Lets give 'em a break!

[Lowedog]

Had an interesting conversation with a local biologist for the DFW here in WA. I asked him his opinion on the impact of shed hunting. His opinion is that this year it is definatly having an impact. We have more snow than we have since he started in the area and the constant movement people are puting the animals into is contributing to poor fawn survival for the winter. He says now is an especially crucial time as the animals are week from the long winter and the browse is running out on the winter range. They need to be left alone for awhile!

I asked him if he forsees any regulations instated here in WA and he said we will see it with elk before mule deer. He was refering to the Clockum herd. He says the pressure on that winter range is more extreme than the typical mule deer winter range as it's more accesible. ATVs and sowmobiles are a problem. The elk get moved around too much. They get pushed onto private land where they cause damage and the the DFW has to kill a few here and there. It takes it's toll. Sowmobiles are a problem in the Entiat unit also. Too much of that winter range is easily riden. He said he will try to get the USFS to close that area for the winter months at their next forest plan. He encouraged me and other concerned people to contact the USFS and request the same.

Remember, fawn survival is the key to replacing adult deer that are killed by hunters, winter, and old age. Those fawns have the toughest time making it through their first winter. Expect to see a decline at least here in WA in our mule deer numbers in most areas that have migratory deer over the next few years. The biologist told me the further north you go the worse it gets.

I have been out almost once a weekend since early January. I used to never think about going before mid-late March. I have been a contributor to the problem just wanting to have a chance to pick up an antler. Well, if there is no deer then there won't be any antlers to pick up. I am done until the snow melts out and the deer move off to better feed.

Show that you care about these animals. If you think that shed hunting is a problem in your area, give them a break and go golfing, spend time with the family, something else for awhile. Maybe we can set an example.

-Lowedog

 

[MichaelJ]

Nicely put man. I know that this year is among the top years for shed hunting pressure that I've seen. Everybody I know is out pounding the hills looking for that horn. The problem is, is if we aren't hiking an area, we KNOW that someone else will be. I see your point, and I haven't been out recently. I'm heading out in the morning to an area that I'm pretty sure has only been walked possibly once. Though it was early on. It's private property that I have access too. As far as going into other popular areas, I'll hold off until the snow melts.

Michael

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[WAmuleyHunter]

I agree Lowedog, i am with ya, i am so sick of it, i have stopped shed hunting after all the crap i have seen and the mind set of others just ruining the winter range habitat and causing such a toll on the herd. ive never seen deer so scared and run so quick in all my years up in the entiat. There is only one cause and thats people messing with them everyday. Its sad knowing that people will continue to do so until they are stopped, and then if the break the law and get caught or if the deer just die off and there is nothing to bug anymore. I hope we do shut down the winter range and it gets patrolled next year. So lay off boys and girls, its just an antler, its not going anywhere. The suns coming out and its time to go fishing!!!

Garrett

 

[CUTTHROAT]

I'm doing my part in WA. But its because I work too much. I have to pay for the un-employment benefits of all you guys shed hunting every day!

Noone will lay off shed hunting just to help the deer though. Everyone likes to say they care about the deer, but few do anything to help them. They just take, take, take. It's the "tragedy of the commons".

 

[Bornforhorns]

Wouldn't bother me a bit to have to wait until say April 1st (most deer are off the winter range by than) (make a nice spring break hobby!) besides that would just mean a guy would have a better chance of having bigger shed count day with all those horns lying on the ground (maybe a little chewed, but so what). Anybody here in NCW knows that it's been unreal pressure this year, I love this site but the shed hunters forum obviously motivates those that would otherwise not have any interest in it (pictures), I'm guilty too. The only way I see it changing is if they put restrictions on it. If it opened up around the height of fishing season that would make a guy choose his weekend hobby. There should also be an even later date for ATV's/snowmobiles so there not pushing deer while there's still a lot of snow on the ground and tearing up the wet ground. Bare minimum, a guy has a choice a lot of the time on whether or not to push deer... all you have to do is back off and check it later. There use to seeing predators... but it's not everyday that they get chased by one. Nice post Lowedog.

