Moving to Washington State.

[Freischütz]

In 2014 Washington's Governor purposed a capital gains tax. In 2015 the State's Treasurer proposed an income tax. Neither happened but they should be a warning if you are considering Washington.

[root]

Like others I left ( 1991) Whatcom county king county areas.

Still have family there last visit to the state was 2004.
Great place to visit no place to live. I think even BIGFOOT left.

I'll stay right here in Pa for now, made that permanent choice in 2001

Rich

[quilbilly]

In my local legislative district here on the Olympic Peninsula, one candidate for a seat (Democrat, of course) announced this week he favors an income tax "for the rich". The local newspaper in this heavily D district then did a poll that appeared this morning - results: 77% against an income tax of any kind with 18% for. Sadly, half of those against will still vote for the guy because he is a D.

[Three44s]

Like my "location" .......... too close to Comunisim!

Three 44s

[jiandawg]

Just curious if anyone has any info about the Whatcom county area. I drove up through the West coast of Washington a week or so ago and loved the place. Saw quite a few deer and there were wild edibles growing everywhere, and clamming, crabbing, and what looked to be decent ocean fishing (saw a bunch of flatfish), but every one that I talked to was a tourist and the LGS was closed because of the weekend. I did see a lot of Trump signs so I'm guessing the attitude towards firearms is good, but I was curious as to where one can go shoot. In Wyoming I can just go out on BLM land and shoot. No need for a gun range, I get the feeling that isn't the case in Washington. Am I wrong?

[starmac]

Attitude towards firearms is good, I guess that would be a matter of opinion and weather you were talking to an anti or not.

Those Trump signs might just be because of their attitude towards in the last few years, but I highly doubt there will be enough of them to make a difference.

[quilbilly]

Just curious if anyone has any info about the Whatcom county area. I drove up through the West coast of Washington a week or so ago and loved the place. Saw quite a few deer and there were wild edibles growing everywhere, and clamming, crabbing, and what looked to be decent ocean fishing (saw a bunch of flatfish), but every one that I talked to was a tourist and the LGS was closed because of the weekend. I did see a lot of Trump signs so I'm guessing the attitude towards firearms is good, but I was curious as to where one can go shoot. In Wyoming I can just go out on BLM land and shoot. No need for a gun range, I get the feeling that isn't the case in Washington. Am I wrong?

Whatcom County is a beautiful place just northeast of me across the water. You are right about lots of wild edibles and we haven't even started mushroom time yet (in a couple weeks). There are dozens of nearby lakes with free public boat launches to fish for trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, etc. etc. Forget saltwater fishing as well as river steelhead fishing these days in Washington State so you have to head to Canada. The Mt Baker/Snoqualmie Nat. Forest is also nearby with opportunities to shoot and the state has thousands of acres nearby although the state is making it tough on shooters. Shooting places out on public lands don't last long after a clearcut because the jungle (aka rainforest) takes them back every 3-4 years. Bellingham has some excellent sporting goods/LGS stores and Cabelas isn't that far. Lots of deer and a few elk available in the county as well as plenty of bear. The college in Bellingham is a hotbed of violent econazis's and marxists (not exactly a news flash). I have always used the airport in Bellingham to fly out if I have a choice over the Seattle airport. Bellingham's radio station (790 AM) is conservative and their rock station (92.9 FM) advertises for the local gun and outdoor stores (!!).
For the record - I define nearby as within 20 miles of downtown Bellingham.

[jiandawg]

Thanks for the info so far.

I was talking to an older couple who were crabbing at Pacific beach and they were saying that there is always a season up there. Be it berries or crabbing or mushrooms, but is the fishing really that bad? When I was walking around the beach at Birch Bay i saw several sole/flounder trapped in the pools and I've read that surf perch are abundant. If I had the time I would have taken some fishing gear and gotten an out of state license for a day or two and tried my luck, but I only had 7 days off of work to do the 3200+ mile trip.

[quilbilly]

Yes, it is that bad for saltwater and river fishing. In the inland waters that the state manages about all we have left is several species of flounder and and a couple species of perch. Offshore in federal waters things are better. If you want to get serious about saltwater fishing in Washington State for species other than perch or flounder, Neah Bay Makah Indian Reservation is where you go. Nowadays if you want to fish steelhead in rivers, The Quinault Indian Reservation is where you go. The anti-sportfishing activists have eliminated most saltwater and river opportunities except on Reservations plus we had two governors in a row virulently anti-sportfishing (hunters were too tough a nut to crack politically). It is a very long sordid story. I know the details because I have had a wholesale sport fishing tackle business here for 38 years and wrote for 25 years forseveral newspapers and magazines about hunting/fishing. The good news is that bass fishing on both sides of the mountains in this state is still great, duck hunting is excellent, crabbing is good, and deer hunting for all three species is pretty good at times. Next year's coho (silver) salmon return in August and September will be the biggest in decades so hopefully the sports anglers will be allowed to fish for them, not just commercial netters but we will find that out in March 2017.

[ol skool]

I have to ask. Why would you leave Wyoming to move to Washington?

Is this it? Oregon is producing weed in unprecidented quantities. I mean it... is... in ev..er...y... bodies backyard!

Both OSP and WSP said they're not interested is policing weed interstate transfers any longer. A literally impossible enforcement task. The Columbia River is no boundery for dope.

The market will have something to say about dope prices and farming outlook in a couple months. Wait first. Check on prices per pound around October - November before you leave paradise for a pair of dice. If it's still ~$1500/lbs wholesale (last couple years average) for top shelf then you have something to think about.

Beef, even coal, muley's, pronghorn and an elk in the freezer might look much more interesting than a few crab, bottom fish and a blacktail by then. If you were talking SE AK, well... now that's fishing!

One other thing that you need to consider. The mental anquish of living in a irrational corrupt blue state. Trust me on this, it's worth money to live in a free country. The left coast ain't it.

[jiandawg]

I know this might sound like sacrilege, but I haven't been interested in hunting in for probably 10 years or so now. I lived in Montana for 16 years and during that time I went out for pretty much everything that you could get a tag for. When I was a kid though, I lived in New Hampshire and there's just something about the ocean that I miss. Add to that fact I love seafood, I keep thinking I should just move to the ocean.

Also living in southern Wyoming, it's pretty much like a desert. I just miss being able to go out and find huckleberries, blackberries, wild strawberries and whatnot like I did in northern MT. And I haven't really had any luck fishing in this area. Most common fish I've caught since moving to Wyoming? Carp...

The other thing is, like Wyoming, there is no state income tax, just a 8.5% sales tax, which isn't too far off the 6% I currently have. I know that there has been talk of one possibly being implemented, but for right now...0.

And I am actually looking at AK, but there is currently a job that I can put a transfer to in WA.

[jiandawg]

As for weed, if I wanted that, an hour and a half and I can be in CO and get an ounce legally.

[ol skool]

From what I've read New Hampshire is a free country. One of the most free states in the USA. I've been pondering that for retirement. But that's not your question I know.

Washignton is cool, just like everywhere it's what you make of it that counts. My brother lives there. Loves the life style he can have. I honestly don't think he'll ever leave.

But, he grew up a hardcore union guy, voted left all his life. Yelled and screamed over and over at me about how great unions and Democrats were and the corporations and right wingers were messing up the country.

He's hardcore Libertarian now. I mean hardcore, despises his theiving union and his corrupt gov't. Washington state and his union taught him what the real meaning of greed was. He's a smart fellow. Who says you can't teach an old dog!

[William Yanda]

Isn't NH being influenced by MA the way other states are being influences by escapees from California?

[quilbilly]

Ol Skool pretty much has it right about his brother: "[COLOR=#333333]Washignton is cool, just like everywhere it's what you make of it that counts. My brother lives there. Loves the life style he can have. I honestly don't think he'll ever leave. "
The lifestyle is great and the weather is great (don't tell anybody). We have all the clams and crab we can eat with sackfuls of chanterelle and other mushrooms in the fall. Deer are all over to keep the freezer full. I have two shooting ranges in the yard and neighbors who enjoy them with us as well. Our trees keep us warm in the winter. Several good bass and trout lakes are within 15 minutes drive. The only competition for this lifestyle might be northern Nevada (imagine THAT contrast). "Ol Skool's" brother doesn't know the half of how corrupt and greedy our state government is, however, but all roses have thorns.

[jiandawg]

I'll still try for the transfer, if I end up not liking life in WA then I only have to wait 2 years before being able to put in another transfer, but from everything I've heard and seen, Pacific coast Washington should suit me just fine. And the two year reprieve from snow and ice would be nice.

I did look at NH for a while but after speaking to an old college buddy that lives there, I just get the impression that cost of living is insane. Right now the states on my radar are the no income tax states.

[thxmrgarand]

Last year a fellow who appeared to be informed about Washington was moving there and told me the state now combs obituaries and reminds estate executors that any transfer of a firearm has to have a background check (and I presume associated registration). Anyone who misses the ocean and likes to fish might investigate the part of Alaska called Southeast - basically Ketchikan to Yakutat and all the associated islands in the region. Lots of fish, lots of ocean. No sales or income tax although low oil prices have brought the debate so there could be new taxes in the future. Hunting is good and there is none of the Amazon-Microsoft socialist ideology. Free shipping here with Amazon Prime. State ferries allow avoiding the TSA. Concealed and open carry allowed without permit for anyone who can legally own or use a firearm. Alaska appears to be a very safe vote for Trump but we have but 3 electoral college votes.

[jiandawg]

Speaking of Amazon, the downside to moving to WA will be that anything I order from Amazon will be subject to the sales tax.

I was actually looking at Skagway AK a year or two ago, but that area just seemed way too remote and I do not want to live by Anchorage.

[quilbilly]

When you get here, look me up. In the early summer we will teach you to "hand crab" (unless you like doing it in the dark in winter in the rain during the winter crabbing season). You don't need no stinking boat to get all the crab you want. If you are up in the Bellingham area, the only challenge is timing the ferry from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend to get those super low tides unless you decide to spend the night in one of our shacks I built back in the woods for wounded veterans needing to get out of the VA hospital for a bit.

[johnson1942]

as to a wahington state con. carry all you have to do is put down 60 dollars and fill out a form. easiest state to get one. went into a gun shop in spokane a couple of weeks ago and walked out with a savage 7mm, easiest buy i ever did. the east is very different than the west. except the olympic mountains, now that is really really nice. every state has good and bad parts.