Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: nicz on December 04, 2023, 03:52:40 PM

Title: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: nicz on December 04, 2023, 03:52:40 PM: Just an fyi, there is a guy Bob McCoy who is asking people on the Nextdoor app to sign a petition to stop cougar and bear hunting in Wa.
Please log in and leave him some nice comments :)

https://nextdoor.com/profile/01_Jm7Xn-Xc8fjwtW/?is=feed_author

This is the link to the petition he's asking people to sign: https://wawildlifefirst.org/support-the-petition-to-amend-cougar-and-bear-hunting-rules/
Please add your comments to his petition to keep cougar and bear hunting and eventually allow hunting with dogs again.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Firstgenhunter on December 04, 2023, 03:54:08 PM: I think I've heard of that dude. He's signed up to speak. Any of ya'll ready to speak now!?!?!
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: hunter399 on December 04, 2023, 04:11:49 PM: Quote from the wildlife first link...

The Department of Fish & Wildlife admits that it does not have the means of detecting whether state bear and cougar populations are already crashing––and that it likely would not be able to detect such a crash until it is too late. Every year we allow these unsustainable hunting levels to continue, this risk increases.
End quote....

If WDFW can not detect a population crashing.
Then how are we detecting a "unsustainable hunting level".
Something doesn't add up with that.
I think if there was a way to hard count cougars they would have there foot so far in there mouth.
We have way more than estimated,which has resulted in increased harvest numbers.

The commission has increased hunting of these two species by ignorance. Not being capable of there own mandate, ignorance of science. Why wouldn't a hunter be more likely to hunt the tags they paid for, in light of opportunities being taken away for no good reason.

Spring bear says it all.
And there ignorance will continue.
Reinstate spring bear ,fall harvest levels flat line.
Something that simple,yet we sit here so far away.
More opportunities they take,the harder most will hunt.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: MeepDog on December 04, 2023, 04:24:16 PM: Not only are they trying to lower the bear limit to 1, theyre also trying to push the season back to September 1st because apparently it bothers them that we hunt in august.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: hunter399 on December 04, 2023, 04:30:41 PM: Quote from: MeepDog on December 04, 2023, 04:24:16 PM
Not only are they trying to lower the bear limit to 1, theyre also trying to push the season back to September 1st because apparently it bothers them that we hunt in august.
Ya I seen that coming long time ago.
Another HW member and I went around and around the year they granted two tags.
Almost Everytime they give more opportunities,it comes back around and they take more then previous.
Grouse bag limits,season set back is prime example.

Win for a few years,lose more than had before.

Hasn't the west side had a two bear limit for long time
Now it will most likely go to a 1 bear limit statewide.
Here in the east berry patches will almost always dried up by September.
So yay can't wait.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: baldopepper on December 04, 2023, 04:45:21 PM: He's on the board of directors of the mountain lion foundation. Keep in mind they pay their director $167,000 per year. Takes a lot of sympathy based donations to keep that non profit in business and pay that kind of money. They're very good at generating that sympathy.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: callturner on December 04, 2023, 04:53:07 PM: Remember, The main reason that the seasons were added is because the hound hunting was shut down. Problem cats and bears grew each year. The dept has the numbers, the liberal commission is the wall your up against .Start at the top and get a Governer that cares. Then vote out all the libs. Try to purchase a gun after the first of the year and you will see what else your government did for you. Vote Semi Bird!!!
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Special T on December 04, 2023, 04:58:48 PM: Quote from: baldopepper on December 04, 2023, 04:45:21 PM
He's on the board of directors of the mountain lion foundation. Keep in mind they pay their director $167,000 per year. Takes a lot of sympathy based donations to keep that non profit in business and pay that kind of money. They're very good at generating that sympathy.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Tbar on December 04, 2023, 05:10:34 PM: Quote from: Special T on December 04, 2023, 04:58:48 PM
Quote from: baldopepper on December 04, 2023, 04:45:21 PM
He's on the board of directors of the mountain lion foundation. Keep in mind they pay their director $167,000 per year. Takes a lot of sympathy based donations to keep that non profit in business and pay that kind of money. They're very good at generating that sympathy.

