Help shape game-management priorities at upcoming meetings

OLYMPIA - Hunters and other members of the public will have an opportunity to help shape the state's game management plan for 2015-21 at a series of public "open house" meetings scheduled by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) this month.

The public can also comment on key aspects of the six-year plan via an on-line survey, available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gmpobjectives, from June 12 through July 18.

The meetings are scheduled to run from 7-9 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

• June 17 - Wenatchee, Red Lion Inn Wenatchee , 1225 N. Wenatchee Ave.
• June 18 - Kennewick, Red Lion Inn Kennewick, N. 1101 Columbia Center Blvd.
• June 19 - Spokane, Double Tree by Hilton Spokane City Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court.
• June 24 - Vancouver, Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Dr.
• June 25 - Lynnwood, Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St. S.W.
• June 26 - Olympia, Red Lion Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr. S.W.

Once adopted, the plan will be used by WDFW to guide development of hunting seasons and other management policies in future years, said Dave Ware, WDFW game program manager.

"Hunters and members of the public have a real stake in the direction set by the next game management plan," he said. "We want to hear people's concerns, especially those that address significant conservation or management issues."

Key issues in the draft plan include hunter recruitment and retention, hunter access to timberlands and possible new rules requiring the use of non-toxic shot. WDFW will also consider new proposals for managing predator/prey relationships and developing a plan to manage wolves after they are no longer classified as an endangered species.

Ware said comments received at the public meetings and from the online survey will be used to develop additional recommendations, which will be available for further review.

Final recommendations will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for a public hearing in August and adoption in September.