WWC and HHC Endorse Brian Blake to fill empty commission seat

[Special T]

If Mr. Blake is still in Aberdeen this would be a Grays Harbor county At-large seat leaving the last At-large seat an Eastern WA seat still open I believe...

Is there a recommendation out there for the At-large Eastern WA seat?

For clarification 3 seats East, West, and 3 at large. The one in eastern Wa is an eastern seat.

[trophyhunt]

I wonder if Mr Blake would be willing to join us and talk about some of these questions some have? Would be nice to not speculate.

[Skillet]

Perhaps a bit harsh on catching the last fish, but at times it sure seemed that way. I think you summed it up when you said commercials always negotiated for their interests (at the expense of the sports fishermen) As I'm sure you know, escapement goals came down to fairly minor tributaries of all the major river systems.  I sat thru one negotiation where the goal was 20 fish and the commercial boys sought a goal of 10 and admitted that at one time that tributary had over 1000+ fish return to it. The math for how that translates to the ultimate fish take quota (as I'm sure you know) is quite complicated but can result in a reduction in the thousands. It also ran  very close to esa listing but would keep nets in the water a little longer for another year. Seemed some (and I'll admit not just the commercials) only worried about 1 year at a time.

Thanks for the thoughts, I better understand where you're coming from.  "Fish math" only really works at scale, and functionally falls apart when the thresholds get too low. 

In reality, the battle over a constantly decreasing resource is exhausting, since it gets more heated and polarizing as opportunity for everyone is lost. I'm for increasing the supply dramatically (ie., hatcheries - no surprise there, I bet!) as I truly believe a rising tide will lift all boats.  Except the WFC's boat, I suppose.

Back to the main point, sportsmen can expect Blake to advocate the commercial interests on the commission, and that's fair enough - Washington's commercial fleet is entitled to representation in the commission by rule and reason.

However, they can equally expect him to go to bat for them on the hunting issues.  He is a consumptive user champion (be it hunting or fishing), and the hunters of WA desperately need a strong advocate on the commission in an era of Inslee appointees.

[pickardjw]

If Mr. Blake is still in Aberdeen this would be a Grays Harbor county At-large seat leaving the last At-large seat an Eastern WA seat still open I believe...

Is there a recommendation out there for the At-large Eastern WA seat?

For clarification 3 seats East, West, and 3 at large. The one in eastern Wa is an eastern seat.

Hmm yeah I looked on the Commission Members page and it notes that the vacant seat is “At-large position, eastern Washington”

[pd]

I applied for the open position but have chosen to not make a public push. I worked the channels open to me and made calls for recommendations and will see where the chips fall. If I feel like my chances stall out then I will make a move for public support, otherwise I will wait to see what happens.

You can have my vote.   

[Platensek-po]

Not a jab here, but, if he is center, then how come the tribes support him?  I'm not sure which tribe is actually center in this state, most seem to go left or want the whole thing?  When the tribes support a politician, that makes my radar go off.

Enjoy your Koontz and Smith type of policy makers in the future. People like you WILL pave the way for their successors to navigate the path they have laid.  You are a constant tool of division and are celebrated by ar and anti crowd.  Keep it up, HSUS is counting on you and your likes.  Not intending to be sarcastic at all just real.

well not sure what your acronyms are but because I disagree with most tribal treaties I’m a racist or anti Native American guy? I’d say go, well it’s Christmas so I won’t say that. Just this, the tribes pump millions into politicians that tend to agree w the treaties and run off ones that want equality. Who’s the ones being divisive again?

Saying that you won’t support a politician because tribes do certainly makes you sound racist

flip it around then, does that make you racist? Throwing the racist word around like the left does 24/7, gives it no substance.  Merry Christmas

I really don’t want to thread jack but that doesn’t work. If you flip it around then you just agree with the tribes… if you oppose something merely because the tribes are for it, it sounds like you hate the tribes just because they are native and are opposed to anything they have to do with. That sounds racist. I’m not saying you are but you by phrasing things in that way, I’m against the tribes no matter what, you def sound like it. Agreeing with the tribes would just make you pro native but doesn’t make you against anything in particular… any way merry Christmas to you too!

[dwils233]

Is there a recommendation out there for the At-large Eastern WA seat?

Some other regional and national rorgs that sent the letter to the governor's office are compiling a list of names to talk through. I've reached out to HHC through here to see if they have any names as well so we can all compare/contrast lists for E WA

[Special T]

Perhaps a bit harsh on catching the last fish, but at times it sure seemed that way. I think you summed it up when you said commercials always negotiated for their interests (at the expense of the sports fishermen) As I'm sure you know, escapement goals came down to fairly minor tributaries of all the major river systems.  I sat thru one negotiation where the goal was 20 fish and the commercial boys sought a goal of 10 and admitted that at one time that tributary had over 1000+ fish return to it. The math for how that translates to the ultimate fish take quota (as I'm sure you know) is quite complicated but can result in a reduction in the thousands. It also ran  very close to esa listing but would keep nets in the water a little longer for another year. Seemed some (and I'll admit not just the commercials) only worried about 1 year at a time.

Thanks for the thoughts, I better understand where you're coming from.  "Fish math" only really works at scale, and functionally falls apart when the thresholds get too low. 

In reality, the battle over a constantly decreasing resource is exhausting, since it gets more heated and polarizing as opportunity for everyone is lost. I'm for increasing the supply dramatically (ie., hatcheries - no surprise there, I bet!) as I truly believe a rising tide will lift all boats.  Except the WFC's boat, I suppose.

Back to the main point, sportsmen can expect Blake to advocate the commercial interests on the commission, and that's fair enough - Washington's commercial fleet is entitled to representation in the commission by rule and reason.

However, they can equally expect him to go to bat for them on the hunting issues.  He is a consumptive user champion (be it hunting or fishing), and the hunters of WA desperately need a strong advocate on the commission in an era of Inslee appointees.

I'm not sure stating Blake represents commercial fishing is appropriate.  Bob Kehoe was from the purse seiner group, and that made him specifically representing commercial fishermen. Now Blakes district had commercial fishermen as well as other natural resources derived businesses.  To me Blake is well rounded in his experience where as others seem specific in thier experience.

[Westside88]

I know Brian Blake and would recommend those that have any questions ask him. He's well versed on the issues and doesn’t back down in defense of civil liberties or hunting and fishing rights. I have no doubt he’d be a smart and effective advocate. He’s also one of the most down to earth people you’ll meet who speaks his mind and the truth.

Personally, I tend to believe rather than user groups fighting over diminishing resources we should put out hatcheries back to work and restore our fish runs. Along with continuing habitat enhancements and protecting troubled stocks ( ideally this would include all user groups)

[TriggerMike]

Just got this from the WWC/HHC folks. Was asked to share it here.

“Both the Hunters Heritage Council and Washingtonians for Wildlife Conservation have unanimously endorsed Brian Blake for the Commission.  When session starts we will be doing a full court press to bring Lorna Smith for a confirmation vote, where I am 100% confident we will prevail.”

I'm a little out of the loop. They're 100% confident that she wont be confirmed?

[idahohuntr]

Not a jab here, but, if he is center, then how come the tribes support him?  I'm not sure which tribe is actually center in this state, most seem to go left or want the whole thing?  When the tribes support a politician, that makes my radar go off.

Enjoy your Koontz and Smith type of policy makers in the future. People like you WILL pave the way for their successors to navigate the path they have laid.  You are a constant tool of division and are celebrated by ar and anti crowd.  Keep it up, HSUS is counting on you and your likes.  Not intending to be sarcastic at all just real.

well not sure what your acronyms are but because I disagree with most tribal treaties I’m a racist or anti Native American guy? I’d say go, well it’s Christmas so I won’t say that. Just this, the tribes pump millions into politicians that tend to agree w the treaties and run off ones that want equality. Who’s the ones being divisive again?

Saying that you won’t support a politician because tribes do certainly makes you sound racist

flip it around then, does that make you racist? Throwing the racist word around like the left does 24/7, gives it no substance.  Merry Christmas

Why any hunter in Washington State would find it advantageous to alienate powerful allies (Tribes) is beyond my comprehension.  As TBar notes, if you prefer anti-hunting commissioners and decisions like ending spring bear hunting...well...keep disparaging Tribes and their treaties.   

[trophyhunt]

Not a jab here, but, if he is center, then how come the tribes support him?  I'm not sure which tribe is actually center in this state, most seem to go left or want the whole thing?  When the tribes support a politician, that makes my radar go off.

Enjoy your Koontz and Smith type of policy makers in the future. People like you WILL pave the way for their successors to navigate the path they have laid.  You are a constant tool of division and are celebrated by ar and anti crowd.  Keep it up, HSUS is counting on you and your likes.  Not intending to be sarcastic at all just real.

well not sure what your acronyms are but because I disagree with most tribal treaties I’m a racist or anti Native American guy? I’d say go, well it’s Christmas so I won’t say that. Just this, the tribes pump millions into politicians that tend to agree w the treaties and run off ones that want equality. Who’s the ones being divisive again?

Saying that you won’t support a politician because tribes do certainly makes you sound racist

flip it around then, does that make you racist? Throwing the racist word around like the left does 24/7, gives it no substance.  Merry Christmas

Why any hunter in Washington State would find it advantageous to alienate powerful allies (Tribes) is beyond my comprehension.  As TBar notes, if you prefer anti-hunting commissioners and decisions like ending spring bear hunting...well...keep disparaging Tribes and their treaties. 

Tbar can note all he wants, that’s not what I said. Show me where I said I’d prefer an anti hunter commissioner?  Are the treaties F’d, hell yeah they are, you should know that, that tribe in Lewiston is as bad at taking advantage of the treaties as the yakamas, NOT ALL members, I always have to say that!!  Just because I hate the treaties doesn’t mean I hate people for f’s sake, big damn difference. Geesh. I you know damn well the natives pump millions into politicians on the left to push the native agendas!

[Platensek-po]

Not a jab here, but, if he is center, then how come the tribes support him?  I'm not sure which tribe is actually center in this state, most seem to go left or want the whole thing?  When the tribes support a politician, that makes my radar go off.

