Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 21, 2023, 09:39:08 PM
It opened with a presentation on how hunters don't pay for conservation in our state. She said that nonhunters and other people pay for conservation. It gets worse and worse. She wants to give Washingtonians who live in highly populated areas a say in policy. So perhaps this means giving folks in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties a bigger say? She said cougars are being "persecuted" and she and Woody Myers in a future meeting will propose shortening the length of cougar seasons and lower bag limits. I think this is a plan if they can't have the full bans by April 2024. Very scary regardless and she is very pro-predator. Would make whats happening on the eastside a whole lot worse.
She was very adamant on doing things differently with predators. Almost as if the goal is rewilding but she didn't explicitly say rewilding. She said that she is a part of a "coalition" inside the commission. I would guess her, Rowland, Ragen, Myers and Baker. Those are the main antis, I don't think Lehmkul is fully with them. Maybe he is but its so hard to understand him. And something very concerning was said. She and maybe others seek to fire WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. He is a hunter and fought hard for spring bear. He could have retired by now but he is choosing to stay and fight for us. I would not be surprised that we see them trying to clean house in the next few years. She expressed annoyance at how the department disagrees with them.
Lorna spent the rest of the meeting pandering to Sierra Club and trying to rally the forces and speak up at commission meetings to defend her and other commissioners. Granted only 20 people showed up to this meeting but concerning regardless. The antis are rallying their forces. In this photo, you will see several current event issues that Lorna wants antis to speak up on. It is time to get involved! Speak up at any meeting you can, any chance you get. Become a Sportsmens Alliance member! They are going to war with hunters. Once again, here is some more info on October. Get involved!
We need people in Olympia on both days. The CR-102 and the Conservation Policy vote will be on October 27th. The meeting will be at the Natural Resource building. We need to pack the room, building and even parking lot with hunters. Show up in hunter orange or your favorite hunting brands to show what side your on. We need to show that hunters are united and we are going to get involved. We're gonna keep showing up and making our voice heard. We will let you know when you can start signing up to speak but sign-ups typically open a week or two before the meeting. We need people to speak on Saturday the 28th as well to rebuttal anything that happens or is said on Thursday and Friday. If you don't want to speak that's okay. Your presence in-person is already going to be very powerful. You'll want to be down by 8am. The room will fill up and public comment typically starts around 8:30 to 9:00.
We also have a major announcement. After the commission meeting on the 27th, we will be hosting a pint night at Dick's Brewing Co in Centralia in the evening. We will head over after the meeting. This will be a get-together event from sportsmen and we will discuss the meeting and what comes next. Keep an eye out for more information soon. HUGE shoutout to [Joel Swecker])for putting this together. Thank you all for the support and keep an eye out on our pages for more announcements!
Post by: The100Road on September 21, 2023, 09:52:58 PM
Post by: MADMAX on September 21, 2023, 11:03:27 PM
Agree thanks for keeping us informed
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 22, 2023, 05:41:20 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 22, 2023, 06:50:12 AM
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 07:04:30 AM
Where can we access the recording of the meeting you were a part of?
It was a private meeting, I imagine Sierra Club isn't going to share it around. We were trying to screen record it but now we're having audio issues and it didn't pick up the audio. We're doing everything we can but we took photos of some images from Lorna's presentation. The photo above is one of the photos from the presentation. If we can get access to the recording somehow we will post a link here.
Post by: Bullkllr on September 22, 2023, 07:45:38 AM
Post by: timberfaller on September 22, 2023, 07:52:26 AM
The Sierra Club cut their teeth with logging.(very few members BUT all were lawyers in the beginning)
The Center for Bio-diversity cut their teeth on banning lead.
The DNC, well their actions speak for themselves!
These people have an agenda and they DON'T compromise in the slightest. I've fought these types all my life and I am tired of it. YOU young people need to stand up and take them on at every turn!!
A big thanks to those who Fight!!
Smith is just a pawn, if she doesn't do as she is told, she will be sacrificed. You don't rub elbows with these people just for fun.