:yeah:
He was the director. Long history with many commissioners.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: MADMAX on December 04, 2023, 05:15:02 PM: McCoy probably lives in a condo

Not on some acreage with prey species or livestock

Probably would wet himself if he was outside in the dark and cat screamed close by

As would I :chuckle:
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Smokeploe on December 04, 2023, 06:12:43 PM: Start sending him petitions to reinstate spring bear hunting. Flood him to overload his mailbox! Also send him petition for other for a lot of worthless stuff. Use their own tactics against him. Also try to get other emails for that board and do the same thing. Remember this is war and all thing fair in love and war!

Smokeploe
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: idahohuntr on December 04, 2023, 06:18:17 PM: At the link and below are the talking points they have crafted in support of their petition...may help in preparing counter messages to the garbage they will be pushing.

https://wawildlifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Cougar-and-Bear-Petition-Talking-Points.pdf
-------------------------------
Talking Points: 2023 Pe��on to Amend Bear and Cougar Rules
Summary
• Please approve the pe��on as a first step in undoing the damage that overhun�ng and other
killing have likely already inflicted on our bear and cougar popula�ons. The pe��on would
restore the pre-2020 hun�ng guidelines for cougars, which imposed limits on the number of
cougars that could be killed based on science, not poli�cal considera�ons. The pe��on would
also roll back the bear hun�ng extensions and “bag limit” increases passed in 2019. It further
asks the Commission to encourage beter compliance in bear “harvest” repor�ng by imposing a
reasonable penalty for failure to report. Finally, the pe��on would restore sunset dates to bear
and cougar rules, so that these rules are examined on the same schedule as other hunted
species.
• The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission enacted arbitrary and capricious rules in 2019-
2021 to expand bear and cougar hun�ng seasons. WDFW based its recommenda�ons on social
pressure from a small number of residents. WDFW owes it to the public and its own
hardworking scien�fic staff to ground its governance in sound science, not poli�cs. The pe��on
would restore cougar and bear hunt rules to previous levels and incorporate WDFW scien�sts’
own sugges�ons for monitoring and managing hun�ng mortality of these species.
• Increased killing of cougars does not boost deer and elk popula�ons, protect livestock, or reduce
human-cougar conflict. In fact, there is strong evidence that heavy hun�ng of cougars actually
increases public safety concerns and cougar conflict with livestock. Instead of focusing on ac�ons
that would decrease conflict with cougars, WDFW has opted for the appearance of dealing with
the problem – while actually worsening it.
• WDFW managers pushed an expansion of bear hun�ng in response to poli�cal pressure and not
science – as they themselves admited. As a result, bear mortality statewide has increased
dras�cally; it may have may have reached 17% during the 2022-2023 season. Bear biologists
have found that mortality above 4-10% is likely to damage the popula�on. Most bears die
because of humans, with hun�ng accoun�ng for the vast majority of all human-caused deaths.
• Cougars are keystone species that benefit the environment and other species. Damage to the
cougar popula�on is damage to the environment. We should also be trea�ng bears like the
ecologically important animals they are, not as a nuisance or a mere “resource.” Bears, like
cougars, are “ecosystem engineers” that improve habitat for other species.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: hunter399 on December 04, 2023, 07:17:29 PM: Quote from: idahohuntr on December 04, 2023, 06:18:17 PM
At the link and below are the talking points they have crafted in support of their petition...may help in preparing counter messages to the garbage they will be pushing.

