Free Speech and standing up for WA hunters and Sportsmen

[Firstgenhunter]

Some advocacy groups and certain commissioners claim they’re being targeted for exercising their free speech—feeling left out of policy discussions, feeling threatened. Meanwhile, for years, sportsmen have watched opportunities disappear: spring bear season cut, predator policies reshaped around the demands of a small vocal minority claiming to speak for the general public. Families who rely on wild game, and hunters who engage with wildlife as part of their way of life, have been dismissed—labeled “extremist trophy hunters.” Things haven’t gone our way in Washington for a long time.

Evidence is clear in records from the governor’s office and the commission, recent policy changes, and voting histories—including a professed former 6-member voting alliance. The groups now claiming they are being shut out and bullied cheered on the very changes that hurt our community.

Sportsmen need to know who actually appears to be working against their way of life—and how to respond. That doesn’t mean we condone interacting with anyone in a harassing or aggressive way. You can call out actions and policies that harm your traditions and your food sources.

When CCW and other sportsmen speak up—organize, criticize, challenge narratives, or share information about advocacy groups and their funding—that isn’t harassment. That’s participating in the same public process they use. Yes, people whose lives and livelihoods are affected may react strongly. That doesn’t mean anyone should be threatened—but backlash is part of participating in public debate.

Free speech protects everyone. It does not shield anyone from scrutiny. It does not protect false claims. And it does not guarantee a lack of pushback from those affected.

Let me be clear: our organization does not condone threats or intimidation.

But we will push back on policies, false narratives, and conduct that threaten our traditions, our food sources, and our role in wildlife management. We will set the record straight when claims are untrue or misleading. We will share information about opposing groups so our community understands what is happening.

If advocacy groups can file lawsuits, lobby for commissioner appointments, campaign to remove agency leadership, and push to take away opportunities—then sportsmen can speak just as loudly in response.

That isn’t silencing.

That’s democracy working both ways.

[GeoSwan]

Well said.

I'm wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not Furguson's three new 2025 Wildlife Commission appointees (Garcia, Linville, Anderson) are better than the special interest scum that Inslee appointed. They seem far more willing to accommodate the people who benefit most from managed game, as they are hunters themselves. (https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/new-commission-appointments-bring-balance-to-washington-state/)
This looks like good news, unless I'm missing something that maybe someone here can point out.
I'm going to start telling not asking them to re instate spring bear. I'd encourage you all to do the same.

[Firstgenhunter]

Well said.

I'm wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not Furguson's three new 2025 Wildlife Commission appointees (Garcia, Linville, Anderson) are better than the special interest scum that Inslee appointed. They seem far more willing to accommodate the people who benefit most from managed game, as they are hunters themselves. (https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/new-commission-appointments-bring-balance-to-washington-state/)
This looks like good news, unless I'm missing something that maybe someone here can point out.
I'm going to start telling not asking them to re instate spring bear. I'd encourage you all to do the same.

Jim Anderson is the chair of the commission, and is really trying to steer the commission into a new direction and focus on what really matters. The meetings have begun changing for the better since Baker was removed from her leadership positions. Garcia is new, but he’s a lifelong hunter and angler who I trust, will make the right decision decisions, and follow the law and mandate accordingly. Linville, is absolutely amazing and we’re real lucky to have her. She’s a very important voice for the rural stakeholders in our state. One of the very last things inslee did before leaving office was removing her from the commission. Then, Ferguson brought her back and kicked off two antis. These 3 plus Steve Parker have followed the law accordingly, follow and enforce all parts of the mandate, and truly want to steer the commission in a right direction. They’re not here to appease anyone, they are here for the wildlife and people of our state.

Show up to Olympia, the natural resources building at 8am on Friday April 17th. If you can’t show up Friday, show up Saturday. Here’s more information about the meeting, bring anyone down that you can. And keep an eye on CCW and Sportsmen’s Alliance socials. https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,296006.0.html

[Jake Dogfish]

Well said.

I'm wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not Furguson's three new 2025 Wildlife Commission appointees (Garcia, Linville, Anderson) are better than the special interest scum that Inslee appointed. They seem far more willing to accommodate the people who benefit most from managed game, as they are hunters themselves. (https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/new-commission-appointments-bring-balance-to-washington-state/)
This looks like good news, unless I'm missing something that maybe someone here can point out.
I'm going to start telling not asking them to re instate spring bear. I'd encourage you all to do the same.

Linville and Anderson were originally appointed by Inslee.
I haven’t gotten a read yet on Garcia.  It does seem that Ferguson intended to restore some balance to the commission, however I would be cautious of his appointments going forward.

[GeoSwan]

Show up to Olympia, the natural resources building at 8am on Friday April 17th. If you can’t show up Friday, show up Saturday. Here’s more information about the meeting, bring anyone down that you can. And keep an eye on CCW and Sportsmen’s Alliance socials. https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,296006.0.html

I'll be chasing spring bear in Oregon or I would. Blast it out to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers though. I'm sure they'd like to know if they don't already. Join too if you haven't. $35/year

[dwils233]

Well said.

I'm wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not Furguson's three new 2025 Wildlife Commission appointees (Garcia, Linville, Anderson) are better than the special interest scum that Inslee appointed. They seem far more willing to accommodate the people who benefit most from managed game, as they are hunters themselves. (https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/new-commission-appointments-bring-balance-to-washington-state/)
This looks like good news, unless I'm missing something that maybe someone here can point out.
I'm going to start telling not asking them to re instate spring bear. I'd encourage you all to do the same.

