Washington moves to completely eliminate hunting. Action needed!

[buglebrush]

If this goes through hunting in WA is completely doomed! 

https://www.gohunt.com/content/news/washington-state-hunting-is-under-attack-and-why-you-should-pay-attention?fbclid=IwAR1lDsH0T270X7AFBTj4sOKX_8KLWr7uHIkIvjRBYPuYm041whwpAJBekU8

[timberfaller]

As have been said on here many times, Elections have consequences!

Wake up people!

[pianoman9701]

If you hunt and haven't been involved in the politics surrounding hunting in our state, get involved.

[Firstgenhunter]

Show up in Olympia layer this month!! Pack this meeting.

[2MANY]

As have been said on here many times, Elections have consequences!

Wake up people!

Yup.
Peoples acceptance of Dems as family, friends, and neighbors is about ready to bite them in the butt.
I personally don't think the Dems are dumb.
The people that vote for them are.

[James]

It wasn't that long ago that I honestly thought anti's were so far down on the list of problems that plagued fishing/hunting in WA it didn't even deserve acknowledging them.

Since the first year of COVID, it has become obvious they are now the number one problem, which is hard to believe given the state of many of our fish and wildlife here in WA...

I am convinced killing this disingenuous "conservation" policy and replacing the ideologues on the commission is the hill we as sportsmen need to be willing to die on.  If we lose this, that's a wrap...

[2MANY]

In Idaho they simply call WA ..................................Northern California.

So true.

[nwwanderer]

Northern CA is a pretty special place, major bash there.  Take away KPT and a little corner of Whatcom and we would be Idaho

[hughjorgan]

Hopefully you’re well aware of what’s taking place and being proposed.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2023/9oct2023-agenda-special-wildlife-committee

The link is to proposals for the season setting process; such as making cougar hunting from November to march or having your black bear sealed with in 72 hours so they can see if you shot a lactating female so they then can go look for orphaned cubs and then prosecute you.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/season-setting-recommendation.pdf

[ducks4days]

These seem problematic, are actively being considered.

Hunting equipment
restrictions
Eliminate "except bear and cougar" from Part (2): It is unlawful to hunt big
game, except bear and cougar, with modern firearm equipment at any time
in any manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange
and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.
Feasible.

Furbearers (trapping) Add requirement that proof of sex needs to be attached to #2 (bobcat/otter)
and #3 (cougar)
Add requirement to collect bobcat jaws for ageing
Add to #2 “Any person who takes a bobcat or river otter must provide the
date, location, and method of the take,”
Some aspects of this
should be
considered if
feasible.

Furbearers (trapping) WAC 220-417-030: change 4c) to visual in-person inspection once every 24
hours (or once daily – a little more flexible)
Maybe a variation of
the proposal.

Game Reserves,
waterfowl closures,
waterfowl regulated
access areas
Evaluate the Game Reserve status and/or boundaries for the Skagit Delta
Game Reserve, Fir Island Farm Game Reserve and Johnson DeBay's Game
Reserve
Feasible.

General Game
Management Issues
Amend the WAC to remove 1(b) which states it is legal to use 22 caliber for
hunting cougar.
Feasible.

Small Game (hunting
bobcat, fox, raccoon,
rabbit, or hare)
Restrict night hunting for bobcat in GMU 108 (or all of District 1) to avoid the
accidental killing of a lynx.
Feasible

Cougar Add verbiage to 220-415-100, 4b, to state "any cougar license purchased after
the season has opened is not valid until 3 days after purchase".
Not necessary. Has
impact for other big
game. Enforcement
program did not think
this was necessary.

Cougar Change harvest to a single season of November-March to avoid opportunistic
kills during deer season and to reduce issues with April kills
Do not recommend
opening cougar rule
until the commission
develops a carnivore
policy or until the
Game Management
plan is completed.
Current season
structure and season
dates are sufficient.

Hunting
equipment
restrictions
Make it illegal to use a trail camera for hunting that can transmit information
over any electronic means. Specifically, for hunting, only allow the use of trail
cameras that have to be checked in the field.
Needs more research
unable to get done in
time for this 3-year
season setting

Small Game
(hunting bobcat,
fox, raccoon,
rabbit, or hare)
Modify dates of Bobcat season. Sept 1 - Oct 15 and Nov 25th - Mar 15th this
excludes the general deer and elk seasons.
Not biologically
necessary and
needlessly reduces
opportunity.

