Protest WDFW Wolf Plan in Olympia

[wraithen]

On the other hand Bearpaw, if everyone on this thread signed up for WFW, then most of the organizing would be complete. How many of you guys would object to signing up for free with Washington for Wildlife, so we could use the existing organization to expedite this process? I think it's a really good idea. Thoughts? Objections? Bearpaw, is the "join" page fixed today?

Been a member for a long time.. I think by including WFW we will become more viable? believable?  not sure the right word here..

Legitimate?

[jackmaster]

i just joined wfw, and i will be more than happy to get in on this, i would like to see other issues addressed as well which i know others have brought up, hounds, baiting, and trapping, its a shame to lose parts of are heritage when it isnt necessary, all because we dont have the money to line political pockets, sportsman know what is best for are wildlife...

[predatorpro]

sounds like a plan!! ill be there!

[pianoman9701]

I'm still trying to decide who to blame the most for the wolf plan.   I may change my mind, but here is my list right now in order of who I blame the most:

#1.  The pro-wolf loving, anti-hunting, PETA supporting, liberal minded wackos.

#2.  The Governor

#3.  WDFW

#4.  The wildlife Commission


#1. - we have no control over.  There is no reasoning with them, but if it weren't for them we wouldn't be in this mess.

#2. - The governor is out the door and she is not going to care about what we think, but I'm pissed at her because she is ultimately in charge of WDFW and the Commission.

#3. - WDFW we still have a little control over since we are financing them by way of license fees.  They are constantly screwing us and lying to us..........they piss me off.  There are a few good people left there, but mostly it seems they have been infiltrated with anti-hunters.

#4. - I thought the commission was supposed to be our ally.  Seems they caved to all the support of the WDFW plan by the pro-wolf folks all across the country.

Curly, I agree with you on this, I'm not sure of the best path.... 

We keep this very simple and lay the blame at the feet of the organization who forwarded it - the WDFW. If we complicate this protest, we're going to start disagreeing on the thrust. Also, it's the turnout that makes a difference in our credibility. This can be a WFW event and, being it's an established organization, that will help with organizing and infrastructure. However, if we don't have thousands of people there making noise on the day we protest, there will be no teeth to our protest, WFW, NRA, or RMEF organized or not.

I do believe that we should use the WFW existing organization to throw this together. That way, we can contribute to the organization the money we need to pay for things like printing and any other unforeseen expenses, as well as having a regional leadership system already in place. I think we should do this and have everyone on this thread sign up if you haven't already.

[KillBilly]

I am leaving work now and will be home in approx. 0ne hour. I will check the database for all the new members..

[pianoman9701]

i just joined wfw, and i will be more than happy to get in on this, i would like to see other issues addressed as well which i know others have brought up, hounds, baiting, and trapping, its a shame to lose parts of are heritage when it isnt necessary, all because we dont have the money to line political pockets, sportsman know what is best for are wildlife...

Those issues are being addressed in the WFW, but I think this protest needs to be about the wolf issue and the disconnect between the WDFW and the sportsmen of this state. We really need to keep the focus tight to avoid losing support and having in-fighting. My 

[asl20bball]

How about this Mission:

Protest Mission (only a submission)

To show the people of WA that the WDFW has adopted an irresponsible wolf recovery plan, not based on science and the experience of other states who have previously adopted wolf recovery plans, and to tell our government the WDFW has become disconnected from the sportsmen and women of WA. That in favor of animal rights extremists, the WDFW has forgotten the people who have paid the WDFW's bills through their license purchases, and have participated in the animal recovery and conservation efforts that have made our wildlife flourish, the hunters and fishers of WA.

Managing wolves=managing ungualtes. I think we're missing a HUGE point here...that being this: conservation is not just for the benefit of hunters and fishers but for anyone who enjoys wildlife. If we don't manage wolves effectively we don't manage ALL wildlife for ANYONE to enjoy...not just us.

[asl20bball]

let me add to my comment above...it is important that we try to connect the person "in the middle" if you will with this issue.  There is a huge population that is simply uneducated regarding the matter so we need to provide the common ground here.

[jager]

let me add to my comment above...it is important that we try to connect the person "in the middle" if you will with this issue.  There is a huge population that is simply uneducated regarding the matter so we need to provide the common ground here.

Here is my    I think this bolded sentence should be stricken from the paragraph. I believe there are some who believed in this plan that are not "extremists".  That would be akin to someone saying that because I like to hunt I'm a blood thirsty killer. This kind of language will fan the flames, and we need as many people on board here as we can get. Alienating is not the way to do that.

To show the people of WA that the WDFW has adopted an irresponsible wolf recovery plan, not based on science and the experience of other states who have previously adopted wolf recovery plans, and to tell our government the WDFW has become disconnected from the sportsmen and women of WA. That in favor of animal rights extremists, the WDFW has forgotten the people who have paid the WDFW's bills through their license purchases, and have participated in the animal recovery and conservation efforts that have made our wildlife flourish, the hunters and fishers of WA.

