Friday's Commission vote on WOlves and Cougar

[Frank The Tank]

This shows how critical it is to remain engaged with the Commission meetings and process, as well as staying engaged with various groups like the Conservation Coalition (who very much want to support us).  EVERY ONE OF YOUR VOICES is important!  The days of just getting your license and going to the field and letting others do the work are over.  If you have time to scroll on your phone, you have time to read and send a letter.  FYI there are WDFW Biologists with hard scientific data that directly contradicts the Commission's vote, and totally disagree with the Commission decisions. 

 UPDATE from the July 19th WDFW Commission meeting:
The meeting has concluded, and here are the key outcomes. The Cougar vote was made (6-3) and went over better than expected. Although the commission is adopting rule changes that are not based in science and department recommendation, some amendments were made by those on the commission who put value to not ostracizing the hunting community.
- We will have a 13% cap on cougars that includes all human caused mortality, from hunting, recorded tribal hunting, conflict removals, etc. Units will close once the 13% threshold is reached.
- Units that surpass the 13% mortality before September 1st will be allowed to go up to 20% instead of closing. We already have two units that surpass that area in the Chewelah and Spokane areas.
- We will lose the month of April from our cougar season.
- The amendments remove the sunset clause on the 20% so units with high conflict removal will have more protection from commissioners who would likely prefer that unit with high conflict do not open at all indefinitely.
- The amendments also direct the department to open a CR 101 for the 2025-2026 season. This will be revisited next year and the staff will be able to provide their recommendations following the new GMP and whatever science they have in the works.
The wolf downlisting vote was played out as a disturbing political game by several commissioners. Unfortunately, in the end, there was a vote of 5-4 rejecting the downlisting of wolves to both sensitive and threatened. Wolves will remain listed as state endangered for the next five years until our next periodic status review, despite the tremendous recovery our wolf populations have made and the recommendations strongly supported by science by our WDFW staff.
Thank you to everyone who has spent time and effort engaging in the public process over the last year for wolves and to everyone who has pushed back against the cougar rulemaking over the past nine months since the petition was initially introduced by anti-hunting groups. More to come from the Coalition explaining todays votes.

[JakeLand]

This is why there is NO trust in our dept

[dwils233]

This is why there is NO trust in our dept commission

Fixed it for you. This isn't a department issue, they opposed cougar changes and supported wolf downlisting. Place blame in the right direction.

Plenty to critique the department on, but this ain't it

[actionshooter]

 Thanks for keeping everyone updated... the folks who have been voicing their opinions to the commission... Thank you! It is helping!

[Tbar]

Thanks for keeping everyone updated... the folks who have been voicing their opinions to the commission... Thank you! It is helping!

I wish I was optimistic as you guys.  I see it as still in a bad place.  You can script the discussion to a tee and the votes are going to always be a negative for consumptive users. Very frustrating to watch woody have a Biden moment,  only to be set straight by HA. 

[Hectocotylus]

This is why there is NO trust in our dept commission

Fixed it for you. This isn't a department issue, they opposed cougar changes and supported wolf downlisting. Place blame in the right direction.

Plenty to critique the department on, but this ain't it

Agree, lots of stuff to complain about but we should focus the effort on the commission, the strongest advocate against them we have is the WDFW right now so let’s remember that now


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[Rainier10]

Just insane. The more you restrict regulated hunting the higher the human/wildlife conflicts go. It boggles my mind.

[bearpaw]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

[NWWA Hunter]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

This is the truth. The way the commission is appointed as sportsmen we all need to donate time and money to the governors race. In 4 more years there may not be any harvest quota left if we do not.


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[Tbar]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

This is the truth. The way the commission is appointed as sportsmen we all need to donate time and money to the governors race. In 4 more years there may not be any harvest quota left if we do not.


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Kind of hard when you run off your best candidate to carry a state wide and hand the election over to Fergeson.  Reichert is too centered for some but may have had a real chance. 

[NWWA Hunter]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

This is the truth. The way the commission is appointed as sportsmen we all need to donate time and money to the governors race. In 4 more years there may not be any harvest quota left if we do not.


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Kind of hard when you run off your best candidate to carry a state wide and hand the election over to Fergeson.  Reichert is too centered for some but may have had a real chance.

Sad but true. The Republicans completely dropped the ball in 2020 also so what should we expect. Unfortunately in this state we have a Republican Party that is a mess and a clown show. Additionally in general our sportsmen do not donate time or money to the sporting groups that try to keep us going. This is why many like us have left or have given up.


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[hughjorgan]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

This is the truth. The way the commission is appointed as sportsmen we all need to donate time and money to the governors race. In 4 more years there may not be any harvest quota left if we do not.


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Kind of hard when you run off your best candidate to carry a state wide and hand the election over to Fergeson.  Reichert is too centered for some but may have had a real chance.

He didn’t get the republican nomination, no big deal, as much of a mess the party is it’s probably best to not have their endorsement. It’s time to vote for Reichert in the primary; ballots went out Friday.

