Check This Out --- We got them worried

[KillBilly]

                                                              #211 WILD NORTHWEST, September 30, 2011
                                                               A Message from Conservation Northwest
                                                                =====Keeping the Northwest Wild=====
                                                                         Washington's Wolves Need You
Urge the Fish & Wildlife Commission to support a strong wolf plan
The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has released an environmental impact statement and preferred plan to address conservation, management, and recovery of  Washington's wolves. None too soon: Wolves are returning on their own and there are now five wolf packs in our state. But with poaching of the Lookout pack and loss of federal protection for the Diamond, Salmo, and Smackout packs, the position of Washington's wolves is precarious. They need a science-based recovery plan.  We Agree on that
The Fish & Wildlife Commission is slated soon to approve the draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. Anti-wolf voices have abandoned the stakeholder process at the last hour and called for the plan's dismemberment. Without an outpouring of pro-wolf voices, the wolf plan could be sent back to the drawing board or eliminated altogether.  That's us!!
Our state needs a visionary wolf plan strong enough to conserve, manage, and recover wolves in a balanced way. Take action today for Washington's wolves. Urge the Commission to adopt the wolf plan and maintain its scientific integrity. Magnify your message! Join us in Olympia, Thurs, Oct 6, and Nov 3, to speak up for wolves before the Commission. We have carpools from Seattle and Bellingham and a fun happy hour planned for after the meeting. RSVP or contact Kit McGurn at 206.675.9747 x201.
Contact info:
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
360 902-2267 (phone) 360 902-2448 (fax)
commission@dfw.wa.gov

Top points to make for the wolf plan:
1.   The wolf plan was developed through the hard work of a diverse 17-member stakeholder group, reviewed by scientists, and publicly vetted across the state. A majority of the working group members support the plan.
2.   According to scientists, a minimum of 15 breeding pairs must be present for three years and distributed across three recovery regions before wolves may be removed from protected status.
3.   It is inappropriate to put a cap or an upper limit on the total number of wolves in Washington, since predators are self regulating. No native species in Washington has ever been subject to a population cap.
4.   Lethal “take” (legal killing of wolves) may only be used as a last resort if non-lethal methods have proven unsuccessful.
Dept. Fish & Wildlife wolf plan, map, and resources

Questions? Contact Kit McGurn, outreach coordinator.

Thank you for keeping the Northwest wild!

Conservation Northwest

P.S. Our last wolf alert concerned the US Fish and Wildlife Service's status review for endangered species protection of Pacific Northwest wolves, including wolves in the western two-thirds of Washington and the new Cascades' Teanaway pack. Thank you for submitting comments! Look for a final decision on federal protection for PNW wolves in the coming months.

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Conservation Northwest
1208 Bay St., #201
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[Gringo31]

I have an honest question....

Our state needs a visionary wolf plan strong enough to conserve, manage, and recover wolves in a balanced way.

I'd like to ask those in the know behind closed doors whether or not wolves in washington would recover on their own if we "managed" them like coyotes effective immediately.  I believe this would help manage them as they will recover no matter what we do.

[rebal69972]

im calling them for the free ride and happy hour  . will anyone give me a ride home. but really we r happy with the wolfs that r here now the wolves r happy just let it be.

[KillBilly]

In most respects the answer is yes.. However, they are considered an Endangered Species and listed as such. This requires WDFW to have a plan. Without a plan and controls, people could hunt them like coyotes. Hunting them is something to look forward to in the future but only after we have ensured their continued & controlled existence will they be delisted. Once delisted then they become Game Animals and hunting may then follow.

Does that answer your question?

[mulehunter]

I ll be there.

Mulehunter.

[D-Rock425]

Anyone know the times of the meetings in Olympia?

[WAcoyotehunter]

In most respects the answer is yes.. However, they are considered an Endangered Species and listed as such. This requires WDFW to have a plan. Without a plan and controls, people could hunt them like coyotes. Hunting them is something to look forward to in the future but only after we have ensured their continued & controlled existence will they be delisted. Once delisted then they become Game Animals and hunting may then follow.

Does that answer your question?

Great answer!  The plan needs some amendments.  I will make a post with some talking points or my problems with the plan.

[KillBilly]

Here is the link to the meeting agenda   http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2011/10/agenda_oct0611.html

This meeting will focus on parking lot items (questions previously asked) and Chapters 4 & 5 of the plan.

[bearpaw]

I don't think the wolf groups are that worried, they hold the aces in the WDFW, they have the people willing to show up at meetings, they have thousands of wolf supporters who have sent thousands of letters.

Hunters need to send letters, show up at meetings, and unite on this issue or we will lose and there are only two meetings left and one month to make a difference, after that all we can do is whine about the effects wolves are having on our game herds in a few years.

My apologies for being negative about this, but I see us losing big on this issue due to the lack of support from the general hunting public. I really hope I'm wrong or that hunters rally at the last minute, but I am very concerned about the future of our herds, especially our moose and elk herds.

I thank everyone who has taken a few minutes of their life to support proper management and ask that others do the same at some point in the next 30 days. 


Killbilly, what are parking lot items and items 4 & 5 of the plan?

[KillBilly]

Anyone that authors a message that can be read in 3 minutes (allotted time for testimony) and would like to have the WFW Board approve it, please submit it soon. We don't have much time to get board votes. On the other hand, if you just want to represent yourself, that's fine too. You can still tell them you are a member of WFW representing yourself.....

