Does WDFW know it has an image problem?

[t6]

As far as WDFW knowing they have a bad image.... They should, they are watching this site. 

I recently got an e-mail from someone at WDFW that included a quote that I made on this site. 

The question is do they care enough to do anything about it? 

[Tbar]

If some people knew how often individuals within the wdfw went to bat for sportsman I think they would be embarrassed at the comments made.

[idahohuntr]

If some people knew how often individuals within the wdfw went to bat for sportsman I think they would be embarrassed at the comments made.

   

[Skyvalhunter]

They very well may go to bat but when their superiors knock them down with a brush back pitch there efforts fall upon deaf ears.

[Special T]

If some people knew how often individuals within the wdfw went to bat for sportsman I think they would be embarrassed at the comments made.

How in the hell did they get your email and connect this site to you?

[huntnphool]

A troubling problem is how many hunter education graduates don't buy a hunting license.

 I'd attribute that to parents being fed up with Washington and taking their kids hunting out of state.

[t6]

I don't make it a secret as to who I am. I signed my name to the same complaint at the hoof meeting that I voiced earlier on this thread. 

[Special T]

ok

[Ducks]

I have read with interest a number of the postings. I do understand and recognize that we have an image problem, that is to say, I know there are a number of hunters that don't trust us or respect what we do or how we do it. I also know by reading some of the postings that many think the problem is with management and some think that we just don't care. Well I am writing as your director to say that I do care.

WDFW does confront a number of controversial issues. As director, some of the decisions I have made have been easy, not that the issue was easy, but knowing the difference between the right decision and the wrong decision made it easy for me based on my values. Others are much different in that among the choices I have all have drawbacks, and sometimes that is a gross understatement. But, in every case, I make every effort to equip myself with all the knowledge on the subject I can and then make the decision that I think is the best for fish and wildlife and the people that care about them.

I also reviewed some of the suggestions on where a director should focus his/her efforts. Not surprisingly, I agree with some of them and disagree with others.  I have some basic priorities in terms of where I spend my time. Some of them are internal like working closely with the Wildlife, Enforcement, Habitat, or Fish Program leadership on critical contemporary issues, another internal priority for me has been having a quality and committed staff; some are external like working with congressional members and state legislators and their staff regarding budget and policy issues impacting the Department, attending stakeholder meetings or interacting with leaders of organizations that represent our customers/stakeholders, working with the tribes on fishing and hunting issues takes a good deal of my time, working with federal agency leaders on issues we have a common interest like NOAA Fisheries, USFWS, National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers; I also work closely with the Governor's Policy Office and other state agency directors and the Commissioner of Public Lands. My bosses, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, is another area where I devote a significant amount of time. Finally, there are always a list of "hot issues" that I am intimately involved in that includes things like hoof disease, wolves, land acquisitions and public access, federal Funding issues, state/tribal fishing and hunting issues, Wanapum Dam and Fish Passage, several lawsuits including the Wildfish Conservancy and Skokomish Tribe lawsuits.

I have hunted (mostly ducks and upland birds) and fished (mostly salmon, halibut, albacore) all my life. I have been director since December of 2008 including the 9 months I was interim director. When I took the job I knew full well that I wouldn't be winning any popularity contests, but I took it because I wanted to give something back to the resource, I had already taken more than my share of some species. I was recently told by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Association Executive Director that 40 states had replaced their directors within the last 36 months. I am 64 years old and you will get another director sometime down the road. Until that happens, I will continue to the best job I can for fish and wildlife and for the people who care about our natural resources. If that can include helping with changing the image of the Department in the eyes of our customers/stakeholders to a more positive one, I welcome that opportunity....because I do care. 

[pianoman9701]

Interesting post.

[huntnphool]

I have read with interest a number of the postings. I do understand and recognize that we have an image problem, that is to say, I know there are a number of hunters that don't trust us or respect what we do or how we do it. I also know by reading some of the postings that many think the problem is with management and some think that we just don't care. Well I am writing as your director to say that I do care.

WDFW does confront a number of controversial issues. As director, some of the decisions I have made have been easy, not that the issue was easy, but knowing the difference between the right decision and the wrong decision made it easy for me based on my values. Others are much different in that among the choices I have all have drawbacks, and sometimes that is a gross understatement. But, in every case, I make every effort to equip myself with all the knowledge on the subject I can and then make the decision that I think is the best for fish and wildlife and the people that care about them.

I also reviewed some of the suggestions on where a director should focus his/her efforts. Not surprisingly, I agree with some of them and disagree with others.  I have some basic priorities in terms of where I spend my time. Some of them are internal like working closely with the Wildlife, Enforcement, Habitat, or Fish Program leadership on critical contemporary issues, another internal priority for me has been having a quality and committed staff; some are external like working with congressional members and state legislators and their staff regarding budget and policy issues impacting the Department, attending stakeholder meetings or interacting with leaders of organizations that represent our customers/stakeholders, working with the tribes on fishing and hunting issues takes a good deal of my time, working with federal agency leaders on issues we have a common interest like NOAA Fisheries, USFWS, National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers; I also work closely with the Governor's Policy Office and other state agency directors and the Commissioner of Public Lands. My bosses, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, is another area where I devote a significant amount of time. Finally, there are always a list of "hot issues" that I am intimately involved in that includes things like hoof disease, wolves, land acquisitions and public access, federal Funding issues, state/tribal fishing and hunting issues, Wanapum Dam and Fish Passage, several lawsuits including the Wildfish Conservancy and Skokomish Tribe lawsuits.

