RE: Colockum Elk numbers
The original BIA orders that governed Native American Hunting 'implied' that they could take what was reasonable to stock their tables-it has been on the books since 1896 and was lasted changed in 1953-mostly the fishing protections acts that followed the major dams. It is illegal for them under this provision to harvest beyond what can be claimed for 'need' at the table. The issue is that is enforced under the sanction of the BIA and therefore is basically unenforceable. I studied this issue fairly closely in a graduate course on Indian Affairs. The BIA feels it is would open a wide range of issues and therefore choses not to enforce its own 'orders'. Meanwhile the slaughter continues almost unabated.