Question: Why would someone need to be a member of WFW to participate? Again, don't we want as many people as we can get. Why alienate?

I recently was part of a "mob" that showed up in Olympia for the legislative session last fall. it was only a hundred people...supporting our industry here in WA.  We had a 3 pass vans drive over from Spokane as well as several carpools. There were also folks from the west side that came as well. They were shocked to see the size of our group! Many testified to no avail....

I really think we need the numbers and we should not exclude anyone that wants to peacefully demonstrate. We could get members from other organizations to participate as well this way. And as was stated we need to focus on only the wolf plan....for now

[pianoman9701]

let me add to my comment above...it is important that we try to connect the person "in the middle" if you will with this issue.  There is a huge population that is simply uneducated regarding the matter so we need to provide the common ground here.

Here is my    I think this bolded sentence should be stricken from the paragraph. I believe there are some who believed in this plan that are not "extremists".  That would be akin to someone saying that because I like to hunt I'm a blood thirsty killer. This kind of language will fan the flames, and we need as many people on board here as we can get. Alienating is not the way to do that.

To show the people of WA that the WDFW has adopted an irresponsible wolf recovery plan, not based on science and the experience of other states who have previously adopted wolf recovery plans, and to tell our government the WDFW has become disconnected from the sportsmen and women of WA. That in favor of animal rights extremists, the WDFW has forgotten the people who have paid the WDFW's bills through their license purchases, and have participated in the animal recovery and conservation efforts that have made our wildlife flourish, the hunters and fishers of WA.

Question: Why would someone need to be a member of WFW to participate? Again, don't we want as many people as we can get. Why alienate?

I recently was part of a "mob" that showed up in Olympia for the legislative session last fall. it was only a hundred people...supporting our industry here in WA.  We had a 3 pass vans drive over from Spokane as well as several carpools. There were also folks from the west side that came as well. They were shocked to see the size of our group! Many testified to no avail....

I really think we need the numbers and we should not exclude anyone that wants to peacefully demonstrate. We could get members from other organization to participate as well this way. And as was stated we need to focus on only the wolf plan....for now

Mission Edited:

To show the people of WA that the WDFW has adopted an irresponsible wolf recovery plan, not based on science and the experience of other states who have previously adopted wolf recovery plans, and to tell our government the WDFW has become disconnected from the sportsmen and women of WA. The WDFW has forgotten the people who have paid the WDFW's bills through their license purchases, and have participated in the animal recovery and conservation efforts that have made our wildlife flourish, the hunters and fishers of WA.


In answer to your question about who may attend - anyone, WFW member or not. However, it'll be a lot easier to organize if those of us who are willing to put this think together join the WFW. Regional groups are already set up, there's already a secretary and a treasurer. Also, for those who want to contribute to the effort, it'll be easier for them to do so as a member of the WFW. Then we can pay for expenses right our of the WFW account through the treasurer.

[Woodchuck]

I will go out on a limb and suggest that if he is willing that Jager would be an excellent resource for organizational suggestions. He is a pretty smart guy. 

[pianoman9701]

I will go out on a limb and suggest that if he is willing that Jager would be an excellent resource for organizational suggestions. He is a pretty smart guy. 

I'm up for anything.

[sebek556]

i am all for this, just a idea though, there is a WDFW in spokane, colville and many many other areas, what about hitting all of them on the same day same time? I think as long as we could get groups of atleast 100 at each it would be a great effect covering the whole state to show that this is a state wide issue, not just a local. but then again large number at one place would be amazing as well. But I think we would be more news coverage to hit every WDFW.

[pianoman9701]

i am all for this, just a idea though, there is a WDFW in spokane, colville and many many other areas, what about hitting all of them on the same day same time? I think as long as we could get groups of atleast 100 at each it would be a great effect covering the whole state to show that this is a state wide issue, not just a local. but then again large number at one place would be amazing as well. But I think we would be more news coverage to hit every WDFW.

My original thought was to protest the Governor, either at the state house during the week or at her residence on April Fools Day. If you guys think we'd make more of a splash spread out across the state, go for it. However, the news always thinks bigger is better. If we have 2,000 in front of the mansion on April 1st, it's going to make a very big noise around the whole state.

Also, someone suggested we get the cattelmen involved. I think that's a good idea. Anyone else? Who can get in touch with them, please?

[asl20bball]

I will join WFW later tonight.
Another observation... many people and the pro-wolf folks would simply suggest that we stop hunting in an effort to maintain deer/elk numbers. I think we should be prepared to address this issue too. Maybe in some sort of Q&A handout as to why hunting benefits wildlife & the overall ecosystem perhaps? 
We could note that wolves prey mainly on the weak and young and if continued -w/out proactive wolf management- the cow/calf ratios will decrease which in the long term is destruction for the health and sustainability of the elk herds vs the fact hunters harvest animal types tailored for managment/conservation reasons to ensure cow/calf ratios are healthy.