And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Hunting violation triggers major concerns http://www.indiancountry.com/NW25.html By Cate Montana Today Staff Northwest Bureau OLYMPIA, Wash. � It started as a simple, clear-cut case of state hunting law violation. Donald Ray Buchanon, a member of the Nooksack tribe near Puget Sound, was found by a state Department of Fish and Wildlife warden near a winter feeding station at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Eastern Washington, with two five-point elk. Buchanon was cited for poaching and hunting in a closed area, and that, supposedly, was that. Three years later, the case is being considered by the Washington Supreme Court in what could turn out to be a landmark decision opening up year-round hunting on state and federal lands for the 23 tribes under Stevens� treaties agreements. �The language of the treaty spells out clearly that the tribes will be allowed to fish on usual and accustomed grounds, and hunt on open and unclaimed lands,� said Buchanon�s attorney, David. S. Vogel of Seattle. �The treaty is a contract with sovereign nations, and the state has to follow it.� So far it has. The Yakima County Superior Court and the state Court of Appeals have already ruled in Buchanon�s favor, citing the 1855 Point Elliot treaty that gives Native Americans those rights. If the Supreme Court also rules in favor of Buchanon, the impact will be far-reaching. It could potentially: � Open up year-round hunting on state and federal lands, including Mount Rainier National Park and other public lands where hunting is currently prohibited. � Give tribes the right to ignore game limits and other state hunting regulations designed to protect game resources. � Open reservations and ceded lands to hunting by other tribes. � Open hunting on state and federal lands, including parks, to out-of-state tribal hunters. Concern Of greatest concern to state wildlife officials is the potential damage unrestricted hunting by American Indians could have on elk and deer populations throughout the state. <<end excerpt &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment ...http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"`
