HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown If you are a hunter or fisherman and haven't been paying attention to the state wildlife department's latest program, "Washington's Wild Future: A Partnership for Fish and Wildlife,GÇ¥ you probably need to. The program is part of six workshops to be held statewide starting this month to strengthen relationships with communities, add support for conservation and outdoor recreation, plus ensure Washington Depaprtment of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) services meet public needs. Sounds good, but in reality it is mumbo-jumbo for a pitch to raise hunting and fishing license fees and to start charging for some items that have always been free. James Goerg, editor for Reel News, has taken issue with the WDFW's planned increases by asking where does the money come from, who gets what from the fees, and where is it really going? It is known the department gets its revenue from license purchases, but are anglers and hunters getting their money's worth? If they are paying more, do they get more access, opportunity, enforcement and habitat? Goerg doesn't think so and neither do I. All of that continues a downward slide into less and less while restrictions continue to increase. Look to what has happened to hunting in western Washington. Goerg points out some of the proposals include nearly a 20 percent increase for saltwater, freshwater and shellfish sport harvesting and $17 for a steelhead catch card and the same thing for a salmon catch card. Currently, a single catch record card for all four species is provided free of charge with the purchase of a fishing license. The Columbia River Endorsement cost goes up 11 percent across the board including the two pole option and there is more, but no mention of increase access and opportunity. Goerg also said the department proposals are over the top and make family fishing economically prohibitive. What do bird watchers, hikers, bikers, ATVers, berry pickers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts pay for their outdoor pursuits? Goerg said actually nothing. It is hunting and fishing licenses that help pay for all of those activities. What the department needs to do is come up with a way for all user groups to finance their activities and not punish hunters and fishermen by making them pay for everyone, and by the way, the Discovery Pass isn't cutting it. Finally, Goerg pointed out sportsmen need accountability for the yearly license donation and the cost sure as hell shouldn't be increased for financing and staffing silly programs nobody really cares about, and how many assistant directors do we really need? Hunting and fishing fee increase proposals are available on the department's website. "Wild Future: A Partnership for Fish and WildlifeGÇ¥ workshop schedules are also found there. Fishing report
Boat anglers are having a field day on the Cowlitz River. Joe Hymer of the WDFW reported that during July 25-31, 99 Cowlitz boat anglers kept 85 summer steelhead, while 82 bank anglers kept one spring chinook and seven summer steelhead. Almost all of the catch was sampled from the Mission Bar ramp upstream to barrier dam. Since June 15, 2,366 summer steelhead have been floy-tagged and recycled to the I-5 Bridge boat launch. Also that week, 346 spring chinook, 89 jacks, 80 mini-jacks, 962 summer steelhead, five fall chinook and nine cutthroat trout were recovered at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.
Bob Brown lives in Roy and is a freelance outdoors writer. He can be reached at robertb1285@centurylink.net
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