At the end of the day WDFW is financially broke, and being broke means they are impotent. They rely on others to do work for them (Tribes, utility companies, etc.), can’t competitive pay market rates for bios, can’t afford enough proper studies, rely on passive studies, have to wait until issues become thermonuclear before resources can be allotted (hoof rot, caribou), not enough wardens per square mile, etc.
All that adds up to a weak organization that can’t captain the ship, but instead is adrift to the whims of others that hold the power. I want a powerful WDFW that fights for its constituents and wins, whether it’s challenging the IPHC over halibut allotments, actively hunting poachers, or commanding regulations to the betterment of fish/game management.
Hippy requests aside, while I am sure there are areas to cut waste and improve performance (ALL organizations have these), but the honest truth is it costs more to manage wildlife/fish now than 50 years ago. Urban sprawl/loss of habitat, monitoring the higher number of at risk species/population groups, the more litigious society we have become, more expensive modern tools.
I understand the concern with having hippies put in money, then actually deserve a say. I would also be perfectly fine to raise more money for them from sportsman, reducing the hippy influence to a minimum. BUT I would need an agreement that the WDFW would get their **** together, act like the leader in fish/wildlife conservation we deserve, and fight for their constituents.
There are multiple ways to fix this and they all have their risks, but I would pay a lot more money for kick *** fish and game here in Wa rather than going to Canada and other states.
I just want awesome/healthy hunting, fishing, and ecosystems. Is this too much to ask?
