WA FWC’S WECKER DEFENDS COUGAR HARVEST INCREASE

[bearpaw]

WA FWC’S WECKER DEFENDS COUGAR HARVEST INCREASE
NOVEMBER 2, 2015 ANDY WALGAMOTT
 
A Washington wildlife commissioner maintains that her move to slightly increase the cougar harvest opportunities in certain parts of the state was a “minor adjustment” meant to show residents in wolf country that the citizen panel had their concerns in mind, but also says the backlash from predator activists surprised her.

“I can admit I didn’t expect the level of reaction we received,” said Miranda Wecker of Naselle late last week.

read more: http://nwsportsmanmag.com/editors-blog/wa-fwcs-wecker-defends-cougar-harvest-increase/

[Bob33]

Yes, the plan by the WDFW Fish and Wildlife Commission to increase cougar harvest was nixed by Governor Inslee.

[pianoman9701]

“I can admit I didn’t expect the level of reaction we received,”

Well, now that you've invited them into your bed (the WAG), you're gonna get fleas. These idiots on the FWC actually thought that laying down with the likes of the HSUS and DOW was going to pacify those groups into working with them. What fools! And the governor. He's just going to pander to whomever will vote for him the most - King and Pierce Co.s.

[huntnphool]

“I can admit I didn’t expect the level of reaction we received,”

Well, now that you've invited them into your bed (the WAG), you're gonna get fleas. These idiots on the FWC actually thought that laying down with the likes of the HSUS and DOW was going to pacify those groups into working with them. What fools! And the governor. He's just going to pander to whomever will vote for him the most - King and Pierce Co.s.

 Spot on!

[ipkus]

Wildlife management decisions need to be made on a more local level, with input/science/guidance supplied by WDFW.  King County can decide how they want things handled in King County...and Stevens County should be able to do the same.

I am soooooo tired of the lost souls of this world that are ashamed that they are the top predator in the food chain. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Why is it, that the WDFW cows down to the HSUS, CNW and the likes, when they don't even hunt and they " tweak " everything they do, to get their way ? Those groups are like a bunch of whiny babies, who always gets their way and the hunters, ranchers etc, of Washington always gets the shaft. We need to clean house of the WDFW, by the sportsman/women being able to ELECT these jerks. WE pay THEIR wages for crying out loud...

[Bob33]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

[CAMPMEAT]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

You'd think the government would see right through all the lies from these groups and ignore them, but the government has no, you know what I mean.

[Bob33]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

You'd think the government would see right through all the lies from these groups and ignore them, but the government has no, you know what I mean.

It's possible both sides feel the same way, but appear to "get along" for some publicity reason. Kind of like Republicans and Democrats appearing to work together, when in reality both sides hate the other sides' guts.

[KFhunter]

Why is it, that the WDFW cows down to the HSUS, CNW and the likes, when they don't even hunt and they " tweak " everything they do, to get their way ? Those groups are like a bunch of whiny babies, who always gets their way and the hunters, ranchers etc, of Washington always gets the shaft. We need to clean house of the WDFW, by the sportsman/women being able to ELECT these jerks. WE pay THEIR wages for crying out loud...

The decision makers at WDFW are scared of being called to a court room. 

It's a ton of work to get ready for a court case, it's a huge drain on man power hours and expense.  WDFW thought that by cooperating with 'them' they could avoid costly court battles -which is true- but.....basically WDFW defrayed the cost of court litigation onto the backs of everyone who lives, works or recreates in wolf country by not standing up for reasonable predator management regardless of the possible court action.

WDFW has always stated they seek partnerships from NGO's,  (unless it's a cattlemen's association).   

[KFhunter]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

You'd think the government would see right through all the lies from these groups and ignore them, but the government has no, you know what I mean.

It's possible both sides feel the same way, but appear to "get along" for some publicity reason. Kind of like Republicans and Democrats appearing to work together, when in reality both sides hate the other sides' guts.

I'm fairly certain WDFW thought that by getting in bed with CNW, howling for justice, defenders and other NGO's they could get some reasonable concessions from them on wolf management,  and to a point they did.   Conservation northwest signed off on WDFW shooting some wolves in the wedge.   Conservation northwest took a huge amount of flak for doing that and probably lost a lot of members to other pro-wolf groups.  CNW stated it was a huge mistake to 'bless' that wolf shoot in the wedge and vowed to never do it again.

[pianoman9701]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

Yes, you're right. So why invite them in for a privileged look at what you're doing? It's idiotic to think that these groups would do anything but try and gain an upper hand on hunters by being on the WAG.

[CGDucksandDeer]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

You'd think the government would see right through all the lies from these groups and ignore them, but the government has no, you know what I mean.

It's possible both sides feel the same way, but appear to "get along" for some publicity reason. Kind of like Republicans and Democrats appearing to work together, when in reality both sides hate the other sides' guts.

I'm fairly certain WDFW thought that by getting in bed with CNW, howling for justice, defenders and other NGO's they could get some reasonable concessions from them on wolf management,  and to a point they did.   Conservation northwest signed off on WDFW shooting some wolves in the wedge.   Conservation northwest took a huge amount of flak for doing that and probably lost a lot of members to other pro-wolf groups.  CNW stated it was a huge mistake to 'bless' that wolf shoot in the wedge and vowed to never do it again.

From CNW's public Talking Points on Washington's Wolves (http://bit.ly/19L7h0j):

"We recognize that as wolf populations grow in Washington, under the state’s Wolf Management Plan animals that habitually prey on livestock may need to be removed... This is a fact of responsible wolf recovery.

We also support efforts by state, federal and university researchers to better understand the impact wolves have or do not have on deer, elk, moose and other ungulate populations. Predator recovery and management needs to be successful for all wildlife, not just wolves and other predators. Solid scientific data helps make that possible."

You wouldn't believe the crap that org gets for that pragmatic stance from some of the other radical pro-wolfers and anti-hunters.

Hunters and moderate conservation groups are natural allies. If we can all get past fighting about the BS from the fringes of each side, we'd get a lot more done working together for the benefit of wildlife, hunters and conservationists.

[wolfbait]

I don't see any credible reason to believe that HSUS and the other anti-hunting groups would act any differently were they not on the WAG. They hate hunting and will do anything they can to stop it, regardless of any affiliations they may have.

You'd think the government would see right through all the lies from these groups and ignore them, but the government has no, you know what I mean.

It's possible both sides feel the same way, but appear to "get along" for some publicity reason. Kind of like Republicans and Democrats appearing to work together, when in reality both sides hate the other sides' guts.

I'm fairly certain WDFW thought that by getting in bed with CNW, howling for justice, defenders and other NGO's they could get some reasonable concessions from them on wolf management,  and to a point they did.   Conservation northwest signed off on WDFW shooting some wolves in the wedge.   Conservation northwest took a huge amount of flak for doing that and probably lost a lot of members to other pro-wolf groups.  CNW stated it was a huge mistake to 'bless' that wolf shoot in the wedge and vowed to never do it again.

I don't know KF, if you look at WDFW's past history, in bed with the USFWS, DoW, and "CNW" known by a different name in the 1980's and 90's, and their wolf and grizzly bear push back then it would appears as though this was the plan all along. Look into WDFW's 30 year plan and you will see who WDFW has planned for their partners.

Reminds me of the USFWS, when for years they pretended to want delisting and always left a loop hole open for the environmentalist to sue. WDFW pretending to push for cougar control, all along knowing their partners would block it.

WDFW's sudden concern for a minute amount of predator management is eye watering.