Commission to decide on land transactions, species periodic status reviews, spring black bear petition; discuss wide range of topics at January meeting

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission expects to hear updates and make decisions on lands transactions, periodic status reviews for Columbian white-tailed deer and Cascade red fox, and a spring black bear petition, as well as discussing several other topics during its Jan. 26-28 virtual meeting.

The Commission kicks off work Thursday with meetings of its Wildlife, Big Tent, and Fish committees to discuss several items, including game management plans, cougar management, the draft Conservation Policy, eulachon management, and the Tribal-State Co-manager Hatchery Policy.

The full Commission then meets Friday to discuss acquiring an approximately 109-acre parcel near the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area in Mason County and an approximately 339-acre parcel near the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in Okanogan County. There will be opportunity for public comment and the Commission will make decisions on both items. The Commission is also expected to decide on a petition to begin rule making for 2023 and future spring black bear management hunts.

The Commission will also hear briefings and public comment on development of a co-manager hatchery policy, a new eulachon management plan, proposed changes to commercial eulachon fishing regulations, and an update to the fishing guide reporting rule to support compliance and enforcement.

Also on Friday, the Commission will hear a briefing and public comment and decide on periodic status reviews for Columbian white-tailed deer and Cascade red fox.

On Saturday, the Commission will hear a briefing about the statewide status and trend of deer and elk, have a discussion on future meetings, and close out their meeting with an executive session.

All of these meetings will be conducted online and be available to the public to watch or listen via webinar or conference call.

The Commission will take open public comment on Friday morning, Jan. 27 and Saturday morning, Jan. 28. All members of the public are invited to share their perspective and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or basis of disability. Members of the public interested in providing verbal public comment can pre-register on WDFW’s website.

For more information on how to comment and to see agendas, visit WDFW’s website. The meetings will also be recorded and posted online so people can watch afterwards at their convenience. 

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.