WWC and HHC Endorse Brian Blake to fill empty commission seat

[Bareback]

Cliff Notes:

Blake is 102% better than Koontz and Smith, Period!

It’s better to align with the tribes than fight them! If you are familiar with NOF we piggyback them every year for permit approval. IF we fight them, BIA approves their fisheries , without the tribes recs/commercials do not fish!

I hate to say this but, it’s a leftist shi@thole saying, we have to “coexist.” Stop fighting the tribes and try understanding them. Commies and recs need to work together.

Commercials have just as much right to the fish as the recs.

If, by any chance there is a stop to intercept fisheries it will be because of the tribes. Which would benefit Washington significantly!

Just be thankful we now have Blake.

[Platensek-po]

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

The federal government stopped them! Are you really this obtuse?? You want equality but just want to conveniently forget the past. Lol. Again your focus on the tribes “pollution” of the Rez doesn’t even come close to the pollution of rivers by the big cities, big as, and major companies. Heck a company on the put all up dumped 100000 lbs of rubber confetti into the river and was fined a pittance. You are focused on the wrong thing and think even you know why.

[trophyhunt]

I’m really trying not to derail this thread but it’s hard, have to respond.  Do you want to forget the past too? Forget how the tribes killed each other, stole land and didn’t give it back. The past is the past, All of civilization and groups have bad history. So us white man isn’t the only devil in the history books. I'd be willing to bet if you took soil samples from some of these reservations I drive by they'd be considered a toxic dump. Why do natives always say they take care of the environment when they don't even take care of their own homes? Seems like you'd start there.  I’ll never be ashamed of our history, hell no, we built the greatest nation on earth, many different colors and races made this God's greatest ground!

[Humptulips]

If Brian gets appointed, it would be a blessing. He's a hunter and a fisherman. Your alternative is probably going to be a whale watcher and bird watcher.

[dwils233]

Your alternative is probably going to be a whale watcher and bird watcher.

To be fair, Kim Thorburn is a bird watcher and one of our best commissioners...but yeah I don't think we'd get that lucky twice.

[bbarnes]

Read the book TOXIC PEARL if you want to know about Blake!!!!!!Also his childhood friend and hunting partner is the director!!!!!In addition but not limited to was NO HELP on the elk HOOF ROT issue not to mention access issues with timber company’s

[huntnphool]

I respectfully disagree with many of the opinions expressed here concerning Mr. Blake and commercial vs. sports fisheries.  I have a lot of direct experience with Mr. Blake, and I can assure you that he is very well versed in the details of fisheries here in Washington (sports, commercial, tribal), and he is an open minded and fair person.  I cannot think of a more knowledgeable commissioner.  (In particular, he would be much better than recent "industry representatives.")

And, he is a hunter. 

Brian Blake would be great.  If anybody has particular questions, please send me a DM.  I would happily respond.

 “Versed in the details”, “open minded” and “knowledgeable” are all political slight of hand comments. Not a one of these gives sport fisherman a clue as to his support of our interests.
 This is nothing more than political posturing!

 I’m open to hearing his stance on everything, as long as it comes from his own mouth!

[huntnnw]

 

[GASoline71]

Like I mentioned earlier, I would blame litigious "wild fish" special interest groups for the downward spiral we are facing with hatcheries.  Couple that with habitat loss in spawning areas and crappy ocean conditions, and we have the mess we have right now with our fisheries.  Their lawyers have itchy trigger fingers just waiting to sue WDFW over hatchery fish being put into the systems.  Even commercials have to harvest hatchery fish to survive.  I'm not saying hatcheries are the save all, but they sure as hell are needed in this day and age.

Glad to see Mr. Blake on here. 

Gary

[buckfvr]

I put my focus on who appoints these commissioners, and his history of appointing those he can manipulate.  Whether or not Blake or any of the other supposed front runners with support are good for this group or that, is inconsequential because it is so extremely political.  Criteria for appointment is so beyond a qualified resume that the actual qualification of a person probably falls to the bottom of the list.

This being my opinion of course, but also obvious sources for appointees seems to fall heavily into the governors constituent camps.  Known entities.  He can depend on them to support those who support him.  He will not allow a "stonewaller" personality to take up a position on the commission when he knows beforehand that said person wont go with the flow.

Does anyone believe he will appoint a staunch pro hunter ?  A true advocate of sports fishermen ?  I personally dont think so.  The governors commission is so slanted, in my opinion, that I will actually be very surprised if any of the persons hunters/sports fishers support, gets a seat.  Also, if they do, I will question their alliance until they prove themselves, if they can. And if they cant ?,  well then there was a compromise somewhere along the line.

 

[pd]

I put my focus on who appoints these commissioners, and his history of appointing those he can manipulate.  Whether or not Blake or any of the other supposed front runners with support are good for this group or that, is inconsequential because it is so extremely political.  Criteria for appointment is so beyond a qualified resume that the actual qualification of a person probably falls to the bottom of the list.

This being my opinion of course, but also obvious sources for appointees seems to fall heavily into the governors constituent camps.  Known entities.  He can depend on them to support those who support him.  He will not allow a "stonewaller" personality to take up a position on the commission when he knows beforehand that said person wont go with the flow.

Does anyone believe he will appoint a staunch pro hunter ?  A true advocate of sports fishermen ?  I personally dont think so.  The governors commission is so slanted, in my opinion, that I will actually be very surprised if any of the persons hunters/sports fishers support, gets a seat.  Also, if they do, I will question their alliance until they prove themselves, if they can. And if they cant ?,  well then there was a compromise somewhere along the line.

 

I respectfully disagree with many of the opinions expressed here concerning Mr. Blake and commercial vs. sports fisheries.  I have a lot of direct experience with Mr. Blake, and I can assure you that he is very well versed in the details of fisheries here in Washington (sports, commercial, tribal), and he is an open minded and fair person.  I cannot think of a more knowledgeable commissioner.  (In particular, he would be much better than recent "industry representatives.")

And, he is a hunter. 

Brian Blake would be great.  If anybody has particular questions, please send me a DM.  I would happily respond.

 “Versed in the details”, “open minded” and “knowledgeable” are all political slight of hand comments. Not a one of these gives sport fisherman a clue as to his support of our interests.
 This is nothing more than political posturing!

 I’m open to hearing his stance on everything, as long as it comes from his own mouth!

This will be the last time I comment on this issue, as Mr. Blake has already shown his face, and even given his personal phone number for any member here to call him.  I can't think of a more transparent way to dispel any misgivings.

Let me offer some analysis of the situation facing the F&G Commission.  Remember, it does not operate in a vacuum; this is absolutely a political institution, whose job is to oversee WDFW.  Thus, commissioners need to both understand the legislature, the governor, WDFW, to some degree the federal government, and of course tribal/sports/commercial fishing and hunting interests.  And, as an added bonus, it would help if the commissioner is a Democrat (sorry, just stating the facts of this state).

I cannot think of another single individual in Washington who meets and exceeds the list of requirements.  I challenge anybody here who has had direct interaction with Mr. Blake over the years to argue my point.

Very happy to have heard of his candidacy!

[Karl Blanchard]

Pretty well summed it up there pd. I say get Blake in there and see what he can do.

[baldopepper]

I put my focus on who appoints these commissioners, and his history of appointing those he can manipulate.  Whether or not Blake or any of the other supposed front runners with support are good for this group or that, is inconsequential because it is so extremely political.  Criteria for appointment is so beyond a qualified resume that the actual qualification of a person probably falls to the bottom of the list.

This being my opinion of course, but also obvious sources for appointees seems to fall heavily into the governors constituent camps.  Known entities.  He can depend on them to support those who support him.  He will not allow a "stonewaller" personality to take up a position on the commission when he knows beforehand that said person wont go with the flow.

Does anyone believe he will appoint a staunch pro hunter ?  A true advocate of sports fishermen ?  I personally dont think so.  The governors commission is so slanted, in my opinion, that I will actually be very surprised if any of the persons hunters/sports fishers support, gets a seat.  Also, if they do, I will question their alliance until they prove themselves, if they can. And if they cant ?,  well then there was a compromise somewhere along the line.

 

very accurate summation.  Personally, I don't think Inslee cares one way or another about hunting/fishing.  He cares (like most politicians these days) about getting elected.  On this issue we have one side, hunters/fishermen who generally not only don't vote for him, but use sites like this to call him names and urge the group to oust him.  On the other side we have the anti's and peta type who generally do vote for him and praise most of his work.  No question he's going to keep those who got him a third term happy. I don't know Mr. Blake, somewhat suspicious, but if appointed hopefully  he'll be a good enough diplomat to at least usher a few wins thru for the hunters and fishermen of the state.

[bearpaw]

I've had numerous personal conversations with Brian Blake regarding wildlife management during his time in the legislature. I know that he has strongly supported hunters as the previous chairman of the House Natural Resources committee. I cannot think of another person in this state who has nearly the political experience, the lifelong dedication to hunting, and has such a good likelihood of being selected to serve on the commission. IMO - Hunters will be missing a great opportunity if they do not support a Brian Blake commission appointment! 

Thankyou for throwing your hat in for the position!

[ASHQUACK]

Reading through this thread, I finally realize why we (consumptive users) will never win any battle in this fight. If we can't set aside one perceived issue to help in the long run we lose, badly, every time. It's time to put your opinions aside and back someone that isn't an anti-hunting zealot.