Senate confirmations F&W Commission

[pianoman9701]

Sen. Kirk Pearson - Kirk.Pearson@leg.wa.gov

Sen. John Smith - John.Smith@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Christine Rolfes - Christine.Rolfes@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Jim Hargrove - Jim.Hargrove@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Mike Hewitt - Mike.Hewitt@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Adam Kline - Adam.Kline@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Linda Evans Parlette - Linda.Parlette@leg.wa.gov

Thanks Blackdog!

[bearpaw]

I made numerous phone calls this morning to verify my thoughts were similar to others in the hunting community regarding the confirmation of 4 wildlife commissioners. This is basically what everyone I spoke with agreed upon. We encourage anyone to use these talking points.

(copy and paste email list)
Kirk.Pearson@leg.wa.gov; John.Smith@leg.wa.gov; Christine.Rolfes@leg.wa.gov; Jim.Hargrove@leg.wa.gov; Mike.Hewitt@leg.wa.gov; Adam.Kline@leg.wa.gov; Linda.Parlette@leg.wa.gov

Conrad Mahnken - Confirm
Mahnken is an extremely knowledgeable scientist and brings a lot of fisheries expertise to the commission that no one else on the commission possess. He also questioned numerous issues in the wolf plan and supports controlling wolves. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Conrad Mahnken be confirmed. We strongly support Conrad Mahnken's confirmation.

Jay Kehne - Do Not Confirm
Kehne is a paid employee of Conservation Northwest. This in itself is reason enough to oppose his confirmation. Every time Jay Kehne votes he must consider the ramifications if he was to vote against the wishes of his boss Mitch Friedman at Conservation Northwest. Kehne also wants to expand Wilderness areas in Washington and opposes hunters and ranchers on controlling wolves. To his credit Kehne is a hunter and on some other issues he has supported hunters and fishers. However the fact that Kehne is a paid lobbyist for Conservation Northwest cannot be overlooked and he should be considered unqualified for this reason alone. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Jay Kehne is not confirmed. We oppose Jay Kehne's confirmation.

David Jennings - Do Not Confirm
Jennings wants to expand Wilderness areas in Washington, wants to create Marine Protected Areas (Water Wilderness), wants to close rock fishing in the islands opposes hunters and ranchers on controlling wolves, and has opposed hunters on most issues. Many hunters and fishers feel Jennings is probably the worst commissioner for sportsmen. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that David Jennings is not confirmed. We adamantly oppose Jennings confirmation.

Larry Carpenter - Confirm
Carpenter is for the most part a positive for hunters and fishers, he is a member of several sports groups, is willing to listen to others, and is fair. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Larry Carpenter be confirmed. We strongly support Larry Carpenter's confirmation. We encourage everyone to use these talking points.

[pianoman9701]

I haven't been able to find out a lot about Mahnken except that he has a BS in aquatic science, owns a consulting firm that uses an aquatic microorganism to treat Alzheimer's, and has written some papers about the negative effect of hatchery stocks on natural stocks. He at least has a science background to add to the commission.

[pianoman9701]

My Letter to Resources & Parks:

"Dear Senators on the Natural Resources & Parks Commission,

I respectfully write to you today as a voting constituent, a volunteering conservationist, a master hunter, and a concerned Washington resident. Two of the sitting members of the Wildlife Commission who come up for confirmation consideration in your hearing next Tuesday are not suitable candidates for the wildlife commission, Jay Kehne and David Jennings.

Mr. Kehne is a paid consultant for the lobbying organization Conservation Northwest, a vocally pro-wolf organization. Retaining a paid pro-wolf lobbyist on our state wildlife commission seems unbelievable to me. Mr. Jennings is considered by many to be way over the top in his opposition to sport fishing, having once proposed closing much of Neah Bay, a very active and abundant sport fishery, to sport fishing.

