Post by: Slider on January 11, 2009, 12:40:00 PM
>
> Long time readers know that I elk hunt in the Colockum Wildlife Area.
> My family settled in this area around 1880. At one time my
> grandfather owned or leased in excess of 3,500 acres, and along with
> two other families, was in the process of purchasing all of that and
> more. His untimely passing at a young age resulted in my Grandmother
> selling his holdings to the state. My Uncle Neil owns the section of
> land that rema ined. It is the Colockum Ranch. The road from the
> Wenatchee side accessing the Colockum, runs past his and my cousins
> property. They see what goes up and down this road.
>
> What they saw a lot of this summer was truck loads of dead elk.
> Starting at the end of July, as soon as antlers mature and harden,
> Yakima tribal hunters are decimating the Colockum elk herd. On the
> last Friday of deer season in the area, my dad and brother saw Indian
> hunters with a very large 7 point bull in the back. Nothing was open
> at the time for elk, but the elk was dead, none the less. Relatives
> have seen truck loads of spikes, the only size bull us non Indians are
> allowed to shoot. The man in charge of running the area has been told
> by his superiors, "hands off". It is estimated by people in the area
> that the tribes killed 48 large bulls during the summer of 2008. My
> Uncle works very closely with the Game Department in the area. He
> tells me the Colockum elk herd is down by 1500 animals. All rules for
> this herd will change for the 2009 season.
>
> I really have a hard time comprehending the greed in these hunters.
> They are absolutely classless as far as hunters go. For my lifetime,
> the top of the mountain in the Colockum has been an elk preserve. It
> was donat ed land from one Arthur Coffin. He donated the land for the
> preservation of elk. Non-tribal hunters cannot access this land at
> any time. Absolutely no trespassing. Doesn't apply to the tribes.
> They not only kill elk in the preserve, they camp on it. This year it
> was estimated that over 40 hunters made up this camp at one time. The
> elk have had decades of conditioned learning that they are safe in the
> preserve. Not any longer. And if tribal hunters can't kill their elk
> by hunting on a game preserve, they spot light at night, and it is
> legal by their rules. Amazing.
>
> What is even more amazing to me is the fact that the Colockum elk herd
> was started by non-Indians around 1913. Elk were introduced to the
> area from the Yellowstone herd. Why do the tribes get to hunt for elk
> that weren't there prior to our putting them there? I asked this
> question and was told they have found drawings on caves near the
> Columbia River showing elk. According to the powers that be, this was
> enough to give them elk rights on the Colockum herd. I say it is
> shady closed door decision making at its worst.
>
> I have two references in my collection that state elk were not readily
> available in Washington, except for the Roosevelt's. In the diary of
> Lewis and Clark, Le wis wrote that the tribes on the Columbia River
> really liked elk meat and were quite willing to trade for it, as they
> didn't have a successful means of killing them unless one stumbled
> into a bear pit. I have read that the Nez Pierce traveled to Idaho
> for their elk hunts. In another publication I have, written by R.
> Roundtree about himself, he describes how he and his brothers had to
> travel to Idaho for elk. They settled the Pe Ell area prior to the
> Civil War. But, because they found a drawing, all the history goes
> aside.
>
> Unless I am very mistaken about Indian traditions, they drew pictures
> of animals for reasons other than they were in the area. They would
> draw them to gain power over them for the hunt. They drew pictures in
> thanks for a successful hunt. Those pictures they found could have
> been elk killed in Idaho, which everything I have read shows both
> tribal hunters and non-tribal hunters went for Rocky Mountain elk,
> prior to their introduction here.
>
> Non-tribal hunters have to draw a permit to shoot a branch antlered
> bull. In 2004, when my dad and brother were drawn, 28 permits were
> issued. This year 3 were issued. Just when we thought the practice
> of not shooting big bulls was starting to pay off, the Yakima tribe is
> decimating them. Plus, they ki ll spikes and cows also. I would like
> to see the spike only rule go away. All it is doing is giving
> classless tribal hunters carte blanche on big elk. Another item I
> intend to pursue is getting my hands on the paperwork that had to have
> been drawn up when Mr. Coffin donated all the land to the state for
> the elk preserve. It has to contain language pertaining to
> preservation. Allowing tribal hunters onto that land is not
> preservation. I am thinking someone could take that information and
> make the state nervous.
>
> Hunting in this area has been going downhill for the past 3 years.
> Now we know why. When TRN sent out the questionnaires to the
> gubernatorial candidates, one of the questions was whether they
> supported these closed door secret meetings. Our newly re-elected
> governor chose not to respond. Guess what? We already knew the
> answer. Soon, elk in the Colockum will go the way of salmon, crab and
> the Nooksack elk herd, which was nearly wiped out by tribal hunters.
>
>
>
>
Post by: dbllunger on January 11, 2009, 12:42:12 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on January 11, 2009, 12:47:13 PM
Post by: Guy on January 11, 2009, 12:54:51 PM
Anything? I know a few have tried to at least raise the issue and have been largely shut down. Frankly, I don't have an answer.
Post by: Head-shot on January 11, 2009, 12:57:55 PM
Post by: heavy hauler on January 11, 2009, 01:02:42 PM
Post by: TheHunt on January 11, 2009, 06:34:36 PM
So there is nothing we can do... :bash:
Post by: saylean on January 11, 2009, 06:45:56 PM
Post by: BENCHLEG on January 11, 2009, 07:08:40 PM
Post by: dreamingbig on January 12, 2009, 08:48:04 PM
Post by: bobcat on January 12, 2009, 09:31:26 PM
i have given my idea on another post. on this site we have many people so band together and hit them where it hurts. do not buy a hunting license this year. send an e-mail with all members participating in the boycott to wdfw and involve a lawyer, maybe i am ranting but screw this crap we need to STAND- UP-OR-SHUT-UP.j
Sorry but I need my fix and can't go a year without hunting. And with two young children I can't afford to do all my hunting in other states. So count me out on that idea.
I just forwarded this e-mail to PETA.......lol....it is lighting up there forum like you would not believe!!! They all seem to be in agreement that sportsman follow rules and these tribes are just doing what they want.....I hate being on that forum......but I will keep everyone posted if they decided to go all ANTI HUNTER ON THE INDIANS!!! LOL
Do you have a link? I'd like to check that out. Sounds like fun. :)
Post by: Guy on January 12, 2009, 09:32:21 PM
Post by: NWTFhunter on January 12, 2009, 09:59:45 PM
Post by: alecvg on January 12, 2009, 10:24:49 PM
http://www.peta.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13122
Post by: NWTFhunter on January 12, 2009, 10:44:27 PM
Post by: NWTFhunter on January 12, 2009, 10:53:57 PM
Post by: PacificNWhunter on January 13, 2009, 08:06:15 AM
Post by: NCWCracker on January 13, 2009, 09:48:08 AM
My ideas, which I've also posted on other threads;
1. document it with video and/or camera when you see them "hunting", especially when they've got several big bulls and/or bucks loaded up, also when they are breaking a law such as when they are on the game reserve, or driving on closed roads. Turn it in, and if you get good shots that make them look really bad, send it to media so they are exposed to the public.
2. flood the politicians with letters, such as this, which you can copy and use if you wish;
Dear ,
The tribal hunting abuses of the Colockum elk herd continue to get worse every year. Recently an article was published by John Fulwiler on “The Reel News”; December 2008 issue. It has been posted on Hunt Washington in a discussion, and many of us in this State are fed up with the abuses and mis-management of the herd, and would like to see changes ASAP.
The WDFW appears to be more concerned with political correctness than with trying to right a wrong. The Yakama Tribe is not working to control hunting abuses on elk in the Colockum. The WDFW Elk Mgt. statement for the Colockum area indicates that the Yakama Tribe is to assist in the management and share harvest data, etc. From what I’ve heard, this is not happening.
Please take the time to read John Fulwiler’s article. It is indicated that close to 50 branched antlered bulls were harvested by the Yakama’s from the Colockum area in 2008. The total number of elk harvested by them must be a substantially greater number.
The Yakama’s website in regard to hunting this area indicates that they are to hunt for sustenance and ceremonial purposes only. As taken direct from their website (http://www.ynwildlife.org/pdf/yakamahuntingrights.pdf)
“Members of the Yakama Nation, and other tribes, hunt throughout their
ancestral lands in Washington State for the purpose of gathering meat for sustenance and ceremonial purposes. It is not the custom of tribal people to hunt or gather food for sport or leisure, but is instead a traditional and cultural activity that is needed to provide food for funerals, memorials, name givings, food feasts, and family dinners. On the reservation and ceded areas, these laws and rights override the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife.”
We all know that they are more often hunting for trophy elk and very often, selling the antlers for substantial profit. There are rumors of many of them driving closed roads, hunting on the Game Reserve, and hunting at night. These activities are clearly; legally, ethically, and morally wrong.
I know that if someone were to document this abuse of treaty rights with video, and slip it to the mass media, there would be huge public outcry. What also needs to be done, because it sounds to me like the Yakama’s treaty rights in regard to hunting the area will not likely go away; is that WDFW and the Yakama’s need to be forced to sit and come up with a workable, enforceable management plan for that area which will stop the blatant tribal hunting abuses. Currently, they are threatening this resource for everyone – it is a sickening thought.
Something needs to be done before the herd is completely decimated, and/or someone takes matters into their own hands against these tribal hunters. We as taxpayers are paying to have that area’s game managed, and currently, the Yakama Tribal hunters are undermining all efforts in a very significant way. What are your suggestions for solving this problem? What would you suggest to best draw attention to this issue?
Sincerely,
Post by: roadhuntking on January 13, 2009, 01:09:22 PM
Post by: BENCHLEG on January 13, 2009, 08:03:49 PM
Post by: Slider on January 13, 2009, 09:23:34 PM
i have given my idea on another post. on this site we have many people so band together and hit them where it hurts. do not buy a hunting license this year. send an e-mail with all members participating in the boycott to wdfw and involve a lawyer, maybe i am ranting but screw this crap we need to STAND- UP-OR-SHUT-UP.j
Sorry but I need my fix and can't go a year without hunting. And with two young children I can't afford to do all my hunting in other states. So count me out on that idea.I just forwarded this e-mail to PETA.......lol....it is lighting up there forum like you would not believe!!! They all seem to be in agreement that sportsman follow rules and these tribes are just doing what they want.....I hate being on that forum......but I will keep everyone posted if they decided to go all ANTI HUNTER ON THE INDIANS!!! LOL
Do you have a link? I'd like to check that out. Sounds like fun. :)
I think they are to busy with the Kitty fish right now!!! :chuckle:
Post by: chad s. on January 14, 2009, 06:34:23 AM
Post by: high country on January 14, 2009, 02:29:35 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on January 14, 2009, 03:31:26 PM
Post by: MichaelJ on January 14, 2009, 03:51:53 PM
Michael
Post by: 270Shooter on January 14, 2009, 04:01:51 PM
We need a favorite type of steak thread :chuckle:
Post by: mossback91 on January 14, 2009, 04:13:34 PM
Make a profile and voice your Opinion!!! Help me out in my wolf thread :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:.
We need a favorite type of steak thread :chuckle:
I enjoy tofu steak!!! :chuckle:
Post by: 270Shooter on January 14, 2009, 04:32:01 PM
HAHAHAHA :chuckle: :chuckle:Make a profile and voice your Opinion!!! Help me out in my wolf thread :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:.
We need a favorite type of steak thread :chuckle:
I enjoy tofu steak!!! :chuckle:
Post by: alanger on January 18, 2009, 04:54:33 PM
Think about it.
Post by: bankwalker on January 18, 2009, 05:04:10 PM
Post by: alanger on January 18, 2009, 05:08:36 PM
Post by: rewent12003 on January 18, 2009, 10:07:36 PM
Post by: alanger on January 18, 2009, 10:19:15 PM
Post by: natural born killer on January 18, 2009, 10:26:11 PM
Post by: alanger on January 19, 2009, 10:47:27 AM
Post by: buck470 on January 19, 2009, 11:03:21 AM
What kinda help you need?
Post by: firefighter4607 on January 19, 2009, 11:27:53 AM
Post by: alanger on January 19, 2009, 11:31:18 AM
:fishin:
Post by: bankwalker on January 19, 2009, 11:45:11 AM
and really its gonna take alot of patitions(sp).
someone who knows about starting them should get one going.
we need to boycot hunting and fishing till this crap is stopped. i would gladdy give up my hunting as protest. just one year of this would be a HUGE hit to the wdfw and the local towns we hunt in. think of the gas, and food money, some people who stay in camp grounds and etc etc etc.
Post by: alanger on January 19, 2009, 11:59:33 AM
Post by: mossback91 on January 19, 2009, 12:05:43 PM
yeah i no. they not just shoot our animals they just trash the woods. i cant tell u how many campgrounds i have gone to in okanogan county that have been trashed and see indians trash them
where'd you see that?? most natives around here stick to the reservation when camping and hunting......
Post by: alanger on January 19, 2009, 12:07:48 PM
Post by: mossback91 on January 19, 2009, 12:09:34 PM
Post by: alanger on January 19, 2009, 12:12:44 PM
Post by: alanger on January 19, 2009, 12:13:38 PM