New commissioners

[ELKBURGER]

Bummer we lost Thorburn.

Even if both these new commissioners are pro hunting, we're still outnumbered. I'd imagine Inslee isn't doing that by accident, keeping it just skewed to the antis. Now when he goes to fight the new lawsuit he can just say he appointed two pro conservation commissioners and doesn't understand why he's being sued.

It's quite clear why he's being sued and the reason is still in play - the commission is not balanced. Replacing one or two pro-sporting commissioners with two more doesn't change the imbalance.

[Special T]

Woody good for sure.

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I have heard that he was a great ungulate bio, and plenty of people sang his praises on that.  I think what we would like to know is his stance on predator control. We could make the assumption based off his intrest in mule deer and hunting them. Do we have any kind of signal or experience that reinforces that assumption?

[KNOPHISH]

I would say climate change should be the lowest priority for any hunting or fishing rule changes or seasons. Actually don’t even think it should be in the conversation. They claim science based but we all know better.

[GASoline71]

What is needed is new commissioners that are willing to stop tap dancing around all the anti-hunting wackiness and call BS on some of these issues.  Like Spring Bear Hunting.  There is not one single logical explanation as to why it was ended.  Period.  Except because Lorna and Melanie wanted it to end.  And their uninformed cronies followed them.

Losing Kim Thorburn is a hard blow.  She advocated for hunter and hunting on every front.  She followed what the State biologists told her, and used that info to form her decisions.  Thanks for your service on the Commission Kim!

Gary

[Special T]

What is needed is new commissioners that are willing to stop tap dancing around all the anti-hunting wackiness and call BS on some of these issues.  Like Spring Bear Hunting.  There is not one single logical explanation as to why it was ended.  Period.  Except because Lorna and Melanie wanted it to end.  And their uninformed cronies followed them.

Losing Kim Thorburn is a hard blow.  She advocated for hunter and hunting on every front.  She followed what the State biologists told her, and used that info to form her decisions.  Thanks for your service on the Commission Kim!

Gary

 It goes a lot deeper than these 2. they are just the vocal sacrificial mouth pieces to push the WWF and W4A agenda to ruin hunting in this state

[Humptulips]

With Thorburn gone it seems to me like it opens the opportunity for one of the more animal loving Commissioners to chair the Wildlife Committee. This could be a loss even though we traded maybe likeminded Commissioners.

[TriggerMike]

It's absolutely a loss. Inslee knows exactly what he's doing and they're several years ahead of us in planning and probably already have the end date of hunting in this state circled on their calendars.

[3Under]

We need to keep up the fight. Here’s what anti-hunting group, Washington Wildlife First has to say:


Breaking News: Governor Inslee Fills Wildlife Commission vacancies

Greetings:

We have great news to share! Yesterday, Governor Inslee announced his picks to fill the three vacancies on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Governor reappointed Commission Chair Barbara Baker, a staunch advocate for Washington's wildlife, and refused to renew the term of Commissioner Kim Thorburn, who has been a faithful ally of extreme hunting groups whose primary goal is to "maximize" hunting opportunities.

To replace Thorburn and Commissioner Don McIsaac, who did not seek reappointment when his term expired in December, the Governor tapped two scientists from eastern Washington: Woodrow "Woody" Myers, a retired Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ungulate biologist, and Steven Parker, a former fisheries biologist for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. In addition to their strong scientific backgrounds, Myers and Parker have committed to prioritizing the preservation of Washington's fish and wildlife in the face of the threats posed by climate change and habitat loss, as well as to ensuring that the Department fulfills its responsibility as a public trustee serving all current and future Washingtonians. You can read more about these appointments in our press release.
 
These appointments mark the culmination of several months of work by Washington Wildlife First, our coalition partners, and all our supporters. With your help, we have taken another big step toward a Fish and Wildlife Commission that values science, prioritizes conservation, and truly represents the values of all Washingtonians.

Please join us in taking a moment to celebrate this victory, before we turn back to the hard work that lies ahead of supporting this Commission as it works to bring lasting reform to Washington's wildlife management.

Sincerely,

Sam Bruegger
Executive Director, Washington Wildlife First

[dwils233]

I wouldn't trust Washington Wildlife First's take on this- they are happy to spin anything to their benefit. I doubt they were nearly as effective in lobbying their candidates as they make this sound.

In all honesty at the commission level this is most likely a break even. Even with their statements about climate change, their careers make me think we could have ended up with much less friendly options. Thorburn was great, but it's a pipedream to think we would see someone like that appointed again right now. We simply weren't going to see a majority of pro-hunters on the commission, but we've got a shot at playing in the middle still on some issues.

I do think the question is now- who is taking over the wildlife committee? That's the play to watch.

[actionshooter]

 I think we definitely lost some ground here... 2 proven advocates for us are gone and replaced with two who are unknown at best. They might have been great biologists, but that doesn't mean they are on our side....

  At the same time I think this Inslee played a solid hand with the lawsuit.. the Commision is stacked but he just placed two retired biologist on the board, hard to argue they aren't qualified to make wildlife decisions.  It won't take long to see where they stand as soon as the voting starts.

[pianoman9701]

I think we definitely lost some ground here... 2 proven advocates for us are gone and replaced with two who are unknown at best. They might have been great biologists, but that doesn't mean they are on our side....

  At the same time I think this Inslee played a solid hand with the lawsuit.. the Commision is stacked but he just placed two retired biologist on the board, hard to argue they aren't qualified to make wildlife decisions.  It won't take long to see where they stand as soon as the voting starts.

Inslee hasn't replaced any of the 5 anti-hunters. He's still in violation of state law.

[hunter399]

I think we definitely lost some ground here... 2 proven advocates for us are gone and replaced with two who are unknown at best. They might have been great biologists, but that doesn't mean they are on our side....

  At the same time I think this Inslee played a solid hand with the lawsuit.. the Commision is stacked but he just placed two retired biologist on the board, hard to argue they aren't qualified to make wildlife decisions.  It won't take long to see where they stand as soon as the voting starts.

Inslee hasn't replaced any of the 5 anti-hunters. He's still in violation of state law.

Correct.
But in light of the lawsuit.
He will be more careful who he appoints now.

[buckfvr]

The lawsuit doesn't mean squat to insleez and his corner man ag bob. If anything, it makes him/them more vindictive in the end.

[pianoman9701]

The lawsuit doesn't mean squat to insleez and his corner man ag bob. If anything, it makes him/them more vindictive in the end.

Certainly, we gain nothing by doing nothing. Wouldn't you agree?

[buckfvr]

Of course.

But let's not pretend they're losing sleep over it.