Commission Meeting - August 2023

[andersonjk4]

I was previewing the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting and found a couple very interesting agenda items.  The first is a "Blue Sheet" presentation on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  A blue sheet presentation appears to be a request from a commissioner to the department for more information on a topic.  In this case it appears this was requested by Commissioner Lehmkuhl.  The agenda lists John Organ as a guest speaker brought in by WDFW to present the information.  I had to then look up who he is.  See link and article below.  But seems like a very knowelgable guy to be presenting this information.   

https://www.boone-crockett.org/welcoming-new-leader-fisheries-wildlife-research

The second interesting agenda item is another blue sheet presentation, again requested by Lehmkuhl.  This one is about Social Sciences and its application to fish and wildlife management.  The department is bringing in a pair of speakers for this one: Dr. David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist, and Dr. Braeden Van Deynze, Natural Resource Economist. Again I had to dig into these two a little bit. 

https://nwstraits.org/about-us/commission/science-advisory-committee/dr-david-trimbach/ 
https://www.vandeynze.com/

I will be very interested to hear these two presentations.  I give Commissioner Lehmkuhl some credit for making the requests. Especially the NAMWC.  Probably won't change any minds, but at least the information is getting put out there.  And I applaud the department for finding what appears to be a very qualified individual to present the information. 

[andersonjk4]

Link to Meeting Agenda:

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2023/10-12aug2023-agenda

[Ntbutcher]

I was previewing the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting and found a couple very interesting agenda items.  The first is a "Blue Sheet" presentation on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  A blue sheet presentation appears to be a request from a commissioner to the department for more information on a topic.  In this case it appears this was requested by Commissioner Lehmkuhl.  The agenda lists John Organ as a guest speaker brought in by WDFW to present the information.  I had to then look up who he is.  See link and article below.  But seems like a very knowelgable guy to be presenting this information.   

https://www.boone-crockett.org/welcoming-new-leader-fisheries-wildlife-research

The second interesting agenda item is another blue sheet presentation, again requested by Lehmkuhl.  This one is about Social Sciences and its application to fish and wildlife management.  The department is bringing in a pair of speakers for this one: Dr. David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist, and Dr. Braeden Van Deynze, Natural Resource Economist. Again I had to dig into these two a little bit. 

https://nwstraits.org/about-us/commission/science-advisory-committee/dr-david-trimbach/ 
https://www.vandeynze.com/

I will be very interested to hear these two presentations.  I give Commissioner Lehmkuhl some credit for making the requests. Especially the NAMWC.  Probably won't change any minds, but at least the information is getting put out there.  And I applaud the department for finding what appears to be a very qualified individual to present the information.

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/podcasts-focus-scrutiny-on-wdfw-commission/

[Longfield1]

My bet is they have this meeting just to appease us hunters then continue stripping our rights away.

[dwils233]

I was previewing the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting and found a couple very interesting agenda items.  The first is a "Blue Sheet" presentation on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  A blue sheet presentation appears to be a request from a commissioner to the department for more information on a topic.  In this case it appears this was requested by Commissioner Lehmkuhl.  The agenda lists John Organ as a guest speaker brought in by WDFW to present the information.  I had to then look up who he is.  See link and article below.  But seems like a very knowelgable guy to be presenting this information.   

https://www.boone-crockett.org/welcoming-new-leader-fisheries-wildlife-research

The second interesting agenda item is another blue sheet presentation, again requested by Lehmkuhl.  This one is about Social Sciences and its application to fish and wildlife management.  The department is bringing in a pair of speakers for this one: Dr. David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist, and Dr. Braeden Van Deynze, Natural Resource Economist. Again I had to dig into these two a little bit. 

https://nwstraits.org/about-us/commission/science-advisory-committee/dr-david-trimbach/ 
https://www.vandeynze.com/

I will be very interested to hear these two presentations.  I give Commissioner Lehmkuhl some credit for making the requests. Especially the NAMWC.  Probably won't change any minds, but at least the information is getting put out there.  And I applaud the department for finding what appears to be a very qualified individual to present the information.

Trimbach seems interesting, in that I have no idea about his values or positions but his approach does seem interested in actually working through natural resource issues to reach conclusions instead of just faking it to justify the desired outcome. He was supposed to facilitate the spring bear commission work earlier this year and asked them for real engagement and good faith commitment- that didn't seem to go over well.

I think he's the type of guy who, even if you don't agree with the outcome, is committed to a transparent and productive process

[GASoline71]

After personally speaking with John Lehmkuhl, he requested the NAM be presented by DR. Organ because it would be best to present the information to the Commission by the individual who holds the most interest in the model itself.  Commissioner Lehmkuhl also knows that Dr. Organ will be extremely straightforward with his presentation and show how the model can be adapted to modern wildlife management.

He requested it since the NAM has been brought up extensively by hunters during comment periods and wanted to make sure everyone on the commission understands the model as it should be applied to management. 

From what I have read, Dr. Organ is a no BS kinda guy that has no problem calling BS when he sees it.  So I'm hopeful this will be an eye opener, and an ego deflator, for some on the commission.

Gary

[KNOPHISH]

In a few letters I wrote, “I told them social science has no place in game management. The NAMWC has been working well for years”. It’s ridiculous to think they would make a hunting season based on someone’s hurt feelings, sad but true.

[mcrawfordaf]

In the June 22nd meeting one of the commissioners claimed hunters keep "recycling the same old talking points" and that we need to bring new arguments to the table. He even proposed we "pool our resources and hire a wildlife biologist to go over the science for and against the NAMWC". (Even thought the wildlife biologists on the WDFW pay roll already did the leg work and noted that the black bear population in this state is more than enough to support a spring hunt. )

I presume having this guest speaker will satisfy his request?

[ganghis]

In a few letters I wrote, “I told them social science has no place in game management. The NAMWC has been working well for years”. It’s ridiculous to think they would make a hunting season based on someone’s hurt feelings, sad but true.

Like it or not, social science has been creeping into wildlife departments at universities for years.  It's called 'human dimensions' - basically studying attitudes towards hunting, predator-rancher conflict, etc.  Here's an example

https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/wildlifevalues/wp-content/uploads/sites/124/2019/01/AWV-National-Final-Report.pdf

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Dr. Organ will be a good speaker to this and will give direct answers to direct questions. Randy Newberg knows him well and speaks highly of him. He (Randy) confirmed this is the guy you want talking to a commission that is trying to take the rights away from hunters.

****I would urge everyone to get involved in these issues. And what I mean by get involved is write letters to your legislators, and the commissioners themselves in opposition of their 'feelings and opinions' base decision vs. sticking to their own biologists and science-based facts. If you're not comfortable writing a letter there are LOTS of organizations that are getting on board in this state in opposition to the commissions new proposal of rewriting 'conservation' and moving into anti-hunting buzzword filled document with 'preservation', 'intrinsic value' and 'environmental concerns'. Such organizations include HOWL, Blood Origins, American Bear Foundation (newly formed Washington Chapter), and even the RMEF have spoken up against these new proposals and terminology in recent weeks.   They are slowing taking this all away from us and you can bitch about it, or you can do something about it. The recent podcasts of us interviewing Lemkuhl and Reagan are just the start, more is coming.....but we need support, numbers, and good arguing facts, not opinions, with educated rebuttals against what they are trying to do. Attend the meetings, either in person or by Zoom, write letters, donate (if you can) to some of those organizations that are at the front of this fight. I have two full-time jobs, a family, hunting when I can, and I'm still doing the best I can to attend, question, email, and research proposals and fact check some of these ridiculous claims this commission says such as 'hunters don't contribute funds to conservation'.
I dare each of you...get involved.

[GASoline71]

I dare each of you...get involved.

THIS!!! 

