Alert: SB 6813 - WDFW Elimination

[bigtex]

Thanks bigtex that was interesting.  To me it seems like a problem that has some options to make it work either way.  So many times we are referred to State Police when dealing with wildlife issues anyways.    Deputizing DNR officers or giving the funding to State police to hire specialized officers seems reasonable to me.  

The reason why you are referred to the state patrol for fish/wildlife issues is because they (WA State Patrol) dispatch WDFW officers. The state patrol dispatches WDFW, DNR, USFS, State Parks, and Liquor Control Board officers, so if you ever need to report a violation you call the state patrol.

No hunter/fisher, county sheriff wants to see the state patrol become a natural resource agency like it is in oregon. This causes many problems and pisses a lot of people off, not a good idea

[Kain]

Bigtex that certainly brings another piece of wood to the fire. Some officers are spending a lot of time with speeders and woodcutters. That doesn't seem quite right to me, I think wildlife dollars should be spent stopping poachers rather than worrying about wood permits and people breaking the speed limit in a speed zone, that's what other law enforcement agencies are for.

Well actually one of DFW officers main duties are to enforce laws that are known as special forest products which are things like salaal, mushroom, fern pickers and wood cutters. This is mainly because it is a natural resource law. Last year after the Natural Resource Reform ideas went thru one of the final outcome regarding enforcement was that WDFW officers assist DNR officers in more wood cutting cases because DNR officers are spread so thin.

Right now WDFW officers are actually limited by agency policy as to how much traffic enforcement they do. No WDFW officer has a radar gun for speed enforcement however there are some that pull over for other traffic violations. I know some WDFW officers who say they will only do a traffic stop if it is a dangerous situation such as DUI or agressive driving, but there are other WDFW officers who say they are police officer with a Fish/Wildlife emphasis however they will do a traffic stop if there is a law violation

I have no problem with WDFW officers enforcing all wildlife laws including plant life.  I dont even have a problem with the enforcing all law while out on patrol.  At least they will be out in the woods where they can be seen, which will cause lawbreakers to think twice.  The problem is there are not enough game officers.  I ran into an officer this year, it was the first one I had seen in over ten years.   I have been out hunting with my dad since I was two years old and have only been stopped by a game warden three times ever.  The criminals know they wont get caught. 

I dont want to see the WDFW eliminated I just want it to be run far differently than it is now.  I hope they see that their lefty hippy animal rights buddies have no problem sacrificing them in order to further the agenda.  We hunters and fishers should be partners with the WDFW but as my email states they have always turned their back on us. 

[Hangfire]

The wood cutters I am referring to are not people taking a little wood along the road.  They are cutting roads in and clear cutting areas that are acres in size.  They are responsible for getting a lot of the timber company lands roads closed by cutting logs decked up, prime trees for fire wood and stealing equipment. The new land purchased in southern Pend Orielle county by DFW has a history of complete disrespect by these people.

DFW has a lot of problems.  You talk to employees and many are very upset by where they have to put there priorities, they don't get to do what they would like, in many cases. If we loose the commission, it is really going to take a down turn.

[wolfbait]

The wood cutters I am referring to are not people taking a little wood along the road.  They are cutting roads in and clear cutting areas that are acres in size.  They are responsible for getting a lot of the timber company lands roads closed by cutting logs decked up, prime trees for fire wood and stealing equipment. The new land purchased in southern Pend Orielle county by DFW has a history of complete disrespect by these people.

DFW has a lot of problems.  You talk to employees and many are very upset by where they have to put there priorities, they don't get to do what they would like, in many cases. If we loose the commission, it is really going to take a down turn.

Thanks for clarifying, I did not know that was happening. Over in the Methow it's seems to be a big deal if the USFS cops can bust someone cutting fire wood along the road. I guess the USFS think they run a business.

[Wacenturion]

'If we loose the commission, it is really going to take a down turn.'

Not necessarily..............they're just another bureaucratic appendage of WDFW.  I use to think they and the process were valuable...............no longer so, as I really don't see what benefit they have served for Washington's sportsman.  They just go with whatever WDFW purposes, and we all know where they roll.

You know, if they would just occasionally hold the Director or his staff accountable and call them on the carpet once in a while, I might feel different.  However they do not, therefore it's just a group of folks that really do nothing more than attend meaningless meetings.  All we need is a Director with a pair, willing to stand up for us and take on the nonexistent tree hugger bogey man that WDFW thinks is out there.  Enough already! 