Linville and Anderson are as fine a pair of Commissioners as we've ever had. Molly is wildlife bio and a rural rancher. Jim's forgotten more about salmon fisheries than 99% of us will ever know. They are both, in my opinion, above reproach- they take their job seriously and try to do the best for our wildlife and managed opportunities.

Garcia is a lifelong high school science teacher I think, and a hunter. I imagine he might seem a little more centrist than some folks would like, but he is certainly welcome in around my campfire anytime.

All three are significant improvements over the majority of Inslee's appointments.

[ghosthunter]

Well said.

I'm wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not Furguson's three new 2025 Wildlife Commission appointees (Garcia, Linville, Anderson) are better than the special interest scum that Inslee appointed. They seem far more willing to accommodate the people who benefit most from managed game, as they are hunters themselves. (https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/new-commission-appointments-bring-balance-to-washington-state/)
This looks like good news, unless I'm missing something that maybe someone here can point out.
I'm going to start telling not asking them to re instate spring bear. I'd encourage you all to do the same.

Linville and Anderson are as fine a pair of Commissioners as we've ever had. Molly is wildlife bio and a rural rancher. Jim's forgotten more about salmon fisheries than 99% of us will ever know. They are both, in my opinion, above reproach- they take their job seriously and try to do the best for our wildlife and managed opportunities.

Garcia is a lifelong high school science teacher I think, and a hunter. I imagine he might seem a little more centrist than some folks would like, but he is certainly welcome in around my campfire anytime.

All three are significant improvements over the majority of Inslee's appointments.

 

[kodiak06]

This is from the outside (Oregon) looking in... This post and thousands of others like it always complain about politics, commissioners, Governor, lost hunting rights and so forth yet there seems to NEVER be anything planned by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to be heard by those entities and the people of the state. It's free to stand on the capitol steps, street corners, WDFW headquarters etc and not only be heard but seen by those idiots and the rest of the states citizens. If a bunch of clowns can plan a no kings rally, I'd think hunters could figure something out.

[jstone]

The NO KINGS is for the Democrats.!
They are taking our rights away.!!

[GeoSwan]

This is from the outside (Oregon) looking in... This post and thousands of others like it always complain about politics, commissioners, Governor, lost hunting rights and so forth yet there seems to NEVER be anything planned by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to be heard by those entities and the people of the state. It's free to stand on the capitol steps, street corners, WDFW headquarters etc and not only be heard but seen by those idiots and the rest of the states citizens. If a bunch of clowns can plan a no kings rally, I'd think hunters could figure something out.

The difference is that No Kings brings millions of people out, whereas a spring bear/hunter advocacy organized protest would bring a tiny fraction of that on a good day. It's essentially a "non-issue." This battle is not fought with pickets and Astroturfing but by being a die hard advocate of access and opportunity, keeping your ear to the ground on bad policy and countering it, joining advocacy groups like BHA, RMEF, etc. and most importantly, emailing your policy makers like your dept. of wildlife and game commission. You in Oregon could email your game commission and thank them for retaining a spring bear season. That would go along way. You could email your state reps and say IP28 scares the *censored* out of you because it gives anti-hunters leverage, which they will use to greater affect in the future because of that proposal, and others like it.

[kodiak06]

This is from the outside (Oregon) looking in... This post and thousands of others like it always complain about politics, commissioners, Governor, lost hunting rights and so forth yet there seems to NEVER be anything planned by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to be heard by those entities and the people of the state. It's free to stand on the capitol steps, street corners, WDFW headquarters etc and not only be heard but seen by those idiots and the rest of the states citizens. If a bunch of clowns can plan a no kings rally, I'd think hunters could figure something out.

The difference is that No Kings brings millions of people out, whereas a spring bear/hunter advocacy organized protest would bring a tiny fraction of that on a good day. It's essentially a "non-issue." This battle is not fought with pickets and Astroturfing but by being a die hard advocate of access and opportunity, keeping your ear to the ground on bad policy and countering it, joining advocacy groups like BHA, RMEF, etc. and most importantly, emailing your policy makers like your dept. of wildlife and game commission. You in Oregon could email your game commission and thank them for retaining a spring bear season. That would go along way. You could email your state reps and say IP28 scares the *censored* out of you because it gives anti-hunters leverage, which they will use to greater affect in the future because of that proposal, and others like it.

I DISAGREE and it's not just spring bear lol... They have public meetings for hunters in WA to go speak and be heard and yet those rooms aren't full of hunters for some dumb reason. Those advocacy groups you mention fail to do some simple things or make recommendations that could put some of this nonsense to rest. You mention emails and such, Not only am I active in Oregon, I actually comment on WA season setting and other issue and write F&G commissioners in WA and it's pretty sad I do more than most WA residents lol. IP28 doesn't scare me due to how it's written and knowing that if they get the required signatures it probably won't pass the NOV vote due to it's content. I also know if people did vote it through, the state wouldn't let it happen. NO WAY ODFW, farming, fishing, and dairy become illegal. The state would tie it up in court or they would go belly up. FYI I'm actively working on something with others to counter their BS... Recommending people sit and do nothing and keep watching WA hunting possibly go down the drain to me is the worst possible advice. Notice the anti's do show up and get noticed? Enjoy
 

[kodiak06]

Here's where you ride your representatives asses and get something done - PUSH them to add hunting to the WA state constitution. A few dozen states have done so including my home state of Alabama... It's simple verb-age and 100% harder for the meat heads to take away any rights. It's not as easy changing a simple law...

Section 36.02 Sportsperson”s Bill of Rights. (from AL's state constitution)

(a) The people have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to reasonable regulations, to promote wildlife conservation and management, and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Hunting by the public and fishing by the public shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This amendment shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.

(b) This amendment shall be known as the “Sportsperson”s Bill of Rights.”