Free: Contests & Raffles.
To answer the original question, Yup they did.
It's simply ridiculous to believe that the WDFW would have released wolves in this state. As Pianoman said, there is a very lenghty process they would have to follow. ~The same lengthy process as when they "discovered" lynx hair?? LOLThe WDFW stands to benefit from antelope in the future, if they were to increase in numbers enought to where they could be hunted. Wolves? What's the benefit to having them? Nothing. There's no reason the WDFW would want a large population of wolves in this state. The wolves will only decrease the revenue to the WDFW, due to a loss of deer and elk tag sales. ~The green benefit to having wolves is restoring the natural balance to Washington's ecosystems. And watchable wildlife is the next big tourism industry. Haven't you been reading the press releases and studies?So I just don't get where anybody thinks the WDFW would have released wolves in this state. They didn't need to, there were already wolves here anyway, then with wolves coming in from Canada and Idaho.
Quote from: bobcat on August 16, 2012, 07:12:18 AMIt's simply ridiculous to believe that the WDFW would have released wolves in this state. As Pianoman said, there is a very lenghty process they would have to follow. ~The same lengthy process as when they "discovered" lynx hair?? LOLThe WDFW stands to benefit from antelope in the future, if they were to increase in numbers enought to where they could be hunted. Wolves? What's the benefit to having them? Nothing. There's no reason the WDFW would want a large population of wolves in this state. The wolves will only decrease the revenue to the WDFW, due to a loss of deer and elk tag sales. ~The green benefit to having wolves is restoring the natural balance to Washington's ecosystems. And watchable wildlife is the next big tourism industry. Haven't you been reading the press releases and studies?So I just don't get where anybody thinks the WDFW would have released wolves in this state. They didn't need to, there were already wolves here anyway, then with wolves coming in from Canada and Idaho.~ In case you haven't noticed, 8 packs is a very recent phenomenon and there just seem to be trail cams set up to document whenever a new pack "appears". You always seem to believe the government has your best interests as a hunter (or citizen) at heart? LOL.
It's simply ridiculous to believe that the WDFW would have released wolves in this state. As Pianoman said, there is a very lenghty process they would have to follow.
Well I believe they ARE the root of the damage that is being done now; through a combination of action and inaction, the results will be the same....the final three nails in the coffin for national forest based deer and elk hunters in this state.We have a very clear crystal ball on this issue as to the real damage that will be accomplished on our deer and elk herds. One need look no farther east than Idaho and western Montana. By the time they study this to death and are finally forced to implement meaningful lethal control management practices, it will be far too late.We watched the same thing happen for 15yrs with the Ballard Locks sealion issue. WDFW's track record is clear when it comes to protecting preditors and dealing with federally protected predators.
There are so many things about the wolf plan and wolves in the state that we DO know about, making up more is a futile exercise. We have plenty to go after now.Planting animals without the necessary steps outlined in the Congressional recovery plan (1988 it think?) is a federal offense. Not only would they be canned immediately, they'd be charged with felonies. Why would a gubmint employee, working toward retirement with full benefits, throw all of that away to plant some wolves when they're coming in on their own just fine? It makes no sense.
I thought America was all about having your own opinion. It doesn't mean I would not invite any of you to sit by my fire this hunting season. All this divisive passive aggressive sensitivity really is a symptom of our times. Our grandfathers....those of the Greatest Generation, would laugh at us...then kick us in the *censored* and tell us to man up and get it done. I think we have a grand opportunity this election cycle to throw out some of the trash that's accumulated in Olympia over the last 3 decades. As a life-long WA hunter, watching the deterioration of game management in this state has been a heartbreaker and I look forward to voting for whichever candidate promises (and delivers) a major housecleaning where WDFW is concerned. I'm hopeful most here agree and do something about it this November. No Excuses.