SFR Turning up the heat

Sorta fishing-related
This thread sort of feels like one of those decoys that game departments use to catch poachers...
:)
 
Billy said:
I'm going to attempt to steer my thread back to the importance of why I posted it. Let's looks at the mission statement of the commission:

"The Commission establishes policies to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations. The Commission consists of nine governor-appointed members that serve six-year terms, hold meetings and hearings around the state and offer opportunities for the public to weigh in on fish and wildlife issues."

Now there is an issue that is very near to my heart since I grew up roaming south east Washington and that is the health of the Blue Mountain elk herd. This herd is at a 30 year low. Calf survival is pitiful. The herd by all means appears at extreme risk of collapse.

When faced with this issue Lorna Smith on the commission who was recently hired by Inslee basically said maybe everyone should just get use to lower numbers of elk. Does this go with the mission statement above? Now the regional biologists didn't say that due to forage or what not. I would really like to know how much time Lorna Smith has spent in the Blue Mountains to make that blanket statement.

As a hunter I've given up on ever drawing a Blue Mountain bull tag. The odds are once in a lifetime at this point. I am not motivated by wanting to hunt elk down there. I'm spreading the word because it's clear Lorna and a few others have zero business being on the commission for this state. That blanket statement about just get use to less elk was all I needed to hear. And I hope the lawsuit proves that...
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Washington sportsman have "gotten used to" accepting less and less without any accountability. "Just be thankful for what we have" is an easy cop-out. Hunting grouse, small game, trout, and warm water fishing is fricken awesome, however, losing premier big game and salmon/steelhead opportunities hurts.
 
Rob Allen said:
It's their obligation to not enforce illegal laws.
Billy is exactly right, the commission is voting against It's constitutional mandate.
It is neither preserving wildlife or providing recreational opportunities.
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I hear you
Goes on nation wide
 
Josh said:
As much as I love this little community of ours, I'll be very surprised if this is the case. Some folks just can't help themselves. They are addicted to "pwning the libs/MAGAs". As if arguing and insulting people on the internet ever accomplished anything other than making enemies out of those who could be friends.
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So you’re saying I should….

 
The current commission is a pretty interesting. Remember this is largely a volunteer position and often populated by retirees. Current commission members include:

Baker (chariman) from Thruston County. Retired attorney with a career in the state legislature. List hiking, camping, kayaking as interests and lives on a houseboat. Term is expiring, expected to be reappointed

Linnville (co-chair) Douglas county
A Rancher/farmer Currently Planning Commissioner for Douglas County. Has a Master of Science in Enivronmental Science
Term expires in 2024

Anderson Pierce County
Retired with a career in resource management. Was executive director of Northwest Indian Fisheries Commision. Hunter and fisher since age 10. Term expires in 2024

Lehmkul, Phd Chelan County
Retired research biologist with USFS
Interests include leatherworking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting, term expires in 2026

Ragen, Phd Skagit County
retired former executive Director of the US marine mammal Commission Term expires in 2024

Rowland Okanogan County
Retired environmental attorney, NOAA
Interests includes hiking, bird watching and cross skiing.

Smith Jefferson County
retired executive director of Western Wildlife outreach. Received a national conservation award for her work with WDFW, USFWS and Washington delegation to establish Protection Island NWR. "Comes from a long line of lighthouse keepers, hunters, fishers, and boaters. Term expires in 2026

Thorburn Spokane County
Retired public health doctor Interested in hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, bird watching, and wildlife photography. Term has expired but not likely to be reappointed.

One position is vacant

On the surface appears to be a talented group of folks that know how to get things done with an environmental bent.

With two positions likely to filled this year and potentially two next year if there is a desire to reshape the membership folks need to be recruiting qualified applicates and lobby for their appointment. Of course, given the apathy and division within the fishing and hunting communities and their declining numbers not sure that will happen.
 
The difficulty for so many important positions on appointed boards and commissions (including many elected positions) is that many are filled by candidates supported by vested interests. It isn't some conspiracy, but the simple fact that if you have a lifelong background in some sector of the economy (say for example home building or a specific subdiscipline such as environmental law) it will be easier to find financial support from relevant employers and associations. They know you share their values, and want those values expressed through your actions on influential legislative and policy forming bodies. Highly accomplished retirees (or those nearing the end of their careers) often 'fill the bill'. It has always been thus.

Participating in such a manner is time consumptive and energy intensive...and I've personally witnessed appointees (as well as elected officials) modify their initial superficial understanding of contentious issues when they become aware of the complex realities associated with governance. It's easy to bitch about things from the outside when you're really not responsible for fixing things. Every next bozo on a barstool has a passionate opinion about issues they actually know next to nothing about.
 
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What if the next commissioner appointee comes out and decides catch and release fishing is morally wrong?

This might come off as fear mongering except would anyone truely be surprised? I wouldn't be.

So I hope this lawsuit does bring about better accountability and transparency and eventually better management of our resources.

I personally don't think anti-hunters or fisherman should really be on a panel that sets hunting and fishing rules. This definitely seems like bias.

