Hunting Washington Forum

Holsters and Mag Pouch

We had a good week.  6 of us (4 days) and 4 of us for the remaining 3 days killed about 60 roosters.  Most all on CREP land.  That's public walk-in accessible private land.

The birds certainly do get educated given pressure.

Good to know.  Thanks.  Where do the Pogue deer summer then?  I have been watching the cameras up on Loup Loup Ski Bowl for snow. 

Kelly Susewind has been an excellent director under some very difficult circumstances in terms of dealing with an often times erratic and dysfunctional commission. Through it all he has brought stability to the workforce, strengthened the Department's relationship with the legislature, and stood strong in balancing the dual statutory mandates of the Department to preserve and protect fish and wildlife resources while providing fishing and hunting opportunities for the citizens of the State of Washington. Director Susewind has had a relatively long tenure in his position, longer than most directors of F/W agencies. He has restructured the organization where it made sense and maintained the existing structure where change wasn't needed thereby creating a secure and predictable place for the employees to do their jobs.

Being director of WDFW is a difficult job. When you look across at the 39 counties of the state and think about the diverse opinions about how to manage fish and wildlife from county to county or east to west or anywhere in between, it present challenges and decision making that will nearly always be unpopular to some segment of the citizenry of the state. The one foundation piece that you have to hang on to is the mandate that the legislature set forth for the agency:

"Wildlife, fish, and shellfish are the property of the state. The commission, director, and the department shall preserve, protect, perpetuate, and MANAGE the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and shellfish in the state waters and offshore waters"....."the department shall seek to maintain the economic well-being and stability of the fishing industry in the state. The department shall promote orderly fisheries and enhance and improve recreational and commercial fisheries"....." The commission shall attempt to maximize the public recreational game fishing and hunting opportunities of all citizens, including juvenile, disabled, and senior citizens."

Kelly Susewind has stayed true to the department's mandate, has not wavered even under intense pressure from some commissioners, he has earned the ability to continue as director and leave under his own terms and not be pushed out by a misguided and ill informed group of people who do not understand the mission of the WDFW. I offer these perspectives as someone who has been there as a former director of WDFW.

Any snow up high?