Free: Contests & Raffles.
Nah, be just like it is now, if you close it to anyone, you must close it to everyone. Precedence has been set.
I am hearing that fall hunting seasons will be closed unless you draw a permit. That way the WDFW gets to keep all of the money spent getting licenses and permit application fees. With the small amount of individuals being drawn for permits they will be separated by miles instead of the normal pumpkin patch openers for the regular seasons where it is expected that hunters will be closer than six feet...
State lands being closed shouldnt stop turkey hunters if the season was opened. Tons of private, usfs, and industrial timberland full of turkeys that is still open for guys to hunt on. The problem imo is that the sate would have s hard time maintaining the closure of state lands if they opened hunting back up.
So the following is our staemwnt from our notes from our meeting with WDFW yesterday. It is a long read but I hope that there is good information there.WDFW Outdoor Recreation Leaders Videoconference on Coronavirus Closures and Re-Opening Recreational OpportunityThe video conference was attended by about 42 persons including 9 WDFW staff, 1 Commissioner, 1 Governor Natural Resource Policy Advisor, and outdoor user representatives as follows - 14 recreational fishing, fish charters/guides, 7 hunting groups and 10 recreational user groups.The meeting was set up recognizing that WDFW had been faced with the need to make decisions quickly, and that they had not been able to get input from constituents.The rational for decisions was based first on protecting public health and safety with the Governor’s orders taking precedence. Providing recreational opportunity was the second consideration.How’d we get to closures. Started off with the scheduled coastal razor clam digs. WDFW originally saw no reason to close. However, Pacific Co. DOH issued a closure order to stop the razor clam dig in their area due to Covid19 concerns with amount of people travelling to the beaches and fears that local supplies would be overused. Once that went into effect, WDFW felt if wasn’t fair to impact other areas and implemented a total closure. WDFW also followed the governor’s orders of Stay at Home. Even without a dig, a huge amount of people were at the beaches. These people cleaned out the store supplies of items that the did have available in their areas, as feared.Fishing closure were originally going to be aimed at high concentration fisheries, but as Covid 19 issues changed, the Governor’s office defined essential activities and equity for all became an issue, fishing was cancelled. The Governor’s order also does not consider monitor activities essential and this is needed to keep fisheries with ESA concerns open, forcing closure.Hunting closures looked at the fact that, in most cases, 70-90% of hunters would need to travel to limited areas, thus placing large numbers in small communities, again taxing local resources and violating the Stay at Home order. The same rational was applied to state land usage. Rather that just allow local participation, WDFW opted for closures to ensure equal treatment. WDFW didn’t want rural areas bombarded with hunters and fishers, and the effort required to enforce locals only regulations represented an unacceptable risk in terms of contacts and enforceability. We asked how they will enforce going forward and were told that officers will be out doing their job as usual. There were quite a few comments about poor communications from the department on closures and a feeling that there is no consistency. Examples: WDFW has said there is a closure for spring turkey season, but the emergency regulation required to implement the closure is not listed. In compliance with Stay at Home order people are not able to fish, but people can go out boating.The goal is to get users back out, but it will have to be done in compliance with guidance from the Governor and local health authorities. It may have to be phased in, lands/facilities may need prepped and agency coordination is needed, etc. The main goal is to not trigger a 2nd wave of virus issues.We broke out into Fishing, Hunting and Lands groups respectively. There was discussion of an extension of turkey season if it was opened in May. Discussion was that an extension should consider hunt quality, nesting/poult disturbance, and safety. NWTF’s position was two fold: 1st - Although birds would be there, much of Spring season revolves around toms being conducive to calling. We all know that this urge wanes as season goes on, so we questioned actual quality of activity if season went into June. 2nd - We would be towards the end of nesting and likely chasing hens off of nests and disturbing poults on the ground. The allure would not be there. A suggestion was made if we do extend it to only do it into the first week of June only. They also discussed having 2 youth only days as we open back up. Not a bad idea but my thought is that it could be a hard hunt with limited chance of success. If there was a youth season a suggestion was to make it during the middle of the week because they aren’t in school right now. WDFW said that if they were to open, it could be a slow roll out, working with rural communities and local health departments. It was suggested in the break out to do an area opening location by location. This may not address the need to promote dispersed recreation and public lands would need to be opened back up. Discussion on if the season does not happen what can be done to help hunting in the fall. The turkey population could to be a lot higher and we would like to work more closely with nuisance specialist to get new hunters, youth or disabled out on damage properties for an opportunity and hunting of those turkeys vs issuing kill permits. Our honest impression after meeting was that getting a spring turkey season is mostly likely not going to happen. We think WDFW would like to allow hunters out if impacts can be mitigated. That would rely on us all to do the right thing. The bigger factor is the Governor’s Stay at Home order and essential activities designations. Being a state agency, WDFW is obligated to comply, no matter how much we want them to ignore those edicts. Changing the Governor’s mind is likely our best and only avenue. Fingers crossed for early May. I don‘t know anyone who does not want to be out there, the two of us included. Try to voice your opinion to the Department and Governor in a civil manner, even though it may be hard. We’re closed because of a virus, it is affecting all we do. Good or bad, don’t accept a few irresponsible users messing up chance of a possible opening or stealing the resource.Russell McDonald Richard MannSent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Quote from: Russ McDonald on April 15, 2020, 06:52:25 PMSo the following is our staemwnt from our notes from our meeting with WDFW yesterday. It is a long read but I hope that there is good information there.WDFW Outdoor Recreation Leaders Videoconference on Coronavirus Closures and Re-Opening Recreational OpportunityThe video conference was attended by about 42 persons including 9 WDFW staff, 1 Commissioner, 1 Governor Natural Resource Policy Advisor, and outdoor user representatives as follows - 14 recreational fishing, fish charters/guides, 7 hunting groups and 10 recreational user groups.The meeting was set up recognizing that WDFW had been faced with the need to make decisions quickly, and that they had not been able to get input from constituents.The rational for decisions was based first on protecting public health and safety with the Governor’s orders taking precedence. Providing recreational opportunity was the second consideration.How’d we get to closures. Started off with the scheduled coastal razor clam digs. WDFW originally saw no reason to close. However, Pacific Co. DOH issued a closure order to stop the razor clam dig in their area due to Covid19 concerns with amount of people travelling to the beaches and fears that local supplies would be overused. Once that went into effect, WDFW felt if wasn’t fair to impact other areas and implemented a total closure. WDFW also followed the governor’s orders of Stay at Home. Even without a dig, a huge amount of people were at the beaches. These people cleaned out the store supplies of items that the did have available in their areas, as feared.Fishing closure were originally going to be aimed at high concentration fisheries, but as Covid 19 issues changed, the Governor’s office defined essential activities and equity for all became an issue, fishing was cancelled. The Governor’s order also does not consider monitor activities essential and this is needed to keep fisheries with ESA concerns open, forcing closure.Hunting closures looked at the fact that, in most cases, 70-90% of hunters would need to travel to limited areas, thus placing large numbers in small communities, again taxing local resources and violating the Stay at Home order. The same rational was applied to state land usage. Rather that just allow local participation, WDFW opted for closures to ensure equal treatment. WDFW didn’t want rural areas bombarded with hunters and fishers, and the effort required to enforce locals only regulations represented an unacceptable risk in terms of contacts and enforceability. We asked how they will enforce going forward and were told that officers will be out doing their job as usual. There were quite a few comments about poor communications from the department on closures and a feeling that there is no consistency. Examples: WDFW has said there is a closure for spring turkey season, but the emergency regulation required to implement the closure is not listed. In compliance with Stay at Home order people are not able to fish, but people can go out boating.The goal is to get users back out, but it will have to be done in compliance with guidance from the Governor and local health authorities. It may have to be phased in, lands/facilities may need prepped and agency coordination is needed, etc. The main goal is to not trigger a 2nd wave of virus issues.We broke out into Fishing, Hunting and Lands groups respectively. There was discussion of an extension of turkey season if it was opened in May. Discussion was that an extension should consider hunt quality, nesting/poult disturbance, and safety. NWTF’s position was two fold: 1st - Although birds would be there, much of Spring season revolves around toms being conducive to calling. We all know that this urge wanes as season goes on, so we questioned actual quality of activity if season went into June. 2nd - We would be towards the end of nesting and likely chasing hens off of nests and disturbing poults on the ground. The allure would not be there. A suggestion was made if we do extend it to only do it into the first week of June only. They also discussed having 2 youth only days as we open back up. Not a bad idea but my thought is that it could be a hard hunt with limited chance of success. If there was a youth season a suggestion was to make it during the middle of the week because they aren’t in school right now. WDFW said that if they were to open, it could be a slow roll out, working with rural communities and local health departments. It was suggested in the break out to do an area opening location by location. This may not address the need to promote dispersed recreation and public lands would need to be opened back up. Discussion on if the season does not happen what can be done to help hunting in the fall. The turkey population could to be a lot higher and we would like to work more closely with nuisance specialist to get new hunters, youth or disabled out on damage properties for an opportunity and hunting of those turkeys vs issuing kill permits. Our honest impression after meeting was that getting a spring turkey season is mostly likely not going to happen. We think WDFW would like to allow hunters out if impacts can be mitigated. That would rely on us all to do the right thing. The bigger factor is the Governor’s Stay at Home order and essential activities designations. Being a state agency, WDFW is obligated to comply, no matter how much we want them to ignore those edicts. Changing the Governor’s mind is likely our best and only avenue. Fingers crossed for early May. I don‘t know anyone who does not want to be out there, the two of us included. Try to voice your opinion to the Department and Governor in a civil manner, even though it may be hard. We’re closed because of a virus, it is affecting all we do. Good or bad, don’t accept a few irresponsible users messing up chance of a possible opening or stealing the resource.Russell McDonald Richard MannSent from my SM-N976V using TapatalkGreat post, Russ. Thanks for sharing.
