Anyone interested in serving on WDFW committee

[Skyvalhunter]

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Nov. 25, 2024
Contact: Anis Aoude, 360-902-2509
Media: Jennifer Sepulveda, 564-669-0850

WDFW seeking applications for Game Management Advisory Council positions
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking applications for positions on its Game Management Advisory Council, which advises the Department on issues related to managing hunted species. WDFW Director Kelly Susewind will appoint eight new members to the 18-member council for terms beginning in 2025.

Prospective applicants can find the new member application on WDFW’s Game Management Advisory Council webpage. WDFW is accepting applications through March 14, 2025. Prospective members can mail their applications to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 43141, Olympia, WA 98504-3141; or email a copy to GMAC@dfw.wa.gov.

New advisory council members usually serve six-year terms and should be available for meetings beginning as early as June 2025. Nominees do not have to be affiliated with an organized group. The council holds up to four one-day regular meetings each year, and special meetings may be called as needed.

Advisory groups are a unique opportunity for people to share their knowledge and expertise with the Department. To reduce barriers for people to engage, WDFW offers compensation for advisory group members’ time and reimbursements for childcare, adult care, lodging, meals, and mileage. WDFW is following guidelines from the Office of Equity for advisory group compensation and reimbursements.

Washington residents who serve on advisory groups in a professional role and are otherwise compensated for their involvement are not eligible for compensation. Reimbursement rates are available on the Office of Financial Management’s website. Compensation rates range from $45 for one hour to $200 maximum per day.

All members of the public are invited to apply for WDFW advisory council member positions regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

For more information, contact Anis Aoude, WDFW game division manager (360-902-2509) or Caitlin Martin, WDFW administrative assistant (360-902-8135).

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

[Katmai Guy]

Why do they need advisory committee members when they have biologists?

[CarbonHunter]

Why do they need advisory committee members when they have biologists?

Because they need for someone to say one little thing that can be construed out of context and used as an excuse not to do what the biologists are telling them to do.

[DeerThug]

If I was retired I would do this.  We need real people to be involved.

[Tbar]

Why do they need advisory committee members when they have biologists?

Because they need for someone to say one little thing that can be construed out of context and used as an excuse not to do what the biologists are telling them to do.

Great attitude guys.  Next time there's a loss in opportunities take a look in the mirror.  Hunters are so often their own worst enemy.  There are some really good people in the GMAC still fighting the fight.  Not saying it's not an uphill battle but not one that many are ready to concede.  For those willing to commit,  I say thank you. 

[actionshooter]

Why do they need advisory committee members when they have biologists?

Because they need for someone to say one little thing that can be construed out of context and used as an excuse not to do what the biologists are telling them to do.

Great attitude guys.  Next time there's a loud in opportunities take a look in the mirror.  Hunters are so often their own worst enemy.  There are some really good people in the GMAC still fighting the fight.  Not saying it's not an uphill battle but not one that many are ready to concede.  For those willing to commit,  I say thank you. 

     

[MADMAX]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/gmac

[Katmai Guy]

Why do they need advisory committee members when they have biologists?

Because they need for someone to say one little thing that can be construed out of context and used as an excuse not to do what the biologists are telling them to do.

Great attitude guys.  Next time there's a loss in opportunities take a look in the mirror.  Hunters are so often their own worst enemy.  There are some really good people in the GMAC still fighting the fight.  Not saying it's not an uphill battle but not one that many are ready to concede.  For those willing to commit,  I say thank you.

So what you're saying is things would be worse if it was not for the people on the advisory committee?  I feel that the committee might just be another forum for the antis to spout their emotional BS and the commission can say the followed the publics wishes.But, that's just my opinion, and by the way, I am in no way bad mouthing the people on the advisory committee, my heartburn is with the commission. I am quite comfortable looking in the mirror.  Have a nice day.

[EnglishSetter]

Though new (2 years now) to WA, I'm game.

Think my chances would be any better than fart in a (bomb cyclone) windstorm?

Follow the science.  Preserve and create opportunity.

[Slamadoo]

Change that "preserve" to a "conserve" and go get em.

Honestly, we need guys/gals who hunt on these committees. I would consider doing it if I knew the time commitment was low enough to work around my schedule. Need retired hunters to stack up in the application pool for this.

[EnglishSetter]

Mailed the application to myself so I can print when available.

Though I'm far from intimately knowledgeable about WA hunting, I've been hunting big game (deer and pigs primarily), waterfowl, small game and upland birds for 50+ years.

I expect I'd have no problems getting input from forums like this on specific topics.

Generally:  Follow the science.  But I can point to specific instances where the academic biologists had their head up their butt and stuck to their book learning rather than open themselves to old school success stories.

I am retired and a handful of meetings per year is no big deal.

[Moose Master]

If someone here been through the application process and would like to share that information with me I would appreciate a PM. Three generations currently hunt and fish in this state of our family.  I'm retired for the third or fourth time and thinking this is important enough for our family that I might give this a go.

[WWC]

The GMAC gives input on issues such as season setting, allowcations, equipment, land, access issues and issues like CWD. The GMAC had a lot of non affiliated  members that did not last very long.  In the last several meetings it was discussed that people that are attached to organizations seem to stay engaged longer.

This is a great learning opportunity about how the sausage is made. You get out what you put in. A successful GMAC member does a lot of reading and listens commission meetings. This is and ADVISORY group. When consensus is reached across  user groups on less contentious issues the department often reacts.  The most effective members have been on the GMAC for 12 years or longer.  If you want to learn a lot and be a sounding board for the department this is a great opportunity.