The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), approved the 2015-2021 Game Management Plan after an extensive public process.
The management plan outlines strategies to address a variety of issues, including:
Hunter recruitment and retention - Establish a new citizen advisory group to help identify and implement methods to encourage greater participation in hunting.
Predator/prey interactions - Follow new guidelines to help depressed deer and elk herds that are below population objectives due to predation by black bears, cougars, bobcats or coyotes.
Access to private timberlands - Work with private timberland owners to develop programs that maintain recreational access to their properties while minimizing direct costs to hunters.
Wolf recovery - Continue to follow the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, and work with the wolf advisory group to develop a new plan to manage wolves after they are no longer listed for protection.
Non-toxic ammunition - Consult with hunters to develop voluntary programs that reduce the use of lead ammunition, which can poison raptors and other birds that may ingest spent ammunition when feeding on the carcasses of animals that were shot.
Do they really think wolves don't take their toll on deer and elk? Do they think we're stupid? Some times I really wonder about our WDFW.
