Washington Wolf Plan Poll

[bearpaw]

Please tell us if you approve of the proposed wolf plan?

[winshooter88]

No, I don't approve of the current draft wolf plan. 15 breeding pairs for three years before they can be removed from the Washington state ESA. What you need to remember is breeding pairs and wolf packs are two different things. A breeding pair is two wolves with pups that survive until December 31st of the year the pups were born. A pack is any group of two or more wolves that travel together. By the time that we have 15 breeding pairs verified for three years running we may have anywhere from 25-40 groups of wolves in this state (between 180-500 wolves). WDFW director Phil Anderson told us in a recent meeting that we just need to pass this plan the way it is written, then we can modify it later. (I don't believe it will get modified) He also said that the best plan for managing wolves would be to do it by total number of wolves and not breeding pairs. When he was asked why the plan wasn't written to reflect this, he couldn't give a reasonable answer. The WDFW Game Commissioners need to reject the current plan and tell the department to start over and do it right this time. That means being reasonable and responsible. And looking at what is going on in Idaho and Montana to see what is really happening.

[tsimp1211]

 He also said that the best plan for managing wolves would be to do it by total number of wolves and not breeding pairs. When he was asked why the plan wasn't written to reflect this, he couldn't give a reasonable answer. The WDFW Game Commissioners need to reject the current plan and tell the department to start over and do it right this time. That means being reasonable and responsible. And looking at what is going on in Idaho and Montana to see what is really happening.
[/quote]
 
I agree 100% with this paragraph.  It sounds like this is just another attempt by politicians to slide something by.  We don't want to hear well don't worry we will fix it later.  That type of bs doesn't work any longer!  Say what you mean, and mean what you say.  If you want 500 wolves in Washington, then say so, but don't try to bs the public. 

Hunters were the first conservationists in America, and are still the best.  Ask us about wolves, and I am certain that the resounding answer will be to manage them like a game species, and not a protected one.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I have some critisms of the plan.  The # of breeding pairs is one of them, but not my biggest concern.  I think the lack of zone management is thebiggest problem with the plan.

[high country]

Zone management, total numbers, emergency plans, landowner rights......

[predator guy]

Wyoming tried with "breeding pairs" and look what happened! They need to be managed by the total number.

[rebal69972]

 

[bearpaw]

Thanks everyone for your votes and comments. I plan to forward the link to this poll and discussion to the wildlife commission so they can read everyones thoughts on this wolf plan. Please continue to add your comments so they get a good idea how H-W members feel about the wolf plan.
Thanks Again,
Dale

[TheHunt]

THey need to manage the total number.  There needs to be regulations for ranchers to defend their equity and investment of their cattle without being hamstrung by the fish and game. 

[Killercolin]

What are they thinking!? Its ludicrous to be bringing the wolves back. Think they would learn from other states. Good ol' Washington state for ya.  Sad thing is, after reading all their info, sounds like they have already decided on what they are doing and this meeting is to give us an illusion that they care what we think.

[high country]

I agree that reintroduction in a state with less carrying capacity, more private land, more people than the other states and less widely distributed animals was a monumental mistake. All I can gather is there must be federal dollars available to the state for destroying its already limited wildlife.

[bobcat]

FWIW, the state is not "re-introducing" wolves. The plan is only to manage the wolves that have either come here on their own, or that were already here. Not that I agree with the plan. I just want to clarify that as I see a lot of people talking about a re-introduction of wolves into the state. That hasn't happened and there are no plans for that to happen. In my opinion one wolf in the state is too many. But we do need to get a plan approved and get on with managing these wolves. The sooner the better. I doubt if it will be possible to get the plan changed to a lower number of breeding pairs. Even at 15 pairs the wolf lovers are writing letters and going to meetings, saying that the goal of 15 pairs is way too low. So I'm sure the WDFW is compromising with hopefully the lowest number of wolves they can get away with and still insure that wolves will eventually get taken off the endangered species list.

[high country]

Releasing a wolf at kings lake seems like a reintroduction to me.

 http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=57411.0

[bobcat]

Read the wolf management plan- nothing in there about reintroducing wolves to Washington. Why would they? They don't need to- wolves are already here, and more are coming across the Idaho/Washington border as wolf numbers in Idaho increase.

[high country]

Not arguing your point at all bobcat, but I believe there is more to it.....previous releases. Even if I am 100% wrong, the state will have way more conflict than all others.