[dwils233]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

This is the truth. The way the commission is appointed as sportsmen we all need to donate time and money to the governors race. In 4 more years there may not be any harvest quota left if we do not.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kind of hard when you run off your best candidate to carry a state wide and hand the election over to Fergeson.  Reichert is too centered for some but may have had a real chance.

He didn’t get the republican nomination, no big deal, as much of a mess the party is it’s probably best to not have their endorsement. It’s time to vote for Reichert in the primary; ballots went out Friday.

Conservatives in this state make perfect the enemy of the good all the time. Easiest example is Jaime Herrera Butler- pissed off MAGA, got primaried from the right....seat flipped to blue. Same will happen with Reichert of people can't hold their noses and vote for him. Semi bird doesn't have the votes and can't ever get them. Reichert could and might with everyone toeing the line.

You might sleep better voting your conscious, but you'll be sleeping in Ferguson's washington

[Frank The Tank]

It's time for me to say this again, the only thing that will save hunting in WA is a republican governor who will appoint different commissioners! 

This is the truth. The way the commission is appointed as sportsmen we all need to donate time and money to the governors race. In 4 more years there may not be any harvest quota left if we do not.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kind of hard when you run off your best candidate to carry a state wide and hand the election over to Fergeson.  Reichert is too centered for some but may have had a real chance.

He didn’t get the republican nomination, no big deal, as much of a mess the party is it’s probably best to not have their endorsement. It’s time to vote for Reichert in the primary; ballots went out Friday.

Conservatives in this state make perfect the enemy of the good all the time. Easiest example is Jaime Herrera Butler- pissed off MAGA, got primaried from the right....seat flipped to blue. Same will happen with Reichert of people can't hold their noses and vote for him. Semi bird doesn't have the votes and can't ever get them. Reichert could and might with everyone toeing the line.

You might sleep better voting your conscious, but you'll be sleeping in Ferguson's washington

Very good point. A Republican must be moderate enough to pull votes from the West side.  It's politics.  This means concessions.  It was moronic at best to put Culp up, and look where we are.  Sometimes our wounds are self-inflicted to be sure.

[Frank The Tank]

This is why there is NO trust in our dept commission

Fixed it for you. This isn't a department issue, they opposed cougar changes and supported wolf downlisting. Place blame in the right direction.

Plenty to critique the department on, but this ain't it

Agree, lots of stuff to complain about but we should focus the effort on the commission, the strongest advocate against them we have is the WDFW right now so let’s remember that now


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Very good point.  And as an Association, we can't just pout, go sit in a corner and not participate.  Sometimes, by dialogue, we find out individual mindsets, rationale behind things etc.  Like the upcoming decision on live beaver trapping for relocation being a state certification that they will grant this certification to other groups.  Why are we not in on this? The "training" is nothing but live beaver trapping, something we as trappers/WSTA are the Subject Matter Experts on. Why shouldn't we be a certifying agency as well?  Now, others will go "AHHH beaver relocation!  Stay away!"  Again, this is a training certification.  And furthermore, it gives us standing as Stakeholders and we may influence further topics.  But if we don't get engaged on a trapping issue/formal certification, then we've again isolated ourselves and definitely won't influence.

[hunter399]

Did anybody see what the verdict was on the comments.
How many opposed vs support.
Seemed like they kept extending the comment period also,when the comments don't align in there desired favor. Let's keep extending.
Kinda shady you ask me.

I'd like to see the results of the comment period on the date it was supposed to close.

[HillHound]

Did anybody see what the verdict was on the comments.
How many opposed vs support.
Seemed like they kept extending the comment period also,when the comments don't align in there desired favor. Let's keep extending.
Kinda shady you ask me.

I'd like to see the results of the comment period on the date it was supposed to close.

Exactly. Easy to get the results you desire when you can constantly move the bar until the desired amount is reached. Bunch of crap. When’s the last time state patrol asked us to set the speed limit with our comments? Freaking stupid peoples opinions have anything to do with this. NEWS flash your feelings shouldn’t matter!!

[MADMAX]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again it’s gonna take a couple of people or kids getting grabbed and mauled or worse then they might decide to restrict a few things like someone said earlier. Remember, we are boot hunting cougars. It’s not like we’re running hounds.

[hunter399]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again it’s gonna take a couple of people or kids getting grabbed and mauled or worse then they might decide to restrict a few things like someone said earlier. Remember, we are boot hunting cougars. It’s not like we’re running hounds.

I agree fully.
What a few extra cats during modern firearm.
Shouldn't be a big deal.
Honestly if your seeing cats during modern,then I'm gonna say the population is fine in that area,and it can sustain extra harvest.

[Mtnwalker]

An increase in human conflicts will not change the anti's minds. They always put the blame on the human when these conflicts occur

[GOcougsHunter]

An increase in human conflicts will not change the anti's minds. They always put the blame on the human when these conflicts occur

This is true.  the rhetoric the antis and the ill informed is that the farmers and folks who live in these areas should stop farming and living in these areas.