As I'm sure you're aware, Dave Ware, wildlife manager for the DFW said last week that he expects damages from wolf depredation to reach $2.3 million dollars this year, a trebling of $750,000.00 in 2012 (ref.
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/2013/03/20/wa-wolf-bill-for-2013-estimated-at-2-3-million/ ). The wolf program has gone out of control and has done so with the help of people like Mr. Kehne and Mr. Jennings and anti-hunting and fishing agendas.

I respectfully submit that WA's sportsmen and women pay half of the WDFW's operating budget through license fees, while only 15% comes from the general fund. The remaining 35% comes back to us from the federally collected funds of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman Robertson), which is funded solely by purchases of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. Sportsmen in this state effectively pay 85% of the WDFW's budget (source: WDFW hunter education booklet). Stacking the wildlife commission with people who oppose fishing in abundant fisheries or promote a wolf program which is outrageous and is growing out of control, seems not only to bite the hand which feeds, but to be in direct opposition to ethics and sound government practice*.

Many of the state's sportsmen are worried and upset by these appointments and feel that the DFW is being led away from serving them and toward serving special interest groups who don't pay the bills and who oppose hunting and fishing. We are depending on you, our elected officials to right this wrong. I beseech you to reconsider these appointments and take these people off the commission for the benefit of our sportsmen, solid scientifically-based wildlife management,  and balanced conservation.

I respectfully request the courtesy of a reply. Thank you all for your service to our great state.

--
Most Sincerely,
John
Vancouver

*Our approved wolf plan is 50% more aggressive than that
 of MT and we have 16 times their population density. MT is having
severe problems, not only with its plummeting ungulate (deer, elk,
moose) populations, but the entire economy which surrounds sporting and
hunting. Our expected increase in spending is just the tip of the
 iceberg if we don't manage these predators to levels appropriate with
our geographic and habitat limitations."

[WAcoyotehunter]

So is Kehne.
After doing a very little research and speaking with some people, I've found out that the wolf plan was adopted before Larry Carpenter was appointed to the commission. In addition, from all I've been able to glean on his background, he's an avid sport fisherman and has hunted extensively in the past. I can't say for certain but am under the impression that he would be a good supporter of fisherman and hunters in this state, and may be more of an ally than an opponent to those of us who think the wolf plan has gone over the edge.

Carpenter is as big of a hunter/fishermen as you'll get 

[CementFinisher]

Exactly they dont have to be confirmed. remember the battle against kayne? if we want to see better people being appointed we have to do our best to convence those around us to vote, and vote Republican. i cant remember the commisioner but he had a giant stack of e mails and phone calls and letters and said he had never seen that much opposition to a member in keynes case and yet he served.

[bearpaw]

This is our chance to ask the senate to get rid of a couple commissioners. The chair of the committee last year was afraid to let Kehn come up for a vote. Now there is a different chair, if he allows the commissioners to come up for a vote I think there may be enough votes to get rid of a couple commissioners.

You guys have complained, here is your chance to take a couple minutes and make a difference. If you can't take the time then don't complain when the commission reduces your favorite season or votes against managing wolves in Washington in the face of declining big game herds.

Now is your chance to make a difference.

Instead of complaining on this forum, take a few minutes and write the senators. We have included an email list and some talking points to assist.

[bearpaw]

Politics change all the time and right now is a good time to at least try to make a difference.

[CementFinisher]

Without a doubt we should all take a few minutes to do this. bearpaw so please explain in detail how we may have a better chance at affecting the out come this time. dont know much about the new head chair

[bearpaw]

Committee Chairs control what gets voted on in their committee.

Last year Ranker was the committee chairman who did not bring Kehn up for a vote, we figure that is because he feared he would not get confirmed, so he let Kehne serve without confirmation. Ranker is also the legislator who complained about the wolf pack being destroyed that was eating McIrvins cattle. Ranker lives on San Jaun Island, that's where Joel Kretz's wolf bill would have planted wolves. He was taking a shot at Ranker.

