Game Management Planning
Dave Ware, Game Division Program Manager

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) began developing a management plan for hunted wildlife (game) about one year ago. The purpose of this Game Management Plan is to guide the Department’s efforts for six years from 2003 to 2008. The emphasis will be on harvest management and those factors that limit or significantly impact game populations in this state.

In developing this plan, we have made an extensive effort to involve the public from the very start. We asked, what are the most important issues the WDFW should address in the next six years? The responses were categorized into eight key areas:

1. Scientific/professional management of hunted wildlife
2. Public support for hunting as a management tool
3. Hunter ethics and fair chase
4. Private lands programs and hunter access
5. Tribal hunting
6. Predator management
7. Game damage and nuisance
8. Hunting season preference

In order to further refine what the public thinks about these issues, a private firm was hired to conduct a public opinion survey. The consulting firm, Responsive Management, conducted two surveys (spring 2002), one of the general Washington public and one of hunters. Following is a summary of some of the more significant findings concerning public support for hunting as a management tool and how they will be used to develop the first draft of the Game Management Plan. Articles on other areas listed above are found in this issue of Game Trails.

Public Support for Hunting as a Management Tool

With accelerating human population growth in Washington, a largely urban society, and two recent citizen initiatives that restricted lawful hunting or trapping techniques, many are questioning general public support for hunting as a wildlife population management tool. This issue was identified by the public as one of the most significant issues for WDFW to address in the Plan.When the general public was asked a series of questions about support for hunting, it is apparent that overall support for legal, regulated hunting is very strong. One of the somewhat surprising findings is that over 30 percent of the public has participated in some form of hunting in their lifetime. This fact may influence general support for hunting. However, there are some specific issues where opinions are very pronounced:

• In general there is less public support for hunting cougar, black bear, and furbearing animals than most other game species.
  
• Hunting for the purpose of obtaining a trophy was clearly not supported by the general public and hunting contests were opposed by a majority of both the general public and hunters.
  
• The majority of respondents from the general public did not support introduction of non-native species and were split on the release of game birds to improve hunter success, while a strong majority of hunters supported both of these activities.
  
• Sixty four percent of the general public does not think it is the WDFW’s role to encourage participation in hunting and while a majority of hunters do think it is the Department’s role, a surprising 39 percent disagree.
  
• Somewhat surprising though perhaps related to the previous finding, was the general public’s lack of support for providing special youth hunting opportunity, while a slight majority supported special opportunities for seniors. Hunters showed strong support for special opportunities for both youth and senior hunters.