Post by: RC on September 22, 2023, 08:05:46 AM
Post by: jstone on September 22, 2023, 08:29:37 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 22, 2023, 08:37:34 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 22, 2023, 08:40:53 AM
Just out of curiosity, where are the tribes with all of this? Don't seem to hear much and would think they would be on our side, but maybe I'm wrong?
The commission has no control over treaty rights, so no direct impact to tribal members.
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 09:16:54 AM
I doubt this would affect the Tribes
The tribes are not at all happy with this commission. Can't say too much but they are seeing what's going on and are doing stuff on their own.
Post by: buckfvr on September 22, 2023, 09:26:27 AM
affect the tribe and result in some kind of response.
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 22, 2023, 09:27:32 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 22, 2023, 09:29:05 AM
I have to imagine the commissions effect on game animals will ultimately
affect the tribe and result in some kind of response.
:yeah: We all see the result of pro-predator management on the ungulate herds in the north half, so it is already impacting the tribes!
Post by: buckfvr on September 22, 2023, 09:33:00 AM
Post by: WSU on September 22, 2023, 09:41:34 AM
I doubt this would affect the Tribes
The tribes are not at all happy with this commission. Can't say too much but they are seeing what's going on and are doing stuff on their own.
They are probably our best shot.
Post by: Gringo31 on September 22, 2023, 09:46:37 AM
This can only be saved by the westsiders lighting torches and packing pitchforks IMO. Keeping your cool and acting professional are key. Someone in hunter orange yelling won't have the effect you're looking for. They're convinced they know more than any of us and we just need educated.
Thanks to all who are doing what they can.
Post by: Rainier10 on September 22, 2023, 10:01:13 AM
Post by: slavenoid on September 22, 2023, 10:49:59 AM
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 10:53:05 AM
Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
Post by: Ridgeratt on September 22, 2023, 10:58:07 AM
Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
So how will this be a suprise when you just posted it on the web?
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 11:01:05 AM
Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
So how will this be a suprise when you just posted it on the web?
Maybe not a surprise per say but we monitor our social medias and we’ve had no antis and commissioners don’t read our stuff. Our Facebook is private and our insya we go through our followers. Lorna doesn’t have insya
Post by: bearpaw on September 22, 2023, 11:17:49 AM
Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
So how will this be a suprise when you just posted it on the web?
Maybe not a surprise per say but we monitor our social medias and we’ve had no antis and commissioners don’t read our stuff. Our Facebook is private and our insya we go through our followers. Lorna doesn’t have insya
I have no way to know for sure, but I have been told by people who seem to know, that H-W is monitored!
Post by: Ridgeratt on September 22, 2023, 11:25:51 AM
Post by: Washington Wapiti on September 22, 2023, 11:30:01 AM
"Best available science" policy being if the science doesn't align with their desired outcome, they reverse engineer to make sure it does. Classic science and policy.
"I would not be surprised that we see them trying to clean house in the next few years."
I think this is just about a guarantee.
Post by: buckfvr on September 22, 2023, 11:31:41 AM
Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
So how will this be a suprise when you just posted it on the web?
Maybe not a surprise per say but we monitor our social medias and we’ve had no antis and commissioners don’t read our stuff. Our Facebook is private and our insya we go through our followers. Lorna doesn’t have insya
I have no way to know for sure, but I have been told by people who seem to know, that H-W is monitored!
I think subjects that tend to be devisive end up on hit lists because of this.
Post by: dreamingbig on September 22, 2023, 11:43:46 AM
FWIW I am sure she has peeps monitoring this site.Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 12:01:17 PM
FWIW I am sure she has peeps monitoring this site.Did she find out she was actually talking to hunters at any point?
No, we didn’t want to get kicked but we’ll surprise her next Saturday in Yakima
I am pretty ignorant on that. I did not realize you could access this sit as a guest so I apologize again for the ignorance. And yeah they are having more folks from organizations join DFW. I know WWF has listed to the Broadside Podcasts
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 12:03:15 PM
Firstgen, thanks for being so involved in this fight and for keeping us all abreast. Big kudos for the covert tactics at the Sierra meeting lol :tup: These people are insufferable, lying little sh*@$ and if a war is what they want, then I don't think we should disappoint them. They don't just want an equal "seat at the table" like they claim. They want the whole damn thing. There is zero interest in working with us - they simply want what they want. I'll be in Oly for the upcoming meetings.
"Best available science" policy being if the science doesn't align with their desired outcome, they reverse engineer to make sure it does. Classic science and policy.
"I would not be surprised that we see them trying to clean house in the next few years."
I think this is just about a guarantee.
It'll be good to see you down south in Olympia. Semi Bird is speaking as well! Keep rallying everyone. Pack the room and pack that building. Its okay if not everyone speaks. Last meeting was the start, the sleeping giant for hunters is growing more and more. Its finally waking up. Speak at any meeting you can. I really think we'll get at least 50-100 people in Olympia and that's the minimum!
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 22, 2023, 01:39:32 PM
Not being negative... just realistic.
The commission has been given Carte Blanche to do as they please.. protected by the Governor, the AG and over half of "our" elected reps.
I repeatedly email my reps and get the same canned responses. It's pretty obvious Hunter's are not important to this State..
This feels very much like the recent firearms/ mags ban "laws"...get involved, email's, meeting's, speaking to reps..etc. Made no difference..
Our Washington government is operating unchecked with zero fear of legal ramifications... complete wilfull and wanton disregard of the laws and rights that mainly affect the conservatives of Wa...
Seems the only way out of this mess is a Republican governor..
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 22, 2023, 02:06:09 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 22, 2023, 02:13:31 PM
Post by: Firstgenhunter on September 22, 2023, 02:26:19 PM
If and when they do take away predator hunting and likely change elk over to draw only, what will you guys do for hunting? Continue here in Washington or spend your time and money in other states? I would love to move out of here but owning a gym and a cabin here pretty much keeps me in this state for the foreseeable future
Dude I am leaving the westside in a year. Absoutely hate it over here. But I love the eastside, its full of great people and its very quiet, its become a 2nd home. I want to stay in the east as long as I can and I'll fight for as long as I can.
Post by: HillHound on September 22, 2023, 04:20:55 PM
Post by: blackdog on September 22, 2023, 05:02:19 PM
Post by: highcountry_hunter on September 22, 2023, 05:18:46 PM
It ain’t as quiet as it used to be pard…turning into a real zoo around here. I’m about to start calling Colville little SeattleIf and when they do take away predator hunting and likely change elk over to draw only, what will you guys do for hunting? Continue here in Washington or spend your time and money in other states? I would love to move out of here but owning a gym and a cabin here pretty much keeps me in this state for the foreseeable future
Dude I am leaving the westside in a year. Absoutely hate it over here. But I love the eastside, its full of great people and its very quiet, its become a 2nd home. I want to stay in the east as long as I can and I'll fight for as long as I can.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Fidelk on September 22, 2023, 05:22:12 PM
Post by: jackelope on September 22, 2023, 05:29:48 PM
Is she in a position that we get to vote on......sounds like a good person to vote against? Saying that sportsmen don't finance wildlife is inexcusable. It would almost be worth it to boycott buying licenses, ammo and guns for a year just to get that point across.They’re appointed by the governor.
Post by: snake on September 22, 2023, 07:18:32 PM
Post by: elksnout on September 25, 2023, 07:30:37 PM
Thanks for fighting for us. Too bad a lot of our own are so negative. Please keep your mouth shut if your not going to give your support.
:yeah:
elksnout
Post by: Gringo31 on September 26, 2023, 10:23:59 AM
Quote
I think you could pack the house and it wouldn't have an impact.
Not being negative... just realistic.
The commission has been given Carte Blanche to do as they please.. protected by the Governor, the AG and over half of "our" elected reps.
I repeatedly email my reps and get the same canned responses. It's pretty obvious Hunter's are not important to this State..
This feels very much like the recent firearms/ mags ban "laws"...get involved, email's, meeting's, speaking to reps..etc. Made no difference..
Our Washington government is operating unchecked with zero fear of legal ramifications... complete wilfull and wanton disregard of the laws and rights that mainly affect the conservatives of Wa...