[KillBilly]

Parking lot items are questions that the commissioners asked the game department at prior meetings. Instead of taking up that meetings time, they put them in what is caklled a parking lot for answering later when time is alloted. Some time is alloted at this meeting.

Chapter 4 of the Wolf Plan is Wolf-Livestock Conflicts

Chapter 5 of the Wolf Plan is Wolf-Ungulate Interactions

Here is a link to the Wolf Plan http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00001/wdfw00001.pdf
once there look on the left border and click the +sign next to FINAL RECOMMENDED WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WASHINGTON

then scroll until you find Chapter 4 or 5

[TheHunt]

I have sent my comments via email to them.  I am hoping others have done the same.   I am not sure if me sitting in the meeting would provide any support other then clapping when needed.  Is there an plan in effect to meet up and show up?  Or is this ad-hoc show up?

[KillBilly]

I have sent my comments via email to them.  I am hoping others have done the same.   I am not sure if me sitting in the meeting would provide any support other then clapping when needed.  Is there an plan in effect to meet up and show up?  Or is this ad-hoc show up?

Note to all listening..... the Commission does not appreciate clapping and Miranda the Chairman will be quick to let you know

[KillBilly]

The good thing about attending in person is that you hear first hand what is being presented. You also get to hear the very pointed questions and remarks made by the Commissioners. It is way better than hearing a second hand account from another person. It does make for a long day but is very worthwhile.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Killbilly- i sent you a pm with my EIS wolf comments.  take a look and feel free to share them here or wherever. 

[bearpaw]

Parking lot items are questions that the commissioners asked the game department at prior meetings. Instead of taking up that meetings time, they put them in what is caklled a parking lot for answering later when time is alloted. Some time is alloted at this meeting.

Chapter 4 of the Wolf Plan is Wolf-Livestock Conflicts

Chapter 5 of the Wolf Plan is Wolf-Ungulate Interactions

Here is a link to the Wolf Plan http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00001/wdfw00001.pdf
once there look on the left border and click the +sign next to FINAL RECOMMENDED WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WASHINGTON

then scroll until you find Chapter 4 or 5

Thanks for this and thanks for all your hard work and dedication..... 

I have something I am working on that will hopefully pull some people together. There are thousands of RMEF members in this state and to my knowledge not one chapter has been very involved in this wolf issue. Also there are Mule Deer foundation members and I have heard nothing from the mule deer foundation. Groups need to come together on this issue.

Is there anyone who is a member of any chapters of these organizations on the forum?

[huntrights]

I recently sent an email to the RMEF indicating I was ready to join their organization, but I stopped short of joining because I am confused about their mission.  This is an excerpt from that email:

"... Please let me know if the RMEF will be an active rational voice in the control of wolves in the State of Washington.  If your mission is to support elk herds, elk habitat, and elk hunting, then I would expect the RMEF to be active in pushing for control of wolf populations.  However, if you are not taking an active role in pushing for local and national legislation to keep wolf populations at levels that will not impact elk and deer populations, then I will be confused about what your mission is.  Based on what I have read from other hunters, many of them are confused about your mission. ..."

[grizzlyadams]

Sorry...I guess I'll be the blacksheep of the post. I don't see a need for them at all. Anything to keep them at a level of none in our state is just dandy to me. My problem is the enviromentalists who in favor of the wolves will allow decimation of big game animals. We have enough protected preditors in this state and the wolf lovers only want it one way...their way. So don't even give them an inch. Hunting wolves should be like hunting coyotes....all year round and as many as you can get!!!!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Sorry...I guess I'll be the blacksheep of the post. I don't see a need for them at all. Anything to keep them at a level of none in our state is just dandy to me. My problem is the enviromentalists who in favor of the wolves will allow decimation of big game animals. We have enough protected preditors in this state and the wolf lovers only want it one way...their way. So don't even give them an inch. Hunting wolves should be like hunting coyotes....all year round and as many as you can get!!!!

Yeah Thats what I am saying ...

[huntrights]

In political battles, the more people and organizations you have supporting your views by writing emails, sending letters, making phone calls, and going to meetings, the better chance you have of winning those battles, or at least skewing the outcome closer to your position.  If the RMEF can take an official stand to help keep wolf populations from getting out of control as they have in other states, then soliciting support from the RMEF can be beneficial for their mission and for those of us that wish to keep wolves from getting out of control in the State of Washington.  The political arena is not a fair or friendly place, so we must learn to work with it as it is; it is extremely important to gather as much support as possible from all people and organizations regardless of some possible questionable positions in the past.

[bearpaw]

In political battles, the more people and organizations you have supporting your views by writing emails, sending letters, making phone calls, and going to meetings, the better chance you have of winning those battles, or at least skewing the outcome closer to your position.  If the RMEF can take an official stand to help keep wolf populations from getting out of control as they have in other states, then soliciting support from the RMEF can be beneficial for their mission and for those of us that wish to keep wolves from getting out of control in the State of Washington.  The political arena is not a fair or friendly place, so we must learn to work with it as it is; it is extremely important to gather as much support as possible from all people and organizations regardless of some possible questionable positions in the past.

Exactly right, hopefully we can get RMEF to at least show some support....