"WDFW invites public to help identify conservation and recreation priorities"

[CAMPMEAT]

As an added note: 

Professional and respectful communications to government agencies, elected representatives, and their staff is more likely to be given positive attention; that is how the hunting community should be represented.  We may not get our way all of the time, but we do succeed some of the time – particularly when we come together with a unified voice.  There will always be opposing views and naysayers on any topic; we just need to be able to make a better case than those on the other side.  Facts and productive dialog along with fostering strong alliances are key elements to success.

huntrights,

You always post great topics but, the problem is, is that the cards are always stacked against the outdoorsman/women. We can be nice as pie, or complain like crazy but, the person with the money, power and backing by anti-hunting groups, chooses the end results. They either let you speak at a public forum, which they control 100%, or not. They work for us, not the other way around. We have the so-called purse strings, but that does absolutely nothing, the WDFW will do whatever the hell they want, period. Always, always a dog and pony show to subsidize their agenda, not ours, the sportsman/women.

[RG]

I agree that hunters don't always seem to get unbiased consideration but if you don't take advantage of an opportunity to speak your mind in a rational unemotional way then shame on you if you complain later.  Please send your comments, at least they go on record. 

[huntrights]

Never give up!

Good things are happening because we stay on course:

Good News!

"Hunting Works For America Expands Presence in Pacific Northwest with Washington Chapter"
http://www.nssfblog.com/hunting-works-for-america-expands-presence-in-pacific-northwest-with-washington-chapter/

Here is a link to the new webpage:
http://huntingworksforwa.com/

Check it out!

[2labs]

Examples please.

[huntrights]

Examples please.

All hunters need to understand the contributions they are making to the economy, wildlife management, and wildlife conservation.  The following links should provide many examples.

For examples of why Hunting Works for Washington, please do the following:

Read the Press Release (http://www.nssfblog.com/hunting-works-for-america-expands-presence-in-pacific-northwest-with-washington-chapter/)

Go to the website and explore:
http://huntingworksforwa.com/

Pay particular attention to the economic data:
http://huntingworksforwa.com/economic-data/


Other sources of relevant information:

WDFW funding supports a strong and diverse outdoor economy
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01560/wdfw01560.pdf

Washington’s fish & wildlife mean business and jobs – 2011 WDFW
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01160/wdfw01160.pdf

The Economics Associated with Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources Conservation and Historic Preservation in the United States – 2011 NFWF
http://www.trcp.org/assets/pdf/The_Economic_Value_of_Outdoor_Recreation.pdf

Fish, wildlife and Washington’s economy – 2010 WDFW
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01145/wdfw_01145.pdf

What do hunters do for conservation? – USFWS website
http://www.fws.gov/hunting/whatdo.html

The North American Wildlife Conservation Model – RMEF website
http://www.rmef.org/Conservation/HuntingIsConservation/NorthAmericanWildlifeConservationModel.aspx

25 Reasons Why Hunting Is Conservation – RMEF website
http://www.rmef.org/Conservation/HuntingIsConservation/25ReasonsWhyHuntingIsConservation.aspx

Hunting Is Conservation – RMEF video
http://www.rmef.org/Conservation/HuntingIsConservation.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1422579428&v=OwkVxFSrS04&x-yt-cl=85114404

The Ethical Hunter – 2014 NSSF
http://www.nssf.org/safety/lit/EthicalHunter.pdf

The Hunter and Conservation – 2014 NSSF
http://www.nssf.org/safety/lit/HunterConservation10.pdf

Hunting is mentioned throughout this document. Do a search on the word "hunting".
Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State – 2015_Earth Economics for WA RCO
http://www.rco.wa.gov/documents/ORTF/EconomicAnalysisOutdoorRec.pdf

2013 Sportsmen's Economic Impact Report – Washington – 2011 data_CSF
http://www.sportsmenslink.org/uploads/page/Washington-Factsheet.pdf

America’s Sporting Heritage: Fueling the American Economy – 2013_CSF
http://www.sportsmenslink.org/uploads/page/Economic_Impact_Report_E-version.pdf

Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy – 2006_CSF
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/bright%20stars%20of%20the%20economy.pdf

The Benefits to Business from Hunting and Fishing Excise Taxes – 2011_AFWA
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/AFWA%20TaxReport%202-23-11.pdf

Hunting in the 50 States: Regulations, License Fees, Species and Methods of Take – 2014_NSSF
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/IIR_HuntingRegs50States2014.pdf

Hunter’s Pocket Fact Card – NSSF
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/HunterFactCard.pdf

Hunting in America – An Economic Force for Conservation – Report produced for NSSF in 2012 by Southwick Associates
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/HuntingInAmerica_EconomicForceForConservation.pdf

Economic Impact of Hunting and Target Shooting in America – 2011 Data – Rev 3/14
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/Comb-Huntg-TS-EconImp-brochure.pdf

2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
https://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/fhw11-wa.pdf

2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
https://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/fhw11-nat.pdf

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)
https://www.census.gov/prod/www/fishing.html

Target Shooting in America – Report produced for NSSF in 2013 by Southwick Associates
http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/TargetShootingInAmericaReport.pdf

[huntrights]

REMINDER!

This input to the WDFW is very important.  Please participate.  (See the original post)

[Wacenturion]

"How many of these phony meetings will the WDFW have, before they actually listen and do something for the management of OUR game ? It's dog and pony show from them, always."

Pretty much right on....with very few exceptions to that over the years.  You just have to understand that wildlife professionals in general think that their education entitles them to not have to get their hands dirty, so to speak.  They believe they're paid to think, meet, plan, research, blow smoke, whatever.  If you understand this, then it's a lot like thinking your yard to mow itself....get it?

[CAMPMEAT]

"How many of these phony meetings will the WDFW have, before they actually listen and do something for the management of OUR game ? It's dog and pony show from them, always."

Pretty much right on....with very few exceptions to that over the years.  You just have to understand that wildlife professionals in general think that their education entitles them to not have to get their hands dirty, so to speak.  They believe they're paid to think, meet, plan, research, blow smoke, whatever.  If you understand this, then it's a lot like thinking your yard to mow itself....get it?

I get it. Educated people aren't always the brightest bulb in the pack. Street smarts tend to be better at everything because of experiences and not a book taught idiot..