HB 1872 Would Delist Wolves in Four WA Counties

[bigtex]

HB 1872 sponsored by Representatives Kretz, Blake, and Short would delist wolves in Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Orielle Counties. It would prevent WDFW from listing wolves as endangered, threatened, or sensitive species in those counties. It would have no effect in all other counties.

http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1872.pdf

[Special T]

Doubt this will go anywhere but it sends a clear signal that those reps want to do something and are being hosed by the rest of the state.

[bigtex]

Doubt this will go anywhere

It won't. It'll get a hearing and vote in committee but that is probably it. 

[dreamunelk]

Hopefully this is a symbolic gesture.  What could potentially happen is the door will be opened for full federal management.  That would be bad news for everyone but the wolf huggers.
Careful what you ask for!

[timberfaller]

Just the simple fact that Kertz and Short have their names attached, is good enough for me!!

Won't go anywhere though,  look no further then I-594 and who controls the State!!!  West side liberals and lazy voters!

[KFhunter]

WDFW still sets the hunting rules, what effect would this have?

[headshot5]

I'm not sure what affect it will have, but I'm sure it would help to force WDFW hand for owners being able to protect livestock.  Less hoops to jump through if you kill a wolf attacking your cows etc in these counties.      

[jackelope]

I'm not sure what affect it will have, but I'm sure it would help to force WDFW hand for owners being able to protect livestock.  Less hoops to jump through if you kill a wolf attacking your cows etc in these counties.      

It is currently legal to shoot a wolf endangering livestock or pets.

I support it. Unfortunately it won't go anywhere.

[Curly]

A lot smaller punishment for someone caught shooting a wolf would be the result.

[bearpaw]

Westside legislators won't let it go anywhere, but it's good to see our legislators trying! 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I could see it maybe passing if it excluded the portion of Okanogan County where wolves are ESA listed.  They could be reclassified as big game outside of the western third of the state where they are still federally listed.  There would be management advantages over the long term by reclassification as big game with a closed season currently that would not conflict with implementing the wolf management plan.  It would be the same status as pronghorn - big game species with no open season.  I hope to see a compromise bill that would do that, I think that a bill that conflicts in western Okanogan County with the ESA doesn't stand a chance.   

[Special T]

You likely would know, but what would management  allow by changing status? Is it just one step to eventually shooting them?

[Magnum_Willys]

3 No's ?   Uh 3 people havent had their coffee and hit wrong button selection by mistake ? or am I missing something ?

[SuperX]

the wolf issue is federal, there isn't anything a state can do to open harvest of wolves above their target populations.  Minnesota had a wolf season for 2-3 years after they hit their numbers, and the feds shut it down when they re-listed wolves.  Lots of lawsuits in MN, which cost the state millions I'm sure.

[bearpaw]

the wolf issue is federal, there isn't anything a state can do to open harvest of wolves above their target populations.  Minnesota had a wolf season for 2-3 years after they hit their numbers, and the feds shut it down when they re-listed wolves.  Lots of lawsuits in MN, which cost the state millions I'm sure.

The feds delisted the eastern 1/3 of WA several years ago, it's the state of WA that still has the eastern 1/3 listed. The line of federal delisting is what DOUBLELUNG was referring to.