 

[Non_Typical]

Bornforhorns,

You bring up a great point, one I think contributes to the problem more than anything else. The more people post pictures and have discussions around shed hunting, the more other non-shed hunters are curious and take interest. The more people that take interest, the more competition it generates. The more competition generated, the more stress on the deer and elk. Whether on quads, snowmobiles, horses, or foot, the more the animals are pushed around, the more it will affect their condition/health.
I think people naturally want to share their shed hunting success, but it can be accomplished by e-mailing a couple other shed hunters and not in a public forum. I quit posting pictures on this site when I realized what a problem it was causing in the end.

 

[JACKELOPE]

I will vouch for the peaked interest having never shed hunted before...i still haven't, but thats because there isn't much in the way of shed hunting in western wa. however based on this post i will hold off till april in my intended shed hunting areas. sounds good. hopefully everyone will take this onto consideration. just like you can't shoot the big ones if you kill all the little ones...won't be able to find any sheds if there are no deer surviving the winter

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

Lowedog LOL is a "sowmobile" Rosanne driving a Pinto? -Just kidding you. I've been "shed" hunting once in my life -this year in a snow free zone. I do go out early winter scouting in Nov./ Dec. when a lot of season's are still going on and the rut too. Other than that I stay out of the field until Early Fall. All the sheds I've ever found have been camping, or hunting and I have a good sized box full, more than I "need" to have. I think the biggest illusion with shed hunting is that it gives you an edge. Unless it is a whitetail, you have very little chance of finding the buck that dropped that antler the next season on public lands. Both blacktail and muleys migrate an average of 12-20 miles every winter and seldom are closer than 3-4 miles from where they were the previous year they dropped their horns. A lot of guys think they are seeing or shooting the same deer, but how many pictures have you seen to corroborate that? There are rare exceptions, but all in all, like -dog says, may as well spend some time with the family until Spring at least....

 

[Lowedog]

I think every one can see by the increase in the number of posts here by the WA boys that it is becoming a real problem in this area. For every guy who posts there are 10 guys who just read. I am guilty as anyone about hyping up shed hunting by posting pics over the years. I wish I could go back 5 yrs and keep it all to myself.

Us weekend wariors don't stand much chance anyway for finding much so why not lay off for awhile. Let's let those who aren't even responsible enough to get a job be the irresponsible folks who ruin the deer herds. To some guys the ego stroke of getting feed back on the sheds they post pics of will keep them from stopping.

-Lowedog

 

[MichaelJ]

Alright guys, here's a situation for you.
Since you like to be out in the field, seeing big bucks on the winter range, and knowing that they survived the season, you're out on foot photographing or just looking at deer. You locate a big buck that is within a mile of the nearest road, and through the grapevine, you know you're not the only one looking at this buck. You are not pushing the deer, just watching from a distance, figuring out their daily routines. One day, you hike in a notice that the buck has dropped both his horns. What are you going to do? Are you HONESTLY going to sit and wait till spring, or are you going to go in there, and try to find his sheds? Especially when you KNOW where he's been spending a majority of the day? Or are you going to wait until April when you are going to be competing against others for those horns?

I can see putting a season out for shed hunting, but how are you going to regulate puplic land from those who like to photograph wildlife? Even if they aren't going to be picking up horns?

I have stayed out of popular shed hunting areas. Really only been to three areas this year. I've never pushed any deer. At most they'll notice me, and I'll sit down and watch them meander over the ridge, then I'll take a hike.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[antlerfool]

I'm all game for closing everything even if it involves closing it to people that like to take pictures. I don't really care who you are if you are watching a BIG buck and know where he dropped you are going to have the temptation to go "look". So I think the best solution would be to close it off to everyone from say mid december to mid april, that way some of the people that take pictures can get some during the rut. And if it's closed to everyone then it would be easier to patrol, because once you see a vehicle in an area or tracks going up through the snow or mud to an area that is closed then you know some one is breaking the law.
And I don't give a crap if people say that they won't be able to locate the deer. I never go out and scout during the winter for the reason of spooking the deer, so i just return to the same places every year and start from there and still end up sitting pretty good by the end of the year.

