[Logbear]

I agree that

[Logbear]

So to summarize: The answer to my question that was... "what makes it "Pretty clear that CNW and CFBD have their heads firmly implanted in their asses on this one", is because..." Dave Workman wrote:

[Ski]

This rule-making change is what the issue is about While I addressed my concerns about the rule change earlier in the thread, I have to defer to Mr. Workman and WDFW on this one, irrespective of those concerns. Anything else is really superfluous to the issue. If you have questions regarding other aspects of hunting or management policies in the context of Conservation Northwest or Center for Biological Diversity, you will need to address those questions to them. I am choosing to not have to re-type statements I've already posted here. That is my choice. Thanks.

[Ski]

Friday February 23 2024 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Public invited to submit information for ground squirrel status reports OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking information from the public to inform species status reports the Department is developing about ground squirrels in Washington. WDFW is currently seeking information about Washington ground squirrel and Townsend's ground squirrel. WDFW is specifically looking for information about the species' demographics, current habitat conditions, threats and trends to populations, and existing conservation measures that have benefitted the species. "We are interested in hearing from members of the public, including non-governmental organizations, universities, private researchers, and naturalists, who might have relevant information about these ground squirrel species," said Taylor Cotten, WDFW conservation assessment section manager. "You could have valuable data, such as annual population counts or privately developed habitat management plans, that can help us better understand the conservation status of these ground squirrels in Washington." The public may submit written comments via email or by mailing Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ATTN: Taylor Cotten, P.O. Box 43141, Olympia, WA 98504. Further public comment opportunities will be available during the development of each individual status report. All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability. The current comment opportunity is part of a process to assess the conservation status of each species and develop foundational information to guide further recovery and conservation actions. After developing each status report, Department staff will brief the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on each species' status and the Department's classification recommendation. Any changes to a species' classification are subject to the public rule making process. Department staff will post updated status reports to WDFW's website as they are completed. - WDFW - -- Townsend's Ground Squirrel at WDFW Townsend's Ground Squirrel at Wikipedia

[timberghost]

Interesting study on Predator Prey research done in Wa state https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/management/predator-prey-study

[Sculpin]

Thanks for the link, Timberghost. To save folks the trouble of fishing around for the actual science like I did, here is a link to the associated publications (some of which are paywalled): https://predatorpreyproject.weebly.com/products.html Lots of goods stuff. I took this from the abstract in the first publication listed: "Elk avoided humans during the day and ~80% of adult female mortality was human caused, suggesting that humans functioned as a “super predator” in this system." I'm surprised this number is so high and would like to see how they got it but alas, paywalled.

[treeswarper]