Commission approves land transaction, discusses Free Fishing Weekend, wolf and game management at June meeting

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a land transaction in Thurston County and heard from members of the public and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff on a variety of fishing, hunting, and conservation topics during a hybrid meeting in Olympia on June 23-25.

On Friday, the Commission approved an acquisition of a 350-acre property in Thurston County near Tenino that would protect habitat for numerous species, while also improving recreation opportunities. The approved acquisition is the second phase of a larger effort, joining a 1,035-acre acquisition of prairie-oak woodland and wetland habitat that the Commission approved in March. These acquisitions were made possible through a variety of partnerships, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, the Conservation Fund, Thurston County, and the City of Tenino.

Also on Friday, WDFW staff briefed the Commission on rule making that would exclude shellfish and species requiring a catch record card from the annual Free Fishing Weekend, to improve compliance with established rules related to conservation, catch accounting, and the predictability of seasons. The Commission expects to make a decision on that proposal in July.

The Commission then received briefings and discussed rule making related to commercial fishing crewmember licenses, regulations for dealers when submitting an electronic fish receiving ticket, and wolf-livestock conflict deterrence. The Commission expects to make a decision on whether to move forward with wolf rule making at a special meeting July 8.

The Commission closed the day with a discussion on policy direction related to spring black bear hunting and they plan to visit this topic again on July 15.

On Saturday, the Commission heard a briefing and public testimony on rule making for cougar seasons in the Blue Mountains, with a decision scheduled for July 15. The Commission also discussed and heard public comment on a path forward for Game Management Plan planning. This meeting was held in-person with an option to also participate online. To view a recording of the meeting and presentations or other meeting materials, as well as information about upcoming Commission meetings, visit  https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings.

A tentatively scheduled Commission meeting for June 30 to discuss draft 2023-25 budget proposals has been cancelled.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.