Hunters Heritage Council Supports HB 1698

[WWC]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/bi/tld/documentsearchresults?biennium=2023-24&name=1698

This bill gives the department much more flexibility in managing wolves in eastern Washington. Drawing a line from the Canadian border down Hwy 97 to Hwy 17 near Bridgeport south to Hwy395 near Mesa south to the Columbia river

Eight sponsors on that bill, four Democrats and four Republicans, a totally bi-partisan bill.  Prime Sponsor Joel Kretz R 7th LD ; Co-Sponsors in order of sponsorship; House Natural Resources Committee Chair Chair Mike Chapman D 24th LD, Hunters Heritage Council Legislator of the Year Debra Lekanoff D 40th, Tom Dent R 13th LD, Hunters Heritage Council Legislator of the Year Jacquelin Maycumber, R 7th, Larry Springer D 45th(from KING COUNTY! ), Melanie Morgan D 29th (an African American legislator from Pierce County whose district encompasses S. Tacoma, E. Lakewood, Springbrook, Parkland, Spanaway, and W. Fredrickson), and Carolyn Eslick R 39th.  We have rural and suburban support for this bill.

Contacts for the House Agg & Natural Resources Committee
https://leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/AGNR/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx

[salmosalar]

Well done. Very well done.

[Special T]

 

[pickardjw]

Thanks, sent a comment in support to my reps.

Somewhat of a side note...does anyone else hate the "forewords" in all of these bills? They always seem to be full of unnecessary, opinionated, and subjective language.

The legislature finds the majestic gray wolf to be a symbol of the wilderness and a marvel to all Washingtonians. The howl of the gray wolf, a song of nature's resilience, epitomizes their role as an apex predator. The gray wolf serves a crucial role in their ecosystem, particularly to species down the food chain. This in turn improves biodiversity, offering immense human benefits that are almost too great to be measured. The success in the revival of gray wolf populations in Washington has proven to be one of the most successful recoveries of an extirpated apex species in United States history. This should be celebrated and modeled for future recovery efforts. It is important to always look for ways to improve on our processes and further perfect our recovery efforts. In this way, other counties in our state should learn from the more successful counties that have more than achieved the lofty recovery goals placed before them. In order to maximize recovery efforts for all the vital species in Washington, we must allow those counties that have successfully recovered gray wolf populations to focus their efforts on other animals in danger of extinction.

[Special T]

Thanks, sent a comment in support to my reps.

Somewhat of a side note...does anyone else hate the "forewords" in all of these bills? They always seem to be full of unnecessary, opinionated, and subjective language.

The legislature finds the majestic gray wolf to be a symbol of the wilderness and a marvel to all Washingtonians. The howl of the gray wolf, a song of nature's resilience, epitomizes their role as an apex predator. The gray wolf serves a crucial role in their ecosystem, particularly to species down the food chain. This in turn improves biodiversity, offering immense human benefits that are almost too great to be measured. The success in the revival of gray wolf populations in Washington has proven to be one of the most successful recoveries of an extirpated apex species in United States history. This should be celebrated and modeled for future recovery efforts. It is important to always look for ways to improve on our processes and further perfect our recovery efforts. In this way, other counties in our state should learn from the more successful counties that have more than achieved the lofty recovery goals placed before them. In order to maximize recovery efforts for all the vital species in Washington, we must allow those counties that have successfully recovered gray wolf populations to focus their efforts on other animals in danger of extinction.

Considering it Was Joel Kretz that wrote it... I think its funny as all get out! Can't you hear the sarcasm  dripping from his words? Perhaps that is what got a couple of urban politicians to co sponsor?

[pickardjw]

Ahh, I didn't consider the author...can the "/s" internet sarcasm indicator be used in legislative text??

[WWC]

They talk about this at about the 1 hour mark.
https://www.fishhuntnw.com/?wix-vod-video-id=Q-mSG32Bgx0&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jrco0g6r

[WWC]

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/kretz-county-wolf-delisting-bill-draws-feedback-in-olympia/?fbclid=IwAR3f_QnsfISqaBlwvcT-XAr1c74cGJd-dmSmMrTXXMtfzOpsHXwDkPN13HY

Same issue

[Skyvalhunter]

Of coarse Lorna Smith chimed in and voiced her opinion against it. She wants to be assured that any chance of an anti hunting led commission can continue to bestow it's objective in the state.

[WWC]

We worked with Howl to get this to you all. This is the first chance in a long time where sportsmen can support management of wolves. Take the time and let the legislators know how you feel.

https://www.howlforwildlife.org/washingtonwolves

[bearpaw]

that's great 

Good job Joel and all involved!

[WWC]

This bill passed quickly and easily out of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. The process is looking good so far. We will advise what the next step is and are in contact with Howl for the next series of calls to action.

[WWC]

This bill was put in the Appropriations Committee instead of Rules Committee. This was likely so that it could be killed.  This bill is now in fact dead for the session.

[ELKBURGER]

This bill was put in the Appropriations Committee instead of Rules Committee. This was likely so that it could be killed.  This bill is now in fact dead for the session.

[hunter399]

I would FULLY support.
And also wished that more county Commissioner,tribal biologists,local wildlife leaders ,recommendations where considered in a higher regard to our Wildlife Commission.