Even if you are not a hunter, the recent apparently behind-closed-door deal the WDFW entered in to with outsider tribes should bring everyone cause for concern. In this era of studies and public input that sometimes seems to go on too long this agreement was reached with no input whatsoever from local sportsmen, the Quileute Tribe or the general public.

Last Wednesday tribal counsel and Quileute Natural Resources representatives came to the Chamber of Commerce meeting asking for help in overturning this decision. The issue was also on the Forks City Council agenda for Monday night. (The Mayor commented about the secret agreement during his State of the City address Wednesday Jan. 29 at the Chamber of Commerce meeting saying the City of Forks stands with the Quileute tribe on this matter, and that City Attorney Rod Fleck had already started drafting a formal response with regard to WDFW rescinding these agreements.)

Tony Foster estimates an additional 400 tribal hunters impacting elk and deer populations in the proposed area. Frank Geyer addressed health issues in the deer in the area and subsequent low populations, this agreement would allow tribal hunters to possibly harvest as many as 6 deer per hunter.

Foster said that they are already seeing problems with the out of area hunters.

The full explanation of what has been enacted was published in the Forks Forum last week, if you missed it there are copies available at the Forks Forum office.    

If you would like your opinion to be heard on this matter contact:

WDFW Director Phil Anderson 360-902-2720 or e-mail philip.anderson@dfw,wa.gov

WDFW Region 6 Director Michele Culver 360-249-1211 michele.culver@dfw.wa.gov