WDFW ASKS CONGRESSMAN FOR HELP SPURRING USFWS WOLF DELISTING

[jackelope]

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wolf-news/wdfw-asks-congressman-help-spurring-usfws-wolf-delisting

Washington wolf managers have asked a U.S. Congressman to spur federal officials into delisting the species across the state.

In a late April letter, WDFW’s new director, Jim Unsworth, told Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Central Washington) the agency would “appreciate your assistance to encourage the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete the delisting of the gray wolf and remove it from federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.”

Noting that the state is expected to reach recovery goals in six years, Unsworth says WDFW wants “to have consistent management of wolves across the state.”

[trophyhunt]

That would be great.

[pianoman9701]

Step in the right direction, but 6 years? We'll have over 1,000 wolves here by then.

[trophyhunt]

True, but at least they are actually being proactive.  It will prob take ten years to get it reversed!?

[denali]

Good news.   watching wolf advocates response will be fun 

[Curly]

I think WDFW should start by revising the state wolf plan and delist the eastern third of the state that the feds already have delisted.

[villageidiot]

Delist everything east of the cascade crest and open season on the eastern third of the state.

[WoolyRunner]

Go squeek one in with a poor elk calf in distress..

[wolfbait]

I would guess this is just a show n' tell letter, doesn't mean much when you consider past performance from WDF&Wolves.

[Curly]

But WDFW has a new sheriff in town, so maybe he can help turn steer the dept in the right direction.........  We can at least hope anyway.

[wolfbait]

But WDFW has a new sheriff in town, so maybe he can help turn steer the dept in the right direction.........  We can at least hope anyway.

Yep, we can hope.

Wonder how WDFW know it's going to take six years before all the bp's are confirmed? Prescheduled confirmation plans?

[idahohuntr]

But WDFW has a new sheriff in town, so maybe he can help turn steer the dept in the right direction.........  We can at least hope anyway.

Yep, we can hope.

Wonder how WDFW know it's going to take six years before all the bp's are confirmed? Prescheduled confirmation plans?

More like data driven estimates from wildlife professionals 

I think this is a good sign that Unsworth was the right choice for Director.  He knows the landscape and politics of wolf management...federal de-listing is a good step; state management will be the major hurdle in WA.  He is at least moving the chess pieces into position to work towards management of wolves.

[bearpaw]

But WDFW has a new sheriff in town, so maybe he can help turn steer the dept in the right direction.........  We can at least hope anyway.

Yep, we can hope.

Wonder how WDFW know it's going to take six years before all the bp's are confirmed? Prescheduled confirmation plans?

More like data driven estimates from wildlife professionals 

I think this is a good sign that Unsworth was the right choice for Director.  He knows the landscape and politics of wolf management...federal de-listing is a good step; state management will be the major hurdle in WA.  He is at least moving the chess pieces into position to work towards management of wolves.

  Exactly, delisting is a necessary step. State delisting will be troublesome, if I remember correctly, if we get 18 BP's that can also spur state delisting. I agree that Unsworth was the best possible choice for director! 

[jackelope]

What just happened?

[Bob33]

Louise Kane
MAY 6, 2015 AT 8:10 PM
The letter that was sent by the director of Washington Fish and Game is no surprise. Jim Unsworth the former Deputy director at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game was in part responsible for that state’s unconscionable policy towards wolves.

idaho wolf management means that hunters are allowed to kill wolves almost non stop nearly year round using traps, snares , bow and arrow and bullets. If some wolves survive the hunters, IDFG lobbied for and contracted with Wildlife Services to kill packs of wolves in designated wilderness on public land. The state also created a wolf “management” board to determine how to kill more wolves.

Unfortunately Washington has now inherited the politically motivated ideologies of a wildlife manager with a history of radical persecution of wolves. Under Unsworth’s former position as deputy director of IDFG wolf management meant killing as many wolves as possible often without public input and consent and on public lands in wilderness areas.

The race to delist wolves is motivated by folks like Jim Unsworth who hide behind the facade of managing wolves responsibly but use irresponsible publicly unpopular policies to eradicate wolves. Without federal protections, wolves have no protection.

There is an undeniable logic and scientific basis to protect wolves from state management plans. But there is also a responsibility for politicians to respect their constituent’s voices . In urging radical actions such as legislative delisting measures for wolves Jim Unsworth, Jack Ryan, Cynthia Lummis and the other sponsors of the bills urging delisting are ignoring their voters voices in favor of small minority interests with deep pockets.