Commission taking comments on rules March 20-21, Moses Lake

[bearpaw]

NEWS RELEASE
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/
March 13, 2015
Contact: Commission Office, (360) 902-2267

Commission will take public comments on proposed hunting rules in Moses Lake

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will take public comments on proposed changes to state hunting rules for deer, elk, upland birds, and other game species during a public meeting March 20-21 in Moses Lake.

The commission, a citizen panel appointed by the Governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St., in Moses Lake. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. both Friday and Saturday.

A complete agenda for the meeting, including scheduled public comment periods, is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/ .

Proposed changes to state hunting rules for 2015 are available for public review at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development.html . Proposals include:

•   Maintaining the current 4-point antler restriction for white-tailed deer in GMUs 117 and 121, or allowing hunters to take "any buck."
•   Doubling the amount of spring bear permits available in northeast Washington.
•   Extending the hunting season for pheasants in eastern Washington through Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
•   Adding two days to the modern firearm season for mule deer.
•   Limiting or banning the use of bait to hunt deer and elk.

In other business, shellfish managers will provide a briefing on proposed season changes for clams and oysters on 20 Puget Sound public beaches. The commission will also take public comments on those proposals.

State wildlife managers also will update the commission on the status of wolves in Washington and actions the department took in 2014 to implement the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.

The commission is scheduled to make final decisions on statewide hunting seasons and Puget Sound clam and oyster seasons in April.

[baker5150]

Bump for the upcoming meeting.

[bearpaw]

bump

whos going?

[Todd_ID]

I went today for the deer and elk season sessions.  The Stevens County crew was well organized against going to any buck in 117 and 121 like the department is recommending.  The families and business owners want the any buck back.  My take is that it was a toss up on what the Commission will decide.

I testified that the regs needed simplification by making a statewide Sept 1-30 deer season, we needed more late buck opportunity in SW, and the units on the Snake Breaks should have a late season to relieve pressure on Okanogan units, and that NE whitetail late archery must include Thanksgiving.

I was the ONLY testimony for the elk seasons.  Without any opposition to the proposal as it stands,  I thanked the WDFW and Commission for making a lot of people happy with finally moving the dates back a bit. I argued that we need to get our lost days back and that a full month of elk season wouldn't change our harvest rates.

Tomorrow is the equipment and baiting issues, so it's another long drive for me.

These proposals will be voted on in the April meeting to be put in a mid-April regulations book release.

[idahohuntr]

Thank you!!!  Let those of us who can't make it know how tomorrow goes if you make another trip...sounds like there will be a chance to flood the commission with letters if they don't decide until April on baiting. 

[bearpaw]

Thanks Todd 

[go4steelhd]

I will be going to today's meeting

[Ridgerunner]

I look forward to hearing the report, it will be interesting to see what the commission ultimately decides to do. 

[Brad Harshman]

I went today.  I only attended and spoke at the general opening and the baiting debate.  It was well done and everyone was professional polite and cordial. 
With that said, the baiting topic was polarized.  It really it seems that a few guide services especially in the Okanogan  are causing all the concern over baiting.  There was a guide from Okanogan today and I don't think he helped himself out.  He spoke about his baiting methods dumping dump truck loads of apples out in premium migration routes on private property for.his clients.  Based on anecdotal evidence it appears it appears it is changing or altering migration routes. 
It was discussed that this "excessive" baiting was the issue at hand.  All the small scale baiting was of no concern to much of people in attendance. 
So leave it to a few to take it to the extreme and ruin it for everyone else.
It was mentioned that apples do not offer the appropriate protien levels for the deer, especially in the late season.  It was also mentioned that you can get a truck load of apples for free from many processors.
One thing I learned was that hunting guides, unlike fishing guides, do not need to be certified.  I see this gap closing soon.  As the guides seem to be the biggest issue with baiting. 
By the way, this was the first time I attending a meeting like this.  I was impressed.

[CAMPMEAT]

I suppose nary a word was mentioned about our wolf problems up north......I've heard of 8 more sightings since last week....3 collared in the 7 that was on Boulder Pass.....1 on Sherman Pass.

[Brad Harshman]

I left after the discussion on baiting.  Wolf was on the agenda but I didn't have time to stay for the entire meeting.

[CAMPMEAT]

I left after the discussion on baiting.  Wolf was on the agenda but I didn't have time to stay for the entire meeting.

Thanks Brad......too bad we won't know what lies were told.

[BULLBLASTER]

I also went for the baiting topic. It seemed to me like some of the commissioners were of the mindset that just because there has been complaints that a comprimise needs to be made. I got the impression that most likely changes will happen in the future but until a better solution cam be found it should remain the same. The meeting was ahead of schedule so i missed on the presentation but barely made it for the public comment.

[mfswallace]

any one have the wolf minutes?

[CAMPMEAT]

any one have the wolf minutes?

They're probably on a private server and won't be handed over....................