WDFW Spring Bear 2022 cancelled!

[CLARKTAR]

I have requested all emails from the wdfw to the commission and GMAC as well as all text messages and any and all online comments for or against the spring bear hunt, via the freedom of information act.
Once received I will do a file dump if possible.

Thank you!!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[KFhunter]

write a letter to our Attorney General Bob Ferguson.....ya, lotta good that'd do. 

[highcountry_hunter]

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned about this whole tie vote debacle, there is supposed to be 9 commission members. The 9th member, who is supposed to be a representative of eastern Washington, has yet to be elected or appointed. And as said before, a handful of the current commission members have yet to be sworn in. In my opinion they shouldn’t be able to make major changes until the board has been filled and all sworn in.

2 rcw are in violation. Perhaps more.  Not only are locations important  but stake holders. KOONTZ replaced the comerical fishermans reb Bob Kehoe. Now you maybor not care for the com fishery group but Kehoe was a strong supporter of hunters.  Carpenter is over his term length, and it seems ran for Mount Vernon City Council. Since he lost it matters not but if he won would be in elligable for the comission. We have a vacant seat. Smith and Koontz are not confirmed by the state senate. And yet get to make decisions as if they were. Why did the natural resources committee  in the senate not hold confermation votes? Kevin  VAN deWeg  is a HSUS senator of the year many times over and chairmen of the committee.  Its not like Inslee and Van DeWedge are on different  political pages.... so why would that be?

So if 2 rcw’s are in violation then who do we contact to file a lawsuit that would essentially void their decision? The sierra club? There was an episode of The Meateater Podcast a few years ago where the had a guest from a group that specialized in protecting hunters rights from a legal standpoint but for the life of me I can’t remember their name nor which episode it was

[highcountry_hunter]

Maybe it was sportsman’s alliance

[nwwanderer]

If you want to maintain sanity, best not to look at rcw's being violated.  Remember for November and beyond

[Special T]

Who do we go to for recourse? AG Ferguson? Im not sure how fruitful that would be. The only recourse paid out is the state senate Natural resources committee... Contacting those senators may help, unfortunatly chairman Kevin Van Dewege  has been the HSUS  senator of the year several times.

I dont think that is very fruitful but it may be a way to convince onenof the Dems on it to act.

[Skyvalhunter]

I contacted Natural resources committee last time to voice my opinion to the appointed commission members last time and it pretty much did no good. It just seems we are stuck with the outcome unless there's another avenue.  Then theres this: September’s commission unveiling of a new draft conservation policy and environmental groups pushing Governor Inslee to name more “reform-minded members”: 

[Karl Blanchard]

We've got entirely too many threads going on this topic. May be wise to consolidate the important info and data into one thread

[KFhunter]

Done.


This thread should show a nice progression from submitting your opinion online to the comission, to final cancellation and all the pertinent information in between.   

All the subject titles of the merged threads are intact. 

[pickardjw]

What two RCW's are in violation? Would be helpful to be able to refer to them specifically in any communications we're sending.

[idahohuntr]

I contacted Natural resources committee last time to voice my opinion to the appointed commission members last time and it pretty much did no good. It just seems we are stuck with the outcome unless there's another avenue.  Then theres this: September’s commission unveiling of a new draft conservation policy and environmental groups pushing Governor Inslee to name more “reform-minded members”: 

I don't know the ins/outs of commission appointments, but one avenue may be to make some noise about Commissioner Lorna Smith to the Governors policy advisors:

JT Austin
Senior Policy Advisor, Natural Resources
360-902-0638
jt.austin@gov.wa.gov

Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Jon Snyder
Senior Policy Advisor, Outdoor Recreation & Economic Development
360-584-3804
jon.snyder@gov.wa.gov

Letting these folks know that Ms. Smith is openly attacking the integrity of staff for an entire agency (WDFW) and pushing emotional arguments in favor of special interest groups at the expense of rural communities, outdoor recreation and economic development might be helpful.  I would hope if advisors to the Governor start hearing from many of us, even if they don't get rid of Lorna, it might help keep a balance on future commission appointments.  If you do email or call these folks...don't go into any political rants or jabs at the Governor...it will completely undermine your efforts.  Stay respectful and focused on why Ms. Smith is unfit for the Commission and bad for Washington's wildlife and outdoor recreation economy.   

[Special T]

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned about this whole tie vote debacle, there is supposed to be 9 commission members. The 9th member, who is supposed to be a representative of eastern Washington, has yet to be elected or appointed. And as said before, a handful of the current commission members have yet to be sworn in. In my opinion they shouldn’t be able to make major changes until the board has been filled and all sworn in.

2 rcw are in violation. Perhaps more.  Not only are locations important  but stake holders. KOONTZ replaced the comerical fishermans reb Bob Kehoe. Now you maybor not care for the com fishery group but Kehoe was a strong supporter of hunters.  Carpenter is over his term length, and it seems ran for Mount Vernon City Council. Since he lost it matters not but if he won would be in elligable for the comission. We have a vacant seat. Smith and Koontz are not confirmed by the state senate. And yet get to make decisions as if they were. Why did the natural resources committee  in the senate not hold confermation votes? Kevin  VAN deWeg  is a HSUS senator of the year many times over and chairmen of the committee.  Its not like Inslee and Van DeWedge are on different  political pages.... so why would that be?

So if 2 rcw’s are in violation then who do we contact to file a lawsuit that would essentially void their decision? The sierra club? There was an episode of The Meateater Podcast a few years ago where the had a guest from a group that specialized in protecting hunters rights from a legal standpoint but for the life of me I can’t remember their name nor which episode it was

We could file a lawsuit but sportsmen are not giving of time or money  like the Anti groups are. most of the folks that are fighting us have local paid staff to show up and speak at meetings, devise lawsuits and execute them. Sportsmen do not sue and as a result can have hunting shaved many times with no repercussions.

[pickardjw]

Looked into my own question. I assume the RCW's in volation are 77.04.030 regarding appointments and 77.04.055 regarding Duties which includes, "The commission shall maximize fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreational opportunities compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations."

The WDFW has data that supports the fact that the Spring Bear hunt is compatible with a healthy bear population, so this decision is in violation of that RCW.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'd gladly donate to any entity that wants to sue the state. I'm not a lawyer nor understand the process so I'm no help leading the charge but I do have some disposable income

[Special T]

CW 77.04.040
Commission—Qualifications of members.
Persons eligible for appointment as members of the commission shall have general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife and shall not hold another state, county, or municipal elective or appointive office. In making these appointments, the governor shall seek to maintain a balance reflecting all aspects of fish and wildlife, including representation recommended by organized groups representing sportfishers, commercial fishers, hunters, private landowners, and environmentalists. Persons eligible for appointment as fish and wildlife commissioners shall comply with the provisions of chapters 42.52 and * 42.17 RCW.

Robert Kehoe  the commercial fishing rep was replaced by Fred Koontz  Commercial at large
Lorna Smith replaced Brad Smith
David Greybill position open "the fishing magician"

So how do we end up with 3 east of the mountains, 3 west and 3 at large? while keeping  all the stake holders represented.
Mc Issace lives near Vancouver so he is west side
Thorburn is Spokane
Linville is eastern wa
Anderson is at large

How are you going to get an eastern washington commercial fisherman? if you look at the positions they are labeled east or west.




RCW 77.04.030
Commission—Appointment.
The fish and wildlife commission consists of nine registered voters of the state. In January of each odd-numbered year, the governor shall appoint with the advice and consent of the senate three registered voters to the commission to serve for terms of six years from that January or until their successors are appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs on the commission prior to the expiration of a term, the governor shall appoint a registered voter within sixty days to complete the term. Three members shall be residents of that portion of the state lying east of the summit of the Cascade mountains, and three shall be residents of that portion of the state lying west of the summit of the Cascade mountains. Three additional members shall be appointed at large. No two members may be residents of the same county. The legal office of the commission is at the administrative office of the department in Olympia.