Spring bear hunts, fishing and more on tap

OLYMPIA — The state Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to consider approving a land transaction and hear updates on a wide variety of topics during its Dec. 3-5 virtual commission meeting.

The commission will begin with fish and wildlife committee meetings at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, discussing hatchery reform policies, spring bear hunts, grazing policies and fire response on publicly owned lands managed by the agency.

The commission convenes again Friday, beginning at 10 a.m., and will consider transferring 175 acres of land from Washington State Parks to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The transfer is being touted as a way to increase water access to Lake Lenore.

After discussing the land transaction, the commission will then discuss proposed spring black bear hunting season rules and a dog-training program to ready handlers to hunt troublesome cougars.

The commission will then move to coastal issues and is expected to focus on the development of a new licensing program for commercial whale-watching boats and commercial viewing of South Sound orcas, among other issues.

Coastal issue discussions continue after 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with the board focusing on Willapa Bay and hatchery policies.

Public comment may be made digitally Friday or Saturday morning; information is available online at wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings.