New WDFW Director Named

[stevemiller]

 

[pianoman9701]

Glad to hear that without serving one day on his new job we've pegged him as a rabid wolf loving tree hugger.

Thanks Hunt WA for the quick assessment. I'm sure he'll feel real welcome here.

I certainly haven't done that, but what I have done is some research about his time in ID. I've said a couple of times that the jury's still out until he shows us what he's about. What I'm not going to do is assume one way or the other. I don't think others should, either.

[idahohuntr]

I see the CNW Facebook page commenters on this subject are very concerned about this selection. 

That both sides of the fringe wolf groups seem to not like Unsworth suggests that those of us who appreciate responsible wildlife management will be pleased. 

[pianoman9701]

I see the CNW Facebook page commenters on this subject are very concerned about this selection. 

That both sides of the fringe wolf groups seem to not like Unsworth suggests that those of us who appreciate responsible wildlife management will be pleased.

Ego much? Yours is the only way, huh Idaho? You're ridiculous.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Does it really matter?  He's the guy we have now, let's try and work with him to get some important changes made. We're married, like it or not, and we're in honeymoon period now. Let's get some action instead of spending the time complaining about our new partner in wildlife management.  He's basically brand-new and going to be looking for user groups to work for to get support from.

Let's be one of those groups.

Perfectly said!

[idahohuntr]

I see the CNW Facebook page commenters on this subject are very concerned about this selection. 

That both sides of the fringe wolf groups seem to not like Unsworth suggests that those of us who appreciate responsible wildlife management will be pleased.

Ego much? Yours is the only way, huh Idaho? You're ridiculous.

Where did I say my way is the only way?  Just making a general observation that extremists on both ends don't appear to like the guy...usually bodes well for those of us in the middle who understand and appreciate reasonableness.  Those who prefer screeching and making wild claims about how good or how evil wolves are...they don't seem to want a reasonable guy in the directors chair. 

[csaaphill]

Regardless it would still be a year, or two before anything would be done about managing wolves I'd say.

[Time Immemorial]

Maybe open up hound hunting again

[bobcat]

Regardless it would still be a year, or two before anything would be done about managing wolves I'd say.

Aren't the wolves being managed now? The wolf management plan has been in place for at least a couple years now, correct? So I assume they're being managed according to the plan.   

[idahohuntr]

Regardless it would still be a year, or two before anything would be done about managing wolves I'd say.

Aren't the wolves being managed now? The wolf management plan has been in place for at least a couple years now, correct? So I assume they're being managed according to the plan.   

You are correct in my opinion bobcat.  WDFW is managing wolves according to the existing management plan...including lethal removal.  It is a mis-nomer imo for folks to say wolves are not being "managed"...I think what those folks mean is that wolves aren't being managed the way they would like.   

[Special T]

I think people confuse 2 issues. Managing them and documenting them... First they need documentation and the WDFW has been severely lacking in that department... You cannot "manage" what you dont have documented.

[bobcat]

On the Conservation Northwest Facebook page, the announcement of Unsworth being hired on as the new director resulted in many comments like this:

We shall see. I hear the praise of a new person and then when they get in wham. All they seem to do is go with destroying the enviornment and letting the money sway them to allow killing of everything that walks. I don't trust government people anymore. They don't seem to have the guts to go against the big ranchers and hunters.

Then today, Conservation Northwest, apparently wanting to put a stop to all the negativity, posted this:

Conservation Northwest We appreciate all the comments on this post, and we understand the concerns some folks have regarding Director Unsworth and his background with the Idaho Fish & Game Department.

However, Washington is a very different state than Idaho. The direction Director Unsworth will be given from our Fish & Wildlife Commission, Governor Jay Inslee, our state's active environmental community, conservation-minded hunters and anglers, and everyday Washingtonians will likely be much different than the direction IDFG receives.

The mission of WDFW is to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. We expect Director Unsworth to represent that mission and the values of all Washingtonians in conserving our state's wild ecosystems and our shared natural heritage.

[idahohuntr]

Welcome to Washington Jim!   

New WDFW pick is former Idaho gun nut
https://exposingthebiggame.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/new-wdfw-pick-is-former-idaho-gun-nut/

Unsworth is unworthy
https://exposingthebiggame.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/unsworth-is-unworthy-for-washington-wildlife/

[bobcat]

idahohuntr- Wow! thanks for that! He sure is hated by some people! According to them, Unsworth is a "wolf hater."     (wondering why wolfbait is so against him if he's truly a wolf hater)   

Here's the text from one of those links:

Unsworth is Unworthy for Washington Wildlife
Posted on January 12, 2015   
The Governor must First approve Unsworth as the new Director of WDFW…..We can’t let this happen!! He’s an avowed wolf hater!! Here is WA Governor Inslee’s contact info…PLEASE call the Governor ASAP and Say NO to Unsworth!!!
http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/interact/
More info from Jerry:
Idaho exported George Pauley to Montana and now Jim Unsworth to Washington….two avowed wolf haters. Look what Pauley has done in Montana and you can expect the same from Unsworth. To my knowledge Unsworth does not have a fisheries background which you’d think would be very important with the very complicated fisheries situation we have in Washington….seems that didn’t matter to the commissioners. Would like to know which commissioners voted for him…

[KFhunter]

I don't think he's a wolf hater,  I think *I hope* he's an objective observer with a trained eye and gobs of experience.  Reading that interview he appears to be a person who really looks at wildlife with a scholars fascination rather than a politician with an agenda.   I didn't see any buzz words    Usually a dead give away.

Maybe both sides (pro and anti wolf) are freaking out a little bit because no one can put a finger on his politics or his stance on wolves.  He doesn't seem to coddle them nor does he seem to want to kill them, rather he seems to support numbers and aggressive and quick management when the numbers get out of hand.


I support that, unless I miss my mark I think we're heading that way with Unsworth.




What I'm really stoked about is no user groups or their "experts" are going to be able to push him around.

Politically that might be a very different story though, but none of the DOW, CNW or any of their experts will push him around .