The goal of the Wildlife Program is to assist in the perpetuation of game resources within both the Point Elliott and Medicine Creek treaty reserved areas, and within traditional hunting areas for current and future generations of Muckleshoot Tribal members.  The Muckleshoot Wildlife Members and Wildlife Program staff accomplish this goal by conducting research on local game populations and working with local landowners to develop suitable habitat for these populations.

The following information is related to the services offered by the Wildlife Program:

Hunting Tags:  Tags are $5 each, and free to elders age 50 and older. Designated hunters are automatically approved for woman and elders, so if you know who you want to hunt for you, then come to our office and get your tags.  If at any time you have questions regarding your tags, please call me. 

 
Opening Seasons:

            Bear/Cougar: January 1st

            Deer: August 1^st, (no you may not get tags the day before, unless the 1^st falls on
            the weekend)

            Elk: September 15 (one per household)

Meat Requests:  Meat requests are automatically approved for tribal member memorials and funerals. All others are decided upon at the Muckleshoot Wildlife Committee meeting. There is an application to fill out, or please contact myself with the information. There are no "hardship" requests approved. 

Designated Hunters:  Designated hunters are chosen by tribal members, and are automatically approved if they do not have any outstanding fines or other issues with our department. Staff is not responsible for making sure your hunter fills your tags, and you are responsible for any payments in regards to processing your filled tags. I do have a list in my office for people who do not know anyone in the area, and I can add your name, and hope that a hunter comes in and wants to hunt.

The Enforcement Section is staffed by an enforcement officer and four Muckleshoot Tribal members that are responsible for ensuring that Muckleshoot Hunters comply with the Tribal Council approved Hunting Ordinance and Hunting Regulations, annually approved by the Muckleshoot Wildlife Committee.  Enforcement staff is also responsible for the care of the tribal hounds used for management control purposes. 

The Muckleshoot Wildlife Committee also is now offering a $1000 reward for the successful prosecution of Tribal members poaching.  Please contact any Enforcement or Wildlife Program staff if you have any information.  Also, please note that by not turning in the illegal harvest of animals, you are perpetuating the cycle of behavior that will lead to the decrease of the herds, especially those on the White River. Please help us in ensuring that the future generations of Muckleshoot Tribal members will have resources to hunt.

The Wildlife staff works to ensure wildlife resources, that Tribal members rely on, are healthy and sustainable. To accomplish this they survey and conduct studies of game animals.  Staff also propose and implement management approaches to meet herd goals.

One of the key components to increasing deer and elk numbers is to make sure the habitat that they require is abundant and easy to obtain.  We work to accomplish this by meeting with numerous agencies and private companies to help create, enhance and preserve big game habitat. The Wildlife Program also reviews forest practice applications, land use policies, and environmental documents that may diminish or alter available habitat for big game.