10/18/2023
-Did you know?
In Washington State, Hunters May No Longer
Be Necessary to Manage Wildlife!
Predator advocates, represented by members of Washington Wildlife First, a non-profit whose mission is “transforming the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife from a model of consumptive use” to one that “prioritizes the preservation of natural ecosystems.” For Washington Wildlife First, the increase in predators isn’t problematic; instead, it’s indicative of a healthy ecosystem.
A new majority of the Washington is among an insurgent type of wildlife official that wants to transform state fish-and-game departments across the country into agencies that “emphasize the intrinsic value of individual animals and healthy ecosystems.” That realignment would deemphasize hunting as a wildlife management tool and devote more agency resources to non-hunted and fished species.
This movement, championed by a small but influential group based in New Mexico called Wildlife For All, borrows from a number of allies, including animal-rights, rewilding, and deep ecology campaigns, few adherents of which have previously been involved in the day-to-day business of fish-and-game management. But with the appointment of three “preservationist” commissioners in Washington, now hold a 5-4 majority on the board. Last March, they succeeded in closing Washington’s spring bear season, despite recommendations from agency staff that the hunt was ecologically sustainable. Their agenda, since removed from their website, calls for the same “conservation over consumption” orientation championed by Washington Wildlife First.
Please contact the commission directly with your emails and notes supporting hunting and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
*We must make our voices heard now more than ever!
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact -
Let us know your questions, suggestions, and concerns by filling out the contact form below. If you need to provide documents or other attachments for your comments, please send them to the commission email box at: [email protected] To see topics currently open for public comment as part of the....