https://wawildlifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Cougar-and-Bear-Petition-Talking-Points.pdf
-------------------------------
Talking Points: 2023 Pe��on to Amend Bear and Cougar Rules
Summary
• Please approve the pe��on as a first step in undoing the damage that overhun�ng and other
killing have likely already inflicted on our bear and cougar popula�ons. The pe��on would
restore the pre-2020 hun�ng guidelines for cougars, which imposed limits on the number of
cougars that could be killed based on science, not poli�cal considera�ons. The pe��on would
also roll back the bear hun�ng extensions and “bag limit” increases passed in 2019. It further
asks the Commission to encourage beter compliance in bear “harvest” repor�ng by imposing a
reasonable penalty for failure to report. Finally, the pe��on would restore sunset dates to bear
and cougar rules, so that these rules are examined on the same schedule as other hunted
species.
• The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission enacted arbitrary and capricious rules in 2019-
2021 to expand bear and cougar hun�ng seasons. WDFW based its recommenda�ons on social
pressure from a small number of residents. WDFW owes it to the public and its own
hardworking scien�fic staff to ground its governance in sound science, not poli�cs. The pe��on
would restore cougar and bear hunt rules to previous levels and incorporate WDFW scien�sts’
own sugges�ons for monitoring and managing hun�ng mortality of these species.
• Increased killing of cougars does not boost deer and elk popula�ons, protect livestock, or reduce
human-cougar conflict. In fact, there is strong evidence that heavy hun�ng of cougars actually
increases public safety concerns and cougar conflict with livestock. Instead of focusing on ac�ons
that would decrease conflict with cougars, WDFW has opted for the appearance of dealing with
the problem – while actually worsening it.
• WDFW managers pushed an expansion of bear hun�ng in response to poli�cal pressure and not
science – as they themselves admited. As a result, bear mortality statewide has increased
dras�cally; it may have may have reached 17% during the 2022-2023 season. Bear biologists
have found that mortality above 4-10% is likely to damage the popula�on. Most bears die
because of humans, with hun�ng accoun�ng for the vast majority of all human-caused deaths.
• Cougars are keystone species that benefit the environment and other species. Damage to the
cougar popula�on is damage to the environment. We should also be trea�ng bears like the
ecologically important animals they are, not as a nuisance or a mere “resource.” Bears, like
cougars, are “ecosystem engineers” that improve habitat for other species.
Pretty funny.
They want it based on science.
Yet the spring bear season ruling wasn't based on science.
I suppose the commission should overturn that ruling as well.

At least based on there own argument for this petition.
"Science"

I thought it was said somewhere that you would have to do hide sealing for bear. And show hide that has teet,for lactation.
If lactational boob is present,they will go look for cubs at kill sight.
If they find one, prosecute you with some kind of charges.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: cem3434 on December 04, 2023, 08:54:17 PM: That guy is a real POS. We need to flood that page and overwhelm it with the support of hunters.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Firstgenhunter on December 04, 2023, 09:21:03 PM: How can I see his post? It automatically tries to place me with posts in my area
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: optic2 on December 04, 2023, 10:39:52 PM: MCCOY ROBERT B+JOAN M WATKI
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 05, 2023, 05:48:50 AM: I think I saw a post from this clown on WTA. He spewed out a bunch of lies about having proof from a WDFW employee that told him the Dept. killed thousands of cougars without the public knowing. Its idiots like this that make the uninformed or those that don't get outdoors much into believing their lies.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: KNOPHISH on December 05, 2023, 07:08:28 AM: I signed their form letter but changed a few words. Deny the petition and follow the science like they say.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: bigmacc on December 05, 2023, 08:41:30 AM: Quote from: baldopepper on December 04, 2023, 04:45:21 PM
He's on the board of directors of the mountain lion foundation. Keep in mind they pay their director $167,000 per year. Takes a lot of sympathy based donations to keep that non profit in business and pay that kind of money. They're very good at generating that sympathy.
:yeah: They are masters of propaganda, keep spewing heart wrenching stories and one off photos to generate support/sympathy. Then keep putting it out there over and over again along with heavily skewed numbers and “their science” until more and more people drink their kool-aid and donate.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: blumtnelkndeer on December 05, 2023, 08:56:54 AM: Email sent changed up a lot of there wording
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: pickardjw on December 05, 2023, 10:10:19 AM: I'm not on Next Door but signed up and set my address to one a few properties down from him. Lots of comments on his post against signing the petition!