[Wacenturion]

I'll give you an example.  Major changes in regulations according to WDFW staff who are responsible for them, are put forth and approved every three years.  They conveniently use this as an excuse when something could happen, but must wait...OK...fine. 

However on the other side, if WDFW decides they want something...i.e.....the new permit application process, they just ram it forward with little public input except for some questions that were designed to get the answers WDFW wants, and then submit it to the Commission.  Do you honestly think the Commission will even give a second thought to the three year process that  WDFW and they themselves set..............hell no!!  So what good are they................what do they actually do for us?  Wake up folks............. 

[wolfbait]

I'll give you an example.  Major changes in regulations according to WDFW staff who are responsible for them, are put forth and approved every three years.  They conveniently use this as an excuse when something could happen, but must wait...OK...fine. 

However on the other side, if WDFW decides they want something...i.e.....the new permit application process, they just ram it forward with little public input except for some questions that were designed to get the answers WDFW wants, and then submit it to the Commission.  Do you honestly think the Commission will even give a second thought to the three year process that  WDFW and they themselves set..............hell no!!  So what good are they................what do they actually do for us?  Wake up folks............. 

  Or maybe everyone is enjoying how Defenders of Wildlife is running WDFW? Those of you who were at the wolf meetings, how do you think that went? WDFW list the wolves as endangered in Washington, not the fed. WDFW had six confirmed wolf packs in 1992, not 70 years ago, who do you think is really running WDFW? Now they want you to write letters to back them up on how great they are! WDFW managing game went out the door along time ago in the Washington.

[Shootmoore]

While symbolic, here is a little test for you.  Go to the WDFW main page and then hit refresh 20 times.  How many of the banner pictures at the top of the screen are of game animals?  I went 0 for 20, I clicked 24 times before I got a game animal (If you want to count a merganzer).

I will probably send letters in support of the WDFW for 2 reasons.

 #1 I want them to go back to there roots and start mananaging for abundance of GAME species both wild game and fish.  A super agency will be harder to change than an individual agency.

#2 The grass is not always greener (or in this case it may become greener as in econuts) on the other side.  I don't know but the unkown is not always better than the known.

Shootmoore

[Wacenturion]

On refresh #25 I got a pair of Ruddy Ducks.........do I win anything...lol.  Lots of clams, whales, snakes, egrets, chipmunks before that......almost got 3 of a kind on the swans though.

[robb92]

I don't see a problem with them falling under the DNR, alot of states east of the Mississippi the game/fish side fall under the DNR and things seem to run smoother!! And it is cheaper to hunt and fish. Fingers crossed it will make things a lot better for hunters and fisherman across the board.

[WDFW-SUX]

When they changed from the Fish and Game to Fish and wildlife I knew we were in trouble.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Here's the DNR's mission in their own word's:

 :Recreation On DNR-Managed Lands
DNR manages more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.2 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, state trust lands are managed to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s general fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities.
DNR-managed lands provide 1,100 miles of trails, 143 recreation sites, and a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating.

DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive experience in a natural setting."

   I notice two thing's, A) they are primarily in business to make money off their land's and B) fishing and hunting are far down the list of priorities and are listed only as an "opportunity". The DFW conversely also has historically relied on volunteer's to help form the State's wildlife management plans. I don't see the DNR as relying on that type of structure to operate in the future.

[Jerbear]

I just read SB6813.  One thing that I like is the fact that the director is eliminated.  The word director would mean the Commissioner Of Public Lands.  At least we could vote on who we want for the office.
The down side is that the WDF&L commission would be transferred to the Dept of Natural Resources and retain their power, duties, and functions.  The only thing eliminated is their right to hire and the director, being as that job is eliminated.  So now what are your thoughts. 

[WDFW-SUX]

The public voting on anything hunting related in this state is a total disaster...Im not sure how much worse it is having Gregoire appointing commissioners and the director though.  The bottom line with all of this is the WDFW has become a bloated political pig and will do anything it can to continue its lame existence.

They are so desperate for an atta boy from the Governor they have alloud them selves to become the bitch of the Defenders of Wildlife crowd and thats terrible for anyone who hunts or fishes.

Honestly its a coin flip and Im ready for something different.

[Jerbear]

WDFW I am with you. It is a coin toss.  One thing I forgot to mention, is that according to Senator Honeyford's office, there is a public hearing on this bill, this thursday.