Here is the e-mail that went out to WA trappers. It would help us out a lot to get as many comments against this proposal as possible.
On the 26th of March the F&W Commission will be presented the new proposed WAC on requirements for sealing pelts. The new proposed WAC will require you to turn in the lower jaw of bobcats to get them CITES tagged. Of course this will ruin the value of the skull. In recent years the value of skulls has become a significant addition to the value of the pelt so of course we would like to stop this.
If you have not already done so I would like to ask you to submit a comment in opposition to the passage of this WAC. If you want to submit a lengthy comment, that is fine but any comment in opposition is fine as long as it is respectful. Even a short comment shows the publics dissatisfaction with the passage of this rule.
You can comment by going to
https://publicinput.com/3yearseasonsettingIf you have trouble with that link simply search for WDFW, scroll to bottom of their home page and click on rule making, on that page scroll to current rule-making activity and click on that, next page scroll and click on 2024-2026 Season Setting, on that page there is a link for the season setting public engagement page.
You should comment against this item in the Requirement for Sealing Pelts section.
Suggested arguments against: trappers lose the value of the skull, trappers and hunters lose a keepsake that is a valuable remembrance of their outdoor experience, there is an alternative in that a tooth could be submitted to accomplish the same goal, Bear and cougar hunters are able to submit a tooth to accomplish the same goal.
There is also a change up for comment in the Wild Animal Trapping section if you wish to comment. WSTA is not going to oppose this change.
Bruce Vandervort, Government Affairs
Washington State Trappers Association