Even out hunting and fishing

[Commercialfisherman]

In WA it seems like more and more duck hunting land is being taken away for salmon restoration. Recently, Spencer Island and Skagit area, Voice of America....and on and on. WA Fish and Game it seems like has decided that salmon is more important and has turned a blind eye. Maybe instead of putting all there efforts into salmon restoration they should even things out

[Gun Rod Bow]

Might be a tough sell on a fishing board

One thing that kind of irks me is, the lands purchased for waterfowl habitat are mostly refuges with no hunting opportunity. It wasn't that way 20-30 years ago. Seems like most of the "refuges" back then included hunting areas as well as sanctuaries.

The money is gained from Pittman/Robertson funds and license and stamp sales.

We need refuges, but in some areas, the hunting has declined because there are so many refuges, the birds never leave them.

If hunter money paid for the land, it seems some reasonable hunter access could coincide with conservation.

[skybuster]

I gave up my membership in Ducks Unlimited for the same reason. DU was always talking about all the habitat they restored and all the land they had purchased, but the problem was they wouldn't let me hunt any of it!

It just seems like these organizations and the states keep finding ways to keep themselves happy and looking good while at the same time reducing oppurtunities for the average sportsman.

[Thumb Burner]

Commercial Fisherman, are you a gillnetter?
No punt intended just wondering.
SS

[happybrew]

Skybuster, that's because they wanted to leave you un-limited on ducks!

happybrew

[B-run]

I agree with GRB.
I have grown up hunting land South of Salem in years gone by, that is now open to "rabbit hunting only",
but not sure that I concur with the WDF&W (or ODF&W)
turning a blind eye to fish restoration VS Waterfowl.
There is much to be said of our future delimma of both sports.DU is not an organization that provides public land to hunt, nor Rocky Mountain Elk,NW Steelheaders,etc.
They provide political help in keeping, and restoring habitat. The Oregon Fishing Club can get you set up in access.
I would like to see several "refuges" re-opened to the public that used to be open to the public when I was a kid.
The most famous one is now controlled for trophy Rosy bulls.(all private ranchers)
But we do need something different

[John Lawrence]

HappyBrew, that was good hahaha..... I always thought all DU land was accessible to the members, oh well never joined anyways......

Jon

[Jignfloat]

THings could change soon as we get ready to vote in a new Governor......."UnLocke Washington"....get the anti's out of fish and game. Phil Tahlmedge (splng?) will make things right.He gets my vote.

Russ

[Commercialfisherman]

Steelhead Scout,
No, i am not a gillnetter. I am a longliner/troller. Fished in Alaska most of my life.

[Thumb Burner]

Sorry just got curious when I saw your name. Good to see you on the board. I just didnt think a gillneter would post on this board. But it would be a interesting discussion if it could be kept civil.

SS