Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 01, 2023, 01:15:23 PM
https://nwsportsmanmag.com/retired-fisheries-deer-biologists-named-to-wdfw-commission/?fbclid=IwAR0UphGdJj1xmCqzjKF98LZA6zsUYGJ2NPOXW1DtSOm7IoaGpk79wrO2kZs
Post by: bigtex on March 01, 2023, 01:17:50 PM
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Post by: Sundance on March 01, 2023, 01:18:30 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 01, 2023, 01:30:18 PM
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
1111 Washington St. SE Olympia, WA 98501
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission
March 1, 2023
Contact: Commission office, 360-902-2267
Governor Inslee's media office: media@gov.wa.gov, 360-902-4136
Two new members appointed, Baker re-appointed to Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
OLYMPIA – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed three members to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The Commission is a nine-person citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The Commission is comprised of three members from western Washington, three from eastern Washington, and three "at-large" members who may reside anywhere in the state. No two Commission members can reside in the same county.
Steve Parker is appointed to an eastern Washington position. He is a retired fisheries biologist who spent much of his 45-year career with the Yakama Nation and lives in Yakima County.
"I am excited to serve in this position," Parker said. "I've devoted my professional career to fish and wildlife conservation and it is an honor to continue to do so in this new role and apply my experience to new issues."
Woodrow "Woody" Myers, Jr. is appointed to an at-large Washington position. He lives in Spokane County and retired from WDFW as an ungulate research biologist where he worked for 40 years.
"The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is a pivotal player in activities that affect the quality of life of Washingtonians," Myers said. "It is truly a privilege to be appointed, and I am eager to get started on the critical work of the Commission. I look forward to furthering the use of science to set policy directing fish and wildlife management in our state."
In addition, Barbara Baker was re-appointed to the Commission to a western Washington position. Baker was first appointed to an at-large position to the Commission in January 2017. She is an attorney who lives in Thurston County who retired from a long career in the state Legislature to devote time and energy to fulfill the requirements of this important appointment. She served as Vice Chair of the Commission from January 2019 to March 2022 and Chair since 2022.
"I greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve on the Fish and Wildlife Commission," Baker said. "I am honored to continue working with the people of Washington to conserve fish and wildlife species for generations to come. I also want to personally welcome the new commissioners — we have an important job, and I am thrilled to have a whole Commission to move us into the new year."
"Our Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission shoulders many complex and sometimes controversial issues, and as the climate changes, their responsibilities only increase," Gov. Jay Inslee said. "I am proud to welcome these three commissioners who will work hard to help our state protect and sustain its unique and cherished fish and wildlife."
The two seats were previously filled by Dr. Don McIsaac who served as the Fish Committee Chair and held a western Washington position, and Dr. Kim Thorburn, who served as the Wildlife Committee Chair and held an eastern Washington position. Both outgoing commissioners have served on the Fish and Wildlife Commission since 2017.
"I would like to thank Don McIsaac and Kim Thorburn for their professionalism and service these past years," Baker said. "I know I and my fellow commissioners have appreciated their perspectives and in-depth knowledge of fish and wildlife issues across the state. We will miss working with them."
Commissioners are appointed to six-year terms; appointees are subject to confirmation by the state Senate, which is currently in session. However, members are official upon appointment and serve as voting members on the Commission while awaiting Senate confirmation.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
Post by: hunter399 on March 01, 2023, 01:31:57 PM
Post by: hunter399 on March 01, 2023, 01:33:25 PM
I can't remember.
Post by: TriggerMike on March 01, 2023, 01:44:56 PM
Even if both these new commissioners are pro hunting, we're still outnumbered. I'd imagine Inslee isn't doing that by accident, keeping it just skewed to the antis. Now when he goes to fight the new lawsuit he can just say he appointed two pro conservation commissioners and doesn't understand why he's being sued.