 

[WAmuleyHunter]

they need to close it down, to all traffic. not just "shed" hunters. or people on joy rides on snowmobiles. And if its a law then yes you would have to leave those sheds there. or you should. Its called breaking the law, ya you know you might not get caught but its called being a good citizen and being ethical. follow the rules. its just like sneaking through private property to get to the public on the other side, just cause nobody saw you do it doesnt make it right.

 

[ridgerunner]

Great post, sounds like shed hunting season is getting worse than hunting season over there. If this keeps up the hunting is going to go right back down the drain, its not a bad idea to back off, another month and the deer will be out of there.

 

[Lowedog]

MJ, don't feel like I'm trying to come down on you, or anyone for that matter. I don't blame you one bit for looking for those antlers. From what I know that area doesn't get much pressure at the moment. But it will. Like I said, I've been as guilty as anyone for getting out too early. I'm just saying I'm not going to do it anymore and I encourage others who feel we have a problem to do the same. Just think. The little bit you moved some deer this year you can multiply that by 10, 20, even more and then is when you realize that enough is enough. These deer need some time to recover from a long winter which was preceeded by hunting season and the rut.

I feel kind of ashamed after speaking with the biologist about contributing to the problem. I've caused deer to get up and move around some this winter. Hell, you can't get out and hike much without disturbing a few. Most of them don't go far. But like I said, you multiply that by every other guy out there and they are getting no rest. I feel I was selfish. I just wanted to find a few browns. With the popularity of shed hunting like it is, I knew I would not have much chance unless I got out with every body else. Don't get me wrong, I've only been out one day a weekend if i'm lucky. You know as well as I do that there are plenty that hit it damn near every day.

I just want guys to think about this issue. If you truely care about the animals then think about it. Do you care enough to give them a break for a few weeks? A lot of guys will say that they aren't moving the animals. If they get up and meander over the next ridge then you are moving them.

I for one would rather have a chance at killing one of these big bucks than picking up their sheds. If the herds dwindle too much from poor winter survival then we will start seeing less oppurtunitys to hunt them. We will already be cut back to a 9 day season this year I believe.

I'll step off my soap box now.

-Lowedog

 

[MichaelJ]

Lowedog, hey I know you aren't coming down on me, and even if you were, who cares? It's the internet...

Anyways, I see your point, and I agree with it, yet I just don't think it's possibly to shut down our public lands to us. Especially with as little support as this thread is getting anyways. I just don't think it will stick. Remember, this State is right up there with Utah for RoadHunters lol, and we have quite a few guys that really don't give a rats ass about the deer. I just don't think it'll fly. The only way we'll get something done, is to self regulate. And if we aren't out there, then someone else will be. I myself have only been to three areas this year. Every single time I went where there was ZERO snow and where the deer (even the bucks) looked GREAT. Hell, if I'd of noticed some deer that looked pretty haggard, there's no way I'd push them. One of those areas (That me and Shad hit up yesterday) is owned by my friends uncle, and we were some of the first people to hit that area as it's all private.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

I don't agree with one comment made, from ALL observations I've made, there is absolutely a non-intrusive way to be around deer, don't think they don't know when the season's are over. numerous times prior to January in areas where season's had just gotten over, ANY deer I was within several hundred yards of did not spook and continued feeding in my presence. If I had a best guess, deer that spook easily at the sight of you out of season, either are being shot at by poachers, or have been recently stalked by cougars, or coyotes. My wife and I do snow shoe hike during the winter occasionally also, I have never seen one other person out shed hunting, ever in my life at that time and we are not looking for deer at all. I wouldn't have any problem with closing more areas during the winter, though most wildlife areas and some parts of the Washington NF are closed during the winter. What kills me is that quad and snomobile use has been a huge issue for years, with absolutely no backbone shown by agencies on enforcement or regulation during the short hunting seasons. Now we're pissed about foot traffic? That bugs me, the foot guys are way down the list in my opinion to the motorized access to our forests that is going on, as far as causing an issue with the wildlife. I would address that at any DFW meeting, before any hike-in activities are addressed. There are areas I've given up hunting, that I would actually be happy to see someone on foot instead of a quad, or motorcycle.

