Please read

[time2hunt]

ACTION ALERT - Senate Bill 5613 stops counties from using dogs to hunt dangerous black bear, cougar and bobcat. This is devastating and dangerous for rural communities. Please help us by having your voice heard in opposing this bill!

The legislative session is virtual this year, but this is how you can help oppose the bill:

TO TESTIFY REMOTELY IN OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL

1. Click this link - https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate 
2, At the Committee drop-down, select Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks - At the Meetings drop-down select 1/18/22 - 1:30
3. Under Select Agenda Item -check SB 5613 Use of dogs to hunt
4. Under Select type of testimony, select I would like to testify remotely - Be sure to sign in CON.

TO NOT TESTIFY, BUT STILL HAVE YOUR POSITION NOTED FOR THE RECORD THAT YOU OPPOSE THIS BILL

1. Click this link - https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate 
2, At the Committee drop-down, select Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks - At the Meetings drop-down select 1/18/22 - 1:30
3. Under Select Agenda Item -check SB 5613 Use of dogs to hunt
4. Under Select type of testimony, select I would like my position noted for the legislative record - Be sure to sign in CON.

Please help us take action to oppose this bad bill. THANK YOU!


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[Pinetar]

Signed 

[callturner]

Not sure I understand. It's been illegal in Wa since the late 90's. I did it for 22 years.

[time2hunt]

Damage control by WDFW and sheriff department.


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[pianoman9701]

Done

[Alan K]

The original initiative allowed for agents of the state, counties, feds, and landowners (in the case of hounds), to use hounds for public safety, property damage etc.  Now 25 years later I guess enough time has passed they feel they can push it even further... 

And for what defensible reason?

[KFhunter]

It's in response to the tremendous success Jeff Flood has had with Stevens county Sherriff office and the recent addition of Kittitas County doing the same thing there,  and other counties looking to start their own dangerous wildlife conflict program.

The dept WDFW hates counties doing this, as indicated in recent FOIA email requests, they really look down on county Sherriff doing WDFW's job.

[pianoman9701]

I noticed the name of the bill is misleading - the use of dogs to hunt. The bill isn't about hunting. The bill is about lethal control of problem animals. How far I can throw our legislators is how far I trust them.

[X-Force]

I agree that the name of the bill is misleading.

We need to allow wildlife and law enforcement officers to maintain tools to deal with problem and conflict wildlife.

[buckfvr]

The state is just trying to cut Jeff out of the equation because they dont want anyone else successfully responding to calls they themselves have been all too often slow to respond to.

North East Washington Wildlife Group has so many examples of non response from wdfw regarding these types of calls its why the county had to step up.  I have been at past meetings where numerous community members related their stories of wdfw non-action and or little too late reaction.

The way I read it this bill is pure bs.

In no way will this bill stop wdfw and its contractors from running hounds, they definitely have stevens county in their sights.

[Mulie87]

Done

[Tbar]

It's in response to the tremendous success Jeff Flood has had with Stevens county Sherriff office and the recent addition of Kittitas County doing the same thing there,  and other counties looking to start their own dangerous wildlife conflict program.

The dept WDFW hates counties doing this, as indicated in recent FOIA email requests, they really look down on county Sherriff doing WDFW's job.

Last time I checked they were working with Jeff and Steven's county. Have you seen the annual report from last year? Also if you follow the rhetoric for the past 18+ months , this is directed at the dysfunctional relationship with Bob Songer.  They have repeatedly referenced the successful collaboration in Steven's after being on shaky ground.  The numbers reflect this.  It also shows how divisive extremists can be. All will suffer from the actions of few.  Here are the numbers from last year.
Cougars reported removed by local law enforcement:
• 1 by Kittitas County SO,
• 1 citizen removal reported to City of Asotin PD,
• 5 cougars removed (over 3 incidents) by Stevens County SO
• 27 by Klickitat County SO.

[Tbar]

I agree that the name of the bill is misleading.

We need to allow wildlife and law enforcement officers to maintain tools to deal with problem and conflict wildlife.

Whats happening should concern everyone. Especially after all of the testimony over the last couple months. This is a bad bill but should be opposed for the right reasons.  Two wrongs do not make a right, this would equate to adding a third wrong. It's wise not to misrepresent or not know the justification that created this bad legislation 

[sagemd]

Submitted my opinion for the official record.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention.