Would you vote for County Predator Management, Logging, Grazing, etc

[bearpaw]

Would you vote for County Predator Management, Hunting & Fishing Seasons, Trapping, Logging, Grazing, Road Closures, Land Use, etc?

I heard a rumor there are potential sheriff candidates who want to bring control of important issues back to county government?

 - Effective Predator Management (wolves, cougar, etc)
 - Hound Hunting Seasons
 - Return to Traditional Trapping
 - Restore Deer and Elk Herds
 - Logging & Grazing for Fire Prevention
 - Reopen Road Closures, Allow Land Use
 - Eliminate Discover Pass

I don't know enough about county government to know if county officials could actually do these things but I do know there's a lot of interest and the rumor I heard is there are candidates considering these issues as their platform for sheriff in Stevens County and Ferry County and they are encouraging candidates in other counties.

I thought it might be interesting to see what people think?

[bigtex]

A multitude of state laws would have to be changed in order for this to happen. Quite simply, it won't happen. I'm sure it'll get politicans elected (this is my view so vote for me) but you wont see any change in the law.

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[Sitka_Blacktail]

Well, there is the fact that back in the day you could buy a county hunting and fishing license if that was the only place you were going to hunt and fish. I believe it went as late asthe 60s, possibly the 70s.

[REHJWA]

Not sure I trust any politician to effectively manage wildlife, look how lobist have influenced elections... Small county governments could be bought or threaten with lawsuits that cripple  the minority of hunters, trappers, fisherman... This smells of politics..

[bearpaw]

Not sure I trust any politician to effectively manage wildlife, look how lobist have influenced elections... Small county governments could be bought or threaten with lawsuits that cripple  the minority of hunters, trappers, fisherman... This smells of politics..

It is definitely all about politics, people in NE WA and other rural areas are tired of the 5 million people in the I-5 corridor determining every aspect of how we live. I imagine rural westside counties have the same problem.

[BOWHUNTER45]

The way it should be but like Bigtex stated , it will happen ..Goes to show how much freedom we have lost and we let them get away with it ...Other than that I am all for it ...pretty sad you can not take your family out for a Sunday drive anymore ...at least over here on the Wetside ...But I did forget one thing ! If I pay an access fee of $200 I guess I can ..  haha

[BOWHUNTER45]

Not sure I trust any politician to effectively manage wildlife, look how lobist have influenced elections... Small county governments could be bought or threaten with lawsuits that cripple  the minority of hunters, trappers, fisherman... This smells of politics..

It is definitely all about politics, people in NE WA and other rural areas are tired of the 5 million people in the I-5 corridor determining every aspect of how we live. I imagine rural westside counties have the same problem.

I live in one of the most premier places left in Western Washington ..Have everything a guy could dream of but they have us in lock down !  One of the best rivers known to man ...Now run by the Tribes ... Some of the best elk hunting around ...Now run by the tribes !  I am seriously calling BS !

[CAMPMEAT]

Get Conservation Northwest and every other anti-everything out of the scene. They are the ones who are destroying everything we have, as hunters,fishermen, ATV riding and the recreationalists. They have a choke hold on the people who supposedly run the government and the government itself...

[jasnt]

Get Conservation Northwest and every other anti-everything out of the scene. They are the ones who are destroying everything we have, as hunters,fishermen, ATV riding and the recreationalists. They have a choke hold on the people who supposedly run the government and the government itself...

  if we could get those terrorist out of the picture a lot of things would be different here. 

A lot of us feel we are getting shang hi'ed by the liberals on the left coast.  Every year we loose more and more and this year it's looking like we are going to loose some more
There has to be some way to preserve our culture and heritage!

[dwils233]

Maybe not completely have the decision making at the county level, but much more influential advisement and influence in policy and decision making. Animals and fires don't recognize county boundaries, but central leadership still needs to be aware of the vital information that counties can provide and "boots on the ground" perspective. Scientists should have the most important voice, then local governments and counties and finally state political interests as far are influence in the whole process. But that would be an ideal world and not anything close to how it works in this state right now.

[huntnphool]

I'd be for it if it were a vote in position and not appointed.

