[Backpacker Joe]

interesting how different some states are. When I used to go down to Phoenix to work at the Palo Verde Nuclear plant I would always stay with my mom in Apache Junction for three or four weeks after the job was done. During that time I would hike in the Superstition Mountains four five days a week. In well over 80 hiking trips in the Arizona desert, only once did I come across another hiker who WASNT armed! In all my years here in Washington. In thousands of hiking trips Ive only once seen another hiker armed. LOL. I carry concealed at all times, mountains included. In the past I carried open in the out of doors but too many times I scared people, and that's not what I want to do.

[Dave Workman]

[Backpacker Joe]

[Ski]

Thursday October 17, 2019 14:49 PDT WDFW NEWS RELEASE WDFW announces pink is legal OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has established rules for fluorescent hunter pink. During the 2019 legislative session, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 5148 that allows hunters to wear fluorescent hunter pink. The Fish and Wildlife Commission recently adopted rules to implement the legislation, which allows hunters to wear fluorescent hunter pink, fluorescent hunter orange, or both. Several other states have passed laws allowing hunters to wear pink clothing for safety. "Hunters must follow the same requirements as hunter orange if they wear hunter pink," said David Whipple, WDFW hunter education division manager. "If you hunt during a season that requires visible clothing, you're required to wear a minimum of 400 square inches above the waist that is visible from all sides." A hat, by itself, does not meet the requirement. Hunters may wear fluorescent hunter orange and fluorescent hunter pink on different garments or the same garment. As with hunter orange, a camouflage hunter pink pattern is legal as long as it is fluorescent. Hunters can find more information on hunter pink at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/ethics-safety/hunter-orange. "This legislation follows that of numerous other states across the country and simply gives Washington hunters an additional color option to be seen while out in the field," said Jen Syrowitz, Washington Outdoor Women Director. "And, if one grandfather in pink inspires his granddaughter to explore the outdoors, that is a great supplementary outcome!" Since WDFW began requiring hunters to wear hunter orange, as well as pass a hunter education class, hunting incidents have declined significantly in Washington. "We're excited to add this new option for our hunters," added Whipple. "Many hunters, regardless of gender or age, are looking forward to wearing fluorescent hunter pink." Those who wish to learn more about hunter safety can visit our hunting education and requirements page at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements. -WDFW-

[Backpacker Joe]

Pink huh? Hell, I don't even wear orange. I hunt from my deck, on my property. Other than that, orange works for me.

[Ski]

real men wear pink

[Ski]

Wednesday October 23, 2019 13:53 PDT WDFW NEWS RELEASE WDFW partners with Weyerhaeuser Company to open 6,638 acres of forest for hunters OLYMPIA – This summer, Weyerhaeuser Company enrolled 6,638 acres in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Private Lands Access program. WDFW opened this section of forest as Feel Free to Hunt access this year. "We are excited that Weyerhaeuser Company has chosen to provide free public hunting access on these parcels," said Kessina Lee, WDFW Region 5 Director. "This greatly expands portions of their property for hunting opportunities for our southwest Washington hunters and those who visit from around the state." The land, referred to as the Cathlamet block, spans Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties, and all the parcels are adjacent to Department of Natural Resources lands. "Weyerhaeuser is pleased to offer the opportunity for hunters to recreate on our tree farms," said Jammer Free, Weyerhaeuser Area Manager. "While our recreation program already offers a diversity of permitted, leased, and open access options for getting outdoors, this new partnership with WDFW will expand recreationists' opportunity to safely experience our timberlands and its wildlife inhabitants on 6,000 acres of scenic Weyerhaeuser working forest." The access site is now open for all hunting seasons. Hunters are not required to have a Weyerhaeuser Company Access Permit to hunt on this property. Some areas of the land are not accessible by road, and there are some areas marked non-motorized access. "We've seen deer, elk, and black bear on this property," Lee added. "We're hoping our hunters and recreationists enjoy quality outdoor time in this forest." Anyone using the site must follow Weyerhaeuser Company's access rules posted at weyerhaeuser.com/recreational-access/northwest-region/faqs/. WDFW's Private Lands Access program allows the department to secure public hunter access on private lands. In 2018, WDFW had 1.3 million acres of private lands available for hunters to use. Through agreements with private landowners, the department has secured thousands of acres of private land for Feel Free to Hunt, Register to Hunt, Hunt By Written Permission, or Hunt By Reservation access. Follow the link for more information about WDFW's Private Lands Access program at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/private-lands#. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities. -WDFW-

[Vertec]

[Backpacker Joe]

[moonspots]

[Dave Workman]

[Brucester]

[pcg]

I'm curious. With all the talk about the need to carry a firearm for protection... has anyone here ever actually needed it to protect themselves from another human, or does anyone here even know someone who used a firearm to protect themselves from another human. I'm not talking about what you imagine, I'm talking about the real world. Do you really need to carry a gun while hiking? I'm specifying human because, from everything I've read and from experts I've talked to, guns aren't necessary to protect folks from animals in the PNW. Bear spray is more effective and also avoids injuring the animal. So... convince me.

[xrp]

[Dave Workman]

Just a reminder: All of those people you see with guns in the forests actually belong there at this time of year especially. Muzzleloader seasons are now open in several spots, and the big game modern firearms season for deer opens Oct. 17. Be careful out there. Remember to wear orange (or pink if you prefer ) and have a good time. And SHHHHHHH!!!