Fish and Wildlife director to hold roundtable discussion in Sedro Woolley

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Fish and Wildlife director to hold roundtable discussion in Sedro Woolley





OLYMPIA – North Puget Sound area residents can discuss fish and wildlife issues with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Phil Anderson and regional WDFW staff in a roundtable meeting March 22 in Sedro Woolley.
 
The public meeting, scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sedro Woolley Senior Center, 715 Pacific St., will be hosted by the Wildcat Steelhead Club.
 
“I enjoy visiting communities and talking with our stakeholders to get perspectives from as many people as possible about their fish and wildlife interests,” said Anderson.
 
The Sedro Woolley meeting will include discussion of WDFW budget challenges and resource-management issues. WDFW staff will answer questions and take comments on fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, habitat protection, enforcement and other fish- and wildlife-related issues.
 
“I encourage area residents to take this opportunity to share their views on fish and wildlife management with WDFW's director and local staff members,” said Bob Everitt, WDFW’s North Puget Sound regional director.
 

[Special T]

You just beat me to it! I'm gonna go! I think we should organize a consistent theme and send them a strong message!

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I will see you there.  Make sure when you sign in, do so as "WSAA Member".... gives us on the Hunting committee a little more horsepower when we negotiate for archers if we can show "butts in the seats"...

I say that as I know Special T and he is a member of the WSAA.  For those of you who are attending and are please do so, those of you who are members of other organizations should sign in as a member of that organization, or if not... "bowhunter" "concerned hunter" etc...

With all the members we have that live in the vicinity we should be able to pack this place....

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Just a reminder!

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'd sure like to go to this.. Unfortunately I've got a prior commitment.

-Steve

[6x6in6]

Wish I would have seen this back when it was posted.  I too have a prior now.
Would have been interesting to hear in person what Phildo had to spew.

[Bearhunter]

Gonna try to be there as well, and a buddy also!

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Just got back from the meeting, Not nearly enough time for Phil to answer all the questions.  Definetly he should have gotten the feeling that the people of SKagit and Whatcom areas are passionate about their fishing and hunting.  Phil put out a bunch about the budget woes, the possible merger, the new costs for licenses and the new proposed "User fee" for using WDFW/DNR and State park lands..... He certainly got plenty of feedback about the "User" fee's, when we as sportsmen are paying huge already with our license purchases.  I questioned the 162% increase in the 2nd deer tag... tried to get another question in about the shortened deer and elk seasons for archery, but couldn't get it in.  However, I did put it on the form and turn it in to him, my comment was to put the early elk season back to 8-21 Sept and also give us back the last week of Sept for early deer season, like we used to have.  Also, got a chance to side bar with J. Lee one of the enforcement officers there in regards to the Nooksack herd (The Captain "Bill" mentioned 20 elk tags in the Nooksack... and I can't seem to find that.  I only know of 14 (?) available, and he said they also give 20 to the tribes.  We also discussed the lack of cooperation from Sierra Pacific in opening the main line up to non-tribal hunters, since tribal hunters get a key.  My question was why can't they offer permits like Hancock and other companies do.... I will say this J. Lee was very polite and honest in all his answers.  Nice to see a WDFW Enforcment agent who is excited about hunting opportunities and friendly.  I will say that 75% at least of the comments were in regards to the fishing in the Skagit and tribal issues regarding that fishery.  

[Bearhunter]

I made it as well, it was the biggest showing of sportsmen that has ever attended one of these meetings.  Not much positive came out of the meeting really......

[Map]

NWWABHNTR-

Has there been much interest by us bowhunters to navigate being able to hunt with archery equipment during muzzle season? This is one I have thought about for awhile. It seems like another angle for us to get a little more option.?

thanks,
Map

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Never really been brought up to my knowledge.  Best bet is to email the commision and ask why you cannot.  Present good facts of why you should be able to, such as archery has a less effective range, .....

[bearpaw]

Never really been brought up to my knowledge.  Best bet is to email the commision and ask why you cannot.  Present good facts of why you should be able to, such as archery has a less effective range, .....

It wouldn't matter to me I like all hunting methods, but I would imagine at some point it will be asked if bowhunters would like muzzleloaders hunting during their season?

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Never really been brought up to my knowledge.  Best bet is to email the commision and ask why you cannot.  Present good facts of why you should be able to, such as archery has a less effective range, .....

It wouldn't matter to me I like all hunting methods, but I would imagine at some point it will be asked if bowhunters would like muzzleloaders hunting during their season?

We already can during modern... just have to buy the modern tag and use your archery equipment... that way you get to hunt during some prime time during deer season, just like muzzleloaders can with their equipment.  It really wouldn't be any different if they allowed it during Muzzle.  Other than putting more people in the woods at that time.  Another thing it adds is allowing archers to hunt with buddies who are muzzleloaders. 

[Bearhunter]

Now that I have a little time, I will highlight some of the price increase in a Dollar fiqure for you guys.

Puget Sound Crab enhancement license  Todays price $3.00 Proposed $8.75 192% increase....
Deer, Elk, Bear, Cougar License Todays price $81.20 Proposed $95.50 18% increase....
Special hunt applications Todays price $6.50 Proposed $7.10 9% increase....
GOAT, SHEEP OR MOOSE TODAYS PRICE $122.00 PROPOSED $332.00 172% INCREASE
Second deer license Todays price $26.00 Proposed $68.00 162% increase

As you can see as a percentage some of these changes are outrages.  Phil went on the say that the overwhelming majority were in favor of these price increase.  I ask the question of he he surveyed or talk with, he said people at the local WDFW meetings that have been held.  I then brought up the point of having these meetings in big citys were none sportsmen outnumber sportsman is not a good idea.  Of Course you are going to get a bunch of city slickers to vote for the price increases as they do not purchase the tags and licenses.

They meeting got pretty heated a couple times as many sportsmens opinions were thrown out about tribal netting and hunting practices, and the mis management by the state of biggame and sportfishing opportunities.  It was brought up that if they are going to keep raising prices we better see increased fish and game numbers and opportunities, something for our money basically...

Like I said before this was the biggest showing of passionate sportsman at one of these meetings, and I think it overwhelmed Phil a bit, the local fish biologist took a pretty good beating from some of the locals as well, pretty comical a couple times.....
 

[Special T]

I never knew the seria pacific main line was open to Tribal member but not everyone.  That sucks!