Major wdfw overhaul

[huntnphool]

There’s more conspiracies and disinformation here then in an Xfile

 Please, by all means..........enlighten us.

[scudmaster]

So here are my thoughts for what its worth.  If we stop buying licenses then the state will not have money to do any of the projects that may help the deer.  Even PR money is a partial reimbursement to the states, so that would be ill advised if we are actually trying to help the deer, and not just punish the state.  And I always remind myself, nature always gets the deciding vote in the herd health. Two hard winters, fires, and blue tongue outbreaks, etc. have done more than the state to effect the herds. Changes in forest practices etc. are beyond WDFW control.

I never could figure out what the OP was suggesting as a course of action by the state, but I would say that a HUNTER LED proposal to WDFW to close more units to general season hunting and draw only areas with liberal tag quotas would be one way to limit the hunting pressure on specific herds.  But in my experience most hunters in this state are more interested in opportunity to go afield and do not want to limit their opportunity to hunt their preferred units. I am not sure either option is right, lower numbers, lead to lower harvest, so it is self regulating as far as populations go, even for predators.  Where I hunt in WY there is a 3-5 area cycle of high numbers of rabbits, then a high number of yotes.  they clean out the rabbits and the yotes die off.  Then the rabbits boom again and the cycle continues.

In the end, my vote is to let science (i.e. biologist) dictate the wildlife management.  Once you get political, you end up like British Columbia where they went against the science and essentially stopped the Grizzly hunt with special interest outcry.  Once that happens, they good luck getting a science based system back.  I do agree that we can push for more bios on more species.  Turkey numbers are in the basement and there are no turkey bios that I have been able to talk to at WDFW, it is always a secondary job for another bio.


I agree with many posts about being more active in Hunting Groups and volunteering time, donating money, and attending meetings.  It is all rewarding when you see things change.  And it lowers the stress when you understand what is going on in the inside.
 
For what its worth.

[Special T]

I am starting an organizational project. It is my feeling we need to organize so i am going to take the first step. I will Be compiling a list of stakeholders so that we can band together. If you are a member of a hunting or conservation organization i need contact information.
this information will be compiled for the express purpose of organizing sportsmen. It wont be publicly shared, however i will be scouring the internet for public contact information. if you can send me a link with lists that are published online, or the contact information because you are a member i would appreciate it.
Organization, Position, Region, name phone number, Email.

Im quite certain there are more than a couple of people that would vouch for me and i will share my personal contact with you by PM.
I am a active member of Silver Arrow Bowmen, and have held several board positions. In intend on doing something and see this as the first step. If you want to help me compile this information that would be great.

Some examples are associations like  Washington Archery Association (i got that one covered) conservation groups like RMEF, MDF, DU Phesants forever, or hunting advocacy groups like Washington Waterfowl Association, SCI ect. looking for chapter/ regional on up.

thank you

[Skyvalhunter]

Should we send along our social security number and debit card with that?

[Special T]

Should we send along our social security number and debit card with that?

Not sure if your serious or not... no I don't want that.

How are we supposed to build a coalition and organize if we cannot build a contact sheet?  Wouldn't you like hunting groups to sit tighter and hammer some benifishal stuff out? The Anti Groups do it.

I've already been given some information and I'm compiling on my own. It is going to happen... The question is do you want your club or Organization to be part of the solution.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[huntnphool]

Should we send along our social security number and debit card with that?

Not sure if your serious or not... no I don't want that.

How are we supposed to build a coalition and organize if we cannot build a contact sheet?  Wouldn't you like hunting groups to sit tighter and hammer some benifishal stuff out? The Anti Groups do it.

I've already been given some information and I'm compiling on my own. It is going to happen... The question is do you want your club or Organization to be part of the solution.

 I applaud your effort T, however I do have issues with some of our organizations and their relationship with WDFW.

 Before I discuss those issues, can you tell us all, your long term plan and what you would like to see happen?

[Mr Mykiss]

Dang. When you guys are ready I'll give you the answer.