[BUTTER]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

[hunter399]

An increase in human conflicts will not change the anti's minds. They always put the blame on the human when these conflicts occur

This is true.  the rhetoric the antis and the ill informed is that the farmers and folks who live in these areas should stop farming and living in these areas.

True dat...true dat....
Those people don't care about, livestock,pets,public safety/human.
Even when there is conflicts ,they will still point the finger at us hunters.

Ohh cats are pushed to rural areas during hunting season.
Ohh mature cats harvested,leaves juvenile cats roaming larger ranges.

We are always blamed In this regard, always our fault.
Can't never win.

[GASoline71]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

Great comment.   

Just more anti-hunting industry fodder.  They lurk in here... and pull comments and quotes from hunters to use right back against us.

Gary

[Tbar]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

Great comment.   

Just more anti-hunting industry fodder.  They lurk in here... and pull comments and quotes from hunters to use right back against us.

Gary

Nearly every negative or poor formed comment from here makes it's way to an outlet for dissemination.  I'll advised comment given what's at stake.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

Great comment.   

Just more anti-hunting industry fodder.  They lurk in here... and pull comments and quotes from hunters to use right back against us.

Gary

Nearly every negative or poor formed comment from here makes it's way to an outlet for dissemination.  I'll advised comment given what's at stake.

So my voice will be heard....here is my comment.

“Don’t trust WDFW any more than the commission, I have seen the corruption myself”
-former 24yr employee

Thank you for reading my comment.

[Taco280AI]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

Great comment.   

Just more anti-hunting industry fodder.  They lurk in here... and pull comments and quotes from hunters to use right back against us.

Gary

While I see your point, no amount of cheerful positive, or lack of negative, comments will right this ship. It's sailed in this state and is only a matter of time before it's all gone. Washington will never turn red, you'll never have the right people in WDFG.

[fishngamereaper]

I'd say allot of negative or poor form comments actually align with science.

Are we supposed to stay in line and play nice with a corrupt commission that creates rules based on feelings and agenda's....and if so for how long..

[hunter399]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

Great comment.   

Just more anti-hunting industry fodder.  They lurk in here... and pull comments and quotes from hunters to use right back against us.

Gary

While I see your point, no amount of cheerful positive, or lack of negative, comments will right this ship. It's sailed in this state and is only a matter of time before it's all gone. Washington will never turn red, you'll never have the right people in WDFG.

Ship sailed,sank,then plundererd under water,then cut into pieces for salvage,resold, then turned into the little seal they put on the hide for your taxidermy.   Lol 😂

[Tbar]

I'd say allot of negative or poor form comments actually align with science.

Are we supposed to stay in line and play nice with a corrupt commission that creates rules based on feelings and agenda's....and if so for how long..

Too each their own but have situational awareness if you believe all is not lost.  I believe there is still something to fight for.  One negative comment will get more press from the opposition than dozens of well constructed and articulate comments.  I get the frustration but continue to invest time and resources to change our preserve. I  am very pessimistic in regards to the current situation with the policy makers but I'm in it for the long game,  good bad or indifferent.   

[Tbar]

Yawn, shooting cats if seen. Done

Great comment.   

Just more anti-hunting industry fodder.  They lurk in here... and pull comments and quotes from hunters to use right back against us.

Gary

While I see your point, no amount of cheerful positive, or lack of negative, comments will right this ship. It's sailed in this state and is only a matter of time before it's all gone. Washington will never turn red, you'll never have the right people in WDFG.

Negativity differs from willful disregard for law and policy with a yawn.

[fishngamereaper]

I'd say allot of negative or poor form comments actually align with science.

Are we supposed to stay in line and play nice with a corrupt commission that creates rules based on feelings and agenda's....and if so for how long..

Too each their own but have situational awareness if you believe all is not lost.  I believe there is still something to fight for.  One negative comment will get more press from the opposition than dozens of well constructed and articulate comments.  I get the frustration but continue to invest time and resources to change our preserve. I  am very pessimistic in regards to the current situation with the policy makers but I'm in it for the long game,  good bad or indifferent.   

There's always something to fight for. Always has been always will be..but.
Unfortunately we are fighting the decision makers that have made up their minds before any science or well constructed response crosses their desk...
You can't reason with unreasonable people.
I've been fighting for 40 years in this state and not really gaining any ground.
I'll keep doing what I'm doing.....but...I have zero faith that being reasonable and taking the high road will get WA sportsman anywhere..
But I digress... before they take away my moose tag 

[Frank The Tank]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again it’s gonna take a couple of people or kids getting grabbed and mauled or worse then they might decide to restrict a few things like someone said earlier. Remember, we are boot hunting cougars. It’s not like we’re running hounds.

I'm seeing posts all the time from folks-mainly women-up in the Chelan/Manson area regarding many sightings of cougars on doorbell cams and such.  I agree, one toddler stays on a swing a little to late in the evening, or one too many Juvenile Toms gets pushed down the hill.  I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.  These folks are leaving food out for them and naming them etc.