Small Game
(hunting bobcat,
fox, raccoon,
rabbit, or hare)
Recommend that it be unlawful to hunt raccoon with dogs. Add "It is unlawful to
hunt raccoon with dogs".
Not biologically
necessary and
needlessly reduces
opportunity.

Wolf If someone kills a wolf, they may have their hunting license suspended for 2
years. However, there is no monetary fine like there is for other endangered
species and birds of prey. I suggest creating a WAC that allows for a fine to be
given under the RCW 77.15.120
Policy discussion
required. May require
RCW changes.

Black Bear Black Bear must be sealed inside a 72-hour window. Any Bear brought in to be
sealed that is lactating would require a search for the orphaned Cubs. If Cubs
are found prosecution would proceed for said hunter.
Do not recommend
opening black bear
rule until the
commission
develops a carnivore
policy or until the
Game Management
plan is completed.
Current season
structure and season
dates are sufficient.

BTD Restrict all Tiger Mtn deer hunting to archery Not necessary.

These may make sense, Id like to see further discussion on this.

Hunting equipment
restrictions
Add crossbow as a legal hunting method for the muzzleloader deer and elk
season.
Feasible.

Migratory Bird &
Waterfowl
Permit a limited harvest of harlequin duck through either (1) a special permit
application and lottery process (like limited big game permits), or (2)
random selection when a sea duck hunt authorization is purchased. Design
the limited harlequin duck hunt to be managed spatially through either (1)
permits explicitly allowing harvest in specific Salish Sea regions, or (2)
blanket closures of specific Salish Sea regions with depressed abundance
(e.g., South Puget Sound, Whidbey Basin) with permits allowing harvest in
areas that remain open. This will allow the recovery of harlequin duck with
Feasible.

This is not looking good at all.

[Skyvalhunter]

If you think this is sensible you are completely wrong. Step by step this will take away your hunting rights. You can see that this is spearheaded by the anti hunting commission. We already have an over abundance of predators and these considerations only enhance the population instead of reducing it as needed.

[Mtnwalker]

Hopefully you’re well aware of what’s taking place and being proposed.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2023/9oct2023-agenda-special-wildlife-committee

The link is to proposals for the season setting process; such as making cougar hunting from November to march or having your black bear sealed with in 72 hours so they can see if you shot a lactating female so they then can go look for orphaned cubs and then prosecute you.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/season-setting-recommendation.pdf

Some of these proposals are absolutely ridiculous. Also, what is this commission-created “carnivore hunting policy” that they keep referencing?

[BUTTER]

Does anyone have a link to comment on a few of the proposals.

[hughjorgan]

Does anyone have a link to comment on a few of the proposals.

I don’t think it is to that point in the proposals, they are just having meetings and discussing the next year package.

Hopefully you’re well aware of what’s taking place and being proposed.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings/2023/9oct2023-agenda-special-wildlife-committee

The link is to proposals for the season setting process; such as making cougar hunting from November to march or having your black bear sealed with in 72 hours so they can see if you shot a lactating female so they then can go look for orphaned cubs and then prosecute you.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/season-setting-recommendation.pdf

Some of these proposals are absolutely ridiculous. Also, what is this commission-created “carnivore hunting policy” that they keep referencing?

Good question maybe someone can chime in that is more in the know on that. Nothing good more than likely.

[smalldog]

Everybody that fishes and hunts should push for a Washington state Fishing and Hunting and Backpackers Sportsman Club were everybody is a member of so we have power to fight this. When every Fisherman and Black Powder Hunter and Archery Hunter and Modern Rifle Hunter and Trappers all come under one club and fight for all, then we will have a strong and powerful stand against this type of crap. We are split up to much in different groups and the anti hunters know this. But become one and we will give a better fight. I have hunted in this state since 1969 and have seen a lot of changes. Some good and some bad, but nothing like we are seeing in our state now. Really bad management on Salmon and Steelhead and all the other fishing and other water re courses have really been damaged because of poor management. I would have never believed that the fishing and hunting would get this bad. When the Governor took over the Game department years ago they have mismanaged our fishing and hunting and our natural re courses really bad and have done terrible damage. This Governor must really hate people that enjoys the fishing and hunting and all the other enjoyments of the outdoors to show such disregard for the people that enjoy these activities. Never have I seen such disregard for this except in other Democrat run States.  I am flustered just like everybody else and it is so disappointing to see this direction that things are going.

[Humptulips]

I listened to and I have to say we have some of the most ill prepared Commissioners. They don't seem to have done even enough homework to understand the process. Special mention needs to go to Lorna Smith. I have never seen such a poor chairperson. Uninformed, ill-prepared and unable to control the meeting.
This meeting, as all Wildlife Committee meetings, did not allow for public comment.
However, to the question "Where can comments be made?" One can always send comments to the Commission, specific Members of the Commission, The Director or any member of the Department. In this case Eric Gardner and Anis Aoude.

[hunter399]

None of those sound good at all .
I have to wear orange for bear and cougar ,are you kidding me.

[Humptulips]

I'll just add what this meeting should have been about. The Department produced a list of proposals. In table #1 they have listed the proposals that have been made that the Department thinks have merit. In table #2 is the list of proposals that the Department suggests should not move forward for a variety of reason.
The Wildlife Committee should have delegated to the Director what proposals they wanted to move forward on and have the Department write a rule. They could have moved proposals around from #1 and #2 and come up with a list they would delegate to the Director for rule making. The others should have been recommended to the Commission for no further consideration.
I don't think they did that, and I wonder if the Director even knows what they are supposed to do.

[hunter399]

I guess it says they are waiting for the commission to set seasons,or something about this carnivore policy plan.
Looks like the department is recommending keeping the season the same.
Which I would like to hear more about this carnivore policy.

[BUTTER]

They have some hunts they are trying to implement that already has a season allowed for the area case in pt a late 382 hunt where it's already open for late muzzy? Never heard of allowing both at the same time.

Other questionable stuff has eliminating cow archery hunts. This will create more crowding in other areas and all areas elk numbers are down.

30 lb bows?? What in the world.

Cross bows for muzzy hunting what in the world??

[Firstgenhunter]

It wasn't that long ago that I honestly thought anti's were so far down on the list of problems that plagued fishing/hunting in WA it didn't even deserve acknowledging them.

Since the first year of COVID, it has become obvious they are now the number one problem, which is hard to believe given the state of many of our fish and wildlife here in WA...

I am convinced killing this disingenuous "conservation" policy and replacing the ideologues on the commission is the hill we as sportsmen need to be willing to die on.  If we lose this, that's a wrap...

Can't die on this hill. I can't say much but something bigger is coming, and it will come soon and its going to take everyone to stand together.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

It wasn't that long ago that I honestly thought anti's were so far down on the list of problems that plagued fishing/hunting in WA it didn't even deserve acknowledging them.

Since the first year of COVID, it has become obvious they are now the number one problem, which is hard to believe given the state of many of our fish and wildlife here in WA...

I am convinced killing this disingenuous "conservation" policy and replacing the ideologues on the commission is the hill we as sportsmen need to be willing to die on.  If we lose this, that's a wrap...

Can't die on this hill. I can't say much but something bigger is coming, and it will come soon and its going to take everyone to stand together.

“Can’t say much” ?  Says a lot without saying anything. 
Why hold back?  What are you referring to?  A Chinese invasion or demoncrats attempting to take our guns when hunting is lost?

[hunter399]

Such as some of the bear rules.
Prosecuting someone who shoots a sow with a cub.
Or wearing orange for bear season.

Those might of been ok,before they took spring bear away.
Some states require orange,but they also offer over the counter spring bear tags. So unless they are gonna go OTC spring bear .
Why the heck do we need that.

[Firstgenhunter]

It wasn't that long ago that I honestly thought anti's were so far down on the list of problems that plagued fishing/hunting in WA it didn't even deserve acknowledging them.

Since the first year of COVID, it has become obvious they are now the number one problem, which is hard to believe given the state of many of our fish and wildlife here in WA...

I am convinced killing this disingenuous "conservation" policy and replacing the ideologues on the commission is the hill we as sportsmen need to be willing to die on.  If we lose this, that's a wrap...

Can't die on this hill. I can't say much but something bigger is coming, and it will come soon and its going to take everyone to stand together.

“Can’t say much” ?  Says a lot without saying anything. 
Why hold back?  What are you referring to?  A Chinese invasion or demoncrats attempting to take our guns when hunting is lost?

I can’t say much because I myself do not know what it is. People have told me that we need to stay vigilant. I suspect it has to do with predators but we will know more soon.

