Update: Thanks to our concerted efforts, HB 1698 has stalled out in the House Appropriations Committee!
Historical information below.
Please contact your representative and urge them to oppose Washington House Bill 1698, which would pave the way for Washington to begin wolf hunting seasons and immediately make it easier to kill wolves.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee unanimously voted to approve a slightly amended version of House Bill 1698 on February 17th, despite widespread public opposition.
HB 1698 falsely celebrates “wolf recovery.” But Washington’s wolves have not recovered and are far from reaching the recovery objectives outlined in the state’s wolf management plan.
The bill is an anti-wolf bill that would remove state protections for endangered wolves in almost every county where wolves now live. It would give management authority to county officials who have made it clear to the public that they want legalized wolf hunting and aggressive “lethal control” of wolves.
Make no mistake: HB 1698 is a thinly disguised wolf-killing bill. It would elevate political expediency over science-based management, violate the state’s duty as a public trustee of our wildlife, and endanger the recovery of our wolf population.
HB 1698 is currently in the House Appropriations Committee, which may vote to advance the bill to the House floor. Washington Wildlife First was in Olympia opposing the bill, and you can read the full update on HB 1698 here.
