Wolf Legislation in Washington (help needed)

[bearpaw]

Wolf legislation is working it's way through the Senate and has a good chance of passing out of the Senate. It will face tougher opposition in the House of Representatives where the wolf groups have more support.

We need hunters who are willing to make a quick call to the legislative hotline and/or send emails supporting Wolf Management in Washington. We will provide the phone number to call and we'll provide a suggested message and a copy and paste email list of legislators to send comments to. This is a chance for us to get some management of wolves in Washington!

Please just post in this topic if you are willing to help and I will post all the info as soon as we need to make calls and send email.

THANKS!
______________________________________________________

UPDATE:

Senator Smith called, he is the sponsor of 3 wolf bills, they are all still alive and he is confident at least some will get a full Senate vote and may pass and move to the House. In the House they will have a harder time, that is when our help will be most needed.

Senator Smith will contact me at the most important times to call and email legislators in support of these bills. I will post the hotline number, a "copy and past" email list of legislators, and a short list of important points to make in your message in this topic and then I will send everyone email so you know you need to take action.

The WDFW has admitted that current wolf policy is the result of social politics not biology, we must make our voices heard now.

SB 5187
Requires that rules established by the fish and wildlife commission allow an owner of livestock to kill a mammalian predator, regardless of state classification, without a permit or other form of permission.
Bill Language: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5187-S.pdf
Sponsors: Senators Smith, Becker, Roach, Schoesler, Honeyford

SB 5188
Authorizes a county legislative authority to:
(1) Declare that an imminent threat to commercial livestock, caused by wolves, exists under certain circumstances; and
(2) Authorize the lethal removal of wolves by the county sheriff or an agent of the county without a permit or other form of permission from the department of fish and wildlife in order to abate the imminent threat.
Bill Language: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5188.pdf
Sponsors: Senators Smith, Becker, Roach, Schoesler, Honeyford, Holmquist Newbry

SB 5193  (designates the gray wolf as a game animal)
Creates Washington's wolves special license plates. Prohibits the department of fish and wildlife from:
(1) Paying more than fifty thousand dollars per fiscal year from the state wildlife account for claims and assessment costs for injury or loss of certain livestock; and
(2) Expending any money deposited into the state wildlife account that is received from the sale of Washington's wolves license plates for the purposes of lethal wolf management.
Bill Language: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5193-S.pdf
Sponsors: Senators Smith, Roach, Honeyford, Delvin
By Request: Department of Fish and Wildlife

[haugenna]

Count me in.

Better to get an email chain going as I read emails more often than threads on this site.  Set it up to bcc everyone the info.

Let me know if that is a possibility and I will post my email address.

[gaddy]

im all for management of these critters(trying to be nice). can you give us any info as to this legislation as it stands to date? is there a reason for waiting?

[Squatch200]

I'm in.

[washelkhunter]

I'm in.

[Skyvalhunter]

Have to get this passed.In here

[Dan-o]

In

[denali]

ready

[Hermannr]

You might want to read this.  3 additional EW F&W wolf management hearings.

http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/news/seventh-district-lawmakers-say-new-wolf-meetings-in-ne-washington-a-direct-result-of-public-input/

[CementFinisher]

bump

[Eli346]

I'm In.

[Special T]

 

[NWBREW]

 

[ICEMAN]

In.

[BOWHUNTER45]

This is why this state is so freakin messed up ...Thank King County Well at least someone is waking up 

[brianmtsinc]

Please count me in   

[arees]

What is the bill number.

[pianoman9701]

Yeah Bearpaw, please give us specific bill number(s) and sponsor information, as well as the committee(s) who are hearing the arguments. Thanks,
PMan

[bearpaw]

You might want to read this.  3 additional EW F&W wolf management hearings.

http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/news/seventh-district-lawmakers-say-new-wolf-meetings-in-ne-washington-a-direct-result-of-public-input/

Due to input from local people, WDFW is doing 3 meetings in local towns to talk to ranchers about wolves in NE Washington. 

ALSO - I updated my original post with more information about these bills.

[fishinmike]

I'm in

[Northway]

You might want to read this.  3 additional EW F&W wolf management hearings.

http://houserepublicans.wa.gov/news/seventh-district-lawmakers-say-new-wolf-meetings-in-ne-washington-a-direct-result-of-public-input/

That's great that they are taking the meetings to NE Washington. I hope they have folks available who can take the withering criticism that will be coming their way. I saw the carnivore specialist speak a while back and I get the impression he may not have the experience yet to handle a meeting like that on his own........

[bearpaw]

It would be good to see all 3 bills pass and become law, SB 5193 probably has the best chance to pass and become law because it's supported by WDFW and does something for all sides of the wolf issue.

- Designates the wolf as a big game animal
- Creates a wolf license plate that provides funds for livestock losses
- Designates WDFW payouts for livestock losses up to $50,000 annually
- License Plate money cannot be used for lethal removal of wolves

[Northway]

From my understanding neither SB5187 or SB5188 are expected to move out of committee at this time.