Gary

[andersonjk4]

I was previewing the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting and found a couple very interesting agenda items.  The first is a "Blue Sheet" presentation on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  A blue sheet presentation appears to be a request from a commissioner to the department for more information on a topic.  In this case it appears this was requested by Commissioner Lehmkuhl.  The agenda lists John Organ as a guest speaker brought in by WDFW to present the information.  I had to then look up who he is.  See link and article below.  But seems like a very knowelgable guy to be presenting this information.   

https://www.boone-crockett.org/welcoming-new-leader-fisheries-wildlife-research

The second interesting agenda item is another blue sheet presentation, again requested by Lehmkuhl.  This one is about Social Sciences and its application to fish and wildlife management.  The department is bringing in a pair of speakers for this one: Dr. David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist, and Dr. Braeden Van Deynze, Natural Resource Economist. Again I had to dig into these two a little bit. 

https://nwstraits.org/about-us/commission/science-advisory-committee/dr-david-trimbach/ 
https://www.vandeynze.com/

I will be very interested to hear these two presentations.  I give Commissioner Lehmkuhl some credit for making the requests. Especially the NAMWC.  Probably won't change any minds, but at least the information is getting put out there.  And I applaud the department for finding what appears to be a very qualified individual to present the information.

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/podcasts-focus-scrutiny-on-wdfw-commission/

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.  I wasn't aware of the Broadside podcasts with the commissioners.  I am listening to the Lehmkuhl podcast now and will listen to the Raegan one next.

Thank you BlackRiverTaxidermy for your involvment in these.  Well done!

[nwmein199]

I was previewing the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting and found a couple very interesting agenda items.  The first is a "Blue Sheet" presentation on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  A blue sheet presentation appears to be a request from a commissioner to the department for more information on a topic.  In this case it appears this was requested by Commissioner Lehmkuhl.  The agenda lists John Organ as a guest speaker brought in by WDFW to present the information.  I had to then look up who he is.  See link and article below.  But seems like a very knowelgable guy to be presenting this information.   

https://www.boone-crockett.org/welcoming-new-leader-fisheries-wildlife-research

The second interesting agenda item is another blue sheet presentation, again requested by Lehmkuhl.  This one is about Social Sciences and its application to fish and wildlife management.  The department is bringing in a pair of speakers for this one: Dr. David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist, and Dr. Braeden Van Deynze, Natural Resource Economist. Again I had to dig into these two a little bit. 

https://nwstraits.org/about-us/commission/science-advisory-committee/dr-david-trimbach/ 
https://www.vandeynze.com/

I will be very interested to hear these two presentations.  I give Commissioner Lehmkuhl some credit for making the requests. Especially the NAMWC.  Probably won't change any minds, but at least the information is getting put out there.  And I applaud the department for finding what appears to be a very qualified individual to present the information.

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/podcasts-focus-scrutiny-on-wdfw-commission/

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.  I wasn't aware of the Broadside podcasts with the commissioners.  I am listening to the Lehmkuhl podcast now and will listen to the Raegan one next.

Thank you BlackRiverTaxidermy for your involvment in these.  Well done!

Another podcast discussing the WDFW Wildlife Commission and this upcoming meeting: https://hunttalkradio.com/2023/07/25/episode-220-junking-the-north-american-model-of-wildlife-conservation-episode-220/

[blackdog]

I believe this weeks Commission meeting was productive for hunters. Dr. Organs presentation was powerful and well received.

[high_hunter]

I believe this weeks Commission meeting was productive for hunters. Dr. Organs presentation was powerful and well received.

I'd second that. 

Both it and the social science presentations were enlightening, informative and well done.  I definitely think Dr Organs was helpful and overall very pro hunting.  Certainly got sick of Smith interjecting her self during both presentations and was dishartened to hear Lehmkuhl state he wanted some of the social science techniques to "help push the new management plan through", although may have been mispoke as it was at the end of a long day.

I did enjoy him and Ragen speaking on The Broadside podcasts recently but am concerned about their overall support for hunters and sports people.

Wish I could have attended or caught Thursdays but was able to watch most of Fridays and some of Saturdays with my comments sent in ahead of time.