WDFW Predator Lawsuit

[KFhunter]

I continue to withhold judgement until more details are known...but I don't get warm fuzzies if big ag is behind the lawsuit.  At best there is a narrow overlap where a byproduct of their efforts might be beneficial to sportsmen.  However, on a host of issues most farm bureau and ag industry folks are not sportsmen friendly.  I'm sure they would be happy to take sportsmen's hard earned money and use us as a pawn in their game though.

Dude, they could be your frienenemy.

[Rainier10]

Way too many variables on this one.  I'm just going to have to sit back and see where this actually goes.

[JeffRaines]

Even if they manage to increase opportunity, I cant ever see them reinstating hound hunting and baiting. Too many tree huggers... same with wolves, even when we eventually hit the number for them to come off the endangered list the wolfies will be all over Seattle with an initiative to make sure they're never hunted.

 

[jackelope]

This is exciting news for Washington hunters, a lawsuit is planned to have the court force WDFW to properly manage predators so balanced management will once again occur in Washington. It has become painfully obvious that nothing short of a court order will result in predator management in Washington. This news comes from a capable and reliable source of which will be known when the lawsuit happens this spring.   

What are "properly managed predators" and how does a court force an agency to do this?  I'm all for wolf hunting, more bear harvest, more cougar harvest, baits, dogs etc...but without any details it seems far fetched anything meaningful will come as a result of a lawsuit intended to force wdfw "to properly manage predators". 

I could see litigation over wolf delisting (arguing the state has been arbitrary in its criteria?) or possibly over depredation issues...but even those issues will not lead to "properly managed predators".  As others noted, the courts will defer to agency experts if it is a matter of professional judgement and which data/science applies...leaving a major uphill battle to plaintiffs.   

There is a saying about things that sound too good to be true...this may fall in that category.

This, if it does happen, will be a very short case. "Proper" would be a near impossible legal definition.

WOW, just wow, I'm not the one writing the lawsuit and that's not the language of the suit!   
I was merely informing folks "in my own words" of what is being planned so those of us who want to see some positive change can build support. I thank anyone for any support they are willing to provide!

Without more facts it is very difficult to understand how anyone could build meaningful support.  Is this just a scam to make lawyers wealthy?  If plaintiffs are not ready to file suit why are they blabbing about it on social media and giving the defendants more time (and material) to defeat a potential lawsuit?  None of this seems logical or well thought out and other than the folks mentioning a tribal angle I don't see a lot of avenues to a successful lawsuit    I guess we will just have to wait until Spring.

Keep an eye on the Capitol Press, I heard there may be mention there soon. 

The Capitol Press?  This is an ag industry media outlet correct?  That referred to elk as an invasive species correct? The Capitol Press has not been an advocate of wildlife in general, and now they are promoting a lawsuit to support ungulate herd recovery?  I can't wait to read!  Sounds great that industry is supporting wildlife!
 

If the Capital Press is supporting it, I bet it's most likely in support of predator management in terms of livestock depredation, not so much increasing ungulate recovery. It's just a byproduct of increased predator management.
Thoughts?

That's kind of my thought.  They may be wanting to decrease predators but they don't want more ungulates competing for the same food that their livestock needs.

And crop damage...

[Rainier10]

 
Someone else mentioned that they could use hunter support but let’s be honest they aren’t looking out for hunters. Now if it is a hunting group pulling the AG groups in for support I could see that still benefiting hunters.

[KFhunter]

beef producers would join in with hunters in a heart beat, it'd be foolish to not ask for an official position from the various beef producer groups. 


farmers that only grow crops and complain there's too many elk trampling their peas I'm not so sure about 

[WSU]

That depends hugely on the beef producer. Lots grow feed that wildlife loves rather than put cows on the range where they get ate.

[bearpaw]

I have to wonder if a predator lawsuit could also apply to growing sea lion numbers or fish eating ducks that are wiping out endangered salmon and steelhead runs?

[KFhunter]

I have to wonder if a predator lawsuit could also apply to growing sea lion numbers or fish eating ducks that are wiping out endangered salmon and steelhead runs?

<-- not a lawyer, but I'd think such a large scope would be overly broad (and fail) 



I'd opt for a narrow scope, easily winnable, then build from there.

[Tbar]

I have to wonder if a predator lawsuit could also apply to growing sea lion numbers or fish eating ducks that are wiping out endangered salmon and steelhead runs?

Not likely, this would require an exemption on the prohibition of take. (Mmpa)

[bigtex]

I have to wonder if a predator lawsuit could also apply to growing sea lion numbers or fish eating ducks that are wiping out endangered salmon and steelhead runs?

Both of those are federal issues not state.

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[JimmyHoffa]

I have to wonder if a predator lawsuit could also apply to growing sea lion numbers or fish eating ducks that are wiping out endangered salmon and steelhead runs?

Both of those are federal issues not state.

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But Wdfw doesn't even want to acknowledge the seals and sea lions. At the killer whale meetings they avoid anything about it. Wish they were active in pressing the Feds on the issue. Probably the basic reason why there is a lawsuit for other predators.

[Jpmiller]

Is there any kind of study that points to a mismanagement of Washington predators or is this just the general consensus of the hunting public? I'm truly not trying to be an ass I am just trying to catch up on the subject.

[bearpaw]

I think you can look at the dismal harvest numbers?

[bearpaw]

I have to wonder if a predator lawsuit could also apply to growing sea lion numbers or fish eating ducks that are wiping out endangered salmon and steelhead runs?

Both of those are federal issues not state.

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