Would be interesting to see some digging into emails and so on. Get to the root of the beliefs of those on our commission. Like I said I think they have a good case.
 
kerrys said:
Who is doing the telling?
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I can't remember the name of the organization, but it's Washington Wildlife something or other. They have been lobbying intensively to reshape the Commission to be more preservation, as opposed to conservation, oriented. The desired outcome, IMO, is that wildlife management areas will have these boardwalks for wildlife watchers -"Careful! Don't step off the boarwalk, you'll damage the habitat!" - where petting zoos will be the norm and consumptive hunting will be no more. Logical question - is fishing next?
 
wanderingrichard said:
Can those appointees be fired for any reason ?
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They are appointed by the governor and then must be confirmed by the state Senate. Oftentimes, some have served as much as a full term without ever being confirmed. An unconfirmed Commissioner can be recalled by the Legislature, or the Governor can request the resignation of a Commissioner he appointed but later has second thoughts about. So in a way, yes, they can be fired.
 
Billy said:
What if the next commissioner appointee comes out and decides catch and release fishing is morally wrong?

This might come off as fear mongering except would anyone truely be surprised? I wouldn't be.

So I hope this lawsuit does bring about better accountability and transparency and eventually better management of our resources.

I personally don't think anti-hunters or fisherman should really be on a panel that sets hunting and fishing rules. This definitely seems like bias.

Would be interesting to see some digging into emails and so on. Get to the root of the beliefs of those on our commission. Like I said I think they have a good case.
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Under the rules of discovery you might eventually see some interesting information, but probably not much from the legislative side, since they elected to have themselves exempt from Washington Public Disclosure law and its record retention requirements. Private parties don't have to retain (or produce records PRR anyway) records (such as email) if they were destroyed prior to a court order of production. Smart entities don't keep such things around.

I'll be surprised if the lawsuit goes anywhere, but at this point I'm staying out of further discussion.
 
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Rob Allen said:
Call me a hard liner but someone appointed to the fish and wildlife commission doesn't have the right to an anti catch and release opinion..
The purpose of any American government is to govern not rule over..
Peta and the humane society should le forbidden from commenting on fish and wildlife issues, yes forbidden.
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Be a hardliner all you want Rob, but the fact is that all WA citizens have the right to express their opinions on matters of governance, even if the opinions are idiotic or irrelevant.

The problem, as I see it, is Inslee is choosing to listen to lobbying for one viewpoint while ignoring the others.
 
Votes are the power. Not fear. We know a dude like Culp would be "culpable" to whoever bought him a beer, so anyone who thinks he was the answer is high. He had zero chance to appeal to the west side voters. Going to need better candidates across the board if people want changes and better representation.

Look how this country handled the Supreme Court appointees. No special interests there? A mess.
 
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They can make all the dumb, illogical and even unconstitutional laws and rules they want it will just make me more....
giphy (4).gif
 
Salmo_g said:
WA citizens have the right to express their opinions on matters of governance
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Yeah...
Why residents of other states feel they can tell this states residents how to conduct themselves, and who amongst those citizens can have opinions seems sort of odd...
:ROFLMAO: 🤣🤣🤣
 
Smalma said:
The current commission is a pretty interesting. Remember this is largely a volunteer position and often populated by retirees. Current commission members include:

Baker (chariman) from Thruston County. Retired attorney with a career in the state legislature. List hiking, camping, kayaking as interests and lives on a houseboat. Term is expiring, expected to be reappointed

Linnville (co-chair) Douglas county
A Rancher/farmer Currently Planning Commissioner for Douglas County. Has a Master of Science in Enivronmental Science
Term expires in 2024

Anderson Pierce County
Retired with a career in resource management. Was executive director of Northwest Indian Fisheries Commision. Hunter and fisher since age 10. Term expires in 2024

Lehmkul, Phd Chelan County
Retired research biologist with USFS
Interests include leatherworking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting, term expires in 2026

Ragen, Phd Skagit County
retired former executive Director of the US marine mammal Commission Term expires in 2024

Rowland Okanogan County
Retired environmental attorney, NOAA
Interests includes hiking, bird watching and cross skiing.

Smith Jefferson County
retired executive director of Western Wildlife outreach. Received a national conservation award for her work with WDFW, USFWS and Washington delegation to establish Protection Island NWR. "Comes from a long line of lighthouse keepers, hunters, fishers, and boaters. Term expires in 2026

Thorburn Spokane County
Retired public health doctor Interested in hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, bird watching, and wildlife photography. Term has expired but not likely to be reappointed.

One position is vacant

On the surface appears to be a talented group of folks that know how to get things done with an environmental bent.

With two positions likely to filled this year and potentially two next year if there is a desire to reshape the membership folks need to be recruiting qualified applicates and lobby for their appointment. Of course, given the apathy and division within the fishing and hunting communities and their declining numbers not sure that will happen.
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Seems totally balanced with highly qualified folks with a vested interest in hunting and fishing
 
Rob Allen said:
Call me a hard liner but someone appointed to the fish and wildlife commission doesn't have the right to an anti catch and release opinion..
The purpose of any American government is to govern not rule over..
Peta and the humane society should le forbidden from commenting on fish and wildlife issues, yes forbidden.
Click to expand...
Are you aware of the 1st Amendment?

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
 
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