Hunting comments sought by state

Bill Stevenson, Whitman County Gazette | Feb 04, 20210

OLYMPIA – Changes are coming to hunting and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking for feedback on their proposals.

Rule changes are expected concerning:

• Deer

• Small game

• Waterfowl

• Elk

• Antler Point Restriction stats

• Boundaries

• Equipment and licensing

The proposals are going to be available for reading on Feb. 11 online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/season-setting#

“We’ve updated these proposals based on public input from last summer when we had nearly 2,700 people provide us their perspectives,” said Anis Aoude, WDFW game division manager. “That feedback really helped us to better understand the public’s priorities. This second round of input will help us fine-tune our recommendation for the upcoming 2021-2023 hunting seasons.”

WDFW will accept public comments through Thursday, March 4.

“Final recommendations will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for public input in March and for adoption consideration in April 2021,” stated Sam Montgomery, a representative for WDFW.

Members of the public who have limited or no internet connections may call the Wildlife Program Customer Service Desk at 360-902-2515 to request a print version of the survey. Written comments may be mailed to:

Wildlife Program

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

PO Box 43200

Olympia, WA 98504

Author Bio

Bill Stevenson, Former Managing Editor

Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.