Post by: bearpaw on March 01, 2023, 01:58:20 PM
I have spoken with Woody in person numerous times, he was an eastern WA WDFW biologist. He did an interesting study on mule deer in an area I hunt, what he told me about that study made 100% sense, I think he did a very good objective study. I've also talked whitetail deer with him, he has a very good understanding of ungulates in eastern WA. He also worked for WDFW when we had hound hunting but I don't remember if any of his work or recommendations were in that arena. I do not know his position on predator hunting or wolves, it seems he worked in our area before wolves were an issue. I think he's a good guy and it is a huge plus to have an experienced ungulate biologist on the commission. I don't know how independent he can be from the current direction of the commission and the governor, but he certainly has the potential to have a very positive impact for hunters in Washington.
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 01, 2023, 02:04:09 PM
Bummer we lost Thorburn.
Even if both these new commissioners are pro hunting, we're still outnumbered. I'd imagine Inslee isn't doing that by accident, keeping it just skewed to the antis. Now when he goes to fight the new lawsuit he can just say he appointed two pro conservation commissioners and doesn't understand why he's being sued.
It's quite clear why he's being sued and the reason is still in play - the commission is not balanced. Replacing one or two pro-sporting commissioners with two more doesn't change the imbalance.
Post by: The100Road on March 01, 2023, 03:23:55 PM
Bummer we lost Thorburn.
Even if both these new commissioners are pro hunting, we're still outnumbered. I'd imagine Inslee isn't doing that by accident, keeping it just skewed to the antis. Now when he goes to fight the new lawsuit he can just say he appointed two pro conservation commissioners and doesn't understand why he's being sued.
It's quite clear why he's being sued and the reason is still in play - the commission is not balanced. Replacing one or two pro-sporting commissioners with two more doesn't change the imbalance.
Exactly. Replacing thornburn and mcisaac with these two doesn’t change anything.
Post by: Jake Dogfish on March 01, 2023, 03:57:01 PM
End of story. :bdid:
Post by: Fishmaker57 on March 01, 2023, 04:11:56 PM
He does have a wealth of knowledge on Columbia River fisheries issues, and maybe that will be beneficial in the long run, unless of course the Tribe pressured Dimsly into nominating him?
Time will tell......
Post by: pickardjw on March 01, 2023, 04:19:00 PM
I am a retired wildlife biologist, having worked for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for nearly 40 years. It is, in my opinion, a crucial time for the state’s fish and wildlife resources as the impacts from a growing human population, climate change, and other factors continue to reduce habitat quality upon which these resources depend. The decisions that are made today will affect these resources far into the future. Thus, it is important that the Fish and Wildlife Commission be staffed with knowledgeable people who will make science-based decisions to help ensure these resources and their habitats continue for future generations. My experience in wildlife science would help this decision-making process.
As a lifelong hunter and fisher, I realize the value of connecting to fish and wildlife through recreation. I also realize that most citizens of the state do not hunt or fish but do appreciate and value wildlife in other ways. It is important that future management decisions be made that respect all of these values. My experience both as a recreationalist and a scientist who worked with various interest groups could help the Fish and Wildlife Commission make those respectful decisions.
–FROM WOODY MYERS’ FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT APPLICATION
Post by: Rainier10 on March 01, 2023, 04:35:26 PM
Post by: Special T on March 01, 2023, 05:48:34 PM
Post by: ELKBURGER on March 02, 2023, 09:44:34 AM
:bash: :bash: :bash:Bummer we lost Thorburn.
Even if both these new commissioners are pro hunting, we're still outnumbered. I'd imagine Inslee isn't doing that by accident, keeping it just skewed to the antis. Now when he goes to fight the new lawsuit he can just say he appointed two pro conservation commissioners and doesn't understand why he's being sued.
It's quite clear why he's being sued and the reason is still in play - the commission is not balanced. Replacing one or two pro-sporting commissioners with two more doesn't change the imbalance.
Post by: Special T on March 02, 2023, 10:55:09 AM
Woody good for sure.