Has anyone read their supporting documentation on the petition? I'm particularly interested in reading the WDFW reports that they reference.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: GASoline71 on December 05, 2023, 10:15:08 AM: Quote from: pickardjw on December 05, 2023, 10:10:19 AM
I'm not on Next Door but signed up and set my address to one a few properties down from him. Lots of comments on his post against signing the petition!

Has anyone read their supporting documentation on the petition? I'm particularly interested in reading the WDFW reports that they reference.

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-recommends-commission-deny-cougar-bear-petition/

Gary
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: pickardjw on December 05, 2023, 05:26:58 PM: Thanks Gary, the NWSportmanMag article also links to this summary sheet from the WDFW which is also a good read.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/9-petition-black-bear-and-cougar-summary-sheet.pdf
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: cem3434 on December 05, 2023, 07:03:14 PM: I think that Nextdoor post backfired on ol' Bob! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: pickardjw on December 05, 2023, 07:05:37 PM: Quote from: cem3434 on December 05, 2023, 07:03:14 PM
I think that Nextdoor post backfired on ol' Bob! :chuckle:

Had to create an account but it was worth it :chuckle:
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: harveymarv on December 06, 2023, 09:37:29 AM: i sent an email to the commission and used WA wildlife forst’s form letter to disagree with them. I downloaded the app to give ol Bob some feedback but it wouldnt let me thankfully I’m not in his “neighborhood”.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 06, 2023, 12:49:11 PM: I make a motion that we as hunters form the buddy system. Where as each successful bear and/or cougar hunter mentor a fellow non successful bear and/or cougar hunter in order for them to also tag out.
This should help to decrease the bear and cougar population and allow ungulates population to rebound.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: nicz on December 06, 2023, 02:41:21 PM: Probably the best thing is that he was exposed for his bs. I wish more hunters would step up and comment on the petition and also expose the fact that he's getting paid a lot for the lies he's publishing if that's true.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: cem3434 on December 06, 2023, 07:58:29 PM: I'm going to keep at it because it's fun to see Bob squirm with his BS responses. It's kind of interesting that no one has really jumped in to take his side yet, as I thought those environmentalist types always run to protect their fellow antis. :dunno:
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: addicted1 on December 06, 2023, 08:11:55 PM: Quote from: cem3434 on December 06, 2023, 07:58:29 PM
I'm going to keep at it because it's fun to see Bob squirm with his BS responses. It's kind of interesting that no one has really jumped in to take his side yet, as I thought those environmentalist types always run to protect their fellow antis. :dunno:

I keep waiting for it, maybe the fact that he got called out on his pay and he doesn’t want to draw attention to it? That’s all I can reason.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: baldopepper on December 06, 2023, 09:01:05 PM: In fairness, he is now in the non pay posion of chairrman of the board of directors. He is very active in several animal rights groups. Basically a hard core anti hunting person. Probably means we'll, but very naive about the realities of wildlife.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: cem3434 on December 06, 2023, 09:22:17 PM: I've specifically asked about his pay twice now on that site. He hasn't denied that he is getting paid, so I wouldn't be so sure he isn't still collecting some sort of salary for being on the board. He is a POS regardless and I'm glad to see him getting called out by most people that have posted. :twocents:
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: nicz on December 19, 2023, 06:50:16 AM: You should also report him to Nextdoor for spreading misinformation.
Title: Re: Guy asking people on Nextdoor to sign petitions to stop cougar and bear hunting
Post by: cem3434 on December 19, 2023, 06:27:17 PM: Nextdoor is a liberal cesspool, so I'm sure it wouldn't do any good to report him for spreading misinformation.