Why It Matters: Anti-hunting groups have been seeking a restructuring of representation on Washington’s Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission), which over the years has shifted Washington’s wildlife management away from the science-based, sportsmen-funded model that supports conservation, instead favoring a preservation-based “precautionary” model. Over time, this has eroded the public’s role in rulemaking, reduced hunting opportunities, and increased conflicts between user groups as some commissioners attempted to redefine “conservation” under a preservation model. Recently announced Commission appointments bring renewed hope for balance and a return to the North American Model of Wildlife Management.
Highlights:
- Governor Bob Ferguson recently named three appointments to Washington’s Fish and Wildlife Commission: Jim Anderson, Victor Garcia, and Molly Linville.
- These appointments follow the Ruckelshaus study, which found that the Commission had devolved into “dysfunction” in recent years.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) celebrates the opportunity for the Commission to reconstruct its foundation based upon the North American Model of Wildlife Management.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson recently reshaped the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission by reappointing former Commissioners Jim Anderson and Molly Linville and announcing the new appointment of Victor Garcia. This move has sparked optimism among a large contingent of the sporting-conservation community by signaling a recommitment to the North American Model of Wildlife Management, a science-based framework that has sustained wildlife populations for over a century.
The path to these appointments has been fraught with tension over the past six years as anti-hunting groups increasingly pushed for Commission seats to shift policies away from consumptive uses, instead, advocating for ecological priorities that neglect the proven benefits of sportsmen-funded “user pays-public benefits” model of conservation funding and action. This push exacerbated dysfunction within the Commission, as detailed in the 2024 Ruckelshaus Center Report, which described the Commission as “politically polarized” and lacking transparent appointment criteria. After the report was published and presented to the Legislature, Governor Ferguson’s office withdrew two of Governor Inslee’s last minute Commission appointees. Removing those appointees initiated a rigorous selection process that included outreach to WDFW user groups, like CSF, and prioritized candidates with ties to hunting, fishing, agriculture, and conservation.
Adhering to the North American Model is essential for a functional Commission, balancing ecological integrity with sustainable uses, ensuring wildlife thrives while supporting rural economies. Sportsmen and women contributed over $91 Million to conservation in Washington State in 2023 alone through the American System of Conservation Funding, which in turn benefit from policies that maintain hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting opportunities. The appointed Commissioners have unique backgrounds and bring expertise to the body that will support a continuation of the North American Model. Molly Linville is a former wildlife biologist with US Fish and Wildlife Service and a current rancher with experience in range management, habitat support, and fire suppression. Jim Anderson, with a Master of Science in Environmental Science, has vast experience as a fisheries manager with policy credentials at the local, state, and federal levels. Victor Garcia, holds degrees in zoology and science education, was a commercial fisher, science teacher, and enjoys hunting. These new appointees bring expertise that aligns with the North American Model of Wildlife Management.
Through outreach to a wide variety of WDFW constituent groups and by keeping an open appointment process, Governor Ferguson, in part, addressed the Ruckelshaus report’s call for appointment reform that was aimed at reducing polarization and restoring trust. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation has worked diligently to protect against the anti-hunting push on the WDFW Commission through participation in the Ruckelshaus study, advocating for a return to the North American Model, and working with our partner organizations to support qualified candidates. We look forward to engaging with these new Commissioners and will remain a voice in support of science-based wildlife management that preserves our hunting, fishing, and trapping traditions for generations.
Related Policy
Summary Established with the dedicated purpose of protecting and conserving wildlife, game commissions have been...
