Freedman fossil fuel royalty change front man to fund the WDFW gap.

[KFhunter]

Hirst decision x1000000

[ribka]

So as the paid spokesmen for CNW will CNW continue to fight to shut down hunting seasons?

No one is proposing an individual "fossil fuel tax" to help fund WDFW. If you were referring to the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, that's a proposal working through Congress similar to the Land and Water Conservation Fund that would direct $26 million in wildlife funding to Washington state (and varying funds to all other states). But it's not the core issue at hand here locally.

The agency, and various stakeholder groups from Hunters Heritage Council and Mule Deer Foundation to CNW, Audubon and Illwaco Charter Association, is seeking significantly increased appropriations from the state General Fund to take the bulk of the funding burden off hunters and anglers, as well as modest fee increases (for example annual combo license fee increases would be between approximately $13.75 and $17.57).

Recommended reading:

https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/sports/outdoors-wdfw-budget-woes-could-be-forestalled-in-future/
(includes description of Recovering America's Wildlife Act)
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-budget-panel-urges-commission-to-revisit-fee-increase-proposal/

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/wdfw-commission-decides-on-15-percent-fee-hike-after-all-but-with-caps/

https://www.dailyrecordnews.com/outdoors/inside-the-outdoors-why-you-should-support-dfw-budget-solutions/article_f9d98937-f48a-5b38-bb17-c2474a8e0467.html?

[Dale Gribble]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

[Humptulips]

I guess I would be pretty supportive of getting DFW some more money however it came in if they made some indications they were supportive of sportsmen. Lately I get the feeling we would be better off if they went out of business.

[MtnMuley]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

Quit it with the truth already

[WAcoyotehunter]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

You didn't read any of those articles, did you? 

[Dale Gribble]

Ol Mitch coming to hunt Wa again to try and convince us all he’s the saint of the woods and water. Answer this bud, when they were wondering where all their money went did they mention how much they spent building a new f-ing office in Ellensburg? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap since it would’ve been a prevailing wage job and is not your run of the mill office. But that’s alright let’s just increase taxes on all the low income and middle class families at the suggestion of a bunch of eco terrorists. Un freaking believeable. I’m guessing Wa will lose more hunters to great states like ID and MT that actually care about their deer and elk populations.

You didn't read any of those articles, did you?

Actually I did, what’s your point? Kind of an open ended question you have there.

[WAcoyotehunter]

The point is that none of them mention tax increases for the low and middle class and the suggestion for revenue came from a pretty broad group, including hunters/anglers.  You should get ahold of those folks (hunting representatives) if you don't like the plan.

[Dale Gribble]

Ok I get your point. From my perspective, a fee increase on hunters and anglers is a tax and it’s a fair assumption to think that most people who spend their time hunting are blue collar workers making a middle class wage. Just as in voting I personally want to be informed as possible and when it comes to this topic yes, I read the articles Mitch put hyperlinks for but also the one from his website in the OP, where they talk about changing state tax codes because it’s “too regressive.” Not trying to get into a keyboard spat with you brother just stating my opinions, have a great day.

[ribka]

The point is that none of them mention tax increases for the low and middle class and the suggestion for revenue came from a pretty broad group, including hunters/anglers.  You should get ahold of those folks (hunting representatives) if you don't like the plan.

That would not be entirely correct.

CNW supported 1631 the regressive tax that puts the tax burden on the lower income and minority populations in Washington state. As you know this regressive tax causes prices to rise in all commodities. And now CNW wants to start taxing sportsmen after 1631 failed.

https://www.conservationnw.org/news-updates/statement-endorsing-initiative-1631/

[Stein]

Managing wildlife is a responsibility of the owners of the wildlife.  More money should come directly from the general fund, or a line item in the state budget.  License sales and PR funds provide a bunch, and they should, but the wildlife is the responsibility of the state.

[CGDucksandDeer]

I read the articles Mitch put hyperlinks for but also the one from his website in the OP, where they talk about changing state tax codes because it’s “too regressive.”

Mitch might be a forum member (he does hunt), but I'm not him.

[CGDucksandDeer]

Managing wildlife is a responsibility of the owners of the wildlife.  More money should come directly from the general fund, or a line item in the state budget.  License sales and PR funds provide a bunch, and they should, but the wildlife is the responsibility of the state.

I much agree. And the BPAG's recommendation and intent is to secure a significant increase in state General Fund appropriations for the Department, something that's increasingly needed, especially with how many non-game and ESA-listed species issues WDFW is working on these days.

As our license fees have not been increased since 2011, a small fee increase (less than $20) will also be needed, both to keep pace with inflation, and to gain support from state legislators for the larger WDFW funding  package.

Laying groundwork for public support for WDFW funding from both non-hunters and hunters was the intent of Mitch's piece. As was mentioned above, if sportsmen have concerns with the plan for better funding our state fish and wildlife agency, you'd do well to reach out to participating groups like Hunters Heritage Council and Mule Deer Foundation.

[WAcoyotehunter]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news. 

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

[Special T]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/bpag/

I'm not sure why CNW is taking a beating here due to a press release.  There are 20 people on this collaborative group and hunters/anglers are represented.  Tell them to get a press release out if you don't like CNW making news. 

Better yet, get involved in a more meaningful way.

Here is why this sticks in my Craw. the WDFW highlights Mich Freidman above all those 20 others. There are some on that list that like or admire more than others. Ron Garner of Puget Sound Anglers, David Cloe of the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Rachel Voss of the Mule Deer Foundation, and Mark Pidgeon of the Hunters Heritage Council... All are working with and have a long history of working for the resource AND with the department.   Is this reaction because sportsmen are overly sensitive? Are we missing something about Mitch and CNW? Where have they been sportsmens champions? Is the department highlighting CNW ignorance, or is it virtue signaling?


IMO here is the long and short of it. Like it or not CNW is organized. Sportsmen are much less so, and it appears that if the department could supplant its income stream away form  sportmens influence they would be quite happy. Im disapointed the department choose to elevate a frenimie, likely because it seems like a more productive move than dealing with a bunch of unorganized Rabble like us.  Ive joined a couple of new sportsmen orgs recently. I encourage you all to do the same and volunteer in some small way.