WATERFOWLING — Wednesday is the dealine for hunters to let the state know whether they want to head down the slippery slope of allowing electronic decoys for waterfowling.

Several waterfowl hunting guides have petitioned the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to consider allowing electronic decoys for waterfowl hunting starting in 2012.

The agency is approaching this petition by asking hunters (WILD ID requierd to vote) to comment by Nov. 16 in an online survey on this single question:

The use of battery-powered and other electronic waterfowl decoys has been prohibited in Washington since 2001. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) would like your opinions on the use of these decoys. Which of the following best describes your viewpoint about battery-powered or electronic decoys used for waterfowl hunting?  

Battery-powered and other electronic waterfowl decoys should not be allowed for use in Washington.

Battery-powered and other electronic waterfowl decoys should be allowed for use in Washington as long as their use does not affect existing season lengths and bag limits.

Battery-powered and other electronic waterfowl decoys should be allowed for use in Washington regardless if their use affects existing season lengths and bag limits.

 

No opinion

 

WATERFOWL HUNTING — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider a petition to allow use of battery-powered spinning-wing decoys for hunting during a special conference call meeting Friday, 8:30 a.m.

This didn't come up at the recent meeting the Fish and Wildlife Department had on new rules for upcoming hunting seasons.

The only way the public can listen to the discussion — travel to the Fish and Wildlife Department's Olympia headquarters and listen on the speaker phone.