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I have heard that he was a great ungulate bio, and plenty of people sang his praises on that. I think what we would like to know is his stance on predator control. We could make the assumption based off his intrest in mule deer and hunting them. Do we have any kind of signal or experience that reinforces that assumption?
Post by: KNOPHISH on March 02, 2023, 12:33:21 PM
Post by: GASoline71 on March 02, 2023, 12:46:06 PM
Losing Kim Thorburn is a hard blow. She advocated for hunter and hunting on every front. She followed what the State biologists told her, and used that info to form her decisions. Thanks for your service on the Commission Kim!
Gary
Post by: Special T on March 02, 2023, 05:50:18 PM
What is needed is new commissioners that are willing to stop tap dancing around all the anti-hunting wackiness and call BS on some of these issues. Like Spring Bear Hunting. There is not one single logical explanation as to why it was ended. Period. Except because Lorna and Melanie wanted it to end. And their uninformed cronies followed them.
Losing Kim Thorburn is a hard blow. She advocated for hunter and hunting on every front. She followed what the State biologists told her, and used that info to form her decisions. Thanks for your service on the Commission Kim!
Gary
It goes a lot deeper than these 2. they are just the vocal sacrificial mouth pieces to push the WWF and W4A agenda to ruin hunting in this state
Post by: Humptulips on March 02, 2023, 10:02:44 PM
Post by: TriggerMike on March 02, 2023, 10:26:43 PM
Post by: 3Under on March 02, 2023, 11:36:30 PM
Breaking News: Governor Inslee Fills Wildlife Commission vacancies
Greetings:
We have great news to share! Yesterday, Governor Inslee announced his picks to fill the three vacancies on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Governor reappointed Commission Chair Barbara Baker, a staunch advocate for Washington's wildlife, and refused to renew the term of Commissioner Kim Thorburn, who has been a faithful ally of extreme hunting groups whose primary goal is to "maximize" hunting opportunities.
To replace Thorburn and Commissioner Don McIsaac, who did not seek reappointment when his term expired in December, the Governor tapped two scientists from eastern Washington: Woodrow "Woody" Myers, a retired Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ungulate biologist, and Steven Parker, a former fisheries biologist for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. In addition to their strong scientific backgrounds, Myers and Parker have committed to prioritizing the preservation of Washington's fish and wildlife in the face of the threats posed by climate change and habitat loss, as well as to ensuring that the Department fulfills its responsibility as a public trustee serving all current and future Washingtonians. You can read more about these appointments in our press release.
These appointments mark the culmination of several months of work by Washington Wildlife First, our coalition partners, and all our supporters. With your help, we have taken another big step toward a Fish and Wildlife Commission that values science, prioritizes conservation, and truly represents the values of all Washingtonians.
Please join us in taking a moment to celebrate this victory, before we turn back to the hard work that lies ahead of supporting this Commission as it works to bring lasting reform to Washington's wildlife management.
Sincerely,
Sam Bruegger
Executive Director, Washington Wildlife First
Post by: dwils233 on March 02, 2023, 11:58:55 PM
In all honesty at the commission level this is most likely a break even. Even with their statements about climate change, their careers make me think we could have ended up with much less friendly options. Thorburn was great, but it's a pipedream to think we would see someone like that appointed again right now. We simply weren't going to see a majority of pro-hunters on the commission, but we've got a shot at playing in the middle still on some issues.
I do think the question is now- who is taking over the wildlife committee? That's the play to watch.
Post by: actionshooter on March 03, 2023, 08:55:39 PM
At the same time I think this Inslee played a solid hand with the lawsuit.. the Commision is stacked but he just placed two retired biologist on the board, hard to argue they aren't qualified to make wildlife decisions. It won't take long to see where they stand as soon as the voting starts.
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 04, 2023, 09:07:28 AM
I think we definitely lost some ground here... 2 proven advocates for us are gone and replaced with two who are unknown at best. They might have been great biologists, but that doesn't mean they are on our side....
At the same time I think this Inslee played a solid hand with the lawsuit.. the Commision is stacked but he just placed two retired biologist on the board, hard to argue they aren't qualified to make wildlife decisions. It won't take long to see where they stand as soon as the voting starts.
Inslee hasn't replaced any of the 5 anti-hunters. He's still in violation of state law.
Post by: hunter399 on March 04, 2023, 09:52:40 AM
Correct.I think we definitely lost some ground here... 2 proven advocates for us are gone and replaced with two who are unknown at best. They might have been great biologists, but that doesn't mean they are on our side....
At the same time I think this Inslee played a solid hand with the lawsuit.. the Commision is stacked but he just placed two retired biologist on the board, hard to argue they aren't qualified to make wildlife decisions. It won't take long to see where they stand as soon as the voting starts.
Inslee hasn't replaced any of the 5 anti-hunters. He's still in violation of state law.
But in light of the lawsuit.
He will be more careful who he appoints now.
Post by: buckfvr on March 04, 2023, 10:13:55 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 04, 2023, 10:14:53 AM
The lawsuit doesn't mean squat to insleez and his corner man ag bob. If anything, it makes him/them more vindictive in the end.
Certainly, we gain nothing by doing nothing. Wouldn't you agree?
Post by: buckfvr on March 04, 2023, 10:15:57 AM
But let's not pretend they're losing sleep over it.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 04, 2023, 11:22:43 AM
But I do have a question on Lorna Smith. Can we get current up to date photo of her on the WDFW website. Good night the photo she has posted looks like her sorority photo.
Post by: elkboy on March 04, 2023, 11:37:38 AM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on March 04, 2023, 12:38:30 PM
That said it’s hard to overstate the good commissioners we have lost the last couple years so I’ll focus on grading Inslee’s recent replacements:
Linville B
Lemkeul D
Koontz F (gone)
Ragan F
Smith F
Rowland F-
Even if the two newest are ok, the predator starvationists can do whatever they want.
Post by: bigtex on March 04, 2023, 01:56:28 PM
Of course.:yeah:
But let's not pretend they're losing sleep over it.
Being sued is part of being an elected official. In fact Inslee had been sued 84 times in the past two years alone.
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Post by: Special T on March 04, 2023, 02:30:24 PM
I have already shared my opinion of the “lawsuit” and I don’t have any pictures of Lorna. :sry:
That said it’s hard to overstate the good commissioners we have lost the last couple years so I’ll focus on grading Inslee’s recent replacements:
Linville B
Lemkeul D
Koontz F (gone)
Ragan F
Smith F
Rowland F-
Even if the two newest are ok, the predator starvationists can do whatever they want.
I Think a B rank is generous for Linville. IMO she is a consensus seeker and is too squishy of a voter. She can only really be counted on for the hard line votes.
Jim Anderson gets an A in my book
Mc Issac and Thorburn were A+ advocates and it kind of came down to 1 vote for me. They both voted to keep the coyote derby. It was politically and visually a looser but they stuck with the arguments and didnt let up.
Post by: GASoline71 on March 05, 2023, 02:52:23 PM
...and refused to renew the term of Commissioner Kim Thorburn, who has been a faithful ally of extreme hunting groups whose primary goal is to "maximize" hunting opportunities.
What in the wide world of sports is an "extreme hunting group"? LMAO...
The crap these people make up and thrive on is a nightmare to us mere mortals... :o
Gary
Post by: Jake Dogfish on March 05, 2023, 04:34:33 PM
You are dropped off in the middle of desert with a gun, a knife and as much ammo as you can carry. No food or water. :tup:...and refused to renew the term of Commissioner Kim Thorburn, who has been a faithful ally of extreme hunting groups whose primary goal is to "maximize" hunting opportunities.
What in the wide world of sports is an "extreme hunting group"? LMAO...
