Contact List Regarding Spring Bear

[raydog]

Hopefully this is okay with the Moderators, I’m not trying to create a bunch of threads regarding spring bear being canceled. However I was wondering what more I could do. I wanted to make it easy for people like me to find out who I can bother over this issue. I took all these contacts from the other thread. Please Feel free to add contacts to the list.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

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

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

https://www.change.org/p/jay-inslee-bring-back-spring-bear-hunting-for-washington-states-2022-season

Call 360.786.7662 senator Jesse Salomon and ask he not confirm Lorna Smith

https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov.

[saylean]

Keep up the pressure. Don’t let this fall by the way side. Continue to call and email, even just weekly if that’s all you can do. We must not let Lorna Smith get confirmed. If you can share info on your social media do it…a chance to speak on a podcast? Do it. Continue to get the word out. I’ll update as soon as possible if there is something else we can do.

I’m not letting this issue pass anytime soon.

[boneaddict]

People need to realize that even if Spring bear means nothing to them, that this is still a major battle.  Next year they might determine that mule deer don’t need to be hunted.  I mean following the science, they are in worse shape than black bears are…. 

[Special T]

People need to realize that even if Spring bear means nothing to them, that this is still a major battle.  Next year they might determine that mule deer don’t need to be hunted.  I mean following the science, they are in worse shape than black bears are….

All you have to do is look at how they want to handle the elk recruitment problem in the blues. Reduce hunting but do nothing about predators. This is the logical nextmovenow that predator numbers are high enough.

[brokentrail]

I contacted my senator and rep's.
Does anyone know if the Lorna Smith confirmation is currently scheduled/in process?

[Stein]

People need to realize that even if Spring bear means nothing to them, that this is still a major battle.  Next year they might determine that mule deer don’t need to be hunted.  I mean following the science, they are in worse shape than black bears are….

 

Cougars with dogs, spring bear, wolves are untouchable, coyote derby, it will certainly continue through the predators at least.  Fall bear is probably next, no reason to be chasing around those sows as they struggle to put on weight to care for their cubs.

[Duckslayer89]

People need to realize that even if Spring bear means nothing to them, that this is still a major battle.  Next year they might determine that mule deer don’t need to be hunted.  I mean following the science, they are in worse shape than black bears are….

They don’t follow the science though. Lots more money in deer tags

[dwils233]

I'm not trying to throw cold water on anyone's activism

BUT

There's a ton of people who are fired up and trying to engage on this as individuals. Better energy is to find a conservation org (local or national) that is in this fight and work through them/support their work. They know the system, players and most effective practices to actually fight these battles. Keep in mind that Marie from the inland Northwest Wildlife Council was one of the only people speaking on behalf of hunters in those meetings and is working her channels to build action. Just because you don't see them move our and fast doesn't mean orgs aren't working hard on this- strategically and not just reactively. They'll also keep this fight going longer.

Just food for thought

[bigtex]

Does anyone know if the Lorna Smith confirmation is currently scheduled/in process?

The legislature doesn't come into session until January. We will know a date (if one is scheduled) then.

[KFhunter]

I'm not trying to throw cold water on anyone's activism

BUT

There's a ton of people who are fired up and trying to engage on this as individuals. Better energy is to find a conservation org (local or national) that is in this fight and work through them/support their work. They know the system, players and most effective practices to actually fight these battles. Keep in mind that Marie from the inland Northwest Wildlife Council was one of the only people speaking on behalf of hunters in those meetings and is working her channels to build action. Just because you don't see them move our and fast doesn't mean orgs aren't working hard on this- strategically and not just reactively. They'll also keep this fight going longer.

Just food for thought

Nope, both is better.

[JeepWrangler]

I'm in agreement with the sentiment of doing all you can do.

Contact the Commission, contact the appropriate Senator(s), give financial support to organizations that are in this fight.

Make calls, send emails, donate time and money to pro hunting organizations working to save hunt.

It all matters.

There is a famous quote by Martin Niemoller, that is too long to put in here, (if you are interested the full quote is on Google). Very loosely paraphrased to say:

I didn't speak up when they took other people's rights. Then they came for my rights, and there was no one left to help me save my rights.

Please help save bear hunting.

Or there may be no one left when they come to take your deer hunting / elk hunting / fishing / public land recreation....

I heard someone ask recently if it be our generation that history looks back upon as the generation that lost hunting in America.

I can do more. So I will.

* end of rant *

Thank-you

[brokentrail]

Does anyone know if the Lorna Smith confirmation is currently scheduled/in process?

The legislature doesn't come into session until January. We will know a date (if one is scheduled) then.

Thanks @bigtex

[Torrent50]

I contacted the commission today and confirmed that the vacant Eastern WA spot has been open since December of 2020.  I then asked who to talk to about the fact that the Governor has violated the RCW regarding appointment to the commission since it specifically states that he SHALL appoint three positions in January of odd years and that if a position becomes vacant during that persons term he SHALL appoint a new person within 60 days.  In either case, he violated the RCW.  I was told "I suggest you reach out to the Governors Boards and Commissions office. They can be reached at 360-902-4111 or by email at GovernorBoardsandCommissions@gov.wa.gov."

If you are contacting people, this is another thing to bring up.  By violating the RCW, the Governor has left Eastern WA without proper representation. 

[harveymarv]

I contacted the commission today and confirmed that the vacant Eastern WA spot has been open since December of 2020.  I then asked who to talk to about the fact that the Governor has violated the RCW regarding appointment to the commission since it specifically states that he SHALL appoint three positions in January of odd years and that if a position becomes vacant during that persons term he SHALL appoint a new person within 60 days.  In either case, he violated the RCW.  I was told "I suggest you reach out to the Governors Boards and Commissions office. They can be reached at 360-902-4111 or by email at GovernorBoardsandCommissions@gov.wa.gov."

If you are contacting people, this is another thing to bring up.  By violating the RCW, the Governor has left Eastern WA without proper representation.

thank raydog for the list, and thanks torrent for this add’l phone # and email. i believe this is the email/# by which a complaint about specific commission members can be made. i will be sending complaints about all 4 members that voted no on spring bear via this email. i mailed my petition yesterday as commissioner thorburn suggested. i certainly expect wdfw to rubberstamp a rejection on it, but plan to appeal. the hope is that somewhere we can get more media coverage of this problem and prevent lorna smith’s confirmation, and push inslee to appoint eastern wa’s representative. i also agree that getting (and funding) the pro-hunting organizations to advocate for us on this is important, but in the meantime individual citizens continuing to push and not letting this go may work like dripping water on a rock. i also agree that teaching/recruiting others to hunt is more important now than ever (and when my daughters are old enough they will have the option to hunt if they want), but it is also important to teach them that the right to do so has to be actively defended these days. we unfortunately cannot take hunting rights for granted. this has opened my eyes.

[trophyhunt]

Do the senators in my district (31) have any input on this confirmation vote??  I don't want to email them if they can't say or do anything about it.

[brokentrail]

I contacted the commission today and confirmed that the vacant Eastern WA spot has been open since December of 2020.  I then asked who to talk to about the fact that the Governor has violated the RCW regarding appointment to the commission since it specifically states that he SHALL appoint three positions in January of odd years and that if a position becomes vacant during that persons term he SHALL appoint a new person within 60 days.  In either case, he violated the RCW.  I was told "I suggest you reach out to the Governors Boards and Commissions office. They can be reached at 360-902-4111 or by email at GovernorBoardsandCommissions@gov.wa.gov."

If you are contacting people, this is another thing to bring up.  By violating the RCW, the Governor has left Eastern WA without proper representation.

I contacted them and asked "I would like an explanation as to why the vacant Eastern, WA commission seat has been left vacant, for a year, which is against
RCW 77.04.030
 that states it should have been filled?"

[Torrent50]

Do the senators in my district (31) have any input on this confirmation vote??  I don't want to email them if they can't say or do anything about it.

I don't know if mine have a say or not either,  but I emailed them anyway and will continue to do so.   They are my elected representatives and if nothing else,  they work with those that have a say.  Maybe those with the power to make a difference will listen to their own colleagues if they won't listen to us.   

[Torrent50]

I just received a phone call from Representative MaCewen's office.  He is one of my reps that I emailed.  The person I talked to said that they have received several letters about this decision and he has been working to get details.  He also said that they just found out that the 9th position has not been filled and will be drafting a letter to be signed by Rep MaCewen to the Governor asking why he has not filled the position in violation of the RCW and push him to fill the spot.  He wasn't sure how this would affect decisions that have been made in the past without the eastern half of the state being properly represented but stated that he would keep in touch with me about what happens.

I was also told that they are drafting legislation to be presented at the session starting in January to remove the setting of hunting seasons and regulations from the Commission and make it part of the legislative process as is done in most other states.  I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this, knowing some of the other decisions that the legislature makes.  But, they would be less likely to make a decision based on emotion and ignore the science.  The one thing it would provide is many more pressure points for us, as citizens, to apply pressure to make quality decisions.

[Stein]

I just received a phone call from Representative MaCewen's office.  He is one of my reps that I emailed.  The person I talked to said that they have received several letters about this decision and he has been working to get details.  He also said that they just found out that the 9th position has not been filled and will be drafting a letter to be signed by Rep MaCewen to the Governor asking why he has not filled the position in violation of the RCW and push him to fill the spot.  He wasn't sure how this would affect decisions that have been made in the past without the eastern half of the state being properly represented but stated that he would keep in touch with me about what happens.

I was also told that they are drafting legislation to be presented at the session starting in January to remove the setting of hunting seasons and regulations from the Commission and make it part of the legislative process as is done in most other states.  I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this, knowing some of the other decisions that the legislature makes.  But, they would be less likely to make a decision based on emotion and ignore the science.  The one thing it would provide is many more pressure points for us, as citizens, to apply pressure to make quality decisions.

That sounds a bit spooky to me.  I think that would ensure it would be emotion and politics over science.  Maybe that's better than one guy naming the people, who knows?  It would be better to have some sort of process to ensure a more balanced commission, like certain groups get to nominate a member and there is a balanced membership.

[Rainier10]

Is there a way to get Jim Shockey, avid black bear hunter, and SCI involved in this battle?

[harveymarv]

the famous Nikki at WDFW emailed me and said I could lodge a complaint with the board of commissions, which I did:

Good morning,
 
Your comments have been forwarded to the Commission.
 
If you would like to listen to the meetings and view the materials surrounding the Spring Bear decision please see the meeting dates of October 21-23, November 15 and November 19 linked below.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2021
 
If you have a specific complaint about a commissioner, I would suggest you reach out to the Governors Boards and Commissions office. They can be reached at 360-902-4111 or by email at GovernorBoardsandCommissions@gov.wa.gov.
 
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
 
Much appreciated.
Nikki

I also submitted a recommendation for Rylan Weythman for appointment to the WDFW commission - his info and a link to the form are in the other thread.

I also wrote my representatives and asked them to oppose the confirmations of Lorna Smith and Fred Koontz.