March 9-10, 2012 Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Open Public Input
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. NOTE: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that are not on the agenda for decision action.

3. Hunting Practices – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on Hunting Practices. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amendments:
WAC 232-12-047 Unlawful methods for hunting
WAC 232-12-054 Archery requirements –archery special use permits
WAC 232-12-257 Use of decoys and calls
WAC 232-12-264 Baiting of game birds –unlawful;
Proposed Adoption:
WAC 232-12-063 Hunting at night-regulations-penalties

Staff Report:
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program
Don Kraege, Waterfowl Section Manager, Wildlife Program

4. 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 Small Game Seasons – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on small game seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend:
WAC 232-28-342 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 Small game seasons

Staff:
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program
Don Kraege, Waterfowl Section Manager, Wildlife Program

5. Landowner Hunting Permits – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on Landowner Hunting Permits. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Adopt:
WAC 232-28-296 – Landowner hunting permits
Repeal:
WAC 232-28-295 – Landowner hunting permits

Staff:
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program
Kevin Robinette, Region 1 Program Manager, Wildlife Program

6. 2012-2014 Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat Seasons and Permit Quotas – Rule Briefing, Public Hearing & Rule Action
Department staff will brief the Commission on moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend:
WAC 232-28-273 Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat seasons and permit quotas

Staff:
Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program

7. 2012-2015 Cougar Seasons and Regulations  and Public Safety Cougar Removals – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on cougar seasons and public safety cougar removals. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend: 
WAC 232-12-243 Public safety cougar removal
Adopt:
WAC 232-28-297 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations
Repeal:  
WAC 232-28-287 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Cougar permit seasons and regulations
WAC 232-28-272 2009 Black bear and 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.

Staff: 
Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program

8. 2012-2015 Black Bear Seasons and Regulations – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on black bear seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend:
WAC 232-28-286 2012-2014 Fall black bear hunting seasons and regulations
WAC 232-28-288 2013, 2014, 2015 Spring black bear seasons and regulations

Staff: 
Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program

9. Deer and Elk Boundaries – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on deer and elk area boundaries. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend:
WAC 232-28-337 Deer and elk area descriptions

Staff: 
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

10. 2012-2014 Deer General and Special Permit Seasons – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on deer general and special permits seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Adopt:
WAC 232-28-357 2012-2014 Deer general seasons & definitions
WAC 232-28-359 2012 Deer special permits
Repeal:
WAC 232-28-351 2009-2011 Deer general seasons & definitions
WAC 232-28-355 Deer special permits

Staff Report:  Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

11. 2012-2014 Elk General and Special Permit Seasons – Rule Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on elk general and special permits seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Adopt:
WAC 232-28-358 2012-2014 Elk general seasons and definitions
WAC 232-28-360 Elk special permits
Repeal:
WAC 232-28-352 2009-2011 Elk general seasons and definitions
WAC 232-28-356 Elk special permits

Staff Report:  Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

RECESS

12. Proposed Water Transfer - Decision
The Commission will consider a proposal for the transfer of Future Interest in Water Rights in Okanogan County:

Staff Report:
Dennis Beich, Regional Director, Region 2

13. Commission's Position Statement "Wolves in Washington" - Briefing
The Commissioners will discuss a draft wolf position statement.

- Presentation - Wolf Update (PDF) - PDF format (3.2 MB)

14. Commission Work Session -
Commission staff and Assistant Attorney General Office Staff will present information and members will discuss various aspects of serving on the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

- Presentation - Legal Overview (PDF) - PDF format (376 KB)

Staff Report:
Bill Frymire, Assistant Attorney General

15. Open Public Input
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. NOTE: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that are not on the agenda for decision action.

16. Commission Committee Reports
The Commissioners will discuss recent activities of the various Commission committees.

17. Summary Commission Requests:
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.