Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting Minutes: July 18, 2008 Meeting via Video Conference

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July 18, 2008

Agenda | Meeting Minutes

MEETING MINUTES

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING via VIDEO CONFERENCE

July 18, 2008 - 6:00 p.m.
Olympia, Washington
and
Spokane, Washington

ATTENDANCE:
Commission (Olympia)	Department (Olympia)
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair	Peggy Crain, Wildlife Program
Shirley Solomon	Katey Jones, Wildlife Program
	Jim Eby, Information Services
	Jeff Summitt, Enforcement Program

Commission Staff:	Public (Olympia)
Susan Yeager	Curt Miller
Nancy Burkhart	Donna Snow
	Jack Laufer

Commission (Spokane)	Public (Spokane)
Gary Douvia	B.J. Thorniley, WA Trappers, WA for Wildlife Conservation
George Orr	Suzanne Schreiner
	P. Kyle Webb
	Fred Zitterkopt, Inland NW Wildlife Council
Department (Spokane)	Jim Haas
John Andrews, Region 1 Director
Mike Justice
Kevin Robinette
Donny Martorello
Dave Ware

Vice Chair Wecker called the video conference all to order at 6:02 p.m.

COUGAR MANAGEMENT – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Donny Martorello briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to cougar hunting regulations that would implement 2008 legislation (ESHB 2438) that extends the existing pilot program allowing use of dogs to pursue and kill cougar in specific counties for three additional years. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments at its August 8-9, 2008, meeting in Lynnwood.

- WAC 232-28-285, 2008-2009 Pilot cougar hunting seasons with the aid of dogs;
- WAC 232-28-272, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 Black bear and cougar hunting seasons and regulations; and
- WAC 232-12-243, Public safety cougar removals.

The following individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed amendments:

- Donna Snow
- Bobbie Thorniley
- Fred Zitterkopf

Vice Chair Wecker adjourned the video conference call 6:35 p.m.