House Bill 2438

[Darvin Ecklund]

2008 House Bill 2438 (Making permanent a pilot project that allows the use of dogs to hunt cougars) Found a place to post a comment on this bill. I think everyone should do this showing our support. I recommend making your comments short and sweet ie Thank you for introducing HB 2438 I think you get the picture. I don't think this is the time to suggest how the project should be run, just the time to show our support. I would recommend you typing in your occupation and not your hobby Type in: Washington House Bill 2438 (enter) scroll down and click on: Recent comments; Washington Votes Go to the far right of your screen and type in House Bill 2438 and hit display (this will be in the part where it saids Search Legislation) Click on an place it says comments and put in your comments and hit post. Hope this helped. Let me know if you have any trouble finding this. Maybe out of State guys/gals can also comment and let them be aware of cougar problems in their States.

[twispcougarhunter]

I just went to the Wa. legislature like Darvin said and there are only 4 posted comments. We really need to jump on this thing and flood it with posative comments. I read a lot of hootin and hallerin about not having hound hunting and then when all you gotta do is write something nobody does. Reminds me back in 96 when a darn few of us fought tooth and nail to save it and 90% of the hunters (hound doggers included) just sat on their hands and watched us lose it.
Even out of staters can comment on this pilot project we just finished. It's now over and the state is considering making it a permanent way to limit cougars in every county. They really need to hear from us. The comments are anonymous so they won't know if your from Wa. or not. I did put my name in hopes they call me and want to verify my cougar problems.
"THE WORLD IS RUN BY THE PEOPLE THAT SHOW UP"
Show up guys! Bill W.

[Budd Denny]

Can you post us a site link. Will be more than happy to give my support.

[twispcougarhunter]

Go to Google and type in www.Washington House Bill 2438 then go down to about the 4th one that says (View Comments - Washington Votes) which indicates it's concerning the pilot project, click on it. Then it will open up and you'll see all the comments. You can click on new comment and then type in your opinion. I don't recommend letting them know your a hound hunter, just maybe your occupation.
Thanks for the support, I see we got 2 more since I made the last post yesterday. gotta git. Bill White

[Buddyw]

Article from the sponsor.
http://hrc.leg.wa.gov/kretz/newsroom/080124.htm

The hearing is scheduled for THis Wednsday.
Click below.Contact info for House.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/MembersByDistrict.aspx?Chamber=H

I recomend to keep your comments show your support for this bill in the first line, Let them know it's a great step back to proper Predator Management. And Include a "Brief" explaination as to why and how it is working well.

Now... I Personally haven't decided if I would ask for any changes. I would like to see the Hound Handlers requirements for only WA residents Stricken from the bill My beliefs are they are Handlers not hunters.. I'd also like to see a training season established to allow for succesful qoutas and identification. However I'm not sure if that is possible right now or a good idea.

I"m still debating about it.. catch 22.. Now is the best time to change it.. But at the same time we want it to pass both house/senate and get the governor to sign it....

[Darvin Ecklund]

Thanks for the information buddyw. THis is what is so exciting about this forum - We, as houndsman, are able to stay in the loop on what is going on whether you are in a hound organization or not. I agree with you about the out of state folks participating. We all need to stick together if we are going to get or keep our hound hunting in the future. I'm not sure how many Idaho hound guys would come over as a hound handler, but it wouldn't bother me a bit if they did. Not sure why they would want to, but at least they would have this opportunity if they so choose to do so. Thanks again for keep us all informed!

[Buddyw]

Folks,

Please take the time to call your Representive and show support for this bill. If it doesn't pass there will not be a cougar program next year, this bill will be Dead until 2009..

So if you don't have time right now, you'll probably definately have more time this winter!

10-15 minutes is all it takes to find the phone number you need to call and make a quick call showing support for this..
Buddy

[Redplott]

Me and my wife went to the web site and showed our support. Also got ahold of family that lives in Washington, and let them know to show their support. Also thanks for the info we need to stay informed of what's going on in the legislation with our hunting rights hopefully some day we will get them back.

[Buddyw]

http://washingtonvotes.org/2008-HB-2438

Anti's are out in Force.. Please take a few minutes and send in your thoughtful comments here.

Buddy

[Travis Stirek]

Buddy thanks for the link.Wish you all had Joel as a rep like we do.I really believe the most effective fight we have is the public safety one because we have already seen through I-655 and the comments on the legislation that the "average" person in our mostly liberal state cares not whether we have been hunting for generations.But our legislators have a duty to protect their constituents safety,and not a duty to protect our hobbies.As I did I hope you will all remind your reps that there is science and not just emotion supporting Rep. Kretz's bill.

[Travis Stirek]

17 comments for 30 against.We better get going.

[Buddyw]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080212085845.htm

I wasn't going to post this because I figured out it was pretty much an ANTI site dressed up like a News section. But I garantee most people won't notice that..

Boy those Anti's sure try and do some damage by bringing in Hired Experts to give their opinon... Propaganda ..

Buddy.