Protest WDFW Wolf Plan in Olympia

[Curly]

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.

The bolded part above is not really true.  The pro-wolf folks want to believe that, but it isn't true.

[gaddy]

and on the subject of reaching the masses, are there any sportsmen shows comming up? maybe someone well studied & possesing some speaking skills could put on an educational seminar. as i mentioned earlier i think the more people are aware of the impacts of wolves in our state, not just hunters but hickers, campers & everyone that uses the outdoors, the better.
fact is without being a member of this forum i wouldent be aware of the severity of this issue & most i talk to dont have a clue.

[pianoman9701]

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.

Good suggestion. It has been suggested that when we're in the sporting goods stores with our tables that we have informational flyers about not only the protest, but wolf facts relating to our state's recovery plan. This would include a widely held theory that animal rights activists are using the wolves as a vehicle to stop hunting and ranching here in WA.

[Woodchuck]

I know a couple folks locally that I would assume are in the cattleman's, I will get in touch with them and see if I can at least get some central contact info

[pianoman9701]

and on the subject of reaching the masses, are there any sportsmen shows comming up? maybe someone well studied & possesing some speaking skills could put on an educational seminar. as i mentioned earlier i think the more people are aware of the impacts of wolves in our state, not just hunters but hickers, campers & everyone that uses the outdoors, the better.
fact is without being a member of this forum i wouldent be aware of the severity of this issue & most i talk to dont have a clue.

I think this is a good idea if the purpose is to get more people to attend the protest. My opinion is that there is already a wolf committee in WFW and a wolf topics board on the Hunt WA forum. Also, our focus needs to remain tight on the protest or we'll wander. There are many websites and much information available out there on wolves to do with hunting. We need to focus here on our protest. My 

[bearpaw]

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.

Extremely good point... 

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.

I agree, I also think we need the livestock producers and private land owners on this and need to ask them to critique the langauge to get them involved. If we can get some tribes involved too, all the better. If we keep the main issue focussed on wolves, we might be able to bring many different people together.

Some possible langauge edits:

"To show the people of Washington that the WDFW has adopted an irresponsible wolf recovery plan which is lacking current science learned by the Rocky Mountain States who have adopted wolf recovery plans and are now experiencing the impacts of wolf overpopulation, to reveal how disconnected the WDFW has become from the sportsmen and women, livestock producers, and private landowners of WA. The WDFW has forgotten the people who have paid the WDFW's bills through their license purchases, the people who have facilitated animal recovery and conservation efforts, and the people who's lands have helped our wildlife flourish."

[CedarPants]

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.

Extremely good point... 

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.

I agree, I also think we need the livestock producers and private land owners on this and need to ask them to critique the langauge to get them involved. If we can get some tribes involved too, all the better. If we keep the main issue focussed on wolves, we might be able to bring many different people together.

Some possible langauge edits:

"To show the people of Washington that the WDFW has adopted an irresponsible wolf recovery plan which is lacking current science learned by the Rocky Mountain States who have adopted wolf recovery plans and are now experiencing the impacts of wolf overpopulation, to reveal how disconnected the WDFW has become from the sportsmen and women, livestock producers, and private landowners of WA. The WDFW has forgotten the people who have paid the WDFW's bills through their license purchases, the people who have facilitated animal recovery and conservation efforts, and the people who's lands have helped our wildlife flourish."

Good edits 

[jager]

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. 

Awwww shucks...thanks buddy.

I will do what I can...All ya gotta do is ask.
I'll gladly keep putting in my      

[pianoman9701]

Good edits, Dale. And yes Jager, we will need you on the committee for whatever we can get. Thank you.

[bearpaw]

Good edits, Dale. And yes Jager, we will need you on the committee for whatever we can get. Thank you.

I think those edits will entice much broader participation, it may still need a lot of work, we need to ask the cattlemen what they think and make them a part of this if possible. They have far more influence than we do.

Jager, have you joined wfw?

[Woodchuck]

Anybody that can fit that much stuff in a 4.5ft bed pickup then add an elk on top of it and still make it in one trip has to be good at organizing 

[pianoman9701]

Good edits, Dale. And yes Jager, we will need you on the committee for whatever we can get. Thank you.

I think those edits will entice much broader participation, it may still need a lot of work, we need to ask the cattlemen what they think and make them a part of this if possible. They have far more influence than we do.

Jager, have you joined wfw?

I'd like to see the protest mission statement stay simple. Once there, different groups and people will speak, but we should keep the original message simple, pointed, direct. I like your revisions. I wouldn't like to see it get any broader.

[CAMPMEAT]

OCCUPY WDFW WASHINGTON STATE

[jager]

Another thought....
Instead of setting up at 50 different sporting goods stores and announcing our intentions to protest, maybe we gather signatures instead. We would have to have something printed as far as guidelines on what to say or not say in regards to misinformation..or turning anyone off! Maybe this is something that happens after the protest 
We don't want to spread our resources too thin. We should focus. NO?

If we announce our intentions, do we not run the risk of having 3x as many pro wolfers there?
In regards to the date, I agree that there may be more people during a weekend, but who is on capitol hill on Sunday?
I know at our regional WDFW office. It is basically located in a business park....Crickets on sunday.
It could be a all-dayer...come before work at lunch after....

I think it would be best to notify all media at a predetermined time preceding the protest...if for nothing else, than to get our turn being heard, not the pro wolfers!

Just thinking out loud here.....

Anybody that can fit that much stuff in a 4.5ft bed pickup then add an elk on top of it and still make it in one trip has to be good at organizing 

Don't short change me man, that's 5.5'   


Yes I am a member of WFW...

[pianoman9701]

Another thought....
Instead of setting up at 50 different sporting goods stores and announcing our intentions to protest, maybe we gather signatures instead. We would have to have something printed as far as guidelines on what to say or not say in regards to misinformation..or turning anyone off! Maybe this is something that happens after the protest 
We don't want to spread our resources too thin. We should focus. NO?

If we announce our intentions, do we not run the risk of having 3x as many pro wolfers there?
In regards to the date, I agree that there may be more people during a weekend, but who is on capitol hill on Sunday?
I know at our regional WDFW office. It is basically located in a business park....Crickets on sunday.
It could be a all-dayer...come before work at lunch after....

I think it would be best to notify all media at a predetermined time preceding the protest...if for nothing else, than to get our turn being heard, not the pro wolfers!

Just thinking out loud here.....

Anybody that can fit that much stuff in a 4.5ft bed pickup then add an elk on top of it and still make it in one trip has to be good at organizing 

Don't short change me man, that's 5.5'   


Yes I am a member of WFW...

I don't know, but I wouldn't think the pro-wolfers could get more than 100 people in one place, maybe 150. They're not a big group. They just have big money behind them. If we do this right, I'm thinking we'll have a couple thousand at least. To have that many, it'll be important to get the information out to the general hunting population somehow.