Washington Cougar Management Meeting May 2 & 3

[Emily]

Hunters should go:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/may0308.htm

Game commission considers cougar, wolf policies
OLYMPIA - Approval of proposed land transactions and briefings on cougar management, planning for future wolf management and other topics are on the agenda for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission when it meets in Colville May 2-3.
The nine-member commission, which sets policy for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, will convene at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, at the Stevens County Sheriff's ambulance training center conference room, Colville.
The meeting will re-convene at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
Department-proposed land transactions include property acquisitions for fish and wildlife habitat and public recreation in Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skagit and Snohomish counties.
Staff briefings are planned on:
- The 2008 pilot cougar control program final report to the Legislature and cougar research project progress.
- Status of the wolf management plan being developed with a 17-citizen working group.
- A proposed land exchange with state Department of Natural Resources.
- Department strategic priorities and budget-development process.

[jbc67]

I'd be interested to know how that meeting went.

[cecil j.]

EDDITED POST

[Buddyw]

I Listened to the tapes It was mostly the County commissioners that were giving their Feedback on how the program was working for them.

We even had a county commission really putting in a Good word for us and also Pushing for a way for Training and exercising our dogs.

their was updates about the 4 or 5 cougar programs in WA from Division. and discussion about the schedule for the 2008-2009 Cougar season rules. I'd have to check but I thin Proposals will come in June comments in July and Ruling by commission in August.. However there was some discussion about the commission not having a July meeting so they will need to figure out the need to create the rules and tags.. So that the results aren't too late.

Rumor is it will be open to all hunters not just Hunters with dogs capible of tracking and treeing. If that is the Case I think it would be wise to push Very Hard for a Pursuit season for all of us. Or we can push for the commssion to keep it only for Hound guys. I think I would personally prefer Pursuit every year with the change of Drawing with the Deer and Elk guys for a kill tag.. But that is just my opinion.. And it's in no way being talked about in these meetings. What is being talked about is Opening up all the tags to allow everyone to put in for them..

which also means that Anti's will probably buy tags and choose not to hunt.. Locking up the Tags.

[steeliekingfisher]

I personally would think it would be best left to the houndsman to run and draw, but if they do open it for anyone, then they should make it where if you don't have hounds you need to use a registered guide to get the tag.
this may deter those that are not going to hunt from buying the tag? Or if the draw, they need a signed form from a hunter and vet that dogs are trained to tree and the houndsman will be controlling dogs for person that draws, again, keeping those that dont hunt out of it. If its left to only houndhunters that increases the chances for those with hounds basically. I see a guy with hounds getting good chances to run his dogs, for his 25 friends can put in and if they draw, he still runs his hounds, but on the flip side its worked well for the past 3 years with just hound hunters drawing.

I hope that we get a season for traingin and pursuit, that sure would make it funner for all of us.

A local warden says June is when the regs should be available, but may not be knowing WDFW. Hopefully more counties joined in on the draw and better odds for us to draw.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I didn't know it was happening...I live in Newport, but wasn't paying attention to the site and missed the meeting.

I wish there was a pursuit season for training the dogs...keep our fingers crossed that we were well represented.

[cecil j.]

Looking forewards oo hearing as much about everyones plans on the big game commission meetings comeing up/ sounds like the place too make the stand too me ! Ya all, again thanks for looking into things and lets try too get the hounds hunter`s rights too pursue and dispatch back !I`m for any of that and accrost the board we will have too rally and to suport that same cause .