Post by: fireweed on February 11, 2021, 05:31:49 PM
Why? Because of hunter "confusion". And they say people don't hunt there anyway (which is bull) The area is good for deer and becoming very popular for bear. But because it is rugged, folks don't go in there and shoot spike bucks, so no high harvest numbers.
Give me a break. This is the USFS wanting to close the Monument to hunting and ultimately make it easier to be a national park.. Closing the Mount St. Helens area to hunting.
They are taking comments right now but the issue is buried in the elk area descriptions section. Be sure to DISAGREE and comment keep public land open to hunting.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/season-setting
Post by: JoeVon on February 11, 2021, 05:33:32 PM
Post by: Buckhunter24 on February 11, 2021, 05:36:13 PM
Post by: KFhunter on February 11, 2021, 05:45:05 PM
Post by: RB on February 11, 2021, 05:47:56 PM
64% agree, due to the way they worded the question.
:yeah:
Sorry guys I did not know this and hit the agree button on the survey because it sounded "reasonable" on the survey
Post by: duckmen1 on February 11, 2021, 05:53:35 PM
But in all seriousness beautiful country.
Post by: MADMAX on February 11, 2021, 06:00:12 PM
Surprised they aren’t asking to have a $400. pass or permit instituted
Post by: jbeaumont21 on February 11, 2021, 06:04:52 PM
Post by: Alan K on February 11, 2021, 06:08:20 PM
Post by: cougforester on February 11, 2021, 06:09:20 PM
Post by: highside74 on February 11, 2021, 06:09:51 PM
Post by: cougforester on February 11, 2021, 06:11:11 PM
It's BS they lump several items together. The throw a couple carrots in there with a real turd . Everything individual item should have agree/disagree/neutral.
I said this in the comment section probably 6 or 7 times.
Post by: Jake Dogfish on February 11, 2021, 06:17:55 PM
What is your age?
Under 18
26-35
46-55
66-75
Prefer not to answer
I prefer to answer. Nice survey wdfw!
Post by: JoeVon on February 11, 2021, 06:30:00 PM
64% agree, due to the way they worded the question.
:yeah:
Sorry guys I did not know this and hit the agree button on the survey because it sounded "reasonable" on the survey
You can go back to the survey and change your answer.
Post by: andersonjk4 on February 11, 2021, 06:32:08 PM
Post by: JoeVon on February 11, 2021, 06:35:12 PM
Post by: fireweed on February 11, 2021, 08:11:51 PM
3. Adding Elk Area 5066 (Norway Pass) to GMU 522 (Loo-Wit). Anticipated effects include reductions in hunter confusion and resulting enforcement issues. Other anticipated effects include the elimination of opportunities to hunt other game species in Elk Area 5066. However, these effects are anticipated to be minor because very few hunters report hunting activity for other game species in Elk Area 5066 :bash:
This is a high intensity backcountry hunt for elk--and also anyone can hunt deer, bear or small game here. Just because there isn't a high amount of hunter report doesn't mean nobody hunts here. Getting popular with bear and always provided a rugged high buck type hunt.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 11, 2021, 08:42:41 PM
Post by: millerwheeler on February 11, 2021, 08:57:16 PM
Post by: hard hunter on February 13, 2021, 09:56:25 AM
Post by: KFhunter on February 13, 2021, 10:31:47 AM
imo difficult enforcement is not a valid reason for closures.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 13, 2021, 11:12:54 AM
One of the reasons was enforcement?:yeah:
imo difficult enforcement is not a valid reason for closures.
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 13, 2021, 11:25:30 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on February 13, 2021, 11:28:48 AM
With only a few possible access points, I'm not sure it's even true. Less so than most hike-in areas, imho.One of the reasons was enforcement?:yeah:
imo difficult enforcement is not a valid reason for closures.
Is “elk area 5066” even an option when reporting hunting or success for any other species than elk? Mayne thats why nobody reports anything but elk there?
It's still part of GMU 524
Post by: lastmk8 on February 13, 2021, 11:33:25 AM
It's BS they lump several items together. They throw a couple carrots in there with a real turd . Every individual item should have agree/disagree/neutral.
Excellent comment, unfortunately, this is exactly how "Politics" works in this country, at all levels. Anyone can sell a turd, just wrap enough fluff around it. Sad, yet very True.
