Next WFA Board meeting August 2 in North Bend, WA., from 10am to 4pm. WFA members are welcome to attend. Non-members need prior Board approval. This is a private residence, so advance notice is requested if you are attending so that seats will be available.

WDFW season-setting seeking input on season setting and other issues - this survey will drive the changes for the next three years. Participate in the survey. Learn more about the season-setting process. Most of the questions are regarding big game, but there are some waterfowling questions and a place at the end to add your comments. (falconers need more land access, etc)

Public input sought on environmental impact statement, deadline May 30th.  The final SEIS for the state's six-year game management plan will be reviewed in August by the WDFW commission. Once finalized and approved, WDFW will incorporate changes into the new 2009-2015 plan.
The draft SEIS and comment form are available online.

Washington state legislature is in recess until next year.

Minutes from February's board meeting have been posted. The next Board meeting is May 3rd in Ellensburg. Members are welcome to attend.

Relevant results from the April 11 WDFW Commission meeting:

• Expansion of the mourning dove hunting season from 15 to 30 days, September 1-30.

• Classification of exotic Eurasian collared doves as "predatory birds", see WAC 232-12-005 for what that actually means.

• Discussion will begin this summer on the next three-year plan for hunting seasons and rules package that will cover 2009 through 2011

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• Complete hunting season details will be available next month on the WDFW website and in the paper pamphlet.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Agenda
4 p.m.- 6 p.m. April 11 at the Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave. in Pasco. The meeting will continue April 12 at 8 a.m. Details and agenda available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/apr1208.htm.
After public input during February and March, the commission is scheduled to take action on new hunting rules for the upcoming season, based on measured increases in population.

• Expanding turkey hunt opportunities and bag limits in eastern Washington.

• Expanding the mourning dove hunting season from 15 to 30 days. This will bring Washington into compliance with federal falconry rules and match Oregon's and Idaho's dove seasons.

• Reclassifying the rapidly-spreading exotic Eurasian collared dove as "predatory" birds, like starlings and English sparrows.

September 27: West Nile Virus kills red-tailed hawk in Washington.
The first and so far only case of avian WNV of 2007 was a red-tailed hawk found dead in Mabton, WA (south of Sunnyside, east of Prosser). There have been eight equine cases of WNV in 2007 as well. "We don't think the risk for the season has passed," said Donn Moyer, spokesman for the state Department of Health. Despite colder weather at night, Moyer said, mosquito season often lingers until mid-October.

WFA Fall Meet: November 2-4
Lodging and schedule are available now. The speaker's name and banquet menu are still TBD.

Wildfire season is finally winding down. Daily reports are available.

Federal law, Title 50, Chapter I, Part 21, Section 21.29, (e) (2) (ii) which states "(ii) A permittee shall have at least two years experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice level or its equivalent"  means two years in possession of an apprentice falconry permit AND no fewer than 12 months of actual possession of a raptor as reported on the 3-186A form.

The Portland office assures us that this "administrative interpretation" will be enforced when upgrades from Apprentice to General permits are submitted. Please note that working with a sponsor's bird does not qualify towards the 12-month possession requirement nor does counting from the date of passing the exam qualify towards the 24-month permit requirement.