[bigtex]

I'd be in favor of something that California has. Each county in CA has a "fish and game council/board." It is simply an advisory committee to the CA Fish & Game Commission. They provide insight on local issues, suggestions on seasons, etc. In CA a large portion of fish and wildlife fines go to these county boards who then disseminate the funds for fish and wildlife related projects. These positions are appointed, by I believe the County Commissioners, but I may be wrong. We have nothing similar to this in WA. Who would think, something good coming out of California....

[baldopepper]

I think we sometimes forget that every county east of the cascades is a tax negative county (meaning for every dollar they pay in state taxes they receive more than a dollar back, ferry county gets over $3.00 back as an example).  I spend almost an equal amount of time on both sides of the state and hear arguments from both sides.  Both sides have good points, but I will say that those on the westside say that if the east side counties want more say, let them pay their own way.  (King county residents only get 62 cents back for every dollar they pay in state taxes).  I think before we start talking about taking away the westside influence on the east side,  we have to quit taking their money.

[JimmyHoffa]

That's state tax.  Puget Sound and I-5 get a lot of tax money just due to all the military.  Easy to siphon off lots of state tax in areas with lots of federal dollars coming in.  Sure east side gets some from the feds, but when looking around the westside just see so many fed gov (or connected) money.

[dwils233]

I think we sometimes forget that every county east of the cascades is a tax negative county (meaning for every dollar they pay in state taxes they receive more than a dollar back, ferry county gets over $3.00 back as an example).  I spend almost an equal amount of time on both sides of the state and hear arguments from both sides.  Both sides have good points, but I will say that those on the westside say that if the east side counties want more say, let them pay their own way.  (King county residents only get 62 cents back for every dollar they pay in state taxes).  I think before we start talking about taking away the westside influence on the east side,  we have to quit taking their money.

I don't forget that but I fail to see correlation between that and the original question. Its not as much an issue of money/taxes as it is making informed decisions about land and wildlife usage. I don't think anyone on the east side tries to dictate the ferry schedules: not because we don't pay for it but because we aren't informed decision-makers for that process.

And while the eastside may be tax negative, it is energy positive which the west side often seems to happily overlook in that equation.

[cboom]

Would love to see each county manage its game. The reason we have the problems we do is because King County basically manages the entire state. Would also love to see licenses sold by the counties with non residents paying a much higher rate.

[huntnphool]

Would also love to see licenses sold by the counties with non residents paying a much higher rate.

 They do pay a much higher rate, in the form of goods/services in those areas.

[baldopepper]

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the tax argument, just pointing out it's a common argument.  Many on the westside look at the east side as they do at the teenager who lives at home and wants the parents to pay for everything, but doesn't want to abide by the house rules.Again, not saying I agree but it is a common argument.  It has everything to do with more county and local authority when that authority seeks to overrule state interests and laws. You pay for your teenagers car, you have every right to tell him when and where he can drive it.  That's the way many westsiders look at the east side. Just pointing it out, not taking sides.

[buckfvr]

Id support a vote so long as qualifications for a potential manager included being a very long time resident of the area he sought appointment to.  A volunteer citizen oversight committee would need to be in place and rotated out every two years.  Biggest problem would be keeping rid of politically higher motivated  persons that would circumvent the intentions of this type of system and ultimately cooperate with connections that may have different goals. 

WDFW is a total failure that has two kinds of people......those who try and make you think what they do and say is good stuff, and those who are so disgusted to the point that they clam up and go through the motions in order to keep their jobs and retirement..........go to a meeting and see for yourself.

[REHJWA]

Id support a vote so long as qualifications for a potential manager included being a very long time resident of the area he sought appointment to.  A volunteer citizen oversight committee would need to be in place and rotated out every two years.  Biggest problem would be keeping rid of politically higher motivated  persons that would circumvent the intentions of this type of system and ultimately cooperate with connections that may have different goals. 

WDFW is a total failure that has two kinds of people......those who try and make you think what they do and say is good stuff, and those who are so disgusted to the point that they clam up and go through the motions in order to keep their jobs and retirement..........go to a meeting and see for yourself.

This isn't restricted to the WDFW, it seems to be State wide....if you don't tow the party line they move you into jobs where you get feed up and quit or can't make waves.....then if you do kiss a$$ you can be incompetent and get promoted....