[villageidiot]

The best bill already died. The one Joel Kretz proposed to move excess wolves from the NE to the west side so we could reach the goals faster.  The wolfers showed their cards when they refused to accept these precious animals they claim to love so much.  You can bet your boots anything that would let a rancher protect his livestock will not fly.  They have clearly beyond the shadow of a doubt shown they hate ranchers and anybody living in the rural eastern part of the state.
  The meetings they are putting on in the NE part of the state to inform ranchers is 4 years too late.  The ranchers have been dealing with wolves for many years now and have developed a hatred for them after seeing their livestock killed.   Most of the ranchers know way morre about these wolves than the WDFW can ever tell them.  Most of them have been lucky and crafty enough to deal with the problem without getting penalized but some have not.  Many ranchers have decided to deal with the problem themselves after seeing their neighbor try to work with WDFW and the Feds and only end up getting into big trouble in the process. 
  If a tree falls in the woods and nobody hears it, does it make a sound?   If a gunshot goes off and nobody hears it, did it really shoot?

[bearpaw]

   I know the wolf issue is frustrating, but the only way to get change is to help support these bills, we still need more people willing to make phone calls and send email to try and get things changed.

[chukarchaser]

Respended to all bills.  Thanks for keeping us updated so we can make our voices heard

[haugenna]

Who do we contact to express our support of these bills?

[kevinlisa06]

Count me in, let me know what I can do to help out.

[Special T]

Time to ramp this up with the wolf attack in the Methow. 

[mulehunter]

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Legislature-Whats-alive-whats-dead-as-budget-looms-198189591.html


WOLF KILLS: The Senate has advanced a measure allowing livestock and pet owners to shoot endangered gray wolves without a permit when the wolves are attacking or threatening their animals. Supporters say they have the right to protect their property. Opponents say it would hurt the state's wolf recovery efforts and contradicts years of effort put into hashing out a state wolf plan. (SB 5187)

[Elkaholic daWg]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Wednesday March 20


Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 8 a.m.

    Protecting Domestic Animals Against Gray Wolf Attacks – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5187
    Acquisition of Habitat & Recreation Lands by the State – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5054
    Derelict and Abandoned Vessels in State Waters – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5663

[Northway]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Wednesday March 20


Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 8 a.m.

    Protecting Domestic Animals Against Gray Wolf Attacks – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5187
    Acquisition of Habitat & Recreation Lands by the State – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5054
    Derelict and Abandoned Vessels in State Waters – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5663

I haven't heard about a lot of strong opposition to 5187. Maybe it can pass the house?

[Elkaholic daWg]

Who do we contact to express our support of these bills?

 jan.angel@leg.wa.gov, gary.alexander@leg.wa.gov, appleton.sherry@leg.wa.gov, bergquist.steve@leg.wa.gov, blake.brian@leg.wa.gov, vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov, reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov, bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov, 'frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov, judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov, eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov, cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov, larry.crouse@leg.wa.gov, cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov, richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov, hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov, susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov, farrell.jessyn@leg.wa.gov, fey.jake@leg.wa.gov, fitzgibbon.joe@leg.wa.gov, freeman.roger@leg.wa.gov, roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov, tami.green@leg.wa.gov, habib.cyrus@leg.wa.gov, haigh.kathy@leg.wa.gov, larry.haler@leg.wa.gov, drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov, mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, paul.harris@leg.wa.gov, brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov, dave.hayes@leg.wa.gov, jeff.holy@leg.wa.gov, mike.hope@leg.wa.go, zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov, sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov, ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov, christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov, laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov, norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov, ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov, steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov, brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov, linda.kochmar@leg.wa.gov, joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov, dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov, marko.liias@leg.wa.gov, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov, drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov, chad.magendanz@leg.wa.gov, matt.manweller@leg.wa.gov, maxwell.marcie@leg.wa.gov, john.mccoy@leg.wa.gov, jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov, morrell.dawn@leg.wa.gov, jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov, luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov, terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov, steve.oban@leg.wa.gov, ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov, timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov, tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov, jason.overstreet@leg.wa.gov, kevin.parker@leg.wa.gov, jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov, eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov, liz.pike@leg.wa.gov, gerry.pollet@leg.wa.gov, chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov, riccelli.marcus@leg.wa.gov, maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov, jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov, charles.ross@leg.wa.gov, cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov, santos.sharontomiko@leg.wa.gov, sawyer.david@leg.wa.gov, joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov, elizabeth.scott@leg.wa.gov, larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov, mike.sells@leg.wa.gov, matt.shea@leg.wa.gov, shelly.short@leg.wa.gov, norma.smith@leg.wa.gov, larry.springer@leg.wa.gov, derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov, stonier.monica@leg.wa.gov, pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov, dean.takko@leg.wa.gov, tarleton.gael@leg.wa.gov, david.taylor@leg.wa.gov, steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov, ave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov, kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov, brandon.vick@leg.wa.gov, maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov, judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov, jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov, sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov, hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov
mike.hope@leg.wa.gov, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov