New Small Game Manager for DFW - Brian Calkins

[pianoman9701]

I've known Brian for a few years down here at the Vancouver/Region 5 office and have spent some time talking with him about different DFW/hunter issues on several trips up to Mt. St. Helens. He's a stand-up guy. He spends a lot of time in the woods, is dedicated to conservation, and I think he'll be a common sense addition to the top of the management team there. Brian.Calkins@dfw.wa.gov

[Special T]

So is he the small game guy for the whole state? If so i'm guessing species he will be in charge of coyotes, rabbits, racoon ... Does his position include trapping?

What kind of hunting does he like to do? I'm happy to hear we have a standup guy in that position.

I wish we had more "life-ers" in WDFW that really loved thier particular area and feild... Examples that are no longer with them. The man that ran Fir island duck hunting I think his name was Pat garrett??? he was wil the WDFW for a LONG time... And the guy that just retired as the big game elk guy from the blues... 

[pianoman9701]

So is he the small game guy for the whole state? If so i'm guessing species he will be in charge of coyotes, rabbits, racoon ... Does his position include trapping?

What kind of hunting does he like to do? I'm happy to hear we have a standup guy in that position.

I wish we had more "life-ers" in WDFW that really loved thier particular area and feild... Examples that are no longer with them. The man that ran Fir island duck hunting I think his name was Pat garrett??? he was wil the WDFW for a LONG time... And the guy that just retired as the big game elk guy from the blues... 

He's the state small game section manager. I don't know the answers to your other questions, Special. I would suggest emailing him or calling the Olympia number and talking with him. They still haven't changed his phone number in the directory yet from the Region 5 number, so call the main number. 360-902-2200.

[fireweed]

Brian has been our Wildlife Area manager here at Mount St. Helens and nearby units for many years.  As stated he's a Good guy, easy to work with, personable.  Don't know who is replacing him in SW Wa. yet. 

[pianoman9701]

Brian has been our Wildlife Area manager here at Mount St. Helens and nearby units for many years.  As stated he's a Good guy, easy to work with, personable.  Don't know who is replacing him in SW Wa. yet.

His replacement is Daren Hauswald. I've met him a couple of times at projects up there and at the Region 5 office. I don't know him really well. I'll be spending some time with him on the 19th.

[Jerbear]

They could not have picked a better person.  Had some dealing with him a few years ago.  He tells the truth, and is very open.  For once I can agree with one of their picks.

[Wacenturion]

Oh....he'll fit right into that wildlife management group.  More of the same.

[pianoman9701]

Oh....he'll fit right into that wildlife management group.  More of the same.

Do you even know him?

[Wacenturion]

Oh....he'll fit right into that wildlife management group.  More of the same.

Do you even know him?

If I didn't I would not have said anything.  So to be direct as possible in answering your question...YES.

[Arteman]

Brian has been our Wildlife Area manager here at Mount St. Helens and nearby units for many years.  As stated he's a Good guy, easy to work with, personable.  Don't know who is replacing him in SW Wa. yet.

His replacement is Daren Hauswald. I've met him a couple of times at projects up there and at the Region 5 office. I don't know him really well. I'll be spending some time with him on the 19th.

What kind of projects did you help with up here Piano?

[pianoman9701]

Brian has been our Wildlife Area manager here at Mount St. Helens and nearby units for many years.  As stated he's a Good guy, easy to work with, personable.  Don't know who is replacing him in SW Wa. yet.

His replacement is Daren Hauswald. I've met him a couple of times at projects up there and at the Region 5 office. I don't know him really well. I'll be spending some time with him on the 19th.

What kind of projects did you help with up here Piano?

Tree plantings in the flood zone and trash pick-up on Weyerhouser land. We're going up this AM to pull Scotch Broom.

[pianoman9701]

Oh....he'll fit right into that wildlife management group.  More of the same.

Do you even know him?

If I didn't I would not have said anything.  So to be direct as possible in answering your question...YES.

Brian's always been forthcoming and open to me. He's a hunter. I'm not sure what you've seen, WAcenturion, but he's a regular guy as far as I can see and he's definitely committed to the wildlife and the sportsmen.

[Wacenturion]

He's a nice guy and he hunts.  I'll give you that.  Some things he did years ago on the wildlife area (Mt. Saint Helens) was nothing more than a waste of money.  That area's management approach is so typical of WDFW's land management approach.  Piece meal, newspaper noteworthy tidbits of feel good projects that won't ever do what is necessary for elk.

In my opinion he's just another company man.  He'll side with Ware and the rest of those idiots in wildlife management when push comes to shove on touchy sportsman's issues.  Not that he may want to, it's just the system.  Believe me when I say they hire those who they know will not rock the boat.

Again....nice guy.  I'm not trying to personally knock him.  It's just WDFW doesn't need any more milk toast folks filling key positions that affect hunting and sportsman's issues.  They need people willing to take on the establishment.  Until that happens, it's status quo.  Fact. 

[pianoman9701]

He's a nice guy and he hunts.  I'll give you that.  Some things he did years ago on the wildlife area (Mt. Saint Helens) was nothing more than a waste of money.  That area's management approach is so typical of WDFW's land management approach.  Piece meal, newspaper noteworthy tidbits of feel good projects that won't ever do what is necessary for elk.

In my opinion he's just another company man.  He'll side with Ware and the rest of those idiots in wildlife management when push comes to shove on touchy sportsman's issues.  Not that he may want to, it's just the system.  Believe me when I say they hire those who they know will not rock the boat.

Again....nice guy.  I'm not trying to personally knock him.  It's just WDFW doesn't need any more milk toast folks filling key positions that affect hunting and sportsman's issues.  They need people willing to take on the establishment.  Until that happens, it's status quo.  Fact.

They make it pretty clear to all of their top tier guys (before they promote them), that they're not there to rock the boat; they're there to toe the company line.

The only way we're going to get change in the DFW is by electing McKenna and making sure he knows how the DFW leadership and the commission have been affected by decades of liberals who don't hunt.

[Wacenturion]

I used to be a firm believer in the Commission system, but not anymore.  I would rather take my chances with a Governor appointee, rather than a Commission selection of a Director.  If you get a Republican Governor it's likely he would appoint someone who's approach would be pro sportsman.  That Governor would more than likely be responsive to sportsman's concerns.  On the other side if a Democrat Governor, then you still have maybe a 30-70 chance you might get someone with a brain.

The last two Commission appointments were horrible.  The Commission is nothing more than a political body with individual agendas.  If you don't believe me, just go to one or watch the re-broadcast proceedings on the government channel.

Leadership and direction starts at the top and goes down.  The whole agency needs a cleaning.  They have forgot who they work for and who has been paying the bills for the last 60 years.  In short....they are a typical, politically correct, do nothing, government entity.