By Wolf Team of the Wildlife Committee
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing an updated conservation and management plan for wolves in Washington State. Washington State currently designates wolves as an endangered species. The current plan was developed in 2011 and serves as the guiding document for wolf management in the state. WDFW expects to reach goals in the 2011 plan in the next few years, once wolves are “recovered” and no longer designated as an endangered species in the state.
The WDFW is requesting public comment on the development of a plan to “conserve and manage” wolves in Washington State once they lose endangered species designation. The following questions/topics can be used to formulate your comments:
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Do you support using the best evidenced-based science for decision-making on wolf conservation and management?
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What does returning wolves to the eco-system mean to you?
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Does evidenced-based science indicate that killing wolves changes pack behavior and decreases livestock depredation?
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Do you think that delisting wolves should be based on the best science to ensure sustainable wolf populations?
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Do you favor a hunting season for wolves once they are delisted?
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Do you support efforts by WDFW to continue to work with ranchers to support the implementation of pro-active, non-lethal methods, such as range-riding, guard dogs and hazing, to decrease wolf-livestock conflicts?
The deadline for public comment is November 1st, 2019. To provide comment to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife please click here!