Inslee reverses panel’s decision to increase cougar hunts

[jasnt]

Has anyone heard this. Hoping it's just bull chit.
http://q13fox.com/2015/10/20/inslee-reverses-panels-decision-to-increase-cougar-hunts/

I didn't think he had any control over such issues?

[Elkpiss]

   bull sheet

[CoryTDF]

I hate that man.

[JimmyHoffa]

the huggers must've mentioned the E word to him.......election

[huntnphool]

The governor says he’s directing the commission to get public comment before putting the higher quotas in place.

 Interesting, public comment trumps biologists research reports now huh, we'll have to remember this precedent.

[ctwiggs1]

I doubt they'll have any problems getting the public to comment in support of raising the quota.... Unless their town halls are all in Olympia.

[Ripper]

The general public should never have a say in wildlife decisions. The biologist should make these decisions based on facts not the publics bleeding hearts!

[JimmyHoffa]

The governor says he’s directing the commission to get public comment before putting the higher quotas in place.

 Interesting, public comment trumps biologists research reports now huh, we'll have to remember this precedent.

How much or what kind of public input would be acceptable for overriding a biologist, though?  Local to the area, as in the NE and the wolf problem?  Hunters-some of which are also long time locals, like in the Methow and the doe tag issue?  Just kind of curious.  I talked to a bio last Nov and he was spewing the WSU cougar BS and predator love; so IMO I wouldn't want him making any cougar decisions.

[jasnt]

I emailed the director about this to see if it's accurate

[huntnphool]

The governor says he’s directing the commission to get public comment before putting the higher quotas in place.

 Interesting, public comment trumps biologists research reports now huh, we'll have to remember this precedent.

How much or what kind of public input would be acceptable for overriding a biologist, though?  Local to the area, as in the NE and the wolf problem?  Hunters-some of which are also long time locals, like in the Methow and the doe tag issue?  Just kind of curious.  I talked to a bio last Nov and he was spewing the WSU cougar BS and predator love; so IMO I wouldn't want him making any cougar decisions.

 My point being that there was zero public comment requested before the knee jerk reaction last year to hand out 1000 additional doe tags in 3 Methow Valley units as a example.

 It seems the governor is picking and choosing which issues he decides warrant public opinion, based on which special interest group supports his re election coffers.

[Practical Approach]

I doubt they'll have any problems getting the public to comment in support of raising the quota.... Unless their town halls are all in Olympia.

The public (King, Pierce, Snohomish) counties are the ones who essentially banned hound hunting for cougars.  They will also weigh in heavily in support of reduced cougar quotas. 

I agree, the general public should not have an over ruling voice in managing wildlife. 

[pianoman9701]

the huggers must've mentioned the E word to him.......election

There's definitely money involved. Always follow the money. I can almost guarantee a campaign donation from the HSUS, DOW, and the Sierra Club within 60 days.

[Jonathan_S]

Heard this on the radio this morning...followed by some testimony by a self-proclaimed expert.  I was white knuckled.

[Cthulhu]

"In April, the commission increased the cougar harvest rate in 14 areas of the state as a way to ease tensions in communities dealing with wolves.

The governor says he’s directing the commission to get public comment before putting the higher quotas in place."

Are you kidding me?? So because we have wolves in our state we should kill more cougars? I'm all for cougar hunting but that is such a stupid ass reason to raise the harvest.

[huntnphool]

"In April, the commission increased the cougar harvest rate in 14 areas of the state as a way to ease tensions in communities dealing with wolves.

The governor says he’s directing the commission to get public comment before putting the higher quotas in place."

Are you kidding me?? So because we have wolves in our state we should kill more cougars? I'm all for cougar hunting but that is such a stupid ass reason to raise the harvest.

 If the area can only sustain a set level of predators, a new apex predator has been inserted into the Eco system that is federally protected and can not be hunted, then that leaves the federally unprotected to take the hit in numbers to maintain the ungulate (food) supply.

 Which part do you not understand?