2009-2011 Hunting Season Setting Process

It’s that time again…

It’s time to develop the 2009-2011 hunting seasons. Major hunting objectives and season structures are set on a three-year cycle with minor adjustments during the off years. The process for developing a three-year hunting season package is an expanded version of the annual season-setting process. The exception is the major migratory bird hunting seasons, which are all set on an annual cycle to coincide with federal season-setting processes.

Establishment of all hunting seasons is guided by goals, objectives, and strategies contained in the 2009-2015 Game Management Plan. Starting in June, the Department asked for your help to determine the major issues that are important to you for the next three-year hunting season cycle.Thank you for such a great response. We had nearly 4,000 people respond to the scoping survey. The results are posted below.

There are several opportunities for you to provide your input throughout the process. Keep watching this website for regular updates on the season-setting process.

Timeline:

1. Issue Scoping: April 2008 – July 2008

Public Comment Period Over: July 13

• Scoping Survey Summary
• Scoping Survey Written Comments

2. Refining Alternatives: July 2008 – November 2008

Public Comment Period: August 13, 2008 – September 30, 2008

• 2009-2011 Hunting Season Package Alternatives Survey
  
  
• After the initial issue-scoping phase, Department staff refined the issues into preferred alternatives based on public comments received. The alternatives will be discussed at the public meetings held throughout the state in August and September.
  
  
• Issues and Alternatives Fact Sheets

Public Meeting Dates & Locations (all meetings begin at 7:00pm)

• Bellingham – August 25
  Broadway Hall
  1300 Broadway
  Bellingham, WA 98225
   
• Aberdeen – August 26
  Log Pavilion at Morrison Riverfront Park
  1401 Sargent Blvd.
  Aberdeen, WA 98520
   
• Tacoma – August 27
  Landmark Convention Center
  47 Saint Helens Ave.
  Tacoma, WA 98402
   
• Vancouver – August 28
  Water Resources Education Center
  4600 SE Columbia Way
  Vancouver, WA 98663
   
• Wenatchee – September 2
  Confluence Technology Center
  285 Technology Center Way
  Wenatchee, WA 98801
   
• Spokane – September 3
  Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center
  North 1100 Sullivan Rd
  Spokane Valley, WA 99037
   
• Pasco – September 4
  TRAC Center
  6600 Burden Blvd.
  Pasco, WA 99301

3. Developing Recommendations (dates below are preliminary, final dates available in October):

Public Comment Period on specific rule proposals: January 20, 2009 – February 5, 2009

• After the public meetings are held, Department staff will develop recommendations for consideration by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in March and April 2009. These recommendations will be based on the biological needs of a species and information collected during the public meetings.

Commission Meetings:

• March 2009
• April 2009