Quote from: jackelope on April 15, 2020, 07:02:54 PMQuote from: Russ McDonald on April 15, 2020, 06:52:25 PMSo the following is our staemwnt from our notes from our meeting with WDFW yesterday. It is a long read but I hope that there is good information there.WDFW Outdoor Recreation Leaders Videoconference on Coronavirus Closures and Re-Opening Recreational OpportunityThe video conference was attended by about 42 persons including 9 WDFW staff, 1 Commissioner, 1 Governor Natural Resource Policy Advisor, and outdoor user representatives as follows - 14 recreational fishing, fish charters/guides, 7 hunting groups and 10 recreational user groups.The meeting was set up recognizing that WDFW had been faced with the need to make decisions quickly, and that they had not been able to get input from constituents.The rational for decisions was based first on protecting public health and safety with the Governor’s orders taking precedence. Providing recreational opportunity was the second consideration.How’d we get to closures. Started off with the scheduled coastal razor clam digs. WDFW originally saw no reason to close. However, Pacific Co. DOH issued a closure order to stop the razor clam dig in their area due to Covid19 concerns with amount of people travelling to the beaches and fears that local supplies would be overused. Once that went into effect, WDFW felt if wasn’t fair to impact other areas and implemented a total closure. WDFW also followed the governor’s orders of Stay at Home. Even without a dig, a huge amount of people were at the beaches. These people cleaned out the store supplies of items that the did have available in their areas, as feared.Fishing closure were originally going to be aimed at high concentration fisheries, but as Covid 19 issues changed, the Governor’s office defined essential activities and equity for all became an issue, fishing was cancelled. The Governor’s order also does not consider monitor activities essential and this is needed to keep fisheries with ESA concerns open, forcing closure.Hunting closures looked at the fact that, in most cases, 70-90% of hunters would need to travel to limited areas, thus placing large numbers in small communities, again taxing local resources and violating the Stay at Home order. The same rational was applied to state land usage. Rather that just allow local participation, WDFW opted for closures to ensure equal treatment. WDFW didn’t want rural areas bombarded with hunters and fishers, and the effort required to enforce locals only regulations represented an unacceptable risk in terms of contacts and enforceability. We asked how they will enforce going forward and were told that officers will be out doing their job as usual. There were quite a few comments about poor communications from the department on closures and a feeling that there is no consistency. Examples: WDFW has said there is a closure for spring turkey season, but the emergency regulation required to implement the closure is not listed. In compliance with Stay at Home order people are not able to fish, but people can go out boating.The goal is to get users back out, but it will have to be done in compliance with guidance from the Governor and local health authorities. It may have to be phased in, lands/facilities may need prepped and agency coordination is needed, etc. The main goal is to not trigger a 2nd wave of virus issues.We broke out into Fishing, Hunting and Lands groups respectively. There was discussion of an extension of turkey season if it was opened in May. Discussion was that an extension should consider hunt quality, nesting/poult disturbance, and safety. NWTF’s position was two fold: 1st - Although birds would be there, much of Spring season revolves around toms being conducive to calling. We all know that this urge wanes as season goes on, so we questioned actual quality of activity if season went into June. 2nd - We would be towards the end of nesting and likely chasing hens off of nests and disturbing poults on the ground. The allure would not be there. A suggestion was made if we do extend it to only do it into the first week of June only. They also discussed having 2 youth only days as we open back up. Not a bad idea but my thought is that it could be a hard hunt with limited chance of success. If there was a youth season a suggestion was to make it during the middle of the week because they aren’t in school right now. WDFW said that if they were to open, it could be a slow roll out, working with rural communities and local health departments. It was suggested in the break out to do an area opening location by location. This may not address the need to promote dispersed recreation and public lands would need to be opened back up. Discussion on if the season does not happen what can be done to help hunting in the fall. The turkey population could to be a lot higher and we would like to work more closely with nuisance specialist to get new hunters, youth or disabled out on damage properties for an opportunity and hunting of those turkeys vs issuing kill permits. Our honest impression after meeting was that getting a spring turkey season is mostly likely not going to happen. We think WDFW would like to allow hunters out if impacts can be mitigated. That would rely on us all to do the right thing. The bigger factor is the Governor’s Stay at Home order and essential activities designations. Being a state agency, WDFW is obligated to comply, no matter how much we want them to ignore those edicts. Changing the Governor’s mind is likely our best and only avenue. Fingers crossed for early May. I don‘t know anyone who does not want to be out there, the two of us included. Try to voice your opinion to the Department and Governor in a civil manner, even though it may be hard. We’re closed because of a virus, it is affecting all we do. Good or bad, don’t accept a few irresponsible users messing up chance of a possible opening or stealing the resource.Russell McDonald Richard MannSent from my SM-N976V using TapatalkGreat post, Russ. Thanks for sharing.I Agree great post very informative.It's kinda glass half full or half empty deal with WDFW .
Same here. I dont put in for goat or sheep, but id really like a moose tag. Moose are really not doing so well, id like a tag while its still worth having.
