Subject: [Tweeters] Interesting conversation with a Game Warden
Date: Nov 14 15:13:02 2013
From: Tom Talbott - tom.talbott at gmail.com


Sounds like they are just perpetuating the problem.

I think times are changing, though, and old ideas need to be rethought.
Discover Pass is a start. The key is that it is centralized, easy to get,
and well advertised. I remember having to hunt down all the different ways
to buy the different passes in the past or getting to a site and finding
that that pass had just expired.

I believe most people (at least I know am) are willing to pay money if the
process is up front, easy, and going for what they care about.

Tom


On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 1:50 PM, Hal Michael <ucd880 at comcast.net> wrote:

> Conceptually, yes. In practice, the non-consumptive industry shot down
> proposals for taxes one their goods that would be equivalent to the
> Dingall-Johnson, and Duck Stamp programs.
>
>
>
> The Discover Pass is essentially for State Parks. A pittance goes to DNR
> and WDFW. How many here used to regularly buy the WDFW access pass?
>
> Hal Michael
> Olympia WA
> 360-459-4005 (H)
> 360-791-7702 (C)
> ucd880 at comcast.net
>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *"Tom Talbott" <tom.talbott at gmail.com>
> *To: *"Walter Kuciej" <WALTERK74 at comcast.net>
> *Cc: *"Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> *Sent: *Thursday, November 14, 2013 1:33:47 PM
> *Subject: *Re: [Tweeters] Interesting conversation with a Game Warden
>
>
> "I know many birders have somewhat negative opinions of hunters, but if
> it weren't for them, we'd have a lot fewer places to go. "
>
> I think that part of the problem is that the main way to support habitat
> is to support hunting. Virtually all preservation exists to make sure
> there will be enough birds to shoot in the future.
>
> Hopefully, this will change as more people learn that you can be in nature
> without killing things. If there were actual passes and stamps targeting
> birding and targeting habitat specifically for birds just because they are
> birds, I believe you would have more people contributing. When the state
> sees birders and photographers as an asset and isn't predominately geared
> towards hunting, then they will see more uptake in terms of revenue from
> them. It will be a balance, but for now the scale seems rather tipped.
>
> I think the Discover Pass is actually the first step in this direction. I
> know people that don't like it, but I find it to be much better than the
> old system.
>
> Tom (renewed Discover Pass just came in the mail)
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 1:00 PM, Walter Kuciej <WALTERK74 at comcast.net>wrote:
>
>> Yesterday we were leaving Eide Rd after dark, and stopped to talk with
>> the friendly F+W guy. Learned a few things:
>> Pheasant hunters have to wear orange; duck hunters don't.
>> The area is stocked 3X weekly with 40-60 birds.
>> The end of legal shooting time is adjusted periodically based on the
>> length of the day, not necessarily "sunset", which is too subjective.
>> Any changes to the Eide Rd. site will take years. Ducks Unlimited is the
>> driving force here, not the Audubon society or any birding group.
>> He was surprised at how many $100 citations he gives to birders who did
>> not get a Discovery Pass, but feel entitled to use the Wildlife areas
>> anyway.
>> He was also amazed at how many "listers" come long distances to see a
>> rare bird, and not only don't get a pass, but trespass on private property
>> as if they have some right to do so, not being hunters.This also happens
>> with more casual birders. We saw it on Thomle Rd. when the Snowy Owls were
>> there last winter. People just walking across the field who said it was
>> "public land", or maybe too cheap to buy the $10 permit from the farmer
>> "What farmer?" Not everyone reads tweeters.
>> This has resulted in areas being closed to the public by normally
>> friendly landowners who would probably give permission if asked. He
>> mentioned once having to close a public area that was being overrun by
>> birders. As always, a small group can give a bad name to those who play by
>> the rules.
>> If a Discover Pass ($30, think of it as a "birding license") and a
>> Federal Duck Stamp ($15, which goes to buy land for refuges) seem
>> excessive, ask yourself how much you spend on optics, apps, gas etc.
>> I know many birders have somewhat negative opinions of hunters, but if it
>> weren't for them, we'd have a lot fewer places to go.
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>
>
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