The crap these people make up and thrive on is a nightmare to us mere mortals... :o
Gary
Post by: Special T on March 05, 2023, 05:47:14 PM
You are dropped off in the middle of desert with a gun, a knife and as much ammo as you can carry. No food or water. :tup:...and refused to renew the term of Commissioner Kim Thorburn, who has been a faithful ally of extreme hunting groups whose primary goal is to "maximize" hunting opportunities.
What in the wide world of sports is an "extreme hunting group"? LMAO...
The crap these people make up and thrive on is a nightmare to us mere mortals... :o
Gary
:chuckle:
I can think of a few members that could meet that descriptioin!
Post by: Dhoey07 on March 06, 2023, 08:32:43 AM
Not very impressed.
Post by: KNOPHISH on March 06, 2023, 09:03:52 AM
Post by: harveymarv on March 06, 2023, 09:26:10 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on March 06, 2023, 09:34:33 AM
"The commission is a policy-making body that directs the priorities and activities of department staff. The communication is in both directions; the commission is dependent on the department’s technical analyses to provide the scientific foundations for commission action. The commission combines this with applicable law and stakeholder priorities to arrive at decisions that, first, provide necessary and adequate protections to the state’s fish and wildlife resources and, second, provides the resource “owners,” for lack of a better term, with the use and enjoyment of those resources they have come to expect."
But before I got to the end I realized the overall tone seemed to keep siding with Baker and Smith strongly on the table.
Post by: pickardjw on March 06, 2023, 09:58:34 AM
Post by: bearhunter99 on March 06, 2023, 10:29:54 AM
I found this encouraging:
"The commission is a policy-making body that directs the priorities and activities of department staff. The communication is in both directions; the commission is dependent on the department’s technical analyses to provide the scientific foundations for commission action. The commission combines this with applicable law and stakeholder priorities to arrive at decisions that, first, provide necessary and adequate protections to the state’s fish and wildlife resources and, second, provides the resource “owners,” for lack of a better term, with the use and enjoyment of those resources they have come to expect."
But before I got to the end I realized the overall tone seemed to keep siding with Baker and Smith strongly on the table.
Technical analysis that they then ignore in favor of their bunny hugging "stakeholders"..... :bash:
Post by: hughjorgan on March 06, 2023, 10:56:24 AM
not impressed at all. total cop-out not answering the spring bear question. saying he hadnt heard any of the arguments does not inspire confidence.
Woody Myers said the same thing other than he said he was a ware of the vote. :dunno:
Post by: hughjorgan on March 06, 2023, 11:00:04 AM
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/mar/05/questions-and-answers-with-woody-myers-washingtons/
Post by: hunter399 on March 06, 2023, 12:35:01 PM
In case you folks want to see what Woody Myers said as well…I had to refresh page a few times.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/mar/05/questions-and-answers-with-woody-myers-washingtons/
I think they want me to pay for content.
Got most of it ,without paying. :chuckle:
Post by: pickardjw on March 06, 2023, 01:00:52 PM
What is the role of the commission, in your view, and how should it interface with WDFW staff?
The commission sets policy that guides agency direction of resource management. In general, I believe the commission should focus on landscape and state -level issues including but not limited to policy guiding management of threatened habitats and fish and wildlife populations and other populations of concern including species at the top of tropic levels, and interactions with other governments. The commission is legally bound to ensure the preservation, protection and perpetuation of the state’s fish and wildlife resources and maximize recreation of those resources.
The decision to end the spring bear hunt was a controversial and divisive one. If you had been a commissioner, how would you have approached that decision, and what would your vote have been?
I am aware of the controversy of the commission’s decision to end the spring bear hunt. As a scientist, I do not rely on information from popular publications, social media or rumor to make informed decisions. Thus, I do not have all the pertinent information I need to respond to this question
What role do hunters and anglers have in fish and wildlife management? How, if at all, has that role changed?
