Well I went crabbing again for the second time since the opener on Tuesday and the crabbing is geting worse sinse all the tribes starting commercialing. Salsbary boat launch near the Hood Canal bridge was jammed packed with tribal trucks and buyer trucks. This happened last year and the tribes were told that the launch was used for non-commerical use and were told to not to use it for selling crab. The tribes were bringing in hundreds of crabs it was a sad site. People have called the Parks Dept. and the State Patrol and still nothing has been done to resolve the problem. I was also approched by a Tribal Fish Cop and he wanted to see my license and look at my crab. I cooperated with him not to my liking then he had the balls to say that one of my crabs was a soft shell I called him on it and he then called his partner that was sitting in his car eating, his partner said it was a hard shell. If he would have written me a ticket I would probably be in jail now. I'm totally fed up with the Tribes rapeing the resource and have the balls to give me crap about a crab that might be a soft shell. Not once did I see a tribal cop on the dock checking the crab that were being sold to the buyers. Things at this boat launch are going to come a head soon and someone is going to get hurt. By the way crabbing was not very good there were 3 of us and we only got 7 crabs. Sorry for the bicthing but I can't stand being treated like a second class citizen since I put in thousands of $$$$$$ buying trucks,boats, new motors and don't forget the fuel that runs this stuff. I'm done crabbing for now until the tribes get of the water.

Do tribal enforcement officers have any jurisdiction over non tribal members off the reservation? I might have gotten in trouble had I been in the same situation because I probably would have told the guy to pound sand when he asked for my license and to inspect my catch. What is the correct response to this situation??

We are basically being denied access to these resources. Clam seasons are three days long a couple times a year. Shrimp seasons are 4 days a year for 4 hours. Halibut is a few days. Salmon is fin clipped with no clipped fish to be found. Lake Wa Sockeye seasons are a few days every 4th or 5th year.

I'm not sure if this goes for all tribal police but I know that some of them are federal law enforcement officers and have no jursidiction.

I know one that is. Regular cops can't carry a gun on a plane but he can. Now granted he isn't an indian either. Maybe he was hired through the BIA?? Not sure, I'll have to check into this.

I agree if a native came up to me off the rez and was asking these things I'd be polite and humor him until he started being an ass and then I'd go tell him to pound sand.

Lingcod,

A tribal fisheries enforcement officer has no jurisdiction over you off-reservation unless you are a member of the tribe or tribal consortium he represents. You are subject to state WDFW and federal USFWS and NOAA Fisheries agents.

Sorry about your citizenship status, but that is a legal matter. The money you spend on trucks, boats, or anything else is not relevant to that issue. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld decisions that subordinate your fishing privilege to treaty guaranteed fishing rights. Being a bit sarcastic here, but you might try spending your money on the purchase of a treaty tribal membership.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Salmo G. , you are correct sir!

I would caution people to be polite but firm when dealing with overzealous tribal cops. I would also suggest that we save our money that we're spending on gas and licenses. The whole state has been getting mobbed for years. We just can't support all the pressure.

Anybody know how long the tribal season technically lasts for area 9?

I respectfully disagree AuntyM.

It's not a waste of time to go up against the tribes. Or the State, or Fed's or whoever. It's going to come to a head sooner or later. Things will have to change, AGAIN. They always do. You can bank on it.

I for one am not willing to just take it and I'm sure their are alot of others who feel the same way. Can't say when change will come or how, but it will. just can't come soon enuff for me!!!!