WDFW - Trying to discourage attendance?

[billythekidrock]

Dear Wildlife Enthusiast:

Thank you for your comment on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fall bear hunting season recommendation.  The Department has received numerous comments on this recommendation and all of the comments do not support the change to the August portion of bear season.  Because we’re “on the bubble” in terms of the biological justification for reducing bear harvest, the Department has altered our recommendation to open the 2009 fall bear season August 1 rather than September 1 (for the subset of Bear Management Units) with no private land designation.  The revised recommendation tries to balance the emerging biological concern, provide early fall hunting opportunity, and address public input.  After a thorough review of bear harvest trends and biological information, the Department will provide the Fish and Wildlife Commission with a recommendation for the 2010-2011 fall bear hunting season in March 2010. 

While reviewing the public input I also noticed several folks indicated they planned on attending the March 6-7 Commission meeting in Ellensburg to testify on this agenda item.  I want to inform you of this change in case your trip to Ellensburg hinged on the Departments bear hunting season recommendation.   I’ve attached the revised fall bear season recommendation for your convenience. 

Thank you again for provide feedback on our 3-year hunting season recommendations.

Sincerely,

Donny Martorello

Carnivore, Furbearer & Special Species Section Manager

[billythekidrock]

The cynic in me wonders why they would send this message. I am also wondering why I didn't get a "personalized" response to my other email?

[jackelope]

While reviewing the public input I also noticed several folks indicated they planned on attending the March 6-7 Commission meeting in Ellensburg to testify on this agenda item.  I want to inform you of this change in case your trip to Ellensburg hinged on the Departments bear hunting season recommendation.

call me simple, but it sounds like they are trying to save you a trip to ellensburg if that was the only reason you were going.
 

i'm sure some folks think there is a deep dark hidden meaning behind that statement, but thats what it looks like to me.

[WDFW-SUX]

 


The clown show continues......

[yelp]

I got the same reply today...they don't want us taking up the commissions precious time..There is the fight for next years seasons too.  We'll see. 

[huntnphool]

Because we’re “on the bubble” in terms of the biological justification for reducing bear harvest,

If that is not the most politically based statement I have ever heard We all know it was a knee jerk reaction meant to ease the pressure put on them by the hikers, anti's and politicians for the shooting last year, do they honestly believe we are that naive.

"Biological Justification" MY ASS!!!!

[luvtohnt]

Because we’re “on the bubble” in terms of the biological justification for reducing bear harvest,

If that is really the case why not cut back the spring bear tags? That would make more sense in my opinion.

BTKR and Yelp are you guys going to come to the meeting.

Brandon

[Diehard0123]

I almost didn't open my email, it was from someone called "wildthing (DFW)" with the subject heading [No Subject]  I screen all my emails and ususally do not open them if they are not from someone I know.  You would think that the WDFW would have used a more formal email account to send us information, with a subject title.    

[yelp]

Oh Diehard..Wildthing you make my heart sing...I always get excited if there is an email in my inbox from a "wildthing" LOL...But seriously...I think headsupourass@DFW was taken...   Oh and try to email that address you may get a response LOL.   ...

[Michelle_Nelson]

Even if you were planning on going if just to inquire about the Bear Season startring in September I would still make the trip.  If anything to see what else the Game department is planning and to see what else they are working on for next years Bear Season in reguards to Opening/Closing dates.  Among other things.

[bobcat]

I got that email also. I have to give them credit in this case for doing the right thing and letting people know that a trip to Ellensburg may be a waste of their time, if in fact the trip over was only due to the bear hunting issue. I'm sure they also would rather not have the meeting room quite as overflowing as it might have been. Although they are still going to have plenty of company with all the archery hunters that are going.

[Gutpile]

While reviewing the public input I also noticed several folks indicated they planned on attending the March 6-7 Commission meeting in Ellensburg to testify on this agenda item.  I want to inform you of this change in case your trip to Ellensburg hinged on the Departments bear hunting season recommendation.

call me simple, but it sounds like they are trying to save you a trip to ellensburg if that was the only reason you were going.
 

i'm sure some folks think there is a deep dark hidden meaning behind that statement, but thats what it looks like to me.

I agree. Pretty decent of them if this is indeed the case.