Hunters and anglers need to be celebrated in North America as they have been in Europe because hunters and anglers were among the first conservationists and environmentalists. Without their concern for our natural resources and the actions they took nearly a 100 years ago or so, the wildlife and fish and their habitats that we take for granted may not exist today. Hunters and anglers continue to play a major role in fish and wildlife management by helping fund state fish and wildlife agencies through taxes on the equipment they use in recreation, taxes that they requested. At this point in time, hunting and fishing are primarily forms of recreation although hunting is occasionally used as a management technique to address wildlife damage or disease issues; hunting and fishing harvests provide biologists and managers with meaningful data collection opportunities as well.
Post by: hunter399 on March 06, 2023, 03:48:36 PM
Better responses from Woody for sure...He seems like a good guy.
What is the role of the commission, in your view, and how should it interface with WDFW staff?
The commission sets policy that guides agency direction of resource management. In general, I believe the commission should focus on landscape and state -level issues including but not limited to policy guiding management of threatened habitats and fish and wildlife populations and other populations of concern including species at the top of tropic levels, and interactions with other governments. The commission is legally bound to ensure the preservation, protection and perpetuation of the state’s fish and wildlife resources and maximize recreation of those resources.
The decision to end the spring bear hunt was a controversial and divisive one. If you had been a commissioner, how would you have approached that decision, and what would your vote have been?
I am aware of the controversy of the commission’s decision to end the spring bear hunt. As a scientist, I do not rely on information from popular publications, social media or rumor to make informed decisions. Thus, I do not have all the pertinent information I need to respond to this question
What role do hunters and anglers have in fish and wildlife management? How, if at all, has that role changed?
Hunters and anglers need to be celebrated in North America as they have been in Europe because hunters and anglers were among the first conservationists and environmentalists. Without their concern for our natural resources and the actions they took nearly a 100 years ago or so, the wildlife and fish and their habitats that we take for granted may not exist today. Hunters and anglers continue to play a major role in fish and wildlife management by helping fund state fish and wildlife agencies through taxes on the equipment they use in recreation, taxes that they requested. At this point in time, hunting and fishing are primarily forms of recreation although hunting is occasionally used as a management technique to address wildlife damage or disease issues; hunting and fishing harvests provide biologists and managers with meaningful data collection opportunities as well.
I like the fact that he is or was a biologists.
Seems as though he might be able to see through some of the BS.
Post by: Jake Dogfish on March 06, 2023, 03:50:38 PM
not impressed at all. total cop-out not answering the spring bear question. saying he hadnt heard any of the arguments does not inspire confidence.I thought his answer on spring bear was appropriate.
Post by: KFhunter on March 06, 2023, 03:59:55 PM
He should have referred to that comment with his answer, which he very lightly alluded too.
I’m not “docking him any points” for the response he gave however, as it was accurate, prudent but lacked the red meat we’d like to see
Reading between the lines though, I think we get a good picture of what he thinks about Smith and some of the others though
The guy is intelligent
Post by: Special T on March 06, 2023, 04:40:29 PM
I'm much more interested than anything else in how they vote than anything else.
Post by: bigtex on March 06, 2023, 04:41:30 PM
Of course we would love to hear them shout out this commission is an abomination and they are here to help fix it... But they aren't confirmed and they likely wouldn't have been chosen if they would say such a thing.:yeah:
I'm much more interested than anything else in how they vote than anything else.
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Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 06, 2023, 05:11:50 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on March 06, 2023, 05:13:40 PM
It was some what of a cop out, Smith said it wasn’t a scientific decision but rather a decision based upon social considerations:yeah:
He should have referred to that comment with his answer, which he very lightly alluded too.
I’m not “docking him any points” for the response he gave however, as it was accurate, prudent but lacked the red meat we’d like to see
Reading between the lines though, I think we get a good picture of what he thinks about Smith and some of the others though
The guy is intelligent
Post by: bearpaw on March 07, 2023, 11:51:56 AM
Of course we would love to hear them shout out this commission is an abomination and they are here to help fix it... But they aren't confirmed and they likely wouldn't have been chosen if they would say such a thing.
I'm much more interested than anything else in how they vote than anything else.
:yeah: exactly, staying middle of the road answering questions was a no brainer