Commission Votes Against WDFW Biologist Recommendation: Read and then comment!

[bearpaw]

The Wildlife Commission obviously has it's own agenda, in a 5-4 vote, they voted against recommendations from the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and Director Susewind accused the commission of blatantly ignoring the opinions of state biologists.

Please read this:
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/washington-wildlife-commission-descends-into-open-infighting-over-new-cougar

Please comment here:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

[brew]

This state is full throttle and rapidly approaching the edge of the cliff

[HillHound]

I hope these five commissioners are one day personally touched by this piss poor strictly emotional decision. I hope them their loved ones or their animals meet their demise from our overpopulation of cougars which they are purposely creating and in the process putting us and all of our families at risk. Shame on them. They should be ashamed to show their face in public knowing what a horrible danger they are putting us all in. F them

[pianoman9701]

Posted in comments: Over the past 20 years, conflicts between humans and cougars have increased significantly. Here in Vancouver, there have been several incidents just within the last year. Biologists from the WDFW have identified that the cougar population in Washington is not only growing but reaching levels that are unhealthy for cougars, ungulates, and people alike. Despite recommendations from these trained professionals—who are employed to guide the Commission in policy and rule-making—five of you have chosen to disregard their advice, yielding to emotions and pressure from animal rights organizations. This approach is harming wildlife in Washington, not helping it. You are also restricting opportunities. The proposal you've put forward demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of wildlife management and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Furthermore, you are neglecting your mandates as outlined in RCW 77.04.012, which puts you in violation of Washington State statutes. The confidence that sportsmen and women have in your ability to fulfill your duties as our wildlife commissioners is at an all-time low. Through licensing, special hunts, and funding from Pittman Robertson, we contribute over 40% of WDFW’s revenue. It’s time to stop pandering to special interest groups that care more about donations and litigation than wildlife. Do your jobs!

[hughjorgan]

The Wildlife Commission obviously has it's own agenda, in a 5-4 vote, they voted against recommendations from the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and Director Susewind accused the commission of blatantly ignoring the opinions of state biologists.

Please read this:
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/washington-wildlife-commission-descends-into-open-infighting-over-new-cougar

Please comment here:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

Dale this article is from clear back in April of this year. Our commission has already adopted and changed rules to cougar hunting this fall.

[pianoman9701]

There's no harm in continuing to hammer these extremists.

[Harleysboss]

I just sit here and shake my head in disbelief. It's ok for the State to kill as many as they feel is needed even after their quota is filled?  Restrict hunting but removal for "Safety" concerns/conflict is ok?  Killing is killing no matter who is doing it. Take the word Hunting out of the regulations and that will make the special interest groups feel better about themselves. Rename it couger conflict reduction season in the regs book and let us hunters hunt.  Cougars are going to do what cougars do no matter if they were lucky enough to get a multi season deer/elk tag (LOL) what a separate joke.  Everyday I ask/plead with my family to move out of HERE! 

[hughjorgan]

  Agreed Pianoman. Flood their emails with your comments. I believe two more commissioners are up this year so it is important to vote come this November. And if any sportsman are voting for Ferguson you are part of the problem here.

[bearpaw]

The Wildlife Commission obviously has it's own agenda, in a 5-4 vote, they voted against recommendations from the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and Director Susewind accused the commission of blatantly ignoring the opinions of state biologists.

Please read this:
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/washington-wildlife-commission-descends-into-open-infighting-over-new-cougar

Please comment here:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

Dale this article is from clear back in April of this year. Our commission has already adopted and changed rules to cougar hunting this fall.

I am aware, but the only way to encourage change is to keep hammering away at the commission and legislators. Forget the governors office, he appointed these clowns.

[hughjorgan]

The Wildlife Commission obviously has it's own agenda, in a 5-4 vote, they voted against recommendations from the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and Director Susewind accused the commission of blatantly ignoring the opinions of state biologists.

Please read this:
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/washington-wildlife-commission-descends-into-open-infighting-over-new-cougar

Please comment here:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

Dale this article is from clear back in April of this year. Our commission has already adopted and changed rules to cougar hunting this fall.

I am aware, but the only way to encourage change is to keep hammering away at the commission and legislators. Forget the governors office, he appointed these clowns.

  Agreed keep the pressure on and vote for the republican come November for governor!

[lewy]

Commented

[Skyvalhunter]

  2 weeks ago I emailed the commission and voiced my displeasure with their decision. I called them out for perusing their own personal agenda. I asked why do we even have WDFW biologists if they are not going to listen to their professional recommendations. I feel we need to continually flood them with emails, petitions to make our feelings heard.
  I even wrote both of the candidates for governor asking for their stand on the imbalance on the commission. Of coarse their was no reply that specifically addressed my question.
 When you have an over abundance of cougars in this state and they agreed to go with a petition that doesn't reduce the cougar numbers but essentially enhances it you know its not on the up and up. I also told them not if but when a cougar attack happens they will be getting an email from me as it falls on their conscience. This topic get's me fired up every time. 

[HillHound]

Yep, a vote for Ferguson is a vote for our current commission and a vote to end all hunting in Washington. Same with up the grove for land commissioner. He does not have hunters interest even on his radar. Democrat or Republican Trump fan or not. You cannot deny that. We need to get a Republican governor and a Republican land commissioner in there ASAP. If you enjoy the hunt, you cannot deny this. Presidential election aside, please do not vote to put another Democrat in one of these positions. If you are a Democrat, please try to talk to your friends and let them know. Hate Trump all you want or not. We still need Republicans in these two positions if they want to hunt or even be safe going in the woods in Washington going forward.

[bearpaw]

I sent a letter to the NE WA legislators and copied it to the commission.

Dear Legislators,

The Washington Wildlife Commission's disregard for the cougar management recommendations of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife are indicative of a body interested only in furthering their own agenda driven goals, with no interest in the recommendations from the very agency they oversee or for the hunting opportunities for the citizens of Washington. There is clearly no regard for scientific wildlife management, public safety, or for providing mandated recreational opportunities.

Rather than having commissioners selected by a single person, the governor, I am urging the legislators of Washington to introduce legislation that reorganizes the Washington Wildlife Commission so that it is a body that better serves scientific wildlife management as well as all people of Washington.

I propose that each Fish & Game region should have 1 wildlife commissioner voted on by the people who live in that region. Since there are 6 regions a seventh commissioner is needed and I propose the 7th commissioner be appointed by the WDFW Director. A body of this makeup would truly bring the interests of all regions of the state and the biological recommendations of the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife into the decision making process, such a commission would be a far more diverse and representative decision making body.

Respectfully,

[greenhead_killer]

That’s a great proposal