[hunter399]

So.....
What's next.
What we can't hunt grouse during rabbit season.
Give me a break. What a joke.
Is my orange still good if I drop it in a mud puddle.
No cougar or bobcat hunting during deer season,really wow.
Trying to cut 2 months off of cougar season.

Hey .....buy this big game package and all these tags.
Keep this tag in your pocket,so you can't shoot and watch it walk away.
Do I really need a tag ,to watch it walk away.

If some of these changes go through,what tags I buy will most likely be changing.

[hunter399]

The next question is.
Do we get a comment period on this new carnivore policy?
Do we even get to see it,before it's adopted.

[mcrawfordaf]

The "Carnivore Management Policy" draft language:

"2. Carnivore Management:
This policy would direct the department on game carnivore species management. The carnivores
currently considered game include black bear, cougar, bobcat and red fox. Fox and bobcat are also
considered furbearers and can be trapped as well. This policy could include what biological and social
information would be required to set hunting/trapping seasons and bag limits for carnivores. The policy
would also need to give the department direction related to carnivore management as it relates to
ungulate management (predator prey relationships).
Possible Language:
Carnivores are an ecologically important part of the ecosystem. The Department recognizes that societal
values are diverse on this topic, and the public generally views their abundance positively from an
ecological perspective. Managing carnivores in the smallest western state in the west with the second
highest human population is challenging. Those challenges include maintaining and connecting suitable
habitats, maintaining sufficient levels of prey populations, addressing human and pet safety concerns,
meeting legal requirements associated with addressing livestock depredation, timber and property
damage, and potential carnivore effects on at-risk prey species or populations.
WDFW must effectively manage wildlife to meet population objectives that reflect citizen tolerance and
support. The management goals for black bear, cougar, bobcat, and coyote should ensure managing
statewide carnivore populations for healthy, long-term viable populations consistent with achieving
ungulate population objectives. "


The process on implementing these changes:
Process
• Use a three-year season setting process to address complex issues and provide consistent
general seasons from year to year. Annual permit and season changes will be considered to
address emergent resource issues; natural disasters; and to meet requirements of federal
guideline changes; etc.
• Establishing hunting seasons shall be consistent with the Commission Policy C-3607 regarding
cooperatively managing wildlife resources with the tribes. 
• The public shall be offered substantial and timely opportunity to make comments on and
recommendations for the three-year hunting rules decision-making process.  These
opportunities must comply with the state’s Regulatory Reform Act. 
• Public involvement for annual permit season setting shall include at a minimum, a standard
written comment period and one public meeting where comments will be considered. 
• Continuity in hunting seasons over time is highly valued by the public; therefore, Department
recommendations for significant changes to seasons should be adequately explained to the
public and should address a resource management need.

[hunter399]

Scientificly bears are omnivores,not carnivore.
They shouldn't be adding species that don't apply.
Take bears off ,add coyote.

They just want bears included in the anti-hunting carnivore policy.
My opinion.

I guess ,where is the herbivore, omnivores, policy.
If we don't have those policies,then what is the need for a carnivore policy.

[BUTTER]

This can't be stopped until the next vote for Governor PERIOD!!

[GASoline71]

This can't be stopped until the next vote for Governor PERIOD!!

So you just giving up? Gonna wait until the there is a Republican governor?  Gonna be a long wait.

No way I'm gonna look my grandkids in the eye right now, and tell them I'm not fighting for them.

Gary

[Humptulips]

IMO now is the time to write constructive comments on proposals that were listed. They need to go to the Director and Wildlife Management which is Eric Gardner and Anis Aoude. It looks like this is getting delegated to the Director, so it is in their lap to write proposed rules. In my experience if the Department recommends something, that makes it likely to pass. We all know there are exceptions to that, but I think it still holds true for the most part. Bear in mind the items listed in table #2 already are not recommended by the Department which makes them unlikely to go anywhere. I would concentrate my attention to the items in Table #1 and write letters individually for each item with constructive criticism and alternative wording if you think something needs to be tweaked.
I would not at this time write anything to the Commission about these items as I think this can only bring something to their attention that might otherwise fly under the radar to them. I trust the Commission given the opportunity, will do the wrong thing.
Just an aside one can e-mail anyone in the Department if you know their name. For example, Eric.Gardner@dfw.wa.gov or Anis.Aoude@dfw.wa.gov

[hunter399]

This whole deal is just BS.
 
Let's make a policy about the policy,that contradict the last policy.