Post by: fireweed on February 14, 2021, 08:45:55 AM
Post by: fireweed on February 16, 2021, 10:27:29 AM
Go change your vote if you clicked agree!
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 16, 2021, 10:30:44 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on February 16, 2021, 10:50:29 AM
Post by: hunterednate on February 16, 2021, 11:31:28 AM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on February 16, 2021, 12:06:32 PM
Emailed them separately to voice opinion as well.
In instances where I could support some and not others I took the time to comment on every line which ones I was for or against. Would have been easier to just have a button instead though and then I would only occasionally have to comment why I strongly agreed or disagreed with a change.
Post by: Bullkllr on February 16, 2021, 01:11:12 PM
I would have much rather answered 4 times as many questions instead of having so many lumped together. You could keep them lumped.... and just have the agree/disagree/nuetral by each line. Either was this was a terrible comment format.:yeah:
Emailed them separately to voice opinion as well.
In instances where I could support some and not others I took the time to comment on every line which ones I was for or against. Would have been easier to just have a button instead though and then I would only occasionally have to comment why I strongly agreed or disagreed with a change.
They hit it outta the park with poorly-worded/multi-issue questions this time. I left several comments indicating my displeasure with this tactic. It had to be intentional. Many questions had little to do with the brief "Purpose statements". Some questions, on the other hand, were actually clearly worded and single-issue.
Post by: fireweed on March 01, 2021, 07:55:30 AM
Post by: fireweed on March 23, 2021, 09:59:08 AM
On the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting. This closure is buried in the Boundary section, on the agenda for March 26.
Please comment to stop the closure of 15,000 acres of PUBLIC LAND to all general hunting.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on March 23, 2021, 12:58:57 PM
Post by: bbarnes on March 23, 2021, 10:09:55 PM
Post by: JoeVon on March 29, 2021, 11:53:39 AM
Post by: hunterednate on March 29, 2021, 12:49:35 PM
Here's what was presented to the commission. 85 written comments against the proposal, 1 written comment in support.
Wow, thanks for sharing that. Hope they put a lot of weight into those comments. Would be a shame to see this area close to hunting access. Thanks to all the rest of you who submitted comments (unless you were the one guy who agreed with it!).
Post by: bbarnes on March 29, 2021, 09:42:55 PM
Post by: fireweed on March 30, 2021, 06:58:20 AM
I couldn't comment at the meeting but sent in an email outlining this. I probably wasted my time because it sounded like the WDFW was dead-set on making this awful change. The commission may be the only ones who could stop it.
Post by: hunterednate on March 30, 2021, 11:26:03 AM
Post by: HillHound on March 30, 2021, 01:09:33 PM
Post by: JoeVon on March 30, 2021, 01:42:18 PM
Post by: Special T on March 30, 2021, 02:13:19 PM
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2021
Post by: bowhunterty on March 30, 2021, 03:01:09 PM
Post by: JoeVon on March 30, 2021, 04:22:15 PM
Post by: hunterednate on March 31, 2021, 02:01:38 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on March 31, 2021, 02:11:58 PM
Post by: JoeVon on March 31, 2021, 04:19:53 PM
I might mention that the "difficult enforcement" theory is pretty bogus as there are only about three likely access points for the general public and two of them are on the same road.
I agree. I was wondering how many enforcement officers had made the trek in there to check people? Also, if enforcement really is the issue (which we all know it's not), then why don't they just start writing tickets. Isn't that what they are supposed to do? I'd like to know just how many tickets/warnings have been issued for this area.
This whole thing is about the hunter/hiker encounters. Seems to me that the USFS and WDFW no longer want the hunters back there earlier in the season.
Post by: JoeVon on March 31, 2021, 04:23:32 PM
Where can you find the commissioner's contact info? I'd like to email them about this, too.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact
This is a link to a form to contact the commision from WDFW'S website. If anyone else has email addresses for commision members I'd love to see those also.