Is this much different at the county level....

[buckfvr]

Good point, so I apologize to all wdfw employees who are merely "A" typical state employees.

[Romeo 2-6]

Ain't gonna happen.


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[WAcoyotehunter]

I don't like the way it is currently, but the county would be horrible at managing the natural resources.  Our elected.  The NE county commissioners are not (in any way) capable of that. 

[buckfvr]

I think there are some retired wardens who would be capable of managing at the county level given the right support network.  They could be in a position where their input is valued rather than swept aside and disallowed.

[bearpaw]

There have been some great ideas and comments.

[Special T]

Not sure how i feel on this subject. It takes a lot of resources to fight the Anti groups, but i hate how our state is run. I think our best hope is for a new Governor.

[Cpt._Herd_Cow]

Get Conservation Northwest and every other anti-everything out of the scene. They are the ones who are destroying everything we have, as hunters,fishermen, ATV riding and the recreationalists. They have a choke hold on the people who supposedly run the government and the government itself...

  if we could get those terrorist out of the picture a lot of things would be different here. 

A lot of us feel we are getting shang hi'ed by the liberals on the left coast.  Every year we loose more and more and this year it's looking like we are going to loose some more
There has to be some way to preserve our culture and heritage!

The problem is that no one realizes they are preservationists and not conservationists - two titles that have very different meanings. They want no use, not wise use, and the problem is we as humans have made too much of an impact on this planet for the no use (aka letting nature take its course) argument to be effective by any means. People and animals would suffer from that type of policy. Our biggest problem is these types of groups are organized, they have a voice, and they bring that voice to the table when and where it counts.

[bearpaw]

Get Conservation Northwest and every other anti-everything out of the scene. They are the ones who are destroying everything we have, as hunters,fishermen, ATV riding and the recreationalists. They have a choke hold on the people who supposedly run the government and the government itself...

  if we could get those terrorist out of the picture a lot of things would be different here. 

A lot of us feel we are getting shang hi'ed by the liberals on the left coast.  Every year we loose more and more and this year it's looking like we are going to loose some more
There has to be some way to preserve our culture and heritage!

The problem is that no one realizes they are preservationists and not conservationists - two titles that have very different meanings. They want no use, not wise use, and the problem is we as humans have made too much of an impact on this planet for the no use (aka letting nature take its course) argument to be effective by any means. People and animals would suffer from that type of policy. Our biggest problem is these types of groups are organized, they have a voice, and they bring that voice to the table when and where it counts.

  exactly, well said

[DOUBLELUNG]

Id support a vote so long as qualifications for a potential manager included being a very long time resident of the area he sought appointment to.  A volunteer citizen oversight committee would need to be in place and rotated out every two years.  Biggest problem would be keeping rid of politically higher motivated  persons that would circumvent the intentions of this type of system and ultimately cooperate with connections that may have different goals. 

WDFW is a total failure that has two kinds of people......those who try and make you think what they do and say is good stuff, and those who are so disgusted to the point that they clam up and go through the motions in order to keep their jobs and retirement..........go to a meeting and see for yourself.

This isn't restricted to the WDFW, it seems to be State wide....if you don't tow the party line they move you into jobs where you get feed up and quit or can't make waves.....then if you do kiss a$$ you can be incompetent and get promoted....

Is this much different at the county level....

As a former WDFW employee who has worked for three state wildlife agencies, I'd say the technical people are as bright, educated and skilled as any state's.  There is some of the dead wood found in every government agency, a majority who are competent and dedicated, and some who are defeated and counting the years to retirement (WDFW probably has a higher percentage of the last category than other states).  It is the policy level which sucks, and the reason it sucks is because it is part of Washington state government; which is a large, wasteful, inefficient and corrupt state government.  There are good policy level individuals, who do what good they can but don't rock the boat, because that makes them a target for retribution.  There are the ones that were defeated at the technical level, who said F-it, and took the promotion for a better retirement, and just do what the higher level policy people tell them.  And then there are politicians, who jump at the chance to move up, have no problem with the status quo, accept that the corruption and graft is the way the state does business, and curry favor from the higher ups (which ultimately comes down through the Governor's office or influential legislators).