Same with commission meeting,let's have a meeting about the meeting,not enough science,time for another meeting.

Sweet Jesus.

When is anyone gonna realize that most the regulations,season,and rules ,have already got us to a point that we are co-existing now.
Major changes to the system we have now will most likely upset the current balance of nature we already have.
I'm not saying we are at a perfect balance.
But should we really tip the scale toward predators, carnivore,anymore than it is now.
C'mon now ,this is ridiculous.

[2MANY]

These clowns work for the Government to collect a pension.

If they had any motivation other than that they would make a living for themselves.

[Mustelidae]

IMO now is the time to write constructive comments on proposals that were listed. They need to go to the Director and Wildlife Management which is Eric Gardner and Anis Aoude. It looks like this is getting delegated to the Director, so it is in their lap to write proposed rules. In my experience if the Department recommends something, that makes it likely to pass. We all know there are exceptions to that, but I think it still holds true for the most part. Bear in mind the items listed in table #2 already are not recommended by the Department which makes them unlikely to go anywhere. I would concentrate my attention to the items in Table #1 and write letters individually for each item with constructive criticism and alternative wording if you think something needs to be tweaked.
I would not at this time write anything to the Commission about these items as I think this can only bring something to their attention that might otherwise fly under the radar to them. I trust the Commission given the opportunity, will do the wrong thing.
Just an aside one can e-mail anyone in the Department if you know their name. For example, Eric.Gardner@dfw.wa.gov or Anis.Aoude@dfw.wa.gov

Thanks for posting this Bruce. Just sent off emails to both Eric and Anis addressing the proposed rule changes.

[GASoline71]

Just an aside one can e-mail anyone in the Department if you know their name. For example, Eric.Gardner@dfw.wa.gov or Anis.Aoude@dfw.wa.gov

You can also go to the WDFW "employee lookup" page to aid your search if you're not 100% sure on how to spell the name.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/contact/employee-lookup

Gary

[Katalla]

Thanks for the WDFW lookup! Comments sent to both.

It is truly amazing the *censored* they are promoting on this list.

[Ric0]

Constructive comments sent, thank you for sharing the information.

[TommyH]

Public meeting is Friday the 27th, hopefully lots of people plan on attending and voicing their concerns on this bs.

[GASoline71]

Public meeting is Friday the 27th, hopefully lots of people plan on attending and voicing their concerns on this bs.

There is also a timeslot for public input on Saturday the 28th as well.

Gary

[carlyoungs]

Rifle elk opener. Perfect time to have a meeting.

[GASoline71]

Rifle elk opener. Perfect time to have a meeting.

Yep... you can't tell me that it's a coincidence that the meeting falls on the second largest opener in the state.

Gary

[Ridgeratt]

Rifle elk opener. Perfect time to have a meeting.

Yep... you can't tell me that it's a coincidence that the meeting falls on the second largest opener in the state.

Gary

This was based on Science!!

[KNOPHISH]

To go against the well established and successful North American model and their own biologists tells you all you need to know about their agenda.

[pianoman9701]

I've been stating this as their goal ever since the disastrous wolf plan was accepted. They don't care about wildlife. They want to end hunting. If they achieve that at the expense of entire ungulate herds, so be it and they're fine with it. They rejoice in it. These are not Defenders of Wildlife or a Humane Society. These are sociopaths who will stop at nothing to end hunting. Why can't reasonable people see what's happening?

[Jake Dogfish]

Rifle elk opener. Perfect time to have a meeting.

Yep... you can't tell me that it's a coincidence that the meeting falls on the second largest opener in the state.

Gary

Do you really think they pay attention to that stuff?

[Bob33]

Rifle elk opener. Perfect time to have a meeting.

Yep... you can't tell me that it's a coincidence that the meeting falls on the second largest opener in the state.

Gary

Do you really think they pay attention to that stuff?

If they don't, they should. If they do, it's probably for the wrong reason.

[Cougartail]

I've been stating this as their goal ever since the disastrous wolf plan was accepted. They don't care about wildlife. They want to end hunting. If they achieve that at the expense of entire ungulate herds, so be it and they're fine with it. They rejoice in it. These are not Defenders of Wildlife or a Humane Society. These are sociopaths who will stop at nothing to end hunting. Why can't reasonable people see what's happening?

  It is the type of people who hunt in which they hate. Passive aggressive attack on them has always been their "MO".