Post by: Humptulips on March 31, 2021, 06:03:11 PM
Anybody that works for DFW including Commissioners have a Department e-mail address that consists of theirWhere can you find the commissioner's contact info? I'd like to email them about this, too.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact
This is a link to a form to contact the commision from WDFW'S website. If anyone else has email addresses for commision members I'd love to see those also.
first name.last name@dfw.wa.gov
Post by: bbarnes on March 31, 2021, 10:52:38 PM
Post by: bbarnes on March 31, 2021, 10:52:44 PM
Post by: hunter399 on April 01, 2021, 05:26:56 AM
Even if you do contact a commission member direct they won't respond. They can lose there position on the commission if they are in direct contact with the public.Anybody that works for DFW including Commissioners have a Department e-mail address that consists of theirWhere can you find the commissioner's contact info? I'd like to email them about this, too.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact
This is a link to a form to contact the commision from WDFW'S website. If anyone else has email addresses for commision members I'd love to see those also.
first name.last name@dfw.wa.gov
WDFW does not want them speaking direct to us hunters and fisherman. The only contact you get is your 3min in a meeting.And the contact email link above, all those emails are screened and read by a WDFW employees before it reaches the commission. They don't except any email like two days before the "meeting" it will get read after the meeting,after the decision has already been made.
The way I see it ...........
It's all just a bunch of B.S. ,the commission is there to keep the public interest at the top. Really there is no point in having a commission ,there not allowed to speak to the public,none of them are avid outdoors men/women.
They pretty much always agree with WDFW recommend,and scientific data that the department provides.
They need to just be done with the commission and let the department make the decision. So that the accountability can also fall on the department.
Post by: Humptulips on April 01, 2021, 10:32:39 AM
I know from personal experience, that is not true.Even if you do contact a commission member direct they won't respond. They can lose there position on the commission if they are in direct contact with the public.Anybody that works for DFW including Commissioners have a Department e-mail address that consists of theirWhere can you find the commissioner's contact info? I'd like to email them about this, too.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact
This is a link to a form to contact the commision from WDFW'S website. If anyone else has email addresses for commision members I'd love to see those also.
first name.last name@dfw.wa.gov
WDFW does not want them speaking direct to us hunters and fisherman. The only contact you get is your 3min in a meeting.And the contact email link above, all those emails are screened and read by a WDFW employees before it reaches the commission. They don't except any email like two days before the "meeting" it will get read after the meeting,after the decision has already been made.
The way I see it ...........
It's all just a bunch of B.S. ,the commission is there to keep the public interest at the top. Really there is no point in having a commission ,there not allowed to speak to the public,none of them are avid outdoors men/women.
They pretty much always agree with WDFW recommend,and scientific data that the department provides.
They need to just be done with the commission and let the department make the decision. So that the accountability can also fall on the department.
Post by: hunterednate on April 01, 2021, 12:00:05 PM
Post by: hunter399 on April 01, 2021, 12:12:50 PM
Do you know from personal experience......I know from personal experience, that is not true.Even if you do contact a commission member direct they won't respond. They can lose there position on the commission if they are in direct contact with the public.Anybody that works for DFW including Commissioners have a Department e-mail address that consists of theirWhere can you find the commissioner's contact info? I'd like to email them about this, too.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact
This is a link to a form to contact the commision from WDFW'S website. If anyone else has email addresses for commision members I'd love to see those also.
first name.last name@dfw.wa.gov
WDFW does not want them speaking direct to us hunters and fisherman. The only contact you get is your 3min in a meeting.And the contact email link above, all those emails are screened and read by a WDFW employees before it reaches the commission. They don't except any email like two days before the "meeting" it will get read after the meeting,after the decision has already been made.
The way I see it ...........
It's all just a bunch of B.S. ,the commission is there to keep the public interest at the top. Really there is no point in having a commission ,there not allowed to speak to the public,none of them are avid outdoors men/women.
They pretty much always agree with WDFW recommend,and scientific data that the department provides.
They need to just be done with the commission and let the department make the decision. So that the accountability can also fall on the department.
There was a past commission meeting this year where they went over proper procedure for commission members,with a lawyer type person in the meeting.
Basically saying the department wants the commission to keep there conduct with the public to a minimum.
I could probably look up the link to the meeting for you if I really need too.
My own personal experience ,I have had WDFW contact me before my email was submitted to the commission ,so I do know they proof read them.
Here's a link to the meeting.
Pretty interesting stuff in there .
Fast forward to about the 24 min mark.
And I think there is a bunch about it towards the end of meeting. , enjoy!!
https://zoom.us/rec/share/gZkbVrM7cY0dmWhM0xgzDUeAu51jPKbJgcrQNk1J_x1_tap32wt2EC7gyvF05hgu.Kw1yTn7YmJrLkXYA
Post by: Humptulips on April 01, 2021, 05:44:59 PM
All this is to save time.
Comments sent between meetings are going to get read. You probably won't get a reply but especially if they get a lot of comments on a subject they are going to take notice. Will it make a difference on this item we are discussing? Maybe not but if someone is on the fence it might sway them.
A better chance to get them to listen is comments sent to them about a subject not on an upcoming agenda but something that will come up down the road. For instance if they get a steady stream of people complaining about too many cougars. I'm talking well thought out letters with some personal experience to highlight the issue, they will remember them. Maybe that is all we can hope for is that they remember a general consensus.
Post by: hunter399 on April 01, 2021, 06:33:18 PM
I think you are somewhat misconstruing the Commissions actions in that meeting. They are dealing with a lot of public comment with the Zoom meetings that is eating up time in the meetings. Because of this the Commissioners are trying to save time by not interacting with the people testifying. Also they are not going to be considering agenda item comments that are in late or read comments coming in during a meeting.Sounds good 👍
All this is to save time.
Comments sent between meetings are going to get read. You probably won't get a reply but especially if they get a lot of comments on a subject they are going to take notice. Will it make a difference on this item we are discussing? Maybe not but if someone is on the fence it might sway them.
A better chance to get them to listen is comments sent to them about a subject not on an upcoming agenda but something that will come up down the road. For instance if they get a steady stream of people complaining about too many cougars. I'm talking well thought out letters with some personal experience to highlight the issue, they will remember them. Maybe that is all we can hope for is that they remember a general consensus.
Post by: fireweed on April 01, 2021, 07:29:47 PM
Post by: fireweed on April 07, 2021, 08:42:54 AM
A HUGE Thank you to all the folks out there that reached out and commented on this outrageous proposal. It looks like we stopped this... again. I truly believe without this forum spreading the word, this land would have been closed to hunting years ago.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/huntingboundariespp.pdf
Post by: hunter399 on April 07, 2021, 08:53:06 AM
Yes or No--Do the commission members actually see the emails sent to the commission???Yes they do,after they proof read them,not 24 hours before commission meetings,but yes they do get to the commission at some point in time.
I'm still pretty sure that commission members are discouraged to speaking to the public directly.
And you will receive your canned email that's says it reached the commission.
But on another note.
Glad to hear this public land will stay open.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on April 07, 2021, 09:08:34 AM
Post by: JoeVon on April 07, 2021, 12:14:20 PM
Post by: hunterednate on April 07, 2021, 12:43:18 PM
Did we actually win one??? It looks like we might have pulled it off.
A HUGE Thank you to all the folks out there that reached out and commented on this outrageous proposal. It looks like we stopped this... again. I truly believe without this forum spreading the word, this land would have been closed to hunting years ago.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/huntingboundariespp.pdf
Fantastic!! Thanks for spreading the word on this one!
Post by: Ghost Hunter on April 07, 2021, 03:04:14 PM
Post by: JoeVon on April 07, 2021, 07:04:26 PM
The Commission will consider adoption of 2021-23 hunting season proposals including hunting boundary changes, deer and elk seasons, waterfowl, and most game species. WDFW staff will propose the Commission postpone several proposed hunting equipment and method updates to allow staff more time to review public feedback. :sry:
And where does it say anything about boundary descriptions in that statement?
Post by: Ghost Hunter on April 07, 2021, 07:14:34 PM
The Commission will consider adoption of 2021-23 hunting season proposals including hunting boundary changes, deer and elk seasons, waterfowl, and most game species. WDFW staff will propose the Commission postpone several proposed hunting equipment and method updates to allow staff more time to review public feedback. :sry:
And where does it say anything about boundary descriptions in that statement?
Sorry, wrong thread
Post by: fireweed on April 12, 2021, 09:01:20 AM
They say they will "engage" stakeholders and hunters to come up with something that can be supported by all. We shall see.......
Post by: HikerHunter on April 12, 2021, 09:16:12 AM
Post by: Bridger81 on May 06, 2021, 08:25:26 AM
Post by: hunterednate on May 06, 2021, 08:56:30 AM