HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown It is common knowledge that most funding supporting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and tags. The fees are usually set by the Legislature, and the funds generated are earmarked for the use of the wildlife agency. This system was initiated in the 1930s to protect wildlife agencies from manipulation by legislators and recurring political pressure on budgets, but this solution caused another problem. Providing trained personnel in sufficient numbers and providing support services and operation equipment is a complicated business. Money GÇô who gets what, where it goes and how it is spent GÇô is crucial in wildlife management. It is never a smooth road, and a thorny problem more often than not. Guy Norman, WDFW's southwest regional director, said the department's state general fund revenue has been reduced by about $50 million since 2008. Also, federal money has been dwindling and the cost of managing fish and wildlife has been increasing. Governor Jay Inslee has directed most state agencies to identify how they would absorb another cut of up to 15 percent from general taxpayer dollars in the2015-17 budget cycle. This has put a hammer on the department that's already struggling financially, so it should be no surprise the department is considering increasing the cost of hunting and fishing licenses. Under a proposal to be unveiled in January, freshwater, saltwater, shellfish and razor clam licenses would be increased $2 per year, and the cost of some hunting licenses would be reduced. Here are a some of those proposed increases: " Annual freshwater, saltwater, shellfish and razor clam licenses would be increased by $2. " Annual combination freshwater fishing license would be increased by $1. " A new surcharge would be applied to commercial businesses that fish, harvest, sell, buy or process salmon and steelhead. The salmon excise tax would be increased. Individuals assisting in the commercial harvest of fish and shellfish would be required to buy a new crew member license. " The Fish and Wildlife Commission would be given authority to reduce the price of several hunting licenses currently set at fixed amounts. State law specifies only maximum fees. The agency sells about 550,000 hunting licenses annually, generating about $17 million. " New master hunter damage hunt license costing $20 are proposed. The new licenses would encourage participation in damage-related hunts without requiring hunters to forgo their general hunting season. Nationally, the number of hunters dropping out of the activity has been on the increase for a number of years and same scenario is going on here in Washington. Duck, geese and upland bird hunting has declined, probably because of the cost of non-toxic shot, restrictions and lack of access. The lack of access to private lands in western Washington has also had an effect on big game license sales. Norman said, "We think by selectively reducing certain fees we can increase the number of hunters and thereby increasing revenue.GÇ¥ Is that wishful thinking? Probably. Norman added that general state tax dollars are down to 16 percent of the agency's budget. User fees are 39 percent, and local funds, such as mitigation money from utility companies, are 16 percent. The department operates with 1,700 employees on a two-year budget of $375 million. It also operates 83 fish hatcheries, manages almost 1 million acres of wildlife habitat and hunting areas, and maintains 700 boat ramps and water access sites. Hundreds of wildlife species are also managed, including many listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The license proposals are expected to generate about $2.2 million from recreational fees and $800,000 from commercial fees. The last increase in the price of hunting and fishing licenses was in 2011. -á Fishing report
" Joe Hymer, supervisory fish biologist for Pacific States Fishery, said that during Dec. 8-14, Tacoma Power recovered 2,735 coho and 38 jacks, five summer steelhead, 207 winter steelhead and 19 cutthroat. As of Dec. 10, the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery had a return of just over 100,000 adult coho. During that week, 458 coho and 14 jacks, five cutthroat and one steelhead were released into the Tilton River. " Washington and Oregon fish managers estimated there were 451,000 angler trips made to the Columbia River in pursuit of salmon and steelhead in 2014.This was the highest total on record dating back to 1982. The previous high was 433,000 in 2001. During those trips, anglers caught and kept 71,000 spring/summer/fall chinook, also a record. The previous record was 63,000 fish set last year, according to Hymer. Anglers also caught 16,000 winter/summer steelhead and 63,000 coho in 2014. Nathan Reynolds, biologist with the Cowlitz Tribe, said that "during our 24-hour deploymentGÇ¥ Dec. 15-16, a fyke net in the Cowlitz River at RM1 returned 72 eulachon GÇô 55 males and 17 females. Staff observed multiple seals working the river at Gerhart Gardens and below, to RM1. Eulachon fishing remains closed. -á Bob Brown can be contacted at robertb1285@fairpoint.net
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