Seems the only way out of this mess is a Republican governor..
I encourage all of you to do all you can do but in the end, THIS above is IMO where we stand.
Post by: buckfvr on September 26, 2023, 10:39:39 AM
I think you could pack the house and it wouldn't have an impact.
Not being negative... just realistic.
The commission has been given Carte Blanche to do as they please.. protected by the Governor, the AG and over half of "our" elected reps.
I repeatedly email my reps and get the same canned responses. It's pretty obvious Hunter's are not important to this State..
This feels very much like the recent firearms/ mags ban "laws"...get involved, email's, meeting's, speaking to reps..etc. Made no difference..
Our Washington government is operating unchecked with zero fear of legal ramifications... complete wilfull and wanton disregard of the laws and rights that mainly affect the conservatives of Wa...
Seems the only way out of this mess is a Republican governor..
I have at times been vocal and involved with fish and game issues for over 40 years now and at no time that I can remember, have the sportsmens/womans voices fallen on such deaf ears. No one is listening, no one cares what we think (gov, ag, commissioners). They are beyond our reach and exempt from discipline. Severe consequences for their actions is the only deterrent and even that is unproven.
Post by: GASoline71 on September 26, 2023, 12:08:05 PM
There are a lot of people working their asses off volunteering their time to ensure we have a voice, and our way of life is not taken from us. I got no choice but to continue to fight with everything i got. If it does happen, and we lose fishing and hunting in this state... when my grandkids ask me "Papa, how come we can't fish and hunt anymore?" I can look them in the eye and say, "I'm sorry things are the way they are. But Papa fought hard for our rights kiddo. Papa fought hard."
To know I sat on my butt and did nothing, and it goes away... there is no way I can do that.
Gary
Post by: Special T on September 26, 2023, 02:04:24 PM
All I can say to you naysayers is either lead, follow or get the hell out of the way... there ARE positive things happening. You just have to open your eyes to see them.
There are a lot of people working their asses off volunteering their time to ensure we have a voice, and our way of life is not taken from us. I got no choice but to continue to fight with everything i got. If it does happen, and we lose fishing and hunting in this state... when my grandkids ask me "Papa, how come we can't fish and hunt anymore?" I can look them in the eye and say, "I'm sorry things are the way they are. But Papa fought hard for our rights kiddo. Papa fought hard."
To know I sat on my butt and did nothing, and it goes away... there is no way I can do that.
Gary
:tup:
Post by: Washington Wapiti on October 05, 2023, 12:27:46 PM
For those that watched or were there, what did you think about their follow-up comments afterwards? Do you think the commissioners in question, actually want to work with hunters and anglers? Legit? Blowing smoke?
Post by: Firstgenhunter on October 05, 2023, 12:36:18 PM
I finally got a chance to watch the public comments from 9/30. Great job Dane, Doug, Gary, and everyone that spoke. All of you did a great job representing the hunting community and letting The Commission know where we stand, while still keeping it respectful. Maybe it's just my unbridled optimistic nature, but it appeared they "got it." They know we're pissed.
For those that watched or were there, what did you think about their follow-up comments afterwards? Do you think the commissioners in question, actually want to work with hunters and anglers? Legit? Blowing smoke?
It’s blowing smoke. They gaslight the crap out of people after. And now they wanted to have committee meetings be closed door which is illegal. They don’t listen and when we talk with them, they discount our thinking and make up their own excuses
Post by: Pacific Ghost on October 06, 2023, 01:01:08 PM
Post by: ducks4days on October 06, 2023, 01:49:15 PM
Post by: Firstgenhunter on October 06, 2023, 01:55:42 PM
Is anybody coordinating the turnout effort for the next meeting? Do we have the numbers available to speak to, on conservation dollars and population trends? Did we make sure people are able to travel, with gas / hotel / etc?
I don’t think there’s any coordinating, I know a ton of people are going to be there though. I think we’re gonna get way over 100. I don’t know if anyone is supplying people with lodging or anything. I know there’s a few people from the east side coming. It’s shaping up to be pretty large.
Post by: slavenoid on December 20, 2023, 08:25:13 PM