I have hunted (mostly ducks and upland birds) and fished (mostly salmon, halibut, albacore) all my life. I have been director since December of 2008 including the 9 months I was interim director. When I took the job I knew full well that I wouldn't be winning any popularity contests, but I took it because I wanted to give something back to the resource, I had already taken more than my share of some species. I was recently told by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Association Executive Director that 40 states had replaced their directors within the last 36 months. I am 64 years old and you will get another director sometime down the road. Until that happens, I will continue to the best job I can for fish and wildlife and for the people who care about our natural resources. If that can include helping with changing the image of the Department in the eyes of our customers/stakeholders to a more positive one, I welcome that opportunity....because I do care.

 If this is indeed a legit post then I for one welcome you and your opinions to the site wholeheartedly.

 Welcome to the site and I hope you plan to stay and brought thick skin!

[Curly]

Ducks/Mr. Anderson, thanks for posting. 

I'm glad you care and glad the department understands the distrust we have toward WDFW.  It really is good to hear straight from the horses mouth.  Thanks. 

[bearpaw]

I have read with interest a number of the postings. I do understand and recognize that we have an image problem, that is to say, I know there are a number of hunters that don't trust us or respect what we do or how we do it. I also know by reading some of the postings that many think the problem is with management and some think that we just don't care. Well I am writing as your director to say that I do care.

WDFW does confront a number of controversial issues. As director, some of the decisions I have made have been easy, not that the issue was easy, but knowing the difference between the right decision and the wrong decision made it easy for me based on my values. Others are much different in that among the choices I have all have drawbacks, and sometimes that is a gross understatement. But, in every case, I make every effort to equip myself with all the knowledge on the subject I can and then make the decision that I think is the best for fish and wildlife and the people that care about them.

I also reviewed some of the suggestions on where a director should focus his/her efforts. Not surprisingly, I agree with some of them and disagree with others.  I have some basic priorities in terms of where I spend my time. Some of them are internal like working closely with the Wildlife, Enforcement, Habitat, or Fish Program leadership on critical contemporary issues, another internal priority for me has been having a quality and committed staff; some are external like working with congressional members and state legislators and their staff regarding budget and policy issues impacting the Department, attending stakeholder meetings or interacting with leaders of organizations that represent our customers/stakeholders, working with the tribes on fishing and hunting issues takes a good deal of my time, working with federal agency leaders on issues we have a common interest like NOAA Fisheries, USFWS, National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers; I also work closely with the Governor's Policy Office and other state agency directors and the Commissioner of Public Lands. My bosses, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, is another area where I devote a significant amount of time. Finally, there are always a list of "hot issues" that I am intimately involved in that includes things like hoof disease, wolves, land acquisitions and public access, federal Funding issues, state/tribal fishing and hunting issues, Wanapum Dam and Fish Passage, several lawsuits including the Wildfish Conservancy and Skokomish Tribe lawsuits.

I have hunted (mostly ducks and upland birds) and fished (mostly salmon, halibut, albacore) all my life. I have been director since December of 2008 including the 9 months I was interim director. When I took the job I knew full well that I wouldn't be winning any popularity contests, but I took it because I wanted to give something back to the resource, I had already taken more than my share of some species. I was recently told by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Association Executive Director that 40 states had replaced their directors within the last 36 months. I am 64 years old and you will get another director sometime down the road. Until that happens, I will continue to the best job I can for fish and wildlife and for the people who care about our natural resources. If that can include helping with changing the image of the Department in the eyes of our customers/stakeholders to a more positive one, I welcome that opportunity....because I do care. 

Welcome to the forum Ducks and thank you very much for your response.

We live in a very polarizing time, I think everyone realizes there are many issues and interests a director must consider and most know that no matter what you do you will never satisfy everyone all the time. I do hope the many comments on this forum can provide you with some insight regarding the issues that are most important to hunters, fishers, and other recreational users.

While at times I've been quite critical of WDFW handling of certain issues (primarily wolves, lack of other predator management, and limited availability of Hunter-Ed classes), I am also very supportive and appreciative of other aspects of WDFW and of your efforts to maintain good opportunities for most users. Please try to maintain opportunity for all users, we should not allow trapping, hound hunting, or other forms of hunting or recreation to be completely lost from Washington. WE (all of us) are counting on YOU and WDFW to manage our resources in a manner that best perpetuates our wildlife into the future and provides opportunities for everyone to continue enjoying our sporting heritage in Washington.

As far as image, I think many hunters and fishers feel abandoned by WDFW, there is a general feeling that many game species and hunting opportunities are being neglected by WDFW. Part of that may be a lack of communication and transparency. I am very enthused by the recent attention given to access issues, hoof rot, and the governor's interest in improving recreational opportunities in Washington, including hunting and fishing. I see these actions as moving in the right direction, I would encourage you to continue in these directions and to be as open and forthcoming as you can with the sporting community, that should help with the image problem.

I've been fortunate in life to experience the outdoors to the fullest and in recent years I've also had the feeling of wanting to "give back". I know that everyone does not share this same opinion, but I think in many respects you've been the best director we've had in decades, so thank you for your service and for "giving back" to Washington. 

[RadSav]

Bearpaw, great post!  Very much the same thoughts and feelings that I have.

Ducks, Thank you for the wonderful email and for posting here on the site.  I hope you can continue to add clarity and post the other side of the story in the future.  I know for myself, the confusion created by not receiving complete and accurate information leads to a lot of my anxieties and hostility.  I look forward to hearing more in the future.

[huntnphool]

Bearpaw, great post!  Very much the same thoughts and feelings that I have.

Ducks, Thank you for the wonderful email and for posting here on the site.  I hope you can continue to add clarity and post the other side of the story in the future.  I know for myself, the confusion created by not receiving complete and accurate information leads to a lot of my anxieties and hostility.  I look forward to hearing more in the future.

+1