WDFW needs your help.

[InsideWDFW]

First off just want to remind everyone that I post here as a fellow hunter who knows a few things/people that have some say on wildlife management in Washington, I'm not a spokesperson for WDFW by any means.

WDFW is about to get, and please pardon the language, assaulted without the benefit of lube or the courtesy of a reach around.  I'm not sure if you seen the positions that could potentially get cut, but it's not pretty.  I know a big deal has been made about the potential Fish Program cuts, but to be honest these are superficial cuts, the core of their business remains intact.

The cuts in the Wildlife Program on the other hand hit the core pretty hard.  While I really can't talk about specifics, there are programs that you guys are very much interested in that could go away.  I know people have this idea of the Wildlife program being some huge bureaucracy, but in all honesty it's probably one of the most efficient programs in the State.  All told there are around 200 Wildlife program employees statewide.  Most of those people are in the field 4 days out of 5, aka the people who actually do things.  Even the management in Olympia have packs at their desks for their 2 days of field work.  Hell the "official" uniform in Olympia is scuffed up romeo boots, faded, dirty, jeans, and a flannel shirt.  Right now we are looking at 20 of those people getting pink slips in a month or two.  10% of the program is going bye bye.

You guys (specifically Hunting Washington members) are pretty good at grassroots campaigns.  I get a chuckle watching issues I see here being brought up at work.  While I know you may not always like what happens, you have to admit we are not the evil government agency we sometimes are made out to be.

So to get to the point.. our budget is in the hands of a few people in a dome.  The cuts that being proposed for WDFW by the legislature/governor are pretty extreme when compared to other state agencies.  You guys could help us out by sending a few letters to your legislators.  Regretfully the cuts to agencies such as DSHS and DoT are getting way more attention then those to WDFW.  I believe you guys know how to bomb WDFW when you get excited about something (see bear seasons as an example), why not show those who control the budget?

Thanks guys.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Well I know that some believe and some dont believe that the WDFW is here to help. I for one believe that there is always room to improve. But i'm also one that believes you can only do so much with what is given to your agency.

So if you do not mind attaching a few email addresses in here as to where this letter should go I will sit down and write one up.


Thanks
Joe

[Buckrub]

The days of the internet make it easy to voice our opinion....do they listen?
I think the only way they listen is not with one but many.
I will do my part....but expect a two way street.

[billythekidrock]

First off just want to remind everyone that I post here as a fellow hunter who knows a few things/people that have some say on wildlife management in Washington, I'm not a spokesperson for WDFW by any means.

WDFW is about to get, and please pardon the language, assaulted without the benefit of lube or the courtesy of a reach around.  I'm not sure if you seen the positions that could potentially get cut, but it's not pretty.  I know a big deal has been made about the potential Fish Program cuts, but to be honest these are superficial cuts, the core of their business remains intact.

The cuts in the Wildlife Program on the other hand hit the core pretty hard.  While I really can't talk about specifics, there are programs that you guys are very much interested in that could go away.  I know people have this idea of the Wildlife program being some huge bureaucracy, but in all honesty it's probably one of the most efficient programs in the State.  All told there are around 200 Wildlife program employees statewide.  Most of those people are in the field 4 days out of 5, aka the people who actually do things.  Even the management in Olympia have packs at their desks for their 2 days of field work.  Hell the "official" uniform in Olympia is scuffed up romeo boots, faded, dirty, jeans, and a flannel shirt.  Right now we are looking at 20 of those people getting pink slips in a month or two.  10% of the program is going bye bye.

You guys (specifically Hunting Washington members) are pretty good at grassroots campaigns.  I get a chuckle watching issues I see here being brought up at work.  While I know you may not always like what happens, you have to admit we are not the evil government agency we sometimes are made out to be.

So to get to the point.. our budget is in the hands of a few people in a dome.  The cuts that being proposed for WDFW by the legislature/governor are pretty extreme when compared to other state agencies.  You guys could help us out by sending a few letters to your legislators.  Regretfully the cuts to agencies such as DSHS and DoT are getting way more attention then those to WDFW.  I believe you guys know how to bomb WDFW when you get excited about something (see bear seasons as an example), why not show those who control the budget?

Thanks guys.

I agree. We need the support of WDFW as much as they need our support. Without both things will change in ways that we will not like.

Can someone find or create a list of Legislators so we can make an organised (and responsible) effort?

