Study calls Commission 'dysfunctional'

[Hammsolo]

I imagine that pre-1990 most everything was done via back-room dealing. No email, no texts, no zoom. Oddly, everything seemed to be more reasonable then, with less extreme changes. Maybe citizens just figured ignorance is bliss and only the major stuff got a rise out of people?

I think it was simply “it is what it is.” We now know so much more. It’s much harder to hide in today’s day and age. When people see it as out of their control or favoring them they tend to let it go. We now know so much more and need to do something.

 

[Irrelevant]

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/03/wa-fish-and-wildlife-commissioner-accuses-agency-director-of-retaliation/

 

[SAJ-99]

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/03/wa-fish-and-wildlife-commissioner-accuses-agency-director-of-retaliation/

Certainly not doing much to refute the label of “dysfunctional”.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Wow. Retaliation? Really? Did they read the Knoll memo? The same Lorna Smith who told hunters “they should be very afraid” is a victim of bullying and harassment? Is expecting an appointed commission member to follow the law now a form of bullying?

Claire Loebs Davis believes she is being silenced and deprived of her 1st Amendment rights? This is the same person that hand-selected and approved every WDFW commission appointment under the Inslee administration. What a joke.

Looks like a Hail Mary on the way out as the investigation results will soon be revealed.

 

[Irrelevant]

Wow. Retaliation? Really? Did they read the Knoll memo? The same Lorna Smith who told hunters “they should be very afraid” is a victim of bullying and harassment? Is expecting an appointed commission member to follow the law now a form of bullying?

Claire Loebs Davis believes she is being silenced and deprived of her 1st Amendment rights? This is the same person that hand-selected and approved every WDFW commission appointment under the Inslee administration. What a joke.

Looks like a Hail Mary on the way out as the investigation results will soon be revealed.

Yeah I'm pretty sure Ferguson is going to remove both

 

[Irrelevant]

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/20/wa-fish-and-wildlife-panel-confronts-high-tensions-and-harsh-testimony/

 

[R.K.]

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/20/wa-fish-and-wildlife-panel-confronts-high-tensions-and-harsh-testimony/

That seems to be a much more balanced article than the 4/3 one, with more facts behind it. And said facts don’t seem to be painting the two commissioners in a very good light.

 

[Btap]

Our whole state is on a downward track especially when it comes to hunting/ shooting

 

[Irrelevant]

Our whole state is on a downward track especially when it comes to hunting/ shooting

Still the best black bear hunting in the lower 48.

 

[SAJ-99]

Looks like the plan is just to let their terms expire at the end of the year. We need to make sure we send a message to the politicians to push this in a better direction.

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission probe finds wrongdoing, doesn’t recommend punishment

Washington fish and wildlife commissioners routinely disregarded government transparency laws, skirted conflict of interest rules, and sparred with agency leaders, but their actions and behavior did not reach the level of serious misconduct, according to the findings of a nearly yearlong...

www.spokesman.com

 

[Irrelevant]

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/08/25/a-dying-fish-and-wildlife-commissioners-parting-letter-to-was-governor/

Great perspective from one of Ferguson's appointments

 

[R.K.]

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/08/25/a-dying-fish-and-wildlife-commissioners-parting-letter-to-was-governor/

Great perspective from one of Ferguson's appointments

He will be missed. Hopefully his wishes for a replacement are fulfilled- for all our sakes.

 

[SAJ-99]

I will drop this link here. It would be helpful for people to send a brief message asking for more Commissioners like Mr. Garcia.

Send Gov. Ferguson an e-message | Governor Bob Ferguson

governor.wa.gov

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Wasn’t Lemkuhl the one who claimed to be an “ethical” hunter? Miller is notorious here in Colorado, most recently for submitting the fur ban petition in her role as a professional lobbyist for CBD.

Conservation Coalition of Washington on Instagram: "This one is going to get people pissed off with us. We recently obtained Messenger records between WDFW Commissioner John Lehmkuhl and the infamous Samantha Miller — formerly of Washington Wildlife

84 likes, 12 comments - conservation_coalition_of_wa on September 2, 2026: "This one is going to get people pissed off with us. We recently obtained Messenger records between WDFW Commissioner John Lehmkuhl and the infamous Samantha Miller — formerly of Washington Wildlife First and a prominent...

www.instagram.com

 

[SAJ-99]

Wasn’t Lemkuhl the one who claimed to be an “ethical” hunter? Miller is notorious here in Colorado, most recently for submitting the fur ban petition in her role as a professional lobbyist for CBD.