The commission confirmations are scheduled for the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee which is chaired by Kirk Pearson (R) and the Vice-Chair is Senator John Smith (R) of Colville (where I live) whom I have spoken on the phone regarding wolves. It is his wolf bills that got approved in the Senate and are in the House right now.

I can assure you that Senator John Smith is opposed to the current wolf problems. I have been told that the Chair Kirk Pearson supports hunters. Several of the senators on that committee are also friendly to hunters.

Now is the time to take action. Use some of the talking points below or write your own message and then send it to the 7 senators in the email list below.

I made numerous phone calls this morning to verify my thoughts were similar to others in the hunting community regarding the confirmation of 4 wildlife commissioners. This is basically what everyone I spoke with agreed upon. We encourage anyone to use these talking points.

(copy and paste email list)
Kirk.Pearson@leg.wa.gov; John.Smith@leg.wa.gov; Christine.Rolfes@leg.wa.gov; Jim.Hargrove@leg.wa.gov; Mike.Hewitt@leg.wa.gov; Adam.Kline@leg.wa.gov; Linda.Parlette@leg.wa.gov

Conrad Mahnken - Confirm
Mahnken is an extremely knowledgeable scientist and brings a lot of fisheries expertise to the commission that no one else on the commission possess. He also questioned numerous issues in the wolf plan and supports controlling wolves. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Conrad Mahnken be confirmed. We strongly support Conrad Mahnken's confirmation.

Jay Kehne - Do Not Confirm
Kehne is a paid employee of Conservation Northwest. This in itself is reason enough to oppose his confirmation. Every time Jay Kehne votes he must consider the ramifications if he was to vote against the wishes of his boss Mitch Friedman at Conservation Northwest. Kehne also wants to expand Wilderness areas in Washington and opposes hunters and ranchers on controlling wolves. To his credit Kehne is a hunter and on some other issues he has supported hunters and fishers. However the fact that Kehne is a paid lobbyist for Conservation Northwest cannot be overlooked and he should be considered unqualified for this reason alone. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Jay Kehne is not confirmed. We oppose Jay Kehne's confirmation.

David Jennings - Do Not Confirm
Jennings wants to expand Wilderness areas in Washington, wants to create Marine Protected Areas (Water Wilderness), wants to close rock fishing in the islands opposes hunters and ranchers on controlling wolves, and has opposed hunters on most issues. Many hunters and fishers feel Jennings is probably the worst commissioner for sportsmen. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that David Jennings is not confirmed. We adamantly oppose Jennings confirmation.

Larry Carpenter - Confirm
Carpenter is for the most part a positive for hunters and fishers, he is a member of several sports groups, is willing to listen to others, and is fair. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Larry Carpenter be confirmed. We strongly support Larry Carpenter's confirmation. We encourage everyone to use these talking points.

[Hunter4Life]

Please email Katharine.Grimes@leg.wa.gov.  By emailing Katherine, copies of each member will be copied and presented to each committee member on the hearing date.   If you want to email the committee members email the four Republicans (Pearson, Smith, Hewitt, and Parlette) and Democratic Senator Jim Hargrove.  The four Republicans look like solid allies and Hargrove is fairly pro-hunting.  He is NOT a wolf lover and he is very reasonable.  Hargrove is the guy we need to pound with messages.  Adam Kline would not cast a pro-hunting vote if his kids were being held hostage and that was a condition of their safe release.  He represents the Central District of Seattle, which has virually no hunters in his district.  He is horrible.  Christine Rolfes will not be turned either. 

There is no reason why we should lose this fight. 

Conrad Mahnken, in my opinion is the best member of the Wildlife Commission.  He is very smart, he understand hunting issues, and he is a good listener.  I support his confirmation.

Larry Carpenter is a fisheries guy, but he is fair and also a good listener.  We could do a lot worse than Larry Carpenter.  I support his confirmation.

