a few deer, a bear hide, a dead coyote, and a fairly large rib cage in front of the gate. My assumption is it was people dumping the remains of their kills. If any of you have a dog that likes to roll in dead stuff you see the problem. Not a good way to start a hunt!
Nothing like making the long drive back with a dog that smells like he visited "Pet Cemetery."