Ok so we all yammer on for 4 pages about a "Major WDFW overhaul" and I get a phone call from a WDFW friend. Basically goes like this "Are you on Hunt-WA? Tell them this..."

So I tell you...
WDFW asked for public input on rules and season setting, WDFW set town halls for public comment, there was almost zero attendance.
District biologists get almost zero phone calls to discuss concerns and receive input.
I post #'s for all the district bios.
You ignore it and we continue yammering on about whatnot and what have you.
.
.
.
You/we are getting exactly what you/we deserve.

Go ahead and flame me...you're getting exactly what you deserve from WDFW!!**

**I am too!!

*With the exception that I've emailed the heck out of my thoughts/observations/proposed changes to the management of the Kahlotus unit.

[bearpaw]

I'm all for bringing hunters together on issues they can agree on, the tough part is getting the majority to support any issue without each of them trying to change it somehow. Almost everyone wants changes at WDFW but very few people can agree on exactly what that change should be. I think identifying specific issues that most can agree need changed, keeping the message straight forward, simple, and easy to understand will get the most support from the biggest majority. 

[Mr Mykiss]

What do we want to change thread? Polls?

1. I think that in the east/central part of the state we need to go draw for deers in all units and eliminate most doe tags...that means that some years you may not be able to hunt deer in WA but hopefully hunting will get better.

[huntnphool]

What do we want to change thread? Polls?

1. I think that in the east/central part of the state we need to go draw for deers in all units and eliminate most doe tags...that means that some years you may not be able to hunt deer in WA but hopefully hunting will get better.

 There are several threads with ideas, the problem with your #1 is not everyone agrees.

[Mr Mykiss]

Well some people are gonna be left out. Right now the mule deer are being left out :/

Sorry I mean...a organized thread:)

[Mudman]

Scrap everything! Start over with states like Id as a template? Get the Governor out of it as well.  Independent again.

[bearpaw]

Dang. When you guys are ready I'll give you the answer.

Ok so we all yammer on for 4 pages about a "Major WDFW overhaul" and I get a phone call from a WDFW friend. Basically goes like this "Are you on Hunt-WA? Tell them this..."

So I tell you...
WDFW asked for public input on rules and season setting, WDFW set town halls for public comment, there was almost zero attendance.
District biologists get almost zero phone calls to discuss concerns and receive input.
I post #'s for all the district bios.
You ignore it and we continue yammering on about whatnot and what have you.
.
.
.
You/we are getting exactly what you/we deserve.

Go ahead and flame me...you're getting exactly what you deserve from WDFW!!**

**I am too!!

*With the exception that I've emailed the heck out of my thoughts/observations/proposed changes to the management of the Kahlotus unit.

If WDFW really wants input from hunters they should have the meetings in different areas around the state. I remember one of the few meetings in Colville, the room was full, but WDFW don't like to hear what people in Colville have to say and almost never meet here. Hunters from eastern WA can't always go to Spokane, Moses Lake, or Olympia. Then after these public meetings if hunters see there input used they will feel it was worth their time. What many hunters see is an agency using public meetings to say they have involved hunters. It appears most of the real decisions are being made to accommodate groups like CNW with little regard for hunter input at public meetings. 

I participated on the whitetail working group, in the end the agency managers did what they wanted to do anyway and never contacted us again, they did not want to involve us again, it was a complete waste of time for all involved. I used to think hunters being involved could make a difference, I was sadly mistaken. 

Legislators elected from my district are about the only people I have any faith in. They are the only people who really have any control over WDFW since they help control some of the purse strings. I think the display by our WDFW director at the senate hearing pretty much sums up the image of WDFW! 

[Mudman]

  Follow the $.  Heck they don't even listen to the state supreme ct or voter initiatives.  Reality check.

[Mr Mykiss]

Ummm...Spokane and Yakima doesn't do it for ya? Ok so what we want is more meetings for us to NOT ATTEND? No seriously. So if they held one in Richland I could say..."Well they didn't hold one in Kennewick". If we care we should make the effort to attend...or call your regional bio.
I am at fault, I did not attend...but I coulda gone to Yakima and I should have.