*** Action Alert! ***

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Fish and Wildlife Commission recently decided to increase cougar harvest (for a period of three years) in GMU areas where there is an overlap of wolf populations. I am COMPLETELY SUPPORTIVE of their decision. For years, so many of you have advocated for a comprehensive approach to managing predators.  However…

…IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMISSION HEAR FROM YOU RIGHT AWAY!   Do not let animal rights activists – who consider these predator species to be more important than our region’s deer, elk and moose – to derail the Commission’s efforts!

As you know, Northeastern Washington is home to multiple predator species, including 12 of the 16 wolf packs statewide.   As a result, our region’s ungulate (deer, elk and moose) populations are at an incredible risk for increased stress and predation. Hunting opportunities are significantly at risk as well if the Department does not take a more holistic approach in our region to the management of predators as a whole and the impact such numbers and species have on our ungulates. It is crucial to minimize these threats if our region is to sustain healthy and productive numbers of ungulates.

Share your support and share your knowledge and stories of increased predator presence in Northeastern Washington!

THE COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The Fish and Wildlife Commission will discuss a petition it received during its upcoming August meeting.  The Petition seeks to reverse the Commission’s rule and return to the old cougar harvest numbers.

Please send your comments to:

Bradley Smith, Ph.D., Chair
Fish and Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way
Olympia, Washington  98501-1091
Email Address: commission@dfw.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 902-2267
Fax: (360) 902-2448

It is absolutely vital that those of us living with the consequences of these decisions make our voices heard!  Click here to view a letter your 7th Legislative District team recently sent to the Commission on this issue.

Please consider lending your support to these efforts, and feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Cordially,

Rep. Shelly Short, Caucus Chair

State Representative Shelly Short
7th Legislative District
E-mail: shelly.short@leg.wa.gov 
Web site: www.representativeshellyshort.com