[jackelope]

thank god someone agreed with me...i was beginning to feel like a *censored* there for a bit.

[yelp]

I agree...I also think  that if every person got to talk they may be there for awhile.. For those going here are the procedures for comments...

Providing Public Input at Fish and Wildlife Commission Meetings

SIGN-UP SHEET
Please complete a "Public Testimony" form if you want to provide testimony (available at the meeting registration table). Submit your completed form to the Commission representative at the registration table PRIOR to the start of discussion of that agenda item.

AGENDA
Public testimony is accepted only during those agenda items designated for "Public Input," and during "Open Public Input" portions of the agenda (Open Public Input is usually scheduled twice per meeting day; once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for items not on the agenda). Be aware that items may be taken out of order, and that the times listed are estimates only.

TESTIMONY
Due to extensive participation at Commission meetings, your opportunity to give testimony to the full Commission may be limited. To provide a fair opportunity for everyone to be heard, please abide by the following ground rules:

Review pertinent information provided at the registration table.
Complete a "Public Testimony" form and submit at the registration table PRIOR to the start of discussion of that agenda item.
If you have written material you wish to provide to the Commissioners, please give 13 copies to the Commission representative when you sign up to speak.
Speakers will have 3 minutes to speak. (A timer will beep to indicate when your three minutes are up.)
Your testimony time cannot be given to another speaker.
Summarize rather than read written material.
Address the Commission and the issues, not the other speakers or staff.
Consider others' time by limiting your comments to new issues. If you agree with points made by previous speakers, simply acknowledge that and please move on to new information.
Don't repeat material you have previously submitted in writing; provide new material or verbally re-frame written material to promote a deeper understanding of your points.

[Machias]

Well my friends I have heard this song before, this is the EXACT thing the told us at the meetings for the NE part of the state.  They said it was due to conflicts with other user groups, when the room got hostile they whipped out the oh too many sows are being harvested, the numbers are on decline.  So the room settled down.  Three years later I went back to the meeting and when I asked what the impact of the now after Labor Day opening had had on the sow harvest they looked at me like I had a third eye.  It's all total complete 

[billythekidrock]

Because we’re “on the bubble” in terms of the biological justification for reducing bear harvest,

If that is really the case why not cut back the spring bear tags? That would make more sense in my opinion.

BTKR and Yelp are you guys going to come to the meeting.

Brandon

I think spring is probably not the place to be cutting tags in most areas. IF this is a population issue I think the second tag should go first then cut the season back from elk and deer. Eliminate the incidental kills.

[billythekidrock]

Yes, maybe I am reading it wrong, but I am concerned that if we don't show how important public land is to us that we will be ran off of it next year. I am also concerned that these F&W bios don't want the Commission to see how passionate we are and how wrong they are.

In the original Proposal F&W stated that “Those data suggest bear populations are
stable to slightly declining (in a few BBMUs).”BUT  “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”

Weeks ago Machias made a post about how they did this verything in the past and reverted to the population issue. That post made me pay attention and I have to say that I believe F&W is going to switch gears and not mention "recreational users" and go full bore with the "biological" angle next year. To add weight to this statement, take a look at the revised proposals.

I tried to copy from the revised proposal but it wouldn't let me.

Now, if you look at the revised proposal there is no mention of "recreational users" in the bear cougar section like before. Why did they take out their "justification" and change it?

Again, if the population is in jeapordy then we can handle a shorter season, but don't take August or public lands away from us. There are better ways to handle a bear population issue.

[saylean]

I completly agree with ya Billy. Take away the "recreaton" part, give it a year and say "this cant be a knee jerk decision, that was 2 years ago, its biological."

To me, the simplest way to do it is just eliminate the 2nd tag....of course, then they would be loosing some moola...

[Snapshot]

I hope no one decides to stay home. A few bunny huggers in Spandex clutching a copy of 101 Hikes in the Central Cascades could sway the Commission on this topic. If you care, you'd better go there and show it.
DS

[woodswalker]

I'll be there in the afternoon and then Saturday....have to work Friday AM til Noon

[billythekidrock]

Unfortunately due to weather 3 of us will not make it. 

[Snapshot]

Conditions & weather (from DOT): Bare & dry, wet in places & ice in places.
What's the problem? Are you early-season-only hunters?