Post by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 07:37:47 PM
Please vote in the poll and then tell me if you have any other ideas.....
I have tried everything to convince some of you guys to come to the Colville Commission meeting Aug 6-8. There is only a short window of time to present testimony before a wolf plan is adopted. What ever that plan turns out to be is what this state will have to live with into the future.....
I have free housing in 4 cabins next to my main house and we can all have a drink or soda in the evening, shoot bows, go whitetail scouting on my leases, or whatever, you are welcome to stay at my place......
I am not getting very many takers, so I am looking for ideas......
If you will write letters let me offer some points and methods.
Be courteous, make sensible requests, no swearing or ranting, your letter should indicate you are a person of integrity and reason. Remember, if it sounds too redneck, it is counter-productive and will do no good.
Offer your opinion about these and any other topics you can think of.
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Phone: 360-902-2267
Fax: 360-902-2448
Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov
Web: http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/)
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS & TALKING POINTS
Start your letter: Dear Commission Members,
Give them a short paragraph about yourself and why wildlife is important to you.
What areas of Washington are suitable habitat and why?
Are there areas that should not have wolves and why?
How many packs before delisting?
How many total wolves before delisting?
Recommended action for wolves who depredate before delisting?
Recommend when a hunting season should start?
Make other reasonable suggestion?
If you are totally opposed that's OK, but speak intelligently, and explain why.
You must offer sensible reasons for your opinion for it to resonate.
Try to keep your message as short and to the point as possible for effectiveness.
Thank them for their time and consideration.
Respectfully, Best Regards, Sincerely, and your Name would be a fine ending.
Don't be afraid to include your address, phone and email.
What Is The Fish and Wildlife Commission
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission consists of nine members serving six-year terms. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. Three members must reside east of the summit of the Cascade mountains, three must reside west of the summit, and three may reside anywhere in the state. No two Commissioners may reside in the same county.
While the Commission has several responsibilities, its primary role is to establish policy and direction for fish and wildlife species and their habitats in Washington and to monitor the Department's implementation of the goals, policies and objectives established by the Commission. The Commission also classifies wildlife and establishes the basic rules and regulations governing the time, place, manner, and methods used to harvest or enjoy fish and wildlife.
The Commission receives its authority from the passage of Referendum 45 by the 1995 Legislature and public at the 1995 general election. The Commission is the supervising authority for the Department. With the 1994 merger of the former Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Commission has comprehensive species authority as well.
Through formal public meetings and informal hearings held around the state, the Commission provides an opportunity for citizens to actively participate in management of Washington's fish and wildlife.
Providing Testimony To The Fish and Wildlife Commission
Use this link to learn more: http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/public_input.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/public_input.html)
Post by: jackelope on July 31, 2009, 07:53:14 PM
Post by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 08:01:24 PM
I have testified before, no worries, my redneck will be covered.... :chuckle:
My main theme will be: People want wolves managed.
Each person can explain their own preferences in their messages. Just PM me, I can print them off. If you want to remain anonymous, please put your city and county that you live in, but it's better if you use your name, I will keep any names and comments confidential.
100 letters has clout..............
Do you have family and friends who can write down a few sensible lines, Have them send a message to.
1000 letters would be staggering..........
Post by: Kain on July 31, 2009, 08:15:15 PM
I have testified before, now worries, my redneck will be covered.... :chuckle:
Best way to do that is with a mullet. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Man I would be stoked to take you up on your offer. No way that I can but I will start working on my letter.
Post by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 08:40:25 PM
headed to the hairdresser tomorrow :chuckle:
Post by: wolfbait on July 31, 2009, 10:07:11 PM
Post by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 10:16:50 PM
I will bbq some deer burgers and antelope burgers, if you want to bring a dish of something for dinner pot luck you can, but don't feel like you need to. It's too hot to eat too much anyway.... :chuckle:
Post by: bearpaw on July 31, 2009, 11:58:16 PM
Post by: bearpaw on August 01, 2009, 08:22:43 AM
If you know any other friends or family members who might write a short letter please forward it as well. Every message counts, the more the better.
Thanks..........
Post by: bugle-em on August 01, 2009, 09:30:18 AM
Post by: bearpaw on August 01, 2009, 10:21:53 AM
Here is some good info:
Providing Testimony To The Fish and Wildlife Commission
Use this link to learn more: http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/public_input.html (http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/public_input.html)
Post by: bearpaw on August 01, 2009, 10:37:56 AM
UPDATE:
3 members sent me short letters to present.
3 members are coming to testify.
Post by: hoytem on August 01, 2009, 11:12:59 AM
Post by: bearpaw on August 01, 2009, 01:26:03 PM
UPDATE:
4 members have sent me letters to present.
3 members are coming to testify.
Post by: bearpaw on August 02, 2009, 12:49:49 PM
August 1, 2009
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Dear Commission Members,
I hope you will take time to read my letter, I was born in Colville, Washington and have lived my entire life in this area. Hunting is a way of life for myself, my wife, my kids, many relatives, friends, and neighbors. Hunting is also my livelihood; I started a small part-time outfitting business in 1977 and have slowly built it into a stable full time business.
How Hunting Benefits Local Economies
Not only does my business support my family, I also pay lease fees to many ranchers so that my hunters (many who live and work all around Washington) can come and have a quality hunting experience during their vacation. These ranch owners have come to depend on annual lease fees in their ranch incomes. I also pay business taxes to the state and my hunters (some from out of state) have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Washington hunting licenses. Local rural economies benefit from all hunters who come to hunt, hunters buy groceries and supplies in local stores, vehicles are serviced and repaired by local shops, hunters buy gas, drinks, and snacks at local quick stops and spend money at local sport shops, restaurants, hardware stores, motels and even Wal-Mart. Every year Colville celebrates “Turkey Days” in recognition of our abundant turkey populations. You would think that we also have “Deer Days” if you came to Colville during the fall hunting seasons. There’s little doubt that rural economies depend on dollars spent by people coming to enjoy our abundant wildlife and quality hunting opportunities.
How Do Wolves Effect Local Economies
You must be aware of the current situation in central Idaho where unmanaged wolf populations have devastated world class elk herds, discouraged hunters, and are killing livestock. Many communities depended on dollars spent by hunters who quit coming; those communities have been hurt by the inability of Idaho to manage wolves. We all know that’s primarily due to court challenges slowing the delisting process, but after several years of waiting for wolf management, people are now reacting, they talk openly about shooting wolves, and they know it’s not right, but it’s the sad result of failed management. Hopefully that situation is will be resolved soon for the benefit of Idaho and its struggling game herds.
The Best Wolf Plan for Washington
The population explosion of introduced Canadian wolves in Idaho and newly confirmed breeding packs in Washington indicate we’ll have more wolves sooner than expected. Many people do not want them, but the question at this point in time is “Will Washington manage wolves in a manner compatible with rural communities, ranchers, hunters, and available habitat?" Many people doubt that Washington will manage wolves in a responsible manner, mostly due to the failures in other states. The real key to fostering acceptance of wolves in Washington is to manage wolves at reasonable population levels in the backcountry areas. Do not allow wolves to overpopulate the backcountry and devastate those game herds as they have done in Idaho. Maintain a small viable wolf population in the backcountry that is compatible with the game herds and there will be less migration of hungry wolves looking for food in populated areas. The reasons wolves are moving into populated areas in Idaho is simple, there are too many wolves for the backcountry to support, they are hungry, and they have no reason to fear man, pets, or livestock. The sooner Washington implements limited hunting, the better acceptance there will be for wolves in Washington. Please adopt a Wolf Management Plan that people can live with, a plan that best separates wolves from people, a plan designating only our most remote backcountry areas as wolf habitat, a plan that protects people’s way of life and livelihoods, a plan that will keep wolves from vilifying themselves. Washington is one of the most densely populated western states; we depend on your wisdom to manage wolves appropriately. Thanks for your time and careful consideration of this issue.
Respectfully,