Time for a rally

[bbarnes]

The next WDFW commission meeting to be held is in Olympia, on march 12 and 13.Many outdoor people i know, feel its time for a rally at this meeting.I have read many post on this site and others ,that say the same thing (BAD MANAGEMENT).The future of our wild life depends on all of us,and it's time we call in the media and tell them our story.In the past 10 years things have become painfully clear, that this agentsy isn't concerned with our best interests in mind.Personally i have given many good ideas to the department, about management,ways to save money, and not to mention equality for all user groups.My comments have fallen on def ears,it seems to me that the concern of this agentsy, is only to look out for there best intrest.That would be the full time employee,with 1551 of them and 85% the budget going to pay the wages of these folks,there nothing left to take care of our natural resources.The future and the future of generations to come, depends on the actions we take now.The choice is yours we can either stand by and let things get worse,or take action and get involved.Personally i know what choice i will take, i hope to see you there.B Barnes keeping public lands public

[Skyvalhunter]

Well as you know one of the major problems is that the funds collected from licenses, tags, special permits, etc goes into the general fund of the state. Then the WDFW pulls money back out of that when needed. So instead of having a surplus we are helping to fund other programs that don't generate revenue. So no matter how much more the state changes the permits system, increase License cost, etc it will have little benefit to the WDFW funding.

[runamuk]

Well as you know one of the major problems is that the funds collected from licenses, tags, special permits, etc goes into the general fund of the state. Then the WDFW pulls money back out of that when needed. So instead of having a surplus we are helping to fund other programs that don't generate revenue. So no matter how much more the state changes the permits system, increase License cost, etc it will have little benefit to the WDFW funding.

this is exactly how I feel
 no program can truly succeed if they have to keep asking for an allowance and are not in control of their own funding...

[Maligator]

Well as you know one of the major problems is that the funds collected from licenses, tags, special permits, etc goes into the general fund of the state. Then the WDFW pulls money back out of that when needed.

That is not be true. According to Federal Law passed in 1937 as the Wildlife Restoration Act but more commonly known as the Pitman-Robertson act requires that ALL state hunting license revenues be kept within the Wild Life program.

[Old Dog]

Well as you know one of the major problems is that the funds collected from licenses, tags, special permits, etc goes into the general fund of the state. Then the WDFW pulls money back out of that when needed.

That is not be true. According to Federal Law passed in 1937 as the Wildlife Restoration Act but more commonly known as the Pitman-Robertson act requires that ALL state hunting license revenues be kept within the Wild Life program.

Well, that's not intirely correct.  50% of hunting and fishing license revenues stay with Fish and Wildlife.  The other 50% goes to the general fund.  Still a chitty deal

[runamuk]

Well as you know one of the major problems is that the funds collected from licenses, tags, special permits, etc goes into the general fund of the state. Then the WDFW pulls money back out of that when needed.

That is not be true. According to Federal Law passed in 1937 as the Wildlife Restoration Act but more commonly known as the Pitman-Robertson act requires that ALL state hunting license revenues be kept within the Wild Life program.

Well, that's not intirely correct.  50% of hunting and fishing license revenues stay with Fish and Wildlife.  The other 50% goes to the general fund.  Still a chitty deal

exactly 1937 was a long time ago and many crooks and much legislation later this state does whatever it wants at the Capitol and be damned what they are supposed to do.  If they do away with the commission there is the last block to the state general fund recieving all monies and then giving out an allowance of its choosing.

I also believed that the 1937 law prevailed until I did a bunch of digging and reading through budgets and lots and lots of crap to discover that nope....it doesn't work that way....

[Skyvalhunter]

I guess I was wrong only 5% goes into the general fund. According to this off the WDFW website. https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wdfw/faqs_general.html#Gene200
So in the fiscal year of 2001-2002 $31,302,327 was collected. I bet its alot more now.

[sako223]

Time for a Rally, Yes I have been saying this for some time on what seems to be deaf ears.
Taking the wrong message with poor facts will only diminish any credibility.

Well, that's not intirely correct.  50% of hunting and fishing license revenues stay with Fish and Wildlife.  The other 50% goes to the general fund.

Where do these figure come from?

2007-09 revenue source for combined operating and capital budget.

General Funds-State $110.4 million
Portion of state General Fund appropriated to WDFW.
Funds are derived from state tax dollars.
User fees $65.8 million
(State Wildlife Account) Commercial and recreational fishing and hunting license fees,
fines and forfeitures, and miscellaneous revenue.
Federal $128.7 million
Local $57.2 million

2007-09 budget $348.5 million
2009-11 level $352 million
2009-11 proposed budget cuts results $326.8 million biennium budget
Bonds $47.4 million
Funds are derived from the sale of general-obligation bonds.
Other funds $23.6 million
Funds in this category are dedicated to specific activities.

There are less hunters now than in the past and certainly a minority in the population. In short we are not self supporting and if we intend to be or want to act like it the battle will be tough.
License sales have varied from about $30 million  to less than half that in 2006 at about $13 million according to the WDFW.
If we want to support the WDFW solely by license sale I am quite sure they would agree. It would cost several hundred dollars each annually and as more people drop out with the rate hike then we would have self imposed hike annually or semi annually.

[bbarnes]

I think they would have more hunters and more revenue,if there was a quality of hunt left in the state.Like I've stated above lack of management and over harvest, in lots of the units in the state have burned people out.We call it combat hunting everyone forced to hunt one unit,the WDFW is only concerned with selling tags not the resource.How would they expect the out doors people in the state, not to mention the tax payers to support them.I don't think merging the WDFW with the DNR is a good idea either, because will loose are only voice.That's the voice of our commission, then it would be a complete dictatorship.Our commission is a fish commission now not a fish and wild life commission, like its should be.For my self and others i will be testifying next wensday in Olympia, and also at the next WDFW meeting hope to see all of you there.B Barnes keeping public lands public

[spikehunter]

 Thank another democratic gov. for taking that "pittman-roberts act" money away . GARY LOCKE just, read about him in A-HOLE songs

[Diehard0123]

State agencies are very good at fudging the books and doctoring reports, I see it all the time.