Susewind serves special interests, not wildlife.
Susewind prioritizes killing and “harvest” over coexistence and conservation: pushing for the premature removal of both state and federal protections for Washington’s wolves; green-lighting the trophy hunting of vulnerable and declining species like mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and Harlequin ducks; encouraging and allowing cougar death rates in excess of what the agency’s scientists said were sustainable; breeding and releasing tame pheasants into unsuitable habitat to serve as target practice; and approving massive increases in salmon hatchery production that will have devastating impacts to wild fish and orca populations .
Susewind fails his employees.
Susewind is not just charged with protecting Washington’s wildlife; he is also responsible for the welfare of the Department’s more than 2,000 employees. As the largest union representing WDFW employees wrote in March 2025, “WDFW management is failing its employees at the most fundamental level, and our members are literally paying for that failure with their lives.” In 2024 and 2025, the state Department of Labor and Industries fined WDFW more than a quarter of a million dollars for numerous serious and “willful” serious safety violations that led to the tragic deaths of two employees, as well as serious injury and illness. Meanwhile, a 2021 state audit revealed that Susewind’s agency is a hostile and discriminatory workplace with shocking levels of corruption, management retaliation, and bullying.
Susewind ignores legal restraints that protect wildlife.
Susewind doesn’t just ignore public values, he also ignores the laws we have passed to protect wildlife. Under his leadership, advocates have sued WDFW multiple times for violations of the Endangered Species Act and the State Environmental Policy Act, and the courts forced it to discontinue an illegal program that allowed the use of hounds to hunt bears, in violation of a 1996 citizen initiative.
Susewind seeks to remove independent oversight and consolidate his power.
In 2021-2022, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission outlawed recreational spring bear hunting, a practice that 80% of Washingtonians oppose, over the emotional objections of Susewind, himself a bear hunter. Now Susewind is seeking revenge by joining forces with an out of state trophy hunting organization in an effort to oust all the remaining commissioners who voted to deprive him of a favorite hobby. If successful, this move will not only ensure the return of the spring bear hunt, it will consolidate Susewind’s power by eliminating the commissioners who have dared challenge him.
Susewind does not represent Washington values.
Washington voters want an agency that prioritizes the protection of fish and wildlife, respects the intrinsic value of wild animals, and serves the interests of all Washingtonians. But we will never achieve this with Susewind at the helm.
Now is the time to demand a wildlife agency that serves Washington. We need your voice to join our call for Susewind’s removal, and make clear to the Governor, the legislature, and the Commission that Susewind’s WDFW is not your WDFW.
If you share these goals, please add your name to the petition.
For more information on this issue and our broader Not My WDFW campaign, please explore the resources linked below.
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