Time is Running Out; Washington Hunters Must Speak Now!

[Kain]

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=7081

Time is Running Out; Washington Hunters Must Speak Now!
 
Thursday, September 15, 2011
 
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has imposed a ban on the use of traditional (lead) ammunition for all upland bird hunting on all WDFW pheasant release sites across the state.  This restriction was adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission two years ago but its implementation was delayed until this hunting season.  The Commission adopted the restriction during the course of its 2010-2012 hunting season-setting process.


With this in mind, it is critical that hunters and sportsmen participate in the 2012-2014 season-setting process.  The WDFW is now in the initial public comment phase of the process, which will end this Tuesday, September 20.  You can bet that the anti-hunting extremists are participating in the process, so the importance of hunters and sportsmen participating cannot be overstated!  Please see below for details on how to submit your comments.


The current traditional ammunition restrictions pertain to quail, dove, pheasant and any upland bird hunted on the pheasant release sites.  No scientific studies have been cited showing population-level impacts of lead ammunition on these species in Washington.  Further, published scientific papers elsewhere admit they don’t know that there are any problems associated with the use of lead shot to hunt upland game.  The WDFW seems to be acting on emotion and politics, citing the “potential” for problems associated with lead ammunition as the basis for these far-reaching restrictions.


The NRA believes that the current push to ban the use of traditional ammunition in Washington is part of a new strategy being used by anti-hunting and anti-gun activists all over the country to attack our hunting traditions and firearm freedoms.  Traditional ammunition bans have a significant, chilling effect on hunting by pricing hunters out of the market while hunters’ ranks are already in decline.  Having fewer hunters is a threat to the future of our hunting heritage and means less funding for wildlife and habitat conservation.  The opposition’s “next logical step” will be to propose a complete, statewide ban on traditional ammunition in Washington.  This is the pattern in other states so don’t think “it won’t happen here!”


Although it is too late to do anything about the existing restriction on traditional ammunition for this season, hunters and sportsmen now have the opportunity to demand that the restriction be withdrawn for the next three years and vocally oppose any further unsubstantiated restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition.  The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has adopted a traditional ammunition resolution stating that "state agencies should focus regulation efforts where population-level impacts to wildlife are substantiated." (AFWA - 2010 Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Resolution) (emphasis added).  With no population-level impacts cited, it is time to tell the WDFW that emotion and politics have no place in wildlife management.


With that in mind, it is important for you to submit your comments and concerns to the WDFW.  Your voice matters!  Comments must be submitted by Tuesday, September 20.  Please request that the ban on the use of traditional ammunition on pheasant release sites be lifted in 2012 and beyond, and demand that there be no further unsubstantiated restrictions imposed on the use of lead in ammunition in the future.


Comments can be submitted via e-mail, by sending them to Rene Henson at Rena.Henson@dfw.wa.gov; be sure to put “2012-2014 Hunter Comment/Concern” in the subject line.  You can also submit comments via regular mail, please address your letter as follows:


ATTN: Wildlife Program
Hunter Comment
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

In addition to submitting specific comments by e-mail or mail, you can take the WDFW “2012-2014 Hunting Season Development Survey.”  This scoping survey asks a series of questions on issues ranging from the spring black bear harvest to cougar management.  At the end of the survey you can choose to submit “additional comments”; from there you can click “Other” and leave a comment relating to the regulation of lead ammunition in the comment box provided.

[Kain]

If you are going to take the survey again or email the WDFW before the Sept 20th deadline you could also attach the Washington for Wildlife letter for small game changes.   

wildthing@dfw.wa.gov,  dave.ware@dfw.wa.gov

I really hope hunters are doing their part and participating in this survey and comment process.  The WDFW is doing their part and asking us for our opinion and input.  It would be sad if hunters drop the ball on this and dont speak up.

Letter attached below.

[fair-chase]

Kain, do you also have a copy of your proposed recommendations for changes to the cougar season? Can't remember if you drafted a formal one or not. I've already done the survey and sent my own emails but would like to send out one more email complete with recommendations for all seasons (even support for ones I don't want changed) before tomorrow. Thanks.

While I do like sending in my own thoughts on proposed changes I think these form letters are a great way to show them that we are on the same page. Thanks again for your diligence on this Kain.

[Kain]

Here is the email we sent out on getting changes to the cougar season.  We believe all the support for this letter is the reason changes were made to next years cougar hunting season and why the proposed changes are now being considered for the 2012-14 season.  Hunters speaking up and supporting each other ABSOLUTELY works.

Message to Washington Wildlife Commission
 
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Washington Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
 
 
Dear Wildlife Commission Members,
As most hunters, ranchers, and rural residents know, the cougar population in Washington State is above the carrying capacity of available habitat in many areas of Washington State. I agree with the News Release below and the attached letter regarding cougar management in Washington. I am asking the Washington Wildlife Commission to make the necessary increases in cougar hunting seasons to reduce the growing cougar numbers in Washington and return a balance of the cougar population with the available habitat.
Respectfully,
 
(your name here)
(voluntary mailing address)
(voluntary city, state, zip)
 
 
 
WFW News Release
June 30, 2011
Cougar Populations Need Reduced!
 
As most hunters, ranchers, and rural residents know, the cougar population in Washington State is above the carrying capacity of available habitat in many areas of Washington State.
Washington’s excessively high cougar population is creating serious problems:
 
·         Please review the attached WFW Cougar Letter from the WFW cougar committee www.hunt.info/Cougar_Letter_06-29-11.pdf;
·         The WDFW estimates the cougar population to number about 2000 to 2500 cougar in Washington;
·         According to government studies, on the average, each adult cougar makes a kill every 10 days;
·         That’s 36.5 kills per year for each adult cougar in Washington;
·         2000 to 2500 cougar will kill 73,000 to  91,250 deer, elk, moose, sheep, caribou, pets, or livestock every year;
·         Hunters are losing opportunity because of the excessive cougar population;
·         Ranchers are losing money due to livestock losses;
·         Rural economies are suffering due to losses of wildlife related tourism, hunting, and cougar attacks on livestock;
·         Cougar threaten the safety of rural residents, ranchers, and recreationists every day of the year;
·         Likely underestimated, the cougar population is quite possibly much higher than WDFW estimates; (see attached central WA photo)
·         Cougar hound hunting legislation failed, cougar numbers will increase in the worst problem areas;
·         There is a growing distrust as the WDFW buckles to anti hunters and ignores sound science and sound predator management practices;
·         The WDFW needs to return to the partnership with sports folks that made past wildlife management so successful.
·         WFW encourages the Washington Wildlife Commission to increase the cougar harvest for all these reasons;
 
www.WashingtonForWildlife.org
Dedicated to Conserving Washington's Wildlife & Sporting Heritage
JOIN FREE and strengthen the SPORTSMAN'S VOICE!
 
Washington for Wildlife (WFW) is a growing statewide organization of sportsmen and women that are dedicated to protecting Washington’s wildlife and outdoor heritage. WFW works closely with online hunting forums which have 8000+ members; numerous other hunting, fishing, and trapping groups; and with local and national outdoor media in an effort to protect Washington’s diverse outdoor heritage for future generations.

[Wenatcheejay]