Feel Free to copy and post this on other sites.

[billythekidrock]

Washington hunters could really use some help and support right now. The F&W Dept is proposing to close down all public lands to hunting in August. The proposed closure includes all state and federal lands.
This is a knee jerk reaction to an unfortunate shooting incident last fall.

Proposal from the “Green Sheet”
(1) For BBMUs that open Aug 1, the Aug 1-31 period is limited to
hunting on private lands only. The justification for this change is to reduce conflict with other recreational users on public lands during the summer while still allowing bears to be harvested for damage reasons (e.g., orchard damage).

This is a straight across ban of hunting bears in August on public lands. Not just rifle hunters, but all weapons groups.

There have been no alternatives given such as:
Hunting by permit only
Master Hunters only
Archery or Muzzle Loader only

If you could find a couple minutes of time to write an email to the WA Dept of F&W at the email addresses below and let them know that closing any public lands to hunting is unacceptable, we Washington hunters would be grateful.

Thanks.


The one who is pushing this is donny.martorello@dfw.wa.gov

commission@dfw.wa.gov
director@dfw.wa.gov
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
peter.goldmark@dnr.wa.gov
cpl@dnr.wa.gov

[billythekidrock]

Already posted at:

Archery Talk
Backcountry
Hunt Talk
Bears East
Jesses Hunting Outdoors
Midwest Predator Hunters
Piscatorial Pursuits
Accurate Reloading
IFish
BigGameHunt
Huntingnet
Huntamerica
PredatorMasters
Blacktail country
24HourCampfire
Graybeard Outdoors
ModernSportsman
The Hunters Life

[Michelle_Nelson]

Another thing to think about.

How many privlages has F&G already taken away from us?

Bear Baiting
The use of hounds for Bear and Cougar.
Trappers are now required to only use Cage Traps for fur trapping.  
etc,
etc,
etc,

From what I have seen so far once we lose something it is gone!  Once they close Public Land to Bear hunters in August chances are it is gone and we WILL NOT get it back.

[Michelle_Nelson]

BTKR I will post it over on TMan.

[norsepeak]

Given the light of this incident maybe would try to get baiting back as a safety issue?  It is a lot safer method of hunting bears because the shots are so much shorter?  What do ya think, would it fly?

[bobcat]

commission@dfw.wa.gov
director@dfw.wa.gov
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
peter.goldmark@dfw.wa.gov
cpl@dnr.wa.gov

That email address for Peter Goldmark probably should be @dnr.wa.gov

Correct

[billythekidrock]

commission@dfw.wa.gov
director@dfw.wa.gov
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
peter.goldmark@dfw.wa.gov
cpl@dnr.wa.gov

That email address for Peter Goldmark probably should be @dnr.wa.gov

Correct

I don't know. I copied it from your post.

[bobcat]

Oh you did?   

Well then, yes it should be dnr, not dfw. My bad!

This is it:  peter.goldmark@dnr.wa.gov

He is the new Public Lands Commissioner  (Department of Natural Resources)

I'm not sure how to get an email to the Director of the WDFW.

[FrankDown]

BTKR I will post it over on TMan.

Tman is where I first saw your name, you used the same name there right?  Thats how you know Yancy?

Anyway,

Ill post it around too...

[billythekidrock]

Oh you did?   

Well then, yes it should be dnr, not dfw. My bad!

This is it:  peter.goldmark@dnr.wa.gov

He is the new Public Lands Commissioner  (Department of Natural Resources)

I'm not sure how to get an email to the Director of the WDFW.

Too late to change all the posts now.

the CPL@dnr should get it to Peter

[Michelle_Nelson]

BTKR I will post it over on TMan.

Tman is where I first saw your name, you used the same name there right?  Thats how you know Yancy?

Anyway,

Ill post it around too...

Yeah I use the same name over on TMan and pretty much any forum I am a member of now.  I have only been a member of TMan since the beginning of Novenber I believe.  I don't know Yancy Personally I have just talked to him in PM and bought some of his traps.

[runamuk]

Given the light of this incident maybe would try to get baiting back as a safety issue?  It is a lot safer method of hunting bears because the shots are so much shorter?  What do ya think, would it fly?

I think bringing up the safety factor of both baiting and pursuit with hounds is worth mentioning. 

This is a complete over reaction to an unfortunate incident I will try to fire off a letter.

[Bofire]

 :)Thanks BTKR address changed and mail sent
Carl

[ICEMAN]

Done. Took all of four minutes.

Good idea, great having links, thanks.

[Old Dog]

Another thing to think about.

How many privlages has F&G already taken away from us?

Bear Baiting
The use of hounds for Bear and Cougar.
Trappers are now required to only use Cage Traps for fur trapping.  
etc,
etc,
etc,

From what I have seen so far once we lose something it is gone!  Once they close Public Land to Bear hunters in August chances are it is gone and we WILL NOT get it back.

I don't want to come off as some sort of defender of the WDFW, but I think it's important to be accurate in our arguments if we are going to be effective.

First of all there is no F&G, it's the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Secondly the WDFW did not take those privledges away the anti hunters did through our stupid initiative system.  Finally it is the Wildlife Commission that has proposed all the changes.  Admittedly some of the proposals where requested by personel within the WDFW. 

Add your state lawmakers to that e-mail list as well.  I fear we may take a bit of a whoopin' this time around, and Michelle is right when she says once we lose it we won't get it back, but we don't have to allow it without fighting back.  Just remember to be respectful, and use spell check