shooting wildlife

[lew]

Hello Everyone,
Wow! what a fantastic site this is. I am looking forward to sharing some of my photos with you all. I shoot lots of birds with my camera. This Sunday morning at seven I was awaken by many gunshots from hunters in the Chehalis watershed area. Why is this fragile ecosystem not considered a bird sanctuary? I am sickened with some peoples attitude toward the planet.

[Gord]

Hi Lew and welcome! I look forward to seeing even more of your great pictures.

While I try to be accomodating to all the users of our environment, I do think there's a place for everything and also question why there are not more stiff restrictions for hunters and other users alike in an area with such a high significance for wildlife.

As to the gun shots, sounds like the work of poachers as duck hunting season is long since over since Jan 19. Canada geese, however, are open until March 10.

Here is a number to call to report poaching and polluters.
1-800-663-9453.

As our enforcement is understaffed, they have to prioritize. A call of gunshots out on the flats during closed season will probably only get a file created and left at that (still call it in as the files do count) but a call that has details (obtained with safety in mind, remember, these people are criminals) may get a response, especially if the vehicle plates come back as a repeat offender (as many are) or if it sounds like there is some evidence to get. Evidence is also important as the courts often do not seem to place too high an interest in a guy who shot ducks out of season. I guess they cannot be blamed if prior to hearing the duck poacher case they had heard testimony on cases regarding drug dealers, violent assaults and etc etc etc.

This is why I believe we need a judge dedicated to environmental issues. Environmental cases would be heard a lot sooner and the judge will be up to date on what's going on and rule accordingly instead of a judge reducing/dismissing a sentence because in the grand scheme of things to him, ducks dont count like other things.

[kastern]

I didn't hear any shooting up this way yesterday (Sunday - Chehalis Estuary) so maybe they were in a different area. If they were Goose hunting there hasn't been a goose in sight around here for months! I did see a couple of people out on the flats this afternoon but checked them out with the binoculars and they only had fishing gear with them...no guns.

Kathy

[lew]

I found out today it was guys shooting canada geese. they shot a pair about 1km downstream from the harrison river bridge. I don't know how you can call that hunting?