Conservation Coalition of Washington on Instagram: "This one is going to get people pissed off with us. We recently obtained Messenger records between WDFW Commissioner John Lehmkuhl and the infamous Samantha Miller — formerly of Washington Wildlife

84 likes, 12 comments - conservation_coalition_of_wa on September 2, 2026: "This one is going to get people pissed off with us. We recently obtained Messenger records between WDFW Commissioner John Lehmkuhl and the infamous Samantha Miller — formerly of Washington Wildlife First and a prominent...

www.instagram.com

The comments section is always entertaining. Either way, his term expires at the end of this year. Again, we need to make our voices heard to get change.

 

[Irrelevant]

Wasn’t Lemkuhl the one who claimed to be an “ethical” hunter? Miller is notorious here in Colorado, most recently for submitting the fur ban petition in her role as a professional lobbyist for CBD.

Conservation Coalition of Washington on Instagram: "This one is going to get people pissed off with us. We recently obtained Messenger records between WDFW Commissioner John Lehmkuhl and the infamous Samantha Miller — formerly of Washington Wildlife

84 likes, 12 comments - conservation_coalition_of_wa on September 2, 2026: "This one is going to get people pissed off with us. We recently obtained Messenger records between WDFW Commissioner John Lehmkuhl and the infamous Samantha Miller — formerly of Washington Wildlife First and a prominent...

www.instagram.com

I've met him several times. He's came to the Wenatchee Sportsman's meeting a few times to answer questions. I bet it's been a really long time since he's hunted. And he was a very underwhelming communicator.

 

[Bonasababy]

How are they appointed to the commission there--or is it a voting proposition? Curious because another move is afoot to add a commission in my state. I use yours as an example of how bad it can be...

We have several large NR funds run by commissioners, with very strong support for them by voters. Yet despite awareness of the problem and measures to prevent it, legislators (from both parties over time, for some years mostly republicans trying to divert the money) are constantly trying to mess with it.

 

[SAJ-99]

How are they appointed to the commission there--or is it a voting proposition? Curious because another move is afoot to add a commission in my state. I use yours as an example of how bad it can be...

We have several large NR funds run by commissioners, with very strong support for them by voters. Yet despite awareness of the problem and measures to prevent it, legislators (from both parties over time, for some years mostly republicans trying to divert the money) are constantly trying to mess with it.

Appointed by the Governor. New Governor has done some positive things, like pulling back on two appoints from last governor and appointing more moderates.

It was discouraging to see this quote below in the paper yesterday. It further erodes public confidence in the department that can never be recovered.

The governor “chose politics over the law when it comes to holding these commissioners accountable,” said Brian Lynn, vice president of marketing and communications for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Collusion, corruption and perjury are now the accepted standards for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.”

 

[Irrelevant]

Appointed by the Governor. New Governor has done some positive things, like pulling back on two appoints from last governor and appointing more moderates.

It was discouraging to see this quote below in the paper yesterday. It further erodes public confidence in the department that can never be recovered.

The governor “chose politics over the law when it comes to holding these commissioners accountable,” said Brian Lynn, vice president of marketing and communications for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Collusion, corruption and perjury are now the accepted standards for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.”

I think he knew that if he eliminated them, it would just lead to even more loss of confidence just from other sectors. If he selects 3 moderates next year, I'll forgive this lack of action.

 

[SAJ-99]

I think he knew that if he eliminated them, it would just lead to even more loss of confidence just from other sectors. If he selects 3 moderates next year, I'll forgive this lack of action.

You will, but a lot just revert back to political tribalism. Insulting the governor and department right now has zero upside. They have four months left on their terms. The reality is WDFW gets considerable funding from the general fund. So everyday taxpayers, including those anti hunting, should get a say in management.

Also I note that Montana Commission was found guilty of doing the exact same thing a few years back and no one was dismissed.