WA Mountain Goat WDFW Response

[shanevg]

So I emailed WDFW with some questions regarding the changes in mountain goat hunting in WA and surprise surprise, they actually got back to me!  I asked them what specifically the about what the rule means as far as their ability to change hunting due to fluctuating mountain goat populations.  I also asked if the boundaries would be available to the public.  Here's what they had to say:

Mr. Vander Giessen:

 

Thank you for your letter to the Fish and Wildlife Commission regarding mountain goat regulation changes.  The Commission has asked that I respond to your questions directly.

 

Our intention for the rule changes is to make mountain goat regulations more dynamic and flexible in order to adjust hunting seasons in a timely manner if populations are over-harvested.  That being said, our intent is not to change permit levels or hunt boundaries once these are published in the annual hunting pamphlet.  We want flexibility between seasons rather than within an existing season.

 

In regard to the hunt unit boundary, currently we are drafting the new hunt area boundaries for Mt. Baker and anticipate these to be out and available to the public this month.  If you have specific questions about Mt. Baker, please do not hesitate in contacting our District Biologist, Mike Davison, at (360) 466-4345, ext 280.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to ask the Department to further clarify the new rule changes.

 

Sincerely,

 

Donny Martorello

Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager

[Timber]

Good post Shane. What is written in the regs about the season changes is kind of vague.

Like we talked about earlier, I'm still curious about whether certain subpopulations that we know very well, are going to be included in the new hunt boundaries or not. It sounds like we'll find out soon.