 

[Lowedog]

MJ, are you saying you agree yet you are not willing to stop contributing to the problem? You feel like since you only go out ocasionaly that it's no big deal? Well for the few times you have been out, there are 100+ other guys that have been out a few times. Then there are those guys that are out almost every day. Ask Shad how many times he's been out this year! And it's only March 9th! Like I said, I used to not even go out till now or later. Now if your just going to hunt private land that gets no other pressure then we are not talking about the same issue.

I seriously doubt any one will read this and care enough to not to go out for a few weeks. Most guys can't stand the thought that some one else might be out there picking up a shed they might find. That's the problem here. Guys keep going out earlier and earlier. Shed season last longer and longer. The deer and elk don't get a break.

Dman, foot traffic on the winter range is becoming a huge problem. Come over and take some hikes in the Entiat unit. Every little hole you can hike into has boot track in it already. And yes ATV and snowmobile traffic are a big problem too. Those guys cover a lot more land and go where they are not supposed to. Recreational snowmobilers and OHV users are not the problem. Most of them abide by the laws and ride where they are supposed to.

-Lowedog

 

[MichaelJ]

Lowedog,
I agree with Dman here. From what I'VE seen, foot traffic in the areas I've been in is not really a problem. I was up looking at the buck whose sheds I found numerous times (6-8 times) and never spooked the deer. Most of the times they didn't even notice I was there. I'd just belly crawl over a ridge with some background to it, sitdown underneath a tree and take pictures and look at deer till dark. Then hike back down. Me and Shad were out yesterday and hiked from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM and we didn't push A SINGLE DEER. We saw some deer, but they were up high, and we stayed out of that area. Besides, when shed hunting, you hit up an area once, and are gone. I can see that there is a problem with the popular areas, but as far as walking into new areas I don't see a problem. Even Shad said he was getting tired of the competition, and has since been checking out new areas.
Then again I haven't been to any areas that gets a lot of shed hunting traffic. I've only been shed hunting 5 days this year. I've only got maybe a dozen sheds, but I found the ones I was after. From what I've heard, the guys taking in their quads and sleds are causing much more problems than us foothikers are. Like I said earlier, I will stay out of the popular areas for awhile until the deer have moved out, but as for new areas (including private land I have access to) I will check them out once, and if I find sheds, great, if not, then I won't be back.

Not to be offensive or anything, but you do sound kind of pissed that there's all these guys that get to go shed hunting 5-6 days a week while your at work and you feel that no sheds will be left for you. Hey man, atleast you have a job and don't have to worry about getting fired. Are you jealous of someone who is unemployed? I'm not saying that's how you feel, but that's the way it came across.

>MJ, are you saying you agree
>yet you are not willing
>to stop contributing to the
>problem? You feel like
>since you only go out
>ocasionaly that it's no big
>deal? Well for the
>few times you have been
>out, there are 100+ other
>guys that have been out
>a few times. Then
>there are those guys that
>are out almost every day.
> Ask Shad how many
>times he's been out this
>year! And it's only
>March 9th! Like I
>said, I used to not
>even go out till now
>or later. Now if
>your just going to hunt
>private land that gets no
>other pressure then we are
>not talking about the same
>issue.
>
>I seriously doubt any one will
>read this and care enough
>to not to go out
>for a few weeks.
>Most guys can't stand the
>thought that some one else
>might be out there picking
>up a shed they might
>find. That's the problem
>here. Guys keep going
>out earlier and earlier.
>Shed season last longer and
>longer. The deer and
>elk don't get a break.
>
>
>Dman, foot traffic on the winter
>range is becoming a huge
>problem. Come over and
>take some hikes in the
>Entiat unit. Every little
>hole you can hike into
>has boot track in it
>already. And yes ATV
>and snowmobile traffic are a
>big problem too. Those
>guys cover a lot more
>land and go where they
>are not supposed to.
>Recreational snowmobilers and OHV users
>are not the problem.
>Most of them abide by
>the laws and ride where
>they are supposed to.
>
>-Lowedog



Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[powderhound]

I'm with lowedog 100% on this.

So say you go out and "scout" for deer and you leave some tracks in the snow, mud or whatever. A guy walks up to this area later and sees your tracks. Now even though you aren't picking up any sheds this guy that came across your tracks is going to start thinking piss some one has beat me here, i'm going to have to make it up here earlier next year. And hence this process will continue. people going in earlier and earlier on FOOT. And i don't care if you say your sneaky about it other people may not be as sneaky as you, which would make the deer constantly nervous and aware of their surroundings. Then all you have to do is spook just one deer and they will ALL take off. And if you say that you are really sneaky I still don't care why take the chance? And i don't think that having a job and being jeaulous has nothing to do with lowedogs arguement. I think he just wants to preserve the deer herds so they may increase and what not.

 

[duckfvr]

Well I think I have just about read enough. I can see were this is going and what everyone is trying 2 say, I here the same thing over and over every year and now this year for me not being employed at this very time and during shed season its kinda nice 2 get out there and find antlers and still damn near every time I go out I come across foot traffic, so the point is not coming across to those who are out there the most besides me. I will back off a little and give the deer a break but I am also not going to post any more pics of sheds, allot of people are starting to get wiser and are reading into the pics more than I think, but anyways happy huntin 2 you all and I hope you find the that big one we are all searchin 4.

 

[ridgerunner]

Think of it this way if you take a stand and say your not going in shed hunting, your competition may think maybe its a good idea to back off too, then you have a ripple effect with more guys giving the deer a break if they know that lots of others are backing off. I personnally commend lowedog and anyone else over there who takes a stand and does whats right even if it means a few less brownies for themselves. If we get a tough winter and lots of shed hunters pushing the deer all the time the next year there won't be very many sheds to find at all, its a pretty good situation right now, high buck to doe ratio, lots of mild winters,let's not pressure them too much, keep the good thing going, they are only horns after all.

 

[Lowedog]

I actually think this post has been somewhat of a success. If it's making people think about the consequences of their actions then it has worked a little.

MJ, don't get defensive and explain that your not hurting anything. If what you say is true and you have only hunted areas that are private and unpressured then more power to you. What I'm talking about here is the other areas that used to be just like the one you have. (BTW just by reading your post I know exactly where you guys were and so do 10 other guys that just read and don't post) There are not very many places like that left as the amount of people shed hunting increases and guys have to branch out to new spots. Pretty soon you have about every inch of the winter range covered. We are not very far away from that situation now.

Jealous? I invite you to come over to my house and check out my garage. (pm me I'll give you my number) I have more antlers than I know what to do with. I am concerned about the welfare of our deer and elk herds. My comments about people shed hunting instead of working fall under a whole differant issue. Has nothing to do with jealousy.

I'll try to explain it one more time like it was explained to me. Let's say you have a group of does and fawns, (fawns born last spring/summer) you come into their area and they get up and run off. You think they must have been chased by a predetor or something recently. Why else would they run? Maybe they were. One of these fawns was on the edge of survival from a long winter. Low on body and bone marrow fat. So they run over the ridge. The fawn burns more crucial energy. They have been moved around 3 times a week like that by people. The next day a few coyotes come across the herd. The deer run off except the fawn. He doesn't have enough energy. Dead! Could have been a monster buck in 3-4 yrs. Fawn survival is the key to maintaining the numbers of deer in the herd. From what I was told in some areas fawn survival is not high enough to replace the adult mortality. What's that mean? Less deer in the herd.


