Spring bear public comment is open

[Karl Blanchard]

How many total spring bear points in the system? State took a lot of cash from sportsmen that they probably need to give back 

Or let those points be transferred to another category.

thats the zero cost easy way out though. I want my money back!

[Timberstalker]

I had 9 going into this year!!!!

[Torrent50]

If they keep stringing this along and saying that they haven't permanently done away with the spring hunt they can say they don't have to refund the money.  They probably expect people to keep buying points too.

At the end of the day, let's remember what Commie Rowland said today.  This is all because of climate change.  If we would all just quit driving gas guzzlers and embrace the green revolution we would be saved................

 

[Ghost Hunter]

I'm one of the lucky ones that drew and had my first successful hunt last year.    Wondering if any of the special permit apps I just received will be able to be used.       The whole thing is beyond frustrating.   

[Chesapeake]

How many total spring bear points in the system? State took a lot of cash from sportsmen that they probably need to give back 

Go look, and maybe you’ll find there are no spring bear points. Maybe not even a category to have the points in.

[saylean]

They won’t be refunding money of points. The points would be held in status until if/when a new season occurs. That has been mentioned by the wdfw previously.

[HillHound]

What a freaking racket. Man the state lottery or Powerball should get on board with this too. Sell a whole bunch of tickets talk up the top prize and then the day they’re supposed to draw decide you’re not gonna have it. No refund you’re out the money will just hold onto it in case maybe one day down the road we decide to have it. I don’t know how much crack you have to smoke for this stuff to make sense but our whole WDFW commission must be hitting that crack pipe hard to actually believe the crap coming out of their own mouths

[Ghost Hunter]

How many total spring bear points in the system? State took a lot of cash from sportsmen that they probably need to give back 

Go look, and maybe you’ll find there are no spring bear points. Maybe not even a category to have the points in.

         I got categories with zero points.  Spring bear isn't one of them.   

[Bullkllr]

If they wanted to piss off hunters, I think they achieved that.

I hope the Commies understand the gravity of that no vote. Hunters and anglers have lost a lot over the years. But nearly all of that has been in the name of conservation because of low numbers. This is the first time in my recollection that an entire season was cancelled when conservation was clearly not the driver (hounds/bait and the ongoing cougar mis-management come to mind perhaps as the closest- and part of that was not a Commission decision).

Man this has screwed my whole day. I’m so pissed. Not even as much just for spring bear, but because their reasoning could effectively end all hunting in Washington.

This spells out my biggest concern. The next issue, or the next after that could easily go the same way; cancelled because it doesn't fit the Commies personal agendas. My trust-level for any balanced or honest decisions is in the negatives.

With this single vote they have proven to be:
biased
uninformed
uninterested in becoming informed prior to a momentous decision
willing to call out the best science available as not good enough
willing to ignore department recommendations
unwilling to compromise when several contentious concerns were 'fixed"
disingenuous in public statements................................I'm sure there's more to add to the list

[hunter399]

There is a series of events that lead to this crap.
Do not let hunter opportunities slip away.
When I say that toward spring bear.
I mean not too long ago WDFW shifted this hunt,giving hound permits to the lumber company. Which was smeared all over the news. Creating this crowd of people that have been against any harvest of spring bear.
Reducing permit numbers for a number of years,and turning this hunt more recreational instead of tree damage.
Now you have a Commission that sides with this "crowd".

We all know this is not about bear numbers or population.
Spring bear harvest is not even a drop in the bucket, WDFW has told our Commission this.

This might even help keep our second bear tags.
Cause this will lead to more people amped up for fall harvest. If we keep harvest of fall bear up,or slightly above average. It's shows stabil population.

When you see hunts that hounds,access is gone,predator hunts turned into permit hunts,bait stations,
Alternative manage other than hunters . SPEAK UP.

One other I've noticed......
This "crowd" has only been onto this topic with the Commission. Speakers for the other meetings has been pretty slow. I take that as a sign that we can still have a word in toward other Hunts.

[Ridgeratt]

Just looked and the mystery of bear points has disappeared. There isn't even a category.
This could be the start of a reduction in cougar opportunities as well. They haven't reached the cougar quota in some of the Northeast gmu's for the last couple of years. Could be a very easy reason to say that the resource is reduced and would be a good time to close the units.

After listening to the commission today. You should be able to go to any viewing station and observe the states animals.

[HooknoseHunter]

I'm one of the lucky ones that drew and had my first successful hunt last year.    Wondering if any of the special permit apps I just received will be able to be used.       The whole thing is beyond frustrating.   

Same boat as you. I shot mine the afternoon of June 14th 2021. My dad jokes that I probably killed the last spring bear ever in WA state.

[hunter399]

Just looked and the mystery of bear points has disappeared. There isn't even a category.
This could be the start of a reduction in cougar opportunities as well. They haven't reached the cougar quota in some of the Northeast gmu's for the last couple of years. Could be a very easy reason to say that the resource is reduced and would be a good time to close the units.

After listening to the commission today. You should be able to go to any viewing station and observe the states animals.

You didn't know, they been trying to turn late season cougar into a permit season. It was proposed a few years  ago ,by the Department. And dropped and not favored by hunters.

[Special T]

Sportsmen are going ro need to remain Uber vigilant. Join Howl for Wildlife and get active. Having the first 20 speakers on every comment period is no necessary

[vandeman17]

Sure am glad I applied and drew for the first time last year. This sure is a shame but not surprising in the slightest. Even more motivation to take my hard earned money to other states