[InsideWDFW]

Unfortunately I really can't point out where you guys should send you your letters if you chose to.  While people at work may be aware of what I post here, it's with the understanding that I do it on my own time, and that I only relay information that is publicly available (if you were to ask the right questions to the right people).  Even with all my disclaimers, all it would take is one legislator to get cranky and claim that by my posting here, WDFW is going outside of the proper channels to incite the public.

Like I said earlier, I'm not at liberty to say what may be cut due to the fact that the cuts are speculated until WDFW receives a final budget for the next biennium.  I can say that it's looking nasty.  Because WDFW, especially the Wildlife program, has been running short staffed for years, these potential cuts (which are higher for us then other agencies) are going to effect the services we provide harder then other programs/agencies.

Eventually I'll put together a post of exactly what positions wildlife has and what they do.  But for a little insight we have 2 deer/elk people, 2 bear/cougar/special species people, 1.5 waterfowl people, 1.5 upland game people.  There are 17 district biologists with 2 or 3 sub-bios that deal with ALL wildlife (butterflies and mice to eagles and deer).  20 or so research scientists who deal with endangered species, mapping, other studies and reports (game harvest and trend/status).  6 wildlife managers (regional managers), 2 statewide managers (Wildlife Program manager and his deputy).  5 sections managers (Game, Diversity, Science, Lands, Administration), 3 veterinarians, 50 (don't cringe) lands people who do everything from fix the outhouses at the wildlife areas to negotiating grazing leases (don't kill the messenger).  There are 9 administration people who do everything from answer phones to license game farms plus support the rest of the staff.  Plus a few more that I can't remember this morning.

Each individual above wears quite a few different hats.  Non of these people are your standard state worker - they put in a full 40.  70% of them are hunters, 90% have a fishing license.

Now cut 10%

[Wacenturion]

Sorry but have to respectfully disagree.  Wildlife Management is probably the most inefficient division in the WDFW.  Some good people granted but the decision makers who run the program (s) leave a lot to be desired.  From my perspective they have always wanted to control everything (i.e. Wildlife Areas) but don't know what to do with it when they get it....kind of like Obama.
Unfortunately you're right ...going to loose some of those field positions which do the work, although it depends on what they do...surveys, meetings, no defined product.....no big loss.  Managing and dealing with people, and on the ground improvements for wildlife ...a big deal.
Sorry don't mean to rain on your message....it's just that the current track record (last 10 years or so) of those that run the wildlife management programs in that division is a joke.   

[bow-n-head]

I have never been to Washington state. I do work for the public here in Montana, and it doesn't matter what I do it always pisses someone off. There are so many rules and regulations we have to follow that we spend 2 hours doing paperwork so we can get an hour of work done. I would say take it easy on the messenger and go after the polititions. We have a Fish and Game Comission here that seems to answer to nobody, they take in advisement and do what they want. I only bring this up because it mostly pertains to out of state hunters. It will be harder for those of you who like to bowhunt the Missouri River Breaks for elk to draw a permit. They plan to cut permits year after year. Areas where I used to hunt general season are now permit only. Out of state hunters are only allowed 10% of those permits. We are all loosing hunting oppertunity, in the end I see very little hunting for your average hunter. You will have to spen tens of thousands to shoot a 3pt buck.

[Skyhigh]

the lands program looks like it needs some restructuring....I talked to a guy that manages access areas for WDFW..He said that he has like 140 sites in 5 counties and they just cut his seasonal help, so he is very lucky to get to each one atleast once a month....That was 4 years ago before the big deficit..

WDFW mentality now would be to close more access sites and alienate more users..Where in fact they should trim some of the fat from the top and actually put more hands on the ground level where it is needed..

Hmm..sound familiar? I remember that coming from Ms. Chrissy four years ago...wonder if it happened?

My opinion and only mine, is that WDFW is going to get huge budget hits these next few years ,as its consituants are fed up with the operation and will decide to pass on purchasing licenses and move onto other forms of recreation..
I am looking at my personal budget and deciding where I get most bang for my buck...As much as I enjoy big game hunting...it is the highest cost for me...travel, food, gas, license etc. etc.  maybe its time to enjoy something else?
I bet there are many others out there doing the same thing!

I have heard rumor through legislative contacts that there are 3 avenues being looked at now to help with WDFW budget crisis... One is raising across the board license fees 10% for two years (only temporary) The second is raising select license fees up to 30% (permanantly) and the third is forming a lottery type revenue...

It is a for sure is a tough spot for all agencies right now, and I am leaning for a do nothing attitude on the financial side and ride it out..Have WDFW learn new priorities, discover its weaknesses, from the inside out, instead of from the outside in (like we all know them) basically get broke down and humbled... Crawl back up, set new goals, learn from their past mistakes, LISTEN to constituants and become a new agency that understands who it works for!