-Lowedog

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

LD, you make some good points and I respect your concern for the deer. I do qualify as a Biologist and have worked with wildlife and habitat most of my life. A flip side of the view you present is that predators are also hunted in all of these areas. It is a fact that man mimics the number of predators historically that used to exist that controlled deer herds. Natural selection dictates that the weak animals will die, always has and always will, that is why there is winter mortality, not because someone made a deer winded by causing it to walk over the next hill, deer even in winter are built to handle that. The only significant deer mortality this winter has been in the Okanogan valley which I do frequent and I can show you the facts to back that up. This excessive mortality is partly because of overpopulation and overgraze in that area, again, natural selection. I never saw more deer anywhere in my life than in that valley just last Summer. I believe you about the Entiat and where you shed hunt, that would piss me off too! Your overall message is right on, that too many people in one area at any time of the year is irresponsible. When I see that kind of traffic, foot or other, I go home, period... It sucks, but that's what makes you and I responsible and the guys who do that, well, people I don't understand... The DFW may have to go to an entry quota system for all times of the year the way the base does. You call in the day before, they let a certain amount of people in a certain area, end of story...

 

[Dawgs]

Personally, I can still ski for at least a month. As we all know, that also requires driving through winter range and shed-hunting ground (around these parts, horns can be found almost everywhere if you put in the leg-work)... I will just get higher up on the mountainside where the world is snow-covered. Those motorcyclists and ATV'ers only find the real easy ones anyway. Later

 

[MichaelJ]

LoweDog, hey man I understand where your coming from and I totally agree. I'm glad we could work this thing out and not get personal. I'm sorry about taking it to that personal level about the jealously thing. I apologize. I truly respect this post for what it is, and I think we're on the same page, just different paragraphs. I'll send you a PM and I'd love to come over and check out your collection.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[boneaddict]

Interesting post.... Most of the time I think its bull, but would have to agree with you this year. I've gone out way less, and the animals ARE struggling. I did go out today for a couple hours, and spent most of my time digging myself out of the snowbank. I would hate to be an animal this year I did find some bare ground, and spent most of my time looking for rocks. I was home by eleven, instead of pushing on to find that first brown bone of the year. Which by the way I usually have a stack of by now.
I do find it interesting that some of you are hailing one gentleman in one post, a local hero of sorts, who finds big bones and is out there everyday living with the elk, four wheeler and all, but then seem a bit down on shed hunting, pressuring animals etc here. I'm definately not trying to start something, because I'm one of those folks too. Shed hunting is life to me, yet I feel what lowedog is saying.
Heres to greener pastures or in this case hillsides!!!!!!!!

 

[boneaddict]

ITs typical human spirit. We all love Sheds, especially large fresh brown elk antlers. They don't hit the ground and stay there for a month waiting for you to be of good judgement. There is every Joe on the block going when they can to pick them up first. COMPETITION!! Who will get there first. If you know the country like the back of your hand, its your passion, and not enslaved to the job. What else is there to do but go pick up antlers. Unfortunately, every time we push them, even just once, we are adding to the problem. Its a lose lose situation. How would you like to be the guy that loves to sled, and happens to enjoy seeing the animals, and they say NOPE, can't go there anymore until May. Personally, I wish they would ban four-wheelers, but if I had just paid 10,000 for one, I know I'd be upset. Just like the hikers trying to ban horses from the wilderness area, because a horse takes a dump. Be responsible. Don't ruin it for others, and protect the resource. If there is no resource, then there won't be any of those large brown antlers to pick up. Good post Lowedog, eventhough most of the time the animals never know I am there, I would have to agree with you that this year they are really taking hits.

 

[boneaddict]

course then as soon as I send the last message, I notice the red flashing box on top SHED HUNTING CONTEST 2006. Did I mention competition, how about adding incentive to the fray. Sort of like the big buck contest of old where people took to poaching to win that new jeep. Nothing like spurring on the people who already are having troubles making the right decision. Lets go get that biggest antler. : )

 

[clyde]

theres plenty of bone to go around out there, found a pair yesterday. a nice 5 by 6 that I sat on and watched him drop his left side. waited until he fed on and picked it up only to find the right side only 10 yards from his left side. Private land, honey hole, who cares, great pics and stories!!!! Keep them coming because more of us out there look forward to your posts. to those who don't, well you know where to stick it!!!

