Elk Hoof Disease Public Meeting - Wed, May 21st 1-4PM - Please Attend!!

[pianoman9701]

Lol, that's it!

[Bob33]

There are 113 species that are candidates in Washington for state listing as endangered, threatened, or sensitive. This list includes eight species of whale, woodland caribou, sharp-tail grouse, sandhill crane, eagles, owls, several species of squirrel, several species of turtle, sharp-tail grouse, grizzly bear, and yes wolves just to name a few. All require departmental resources to study.

Bighorn sheep, some of the finest herds in the world, are dying from pneumonia.

Sea ducks are in decline.

Deer suffer from hair-loss.

Habitat is being lost as an alarming rate.

Lest some have forgotten, the “F” in WDFW stands for “Fish”. In addition to animals, the department is also responsible for fish species in the state, both commercial and recreational.

Where’s the outrage over what the department allegedly isn’t doing for all these issues?

There’s far more on the department’s plate than anyone here gives them credit for. Is it ignorance, or simply that they’re not playing by your rules and priorities?

[bobcat]

Good post Bob33. Don't forget spotted owls and marbled murrelets.

I guess what we need is a Department of Game, AND a Department of Fish and Wildlife.

[ELKBURGER]

It is obvious that WDFW has been focusing on more revenue, not channelling resources where they belong. Yes there are many troubled species statewide. But Region 5 has had a hoof issue for 20 years and it has spread to neighboring units now. The state has admitted they are not sure what it is. They chose to sit back and monitor the situation until recently when the local communities started questioning WDFW on the progress or lack there of.
Im not gonna give them a pass on this one......

[idahohuntr]

I think hes trying a new angle on getting some OIL tags!

Duh...I don't want to hear any complaining after I draw...you all had your chance to be nice

And no, I'm not a wdfw employee...I have absolutely no connection to the agency other than being a volunteer on the GMAC.

Seriously though, what gets me more than anything is this:
WDFW staff are public servants who devote their careers to serving sportsmen.  People who get these jobs are not out to do harm or undermine the public and that is what a lot of these posts seem to insinuate or directly claim.  We can all monday morning quarterback whether they should have collected more samples or done this and that, and I think its appropriate to voice concern if we think they are missing something...where the line needs to be drawn though is when sportsmen start attacking WDFW as though they want to inflict harm or don't care about wildlife or the people who enjoy wildlife.  WDFW is our biggest ally in protecting and perpetuating hunting and fishing opportunity in Washington State...lets not find ways to alienate them and create unnecessary rifts.

[pianoman9701]

Bob, I get that you think the WDFW is doing all it can for hunters and wildlife. Your post calling me shameful for my accusations about their lack of movement on hoof disease was quite clear, although misplaced (my remarks were aimed at the WDFW, not the working group as you charged). I simply disagree with you and think much more can be done and should have been done by now on the hoof disease issue. I think there are areas they do very well, like the LE and bios in the field, for whom I have the greatest respect and by whom I have always been treated kindly and professionally. But, there are areas where they're severely lacking and a disease affecting the state's largest elk herd should be a top concern right now, one that eclipses many of the items you listed in your last post. If we lose our elk, we're in big trouble. Not only is elk hunting a huge part of our state's economy and a substantial investment for hunters, but they're are a big attraction for many non-hunting citizens of our state and tourists who visit us. Not to mention that losing them is tragic. I'm very concerned about the future of hunting in our state, and more immediately, for our elk herds. You can call me ignorant or claim that I only call them out for not playing by my rules or priorities. But, that's not what's happening at all and I think you've known me long enough to realize it. But when it comes down to it, I don't really care about your opinion of me.

[ELKBURGER]

I think hes trying a new angle on getting some OIL tags!

Duh...I don't want to hear any complaining after I draw...you all had your chance to be nice

And no, I'm not a wdfw employee...I have absolutely no connection to the agency other than being a volunteer on the GMAC.

Seriously though, what gets me more than anything is this:
WDFW staff are public servants who devote their careers to serving sportsmen.  People who get these jobs are not out to do harm or undermine the public and that is what a lot of these posts seem to insinuate or directly claim.  We can all monday morning quarterback whether they should have collected more samples or done this and that, and I think its appropriate to voice concern if we think they are missing something...where the line needs to be drawn though is when sportsmen start attacking WDFW as though they want to inflict harm or don't care about wildlife or the people who enjoy wildlife.  WDFW is our biggest ally in protecting and perpetuating hunting and fishing opportunity in Washington State...lets not find ways to alienate them and create unnecessary rifts.

I agree the WDFW should be our biggest ally. My biggest concern is the management of resources. The dedication of the public servants is not in question. If an issue as big as hoof disease comes up, you need to appropriate funds and personnel in a timely manner to deal with it. Waiting years to confront the issue is mismanagement in my book. Hind sight is 20/20 and Im sure the did not predict the disease to spread or the public backlash. They are hitting the issue hard now and thats what the elk deserve.

[Bob33]

Bob, I get that you think the WDFW is doing all it can for hunters and wildlife. Your post calling me shameful for my accusations about their lack of movement on hoof disease was quite clear, although misplaced (my remarks were aimed at the WDFW, not the working group as you charged). I simply disagree with you and think much more can be done and should have been done by now on the hoof disease issue. I think there are areas they do very well, like the LE and bios in the field, for whom I have the greatest respect and by whom I have always been treated kindly and professionally. But, there are areas where they're severely lacking and a disease affecting the state's largest elk herd should be a top concern right now, one that eclipses many of the items you listed in your last post. If we lose our elk, we're in big trouble. Not only is elk hunting a huge part of our state's economy and a substantial investment for hunters, but they're are a big attraction for many non-hunting citizens of our state and tourists who visit us. Not to mention that losing them is tragic. I'm very concerned about the future of hunting in our state, and more immediately, for our elk herds. You can call me ignorant or claim that I only call them out for not playing by my rules or priorities. But, that's not what's happening at all and I think you've known me long enough to realize it. But when it comes down to it, I don't really care about your opinion of me.

Just so we are clear I have never said that WDFW is doing everything it can for wildlife.

You have apparently taken this post as being personally directed at you which it was not, but feel free to believe that.

[t6]

You can think that the Government Employees have dedicated their Careers or Life towards public service if you want to.  As a Government Employee, I can assure you that many of us began our careers believing that we could save the world and that was our job.

The reality is that we can only do what we are allowed to do by upper management who many times become more politicans than public servants.  As a result many of us want to finish our careers, save the ones we can, and collect our retirement. 

Dont think its a noble cause in everyone's case, or for their entire career. 

[ELKBURGER]

You can think that the Government Employees have dedicated their Careers or Life towards public service if you want to.  As a Government Employee, I can assure you that many of us began our careers believing that we could save the world and that was our job.

The reality is that we can only do what we are allowed to do by upper management who many times become more politicans than public servants.  As a result many of us want to finish our careers, save the ones we can, and collect our retirement. 

Dont think its a noble cause in everyone's case, or for their entire career.

t6, thanks for the honesty. I'm sure it is very frustrating to be held back from doing whats right.