Why It Matters: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has launched a critical public comment period for shaping the state’s 2027-2029 hunting seasons, offering sportsmen and women a direct voice in regulations that affect everything from bag limits to access on public lands. This three-year cycle ensures sustainable game populations while maximizing hunting …
Public Comment Opens for WA 3-Year Hunting Season Setting Read More »
Why It Matters: Hunters in Eastern Washington are facing new challenges from a recent Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) outbreak, which threatens deer populations and could impact hunting success in affected areas. Alongside this, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has implemented stricter ungulate regulations in response to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), to minimize …
EHD Outbreak and Updated CWD Rules in Eastern Washington Read More »
Why It Matters: Washington’s wolf population is growing, creating complex management challenges that impact sportsmen, ranchers, and the public alike. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) holds a seat on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Wolf Advisory Group (WAG), ensuring that the sportsmen’s voice helps shape wolf management policies that balance predator recovery …
Washington’s Wolf Advisory Group Tackles Rising Wolf-Livestock Conflicts Read More »
Why It Matters: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Budget and Policy Advisory Group (BPAG) plays a critical role in shaping sustainable wildlife management and funding strategies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) continued representation through Assistant Manager, Northwestern States Marie Neumiller’s reappointment ensures that the sportsmen’s voice remains central to these discussions. This …
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 …
New Commission Appointments Bring Balance to Washington State Read More »
Why It Matters: Washington’s outdoor heritage relies heavily on the contributions of trappers, anglers, and hunters who utilize natural resources responsibly to support wildlife management and local economies. House Bill 1775, which seeks to prohibit activities related to the production and manufacturing of fur products, poses potential and significant challenges to these time-honored traditions. As …
Fur Ban Bill Narrowly Passes Committee in Washington Read More »
Why It Matters: During the 2023 legislative session, the Washington Legislature commissioned a $300,000 study to review the governance, climate adaptability, and the mandate of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The results of that study have led some legislators to consider sweeping revisions to the WDFW governance structure. One of the seven …
Commission VS Cabinet: WA Grapples with Wildlife Management Read More »
Why It Matters: As the Washington State 2025 legislative session nears, we are anticipating that several anti-gun bills will be revisited. Previous sponsors of Washington House Bill 1902 have demonstrated public support for renewing a “permit to purchase” bill that failed in 2024. Bills like this place unnecessary burdens on local police departments, legal hunters …
Renewal of Anti-Firearms Legislation Anticipated for the 2025 WA Legislative Session Read More »
Why It Matters: Chronic Wasting Disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that impacts members of the cervid family including deer, elk, caribou, and moose. This highly transmissible neurological disease is always fatal to infected animals, complicating wildlife management. While there is currently no evidence of CWD passing from deer to humans the CDC does …
Why It Matters: State fish and wildlife agencies throughout our country are tasked with the difficult job of balancing recreation with conservation and wildlife management. Extra work goes into special hunts and the raffle permit systems. The carefully planned 2024-2025 special hunt season in Washington State was thrown into chaos after a software error was …
Computer Glitch Impacts Washington State Special Hunt Permits Read More »
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