 

[boneaddict]

I'd just assume you not tell me where to stick it. I wasn't being rude, why should you. Is this where I start tradeing insults with you about your intellect, and make insults or references on what you care for and the type of person you are. Is this where we meet in Ellensburg and I walk around with my chest stuck out and my 6'5", 250 pound frame strutting his stuff, threatening to stick that sword point where you wanted me too. Oh good, your 6'5" too, that will make it more interesting. Give it up, this is a serious topic. Why ruin it with trash. Its people like you......(see where this is going)

 

[BCBOY]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-12-06 AT 02:12PM (MST)[p]All this activity for a state that is known to produce nothing but Dinks???? I don't know but I kind of think that Bio was pulling your leg. The further North you go the worse it gets??? Guess what, I'm North of you and this is yet another winter of many stacked on top of each other where the deer say, "Winter, what Winter?". Mild as mild can be. Across the province, from the WA border on up to the Yukon border. I personally doubt that the situation is Dire as you make it out to be. Too me, reading this post, it seems maybe someone is just trying to protect their shed hidey holes. Make some others stay home so they can go up the mountain themselves to pick them up???

And why are the deer off the winter range April 1st? Around these parts the deer don't leave the winter range until closer to June. If you want to think about a critical time for the deer it is that later period as the does get plumper and ready to drop. Basically, I think we should ban all people from the bush all year, because there isn't a time of year when things ain't critical.

 

[clyde]

Its people like me who can't stand people who are disrespectful towards others. maybe its not my battle but saying something about someone who hasn't disrespected you really chaps my hide. this isn't to attack anyone on here but to remind us to show respect.

 

[MichaelJ]

Is a 17 yr old kid the only one on here who is not too insecure to buck up and say their sorry, or that they meant different? ;-) Seriously, we get one thing resolved, and then more people pipe to start another thing. You guys are on the "Winter Rag" and it's getting old.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

 

[ridgerunner]

PEople are sure fiesty this year. It's too bad this site is coming to this, the worst thing is I would bet that most of the people who actually post here actually are interested in whats best for the critters.

 

[woodruffhunter]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-14-06 AT 09:09AM (MST)[p]Dman,

I don't always agree with you. However, I do agree with your post(#15) on this thread.

It seems that whatever anyone does or says on this site gets critisized. I will be glad when fall returns!

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

Thanks, interesting headline/ article in the Washington edition of F and H news last week on shed hunting. It had some input from a regional E. Wash. biologist. It basically summarized everything on this post. WDFW does affect closures in sensitive areas, but there are irresponsible people who break those rules. The editorial did go on to state that shed hunting can be done ethically. Good points all around on this one.

 

[kirkl]

There was something on the local news here in yakima last night also about shed hunting, they were talking with the Bio at Oak creek and sounds like its getting patroled pretty good and if they catch you in there there gonna really try and prosecute ya good. He even had a couple antlers in his hands.

 

[Lowedog]

I've talked to the bio at Oak Creek on the phone before. I asked him if it was worth coming down for the opener. He said not if your just coming for the sheds. He said it's a big problem with people going in early. He's even heard of guys going in at night with night vision gear!

-Lowedog

 

[WACATHUNTER]

I know some of the folks at Oak Creek and they have had more problems this year than any other. I believe that they have had people climbing the fence alrready this year. It is pretty sad to hear that there are people out there that have no regards to laws or the wildlife. It gives the rest of us a bad name.
WACAT

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

I was up there for the first time ever this year and was pretty amazed at how overcrowded it was even then in the off season. We went up some of the open roads in the NF around there and there was a guy behind every rock, tree and bush bird hunting. Not an area I would ever try to hunt, though the feeding station was impressive and we got some good photos.