Important: Will WDFW make Coyote contests illegal?

[bearpaw]

In a recent WDFW GMAC meeting the attendees learned that WDFW is being challenged by anti-hunters to stop coyote hunting contests. If this happens there will be no more "Coyote Madness Contest" every winter here on the forum. Please read the comments from a GMAC attendee:

At the GMAC meeting Saturday, we were told that the WDFW had received 520 e-mails protesting the coyote derby we have going on right now in Stevens, Pend O'reille, and Spokane counties. This is really sad as it is the only half organized tool we have to take any toll on the coyotes which are depleting our deer numbers, as well as other game species at a very rapid rate. If we let this go the do gooders will win yet another small but important issue. The Fish and Wildlife does nothing to control predators in this state therefore it is up to somebody else to try something. These misinformed people will show up at the Commission meeting next Saturday in Moses Lake and protest coyote contests in the state [not just the one up here]. The Commission will listen to their whining and it will be passed on to the legislature, where they will no doubt do away with coyote hunting derbys. Just a short e-mail can help turn this event. I ask for your support in just sending a short but to the point email to Commission@dfw.wa.gov. in support of predator management. Perhaps we can at least make this a little more difficult for these uninformed people. Please send this message to all your email contacts who you think would agree. Thanks

I would like to ask all hunters to take one minute and send a short friendly message to the Washington Wildlife Commission now. You should also ask friends, family members, and members of any sporting groups you belong to do the same. Here is a sample message, add an additional point or two if desired, but keep it short and friendly:

Send To.... commission@dfw.wa.gov
Subject..... I Support Coyote Hunting Contests

Dear WDFW Commissioners,
I would like to express my strong support for coyote hunting contests. These contests provide a great deal of recreation for hunters across the state and much needed management of Washington's undermanaged coyote population.

Thank you for your consideration,
(your name & address here)

[dc1608]

Email sent to the commission.  I really hope they don't approve this, even though my team didn't connect with any coyotes during the "coyote madness" this year.  I want to be able to keep trying.

Thanks Bearpaw for posting this.

[devldogs55]

I sent one out.. thanks for the heads up.

[pianoman9701]

Email sent. Who says the commission is stacked against hunters?  I almost hope that Inslee screws up the state so badly that it's possible to get a Republican elected. This is getting ridiculous.

[seth30]

Email sent

[TheHunt]

Sent

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[jackmaster]

sent.... what a crock, why stop a contest for a critter that is open all year round, breeds like rabbits and could never possibly be endager of being below numbers wdfw just want to snuff out everything thats fun 

[Curly]

Email sent.

This is an issue that really irritates me about the WDFW.  They manage based on public opinion instead of what is right.  They should simply tell the people complaining about coyote contests to go away (you know, in a PC way of course).  We should not have to flood them with emails to keep a right that benefits WA wildlife.    But, if we don't, they will take it away. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

DONE!!

[Gringo31]

Done....

It's maddening that this is even an issue.  How hard is it to understand that the game we pursue every fall we then want to protect during the critical winter months? 

[saylean]

Sent

[stevemiller]

We should take this op. to overt theyre(The people pushing this issue) att. to the over harvest of elk by Yakama Tribal members.The WDFW wont listen to the hunters they will only listen to the dogooders complaints,This is total BS.They(WDFW) are very quick to rip everything we do away from us in the name of some anti groups wishes but when we voice our Op. on a problem they give us the nothing we can do speech.

               E-mail sent


           They(WDFW) work for us,I think its time to relieve some of the WDFW from theyre duties if they want to join the anti groups on our dime.

[bearpaw]

We should take this op. to overt theyre(The people pushing this issue) att. to the over harvest of elk by Yakama Tribal members.The WDFW wont listen to the hunters they will only listen to the dogooders complaints,This is total BS.They(WDFW) are very quick to rip everything we do away from us in the name of some anti groups wishes but when we voice our Op. on a problem they give us the nothing we can do speech.

               E-mail sent


           They(WDFW) work for us,I think its time to relieve some of the WDFW from theyre duties if they want to join the anti groups on our dime.

I don't think WDFW is promoting this, the worry is that the WDFW commission may crumple due to the influx of messages from anti-hunters. The idea is to support coyote contests with a greater number of messages of support.

We lost hound hunting and trapping, we need all hunters to send messages or we may lose another management tool.

[stevemiller]

Yes I understand that,But what do they do for us, What have they done in washington for us in the past few years?Do they point out scientific data for us to show the need or the good these hunts do for all that are involved?A lot of new hunters and maybe some old hunters as well go buy a hunting license for this and this only.My point is they are not helping us lately.It seems as though the powers that be in the WDFW bow down to the greenies and the antis instead of defending its tool(US THE HUNTERS)If I'm wrong show me what they have done for us.I see what they have done for them,Especially as it pertains to the wolf.Seems that the majority not all of the WDFW are anti hunting anti fishing people doing it on our dime.Hound hunting was a great example,they might as well have paved the way for that to happen.Just like they are doing with the wolf right now.