Washington game plan focus of meeting for hunters

WILDLIFE — A proposed plan for managing game animals in Washington will be presented in a public meeting starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Double Tree by Hilton Spokane City Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court.

The plan will help Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials guide management of species from deer to wolves.

• See the draft plan and post proposals on WDFW’s website .
• Comment on key aspects of the six-year plan with an online survey through July 18.

Key issues considered in the draft plan include:

• Promoting hunter recruitment and retention;
• Managing predator/prey relationships;
• Maintaining hunter access to timberlands;
• Managing wolves after they are no longer classified as an endangered species; and
• Possible new rules requiring the use of non-toxic shot.

Final recommendations for the six-year plan will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for a public hearing in August and adoption in September.

Also in August , the agency will hold meetings on possible changes in Washington’s hunting rules for the 2015-17 seasons.

• Proposals for hunting rules and seasons can be filed today through July 18 on the agency’s website here .