Here's a blurb from another group regarding the upcoming Commission Meeting. As a Washington State Trapper Association member, It's crucial for us to develop relationships with sister organizations and stand up with them. Here's their piece (which many here may have seen on social media, or in other posts/forums here):
"My name is Kelsey Ross. I am part of the Conservation Coalition of Washington. I am helping Dane who made the poll on the Washington elk hunting page reach those who wanted to know more about how to engage in next week’s commission meeting.
This meeting is going to be a big one because we are facing the loss of opportunity and management of cougars, following a petition from anti-hunting orgs. As you know, this will not only impact cougar hunting, but will cause trickle down effect two other species’ numbers. This is the low hanging fruit in which more opportunity will be taken in the future, due to the overall mission of anti-hunting individuals to eventually get rid of all hunting. We are also wanting to support the down listing of gray wolves to sensitive from endangered. The population has surpassed recovery objectives by far and we are seeing negative impacts of the overabundant population of wolves in certain regions of the state, it’s time for policy to reflect what is happening on the ground.
We also want to reject the best available science policy because the commission looking to use that as a way to bring in outside, biased (likely anti-hunting) science, that does not reflect what the department recommends. The commission is a policymaking and not science panel.
The commission meeting will take place on the 20-22nd, but public comment will only occur on Friday the 21st and on Saturday the 22nd. The meeting is in Vancouver, Washington at the Heathman Lodge. Friday will be the best day to show up in person because there will be, both, general public comment in the morning and comment specifically focused on cougars later on in the day.
The meeting is a hybrid meeting, so you can comment in person or virtually (zoom or phone) by signing up when the sign ups open and the agenda is posted. I expect to see this happen anytime from now to the end of the week.
Our coalition is offering to sign up members of the hunting community so we don’t get pushed out by anti-hunters. They often try to take up all the speaking slots. It requires giving us information that the WDFW needs, but we will be posting on our Conservation Coalition Facebook, and Instagram when the sign ups open, and the agenda up. I can also messaged you on here when it opens with a link to the WDFW website, but you can also find it by looking up “WDFW commission meetings” when everything is live.
If you show up in person you’ll definitely get a slot to talk, if you can’t be at the meeting plan on signing the day it is posted because the roster is going to fill quite quickly. If you do not want to speak, but still want to show up your presence will be appreciated!
Let me know if you want more information on the cougar and wolf situation or if I can assist you in any other way!"
I came across these folks as they were cross-pollinating between the Washington Elk hunting Facebook page and other pages, sharing their connections and networking.
I'm curious to hear our official stance and details of how we are approaching this and other upcoming matters.
Here's their link to their Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555373932967&mibextid=LQQJ4d