[bbarnes]

The WDFW needs to be separated for fish and wildlife. I for one am sick of going to commission meetings where 85% of the meeting is about fish .We have spent billions of dollars to save fish and it hasn't worked,But we all know theres no money in solving a problem only creating it.I would be more than glad to help and have,but there is to much influence by special intrest groups.Things need to change we cant keep over harvesting fish with gill nets, every Tuesday no wonder the sealions are at the Bonneville dam.We cant let are deer and elk starve and get diseased,not to mention selling way to many tags to try and make up for a budget problem.This is no way to manage our recourse,the tax payer who buys the tags the fuel the truck the boat the gun and your wage is getting screwed.If you can tell me hunting and fishing is better in state than its ever been, then you will have my support.The agency who's getting the short end of the stick is enforcement,we need more of them and there taking the biggest cuts.I will be putting a rally together in Olympia to let law makers know that we need change,we want a quality hunt,we want fish in our rivers, and we want public access.Stay tuned .

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I think what is on the radar now, is much larger than infighting about how to run fish and wildlife in this State. What is at stake is the loss of our voice, particularly with the Commission being gone, will we now even have a public input process and if we do, who will we be giving input to, a Highway Patrolman? We really need to speak up now, or risk losing our voice altogether. We saw some really responsive actions in the form of proposed season changes after the public scoping period, that is what we are at risk of losing. I for one will start sending my already increasing nuisance wildlife management bills right to Mrs. Gregoire's address of she continues to cut wildlife management in this State, I am not joking one bit. That is one avenue that has already been designated as the "citizen's" fiscal responsibility by the Governor, whether it has been officially stated, or not. I will sign any petition to both minimize the Agency cuts and to maintain the public input on the effectiveness of OUR license money contribution to the State's general fund!

[billythekidrock]

While I agree that an overhaul of WDFW is needed, we need the WDFW. Like I said in another thread.

"I hate to say it, but I think we hunters pail in comparison when it comes to being united."

[Thenewguy]

I will send a letter each week until things are fixed. hmm, for the sake of numbers lets say each letters costs me .50 cents. 50 cents times 56 weeks a year for my entire life equates to....

[bbarnes]

Dmanmasterta i would agree with you on keeping the commission, that is our voice.We also however need to make the commission aware that it takes money to travel to these events and our concerns are valid.I myself have spent countless hours at meetings,town halls and lawmakers offices trying to educate them on problems.They all have the same thing to say we need money,well my question is how much is enough.Example mud flow pilings to create habitate for elk on toutle river ,there was no engineering it washed out 10 acres at a cost of 65 thousand dollars. Then there was the tree planting at 4 dollars per tree a cost of 120 thousand estimated.To date there has been over 1 million dollars spent on habitat restoration on the  loowit  wild life refuge.That has resulted in a net loss of habitat.This money would have been better invested on other projects or property,elsewhere around the mountain.Yet wdfw continues to fund permit and promote these same projects year after year expecting different results.

[Buckrub]

I'm torn here.....what do we stand to lose?
I would support the wdfw if we would have a voice but up to this point I haven't seen it.
Creating a lottery system for hunters hasn't done the game or hunters justice at all. Elk are dying of starvation in the st. Helen's area due to lack of management, why? to create a lottery system based on revenue vs. management.

How can hunting survive with very little opportunity for youth?
Has the well paid commission (100+k yr.) really done the job?

We could have the best hunting in the west but lottery style management compounded with habitat expenditures trying to sustain overpopulated pet areas for the dept. is destroying our net worth. I think most hunters would pay for good management.

How much do we have to pay to have a voice?
How many letters, emails and meetings do we have to commit to?

I will pay for common sense management creating opportunity for all hunters especially the youth!

If you want quality hunting for all go to five/ six / seven point or better elk...whatever. manage the herd with hunting days not permits.
Why do we have three point restriction on mule deer? (good mangement)
Why is west side elk different than east side?
NO BS about more cover for eastside...OK, less cover less hunting days with mandatory reporting and GOOD escapement figures to manage properly.
Quality for all not just the lucky few who 10 friggin years of not drawing a permit then having a 35% success rate...what a joke.

OK..my rant  is over...how many emails and where do you want them to go?

[Elkaholic daWg]

OK..my rant  is over...how many emails and where do you want them to go?

 I send mine to my senator and reps.....plus a few more. Even rattled Frank chopps cage