Jay Kehne is fairly knowledgeable on certain hunting issues, but he is radically pro-wolf and his affiliation with Conservation Northwest makes him unacceptable in my opinion.  He will not make the necessary chamges in the wolf plan to protect ungulates and protect hunting interests because of his radical pro-wolf agenda.  Kehne is very intelligent and he sounds good, but his actions speak louder than his words.  The county commissioners from his own county unanimously opposed him.  Jay Kehne can't represent the views of Conservation Northwest and maintain independence to serve on the Commission as long as he receives a paycheck from Conservation Northwest.  He will be doing the bidding of his employer.  This is a clear conflict of interest and a disservice to the public. Jay Kehne’s appointment is a direct conflict of interest where he will serve to approve projects instituted and developed by his employer, giving preferential treatment to his organization.

Dave Jennings is worst member of the Wildlife Coimmission bar none.  He makes Jay Kehne look like Craig Boddington.  He is a far-left radical environmentalist.  Beating Jennings has to be priority # 1.   The fishing community can't stand this clown either.  He is as bad as they get.

[bearpaw]

I agree about Jennings being the worst commissioner. 

My biggest concern with Jay Kehne is that sooner or later the Commission will likely be voting or setting policy on whether or not to allow a hunting season or a control measure to reduce wolf numbers in problem areas. Jay Kehne is employed by Conservation Northwest, the most outspoken pro-wolf group in Washington. Is there any question as to how he will vote when it comes to managing wolves? This is the reason he must not be confirmed. For the record I had a couple hour conversation with Jay in my home. He seems like a hell of a nice guy and he showed me some elk hunting photos, but he is getting a paycheck from Mitch Friedman and that means he would have to disobey his employer to support hunting wolves, in my opinion how can he be impartial? As one of the Eastern Washington commissioners how is he serving eastern Washington and in particular Stevens and Okanogan County?

[Hunter4Life]

Kehne has to go!   

He will do nothing to control wolves.

Jennings is so bad that may be the worst commisser in the entire country that serves on a sportmen's related commission.  He is a sea kitten kind of guy.  He is that bad.

[Hunter4Life]

This is the most important thing that you can do to help hunting in our state.  The Republicans are giving us this opportunity on a silver platter.  Remember, all four guys up for confirmation on the Wildlife Commission have had a state senate hearing and they were not voted on.  They can sit unconfirmed until their term expires without ever having another hearing.  They don't have to be voted on, but now they are being brought up for a vote.  The Senate Natural Resources Committee Chair is bringing these guys up for hearings even though he doesn't have to.  The writing is so clear.  The hunting community and ranchers are being thrown a political bone.  I would bet that a majority of hunters and ranchers vote Republican.  The Republican strongholds in Bellevue and the eastside, in 1980 had all nine seats held by Republicans.  The GOP now has three.  The GOP is losing in the burbs.  The GOP has to find new voters.  This session Republicans were unified on gun issues.  They only had two or three defecters at most on the anti-gun legislation.  The GOP finally has some political clout and they are willing to do what the Democrats do - share the wealth with people that support them.  I am not a Republican.  I am a political realist whose passion is preserving our Second Amendment and right to hunt.  Right now Republicans in this state want to be our allies and I will accept that as long as they support our issues.  We have to do our part.  We may never again have this chance to make a bigger splash than this.   The Republicans on the committee need to hear from us and so does Hargrove.  There are some pro-hunting Democrats who support this 100%.

[Hunter4Life]

Conrad Mahnken - Confirm
Mahnken is an extremely knowledgeable scientist and brings a lot of fisheries expertise to the commission that no one else on the commission possess. He also questioned numerous issues in the wolf plan and supports controlling wolves. It is my recommendation and the recommendation of other hunters and fishers that Conrad Mahnken be confirmed. We strongly support Conrad Mahnken's confirmation.

Well said Bearpaw.  I could not agree more.