Enjoy your Koontz and Smith type of policy makers in the future. People like you WILL pave the way for their successors to navigate the path they have laid.  You are a constant tool of division and are celebrated by ar and anti crowd.  Keep it up, HSUS is counting on you and your likes.  Not intending to be sarcastic at all just real.

well not sure what your acronyms are but because I disagree with most tribal treaties I’m a racist or anti Native American guy? I’d say go, well it’s Christmas so I won’t say that. Just this, the tribes pump millions into politicians that tend to agree w the treaties and run off ones that want equality. Who’s the ones being divisive again?

Saying that you won’t support a politician because tribes do certainly makes you sound racist

flip it around then, does that make you racist? Throwing the racist word around like the left does 24/7, gives it no substance.  Merry Christmas

Why any hunter in Washington State would find it advantageous to alienate powerful allies (Tribes) is beyond my comprehension.  As TBar notes, if you prefer anti-hunting commissioners and decisions like ending spring bear hunting...well...keep disparaging Tribes and their treaties. 

Tbar can note all he wants, that’s not what I said. Show me where I said I’d prefer an anti hunter commissioner?  Are the treaties F’d, hell yeah they are, you should know that, that tribe in Lewiston is as bad at taking advantage of the treaties as the yakamas, NOT ALL members, I always have to say that!!  Just because I hate the treaties doesn’t mean I hate people for f’s sake, big damn difference. Geesh. I you know damn well the natives pump millions into politicians on the left to push the native agendas!

The treaties are fd??? Huh?? You mean the ones the Gov failed to uphold for decades? Where the natives lost pretty much everything except the right to
Hunt and fish? It wasn’t the natives who killed the wildlife to the point of extinction or polluted and dammed the rivers. The US gov and it’s beneficiaries have gotten a waaaaaaaaay better deal out of the treaties than the tribes did. Sad to see someone so blind to history and actuality. The tribes have a huge investment in keeping those animals around forever and have fought to do so since before hunters and anglers did on this continent. If you are upset that they get 50% of the fish and that it’s a right for them to hunt just remember that they gave up almost all the land for those rights that they couldn’t even utilize for a long time because white hunters had killed all the animals. Heck the makahs still can’t even hunt whales, nor do they get the same amount of fish as they used too either. The population of native Americans in Washington state is 140k. That’s out
Of 7million overall people. Why are they the problem you see?

[idahohuntr]

Not a jab here, but, if he is center, then how come the tribes support him?  I'm not sure which tribe is actually center in this state, most seem to go left or want the whole thing?  When the tribes support a politician, that makes my radar go off.

Enjoy your Koontz and Smith type of policy makers in the future. People like you WILL pave the way for their successors to navigate the path they have laid.  You are a constant tool of division and are celebrated by ar and anti crowd.  Keep it up, HSUS is counting on you and your likes.  Not intending to be sarcastic at all just real.

well not sure what your acronyms are but because I disagree with most tribal treaties I’m a racist or anti Native American guy? I’d say go, well it’s Christmas so I won’t say that. Just this, the tribes pump millions into politicians that tend to agree w the treaties and run off ones that want equality. Who’s the ones being divisive again?

Saying that you won’t support a politician because tribes do certainly makes you sound racist

flip it around then, does that make you racist? Throwing the racist word around like the left does 24/7, gives it no substance.  Merry Christmas

Why any hunter in Washington State would find it advantageous to alienate powerful allies (Tribes) is beyond my comprehension.  As TBar notes, if you prefer anti-hunting commissioners and decisions like ending spring bear hunting...well...keep disparaging Tribes and their treaties. 

Tbar can note all he wants, that’s not what I said. Show me where I said I’d prefer an anti hunter commissioner?  Are the treaties F’d, hell yeah they are, you should know that, that tribe in Lewiston is as bad at taking advantage of the treaties as the yakamas, NOT ALL members, I always have to say that!!  Just because I hate the treaties doesn’t mean I hate people for f’s sake, big damn difference. Geesh. I you know damn well the natives pump millions into politicians on the left to push the native agendas!

I realize you are not directly advocating anti hunting commissioners...if you connect about 2 dots you should be able to see why your anti tribe/treaty rants get exactly that.  At minimum you ought to recognize the influence Tribes have with Inslee to appoint someone better than Koontz or Smith...if HHC, WWC etc. push for a commissioner I think that is something good but not really effective.  Having those groups and Tribes pushing for a candidate...that will get Inslee's attention.  And I agree with platensek...look at a history book...tell me again how US ratified treaties are so unfair to non-natives.

[trophyhunt]

The makas could hunt whales if they want, who would stop them? Pollution, you drive by a Rez lately? You guys are blowing this up! My own opinion, the treaties are BS. We are all one people, and we should all play by the same rules, simple. No limits on deer and elk, does that sound responsible?  Members breaking their own laws and selling meat, stewards of the land right there. Let’s just agree to disagree but I’m all for man kind being equal so take the racist BS and shove it.  Again, Merry Christmas all