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WA🌲
Outdoorsman
Hunting and fishing account
Proud member of the Conservation Coalition of Washington
John 16:13
Personal acc @dancz24

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Do you want to fish 2 poles for walleye on the Columbia? Or do you care about ESA listing classifications in Washington?

Discussion about how to make yourself heard on rule making activity on our latest podcast episode--definitely worth the 15 minutes of your time.

Share this with someone who thinks giving input is too hard.

#veryserioushunting #hunting #fishing #conservation #podcast

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For years, members of CCW’s leadership have submitted public records requests that helped expose what was happening behind the scenes. If you read the report, be sure to review the addendum, where the investigator discusses Dane Czarnecki’s request.
According to the report, Commissioner Melanie Rowland stated she did not search for records, while also stating she spent approximately one hour searching for records related to the request before concluding there were no responsive records. The report further states that the Department later identified records responsive to that request, including text messages. Dane’s request covered only a seven-day period and was limited solely to the vice chair election.
The report also states that former Commissioner Tim Ragen did not search his personal devices for responsive records related to that request.
Statement from Dane-
“I’m not surprised by the findings regarding my public records request or the Sportsmen’s Alliance request. My request was delayed for a long time, and I experienced firsthand how difficult the process became.
In my opinion, Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland have spent years derailing the Commission and acting as puppets for anti-hunting organizations in their pursuit of ending hunting opportunities in Washington. I am thankful these issues are finally being brought into the light.
It’s time for Melanie Rowland and Lorna Smith to get the hell off the Commission. Whether that’s through removal, resignation, or simply not returning in January.
We would not be at this point without the countless organizations, sportsmen, and sportswomen who stayed engaged and refused to quit. I truly believe that without everyone continuing this fight, we could have lost hunting in Washington within the next decade. The hunting community must remain involved to protect our heritage and continue participating in the decision-making process. This fight ain’t over.”

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I am moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming! This has been my biggest goal, and through hardwork and sacrifice this last year, it’s finally here. All glory to God, thankful that this was His plan for me. Been spending time with friends and family lately. WA will always be a part of me, I’m grateful for the memories made. I will miss the beauty of this state, family, and the many friends I’ve made. God blessed me with many amazing people in my life who helped make me a better man. @conservation_coalition_of_wa will always be apart of my life, it was a huge part in helping me grow these last couple years. Though I may not be as involved with things here in WA, I’ll continue to share and comment when needed. Sportsmen, and our wildlife are in good hands with the various leaders we have.

Beyond my friends and family, there wasn’t much keeping me here. Very seldom do I post politics on social media, I hate posting about it. if you know me, you know my views. I have become a lot more independent politically But I do not support the direction this state has gone in. WA politics and policy directly conflicts with my values and beliefs I hold deeply. Freedom, Faith, family, American values. This state has and continues to assault our 1st amendment, 2nd amendment, hunting and wildlife conservation, taxation without representation, and far left, one party rule. It didn’t need to be this way. With where I’m at in my life at a young age, it only felt right to leave now. I understand not everyone can leave due to family, work, etc. Continue to fight, vote and speak out. Do not be apathetic. This state needs fighters and leaders.

WY is where my heart has been these last 3 years. I’m looking forward to making new friends, spending my days hunting and fishing on WY’s public lands, and God willing start a family of my own. As I said, WA will always be a part of me, and I will so deeply miss my friends and family here. Praying for prosperity and blessings for all, but it’s time to go. For followers on my @danczhf account, my personal account dancz24 will be my primary account from now on.

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We want to start by saying how proud and how grateful we are for the sportsmen’s community after this weekend’s WDFW Commission meeting. You made the trip down, took time off work and skipped important personal matters to show up in Olympia to stand up for your lifestyle and the truth. Not only did you show up professionally… you showed up in force.
This was the most impactful showing we’ve ever seen.
People came prepared, stayed respectful, calm and delivered some of the most clear, fact-driven testimony we’ve heard in a long time. We were the adults in the room.
That matters—especially when contrasted with what was being claimed during the same meeting. We heard repeated assertions about “intimidation,” “threats,” etc.
But what actually happened in that room told a very different story.
What some are now calling “attacks” were, in reality, policy criticisms directed at the commission—along with clear calls for accountability for individuals currently under investigation by the Governor’s Office.
That’s not intimidation. That’s public engagement at work.
Meanwhile, behavior from the other side escalated at times— loud comments about not understanding how hunters could “murder animals,” and the like. It came across like an attempt to provoke a reaction that could later be used to support their narrative.
It didn’t work.
The sportsmen’s community stayed composed, while individuals were filming portions of the meeting where they may have thought a reaction would come. Attendees also observed Commissioner Lorna Smith’s husband wearing Meta smart glasses capable of recording.
If there was a chilling effect in that room, it didn’t appear to be coming from the sportsmen’s community.
At times, it felt like the Commission—and others—were walking on eggshells, particularly given the lawsuit. There were moments where it seemed certain people could say whatever they wanted, while others were expected to hold back.
If speaking the truth and calling for accountability is being framed as intimidation, that says more about them than it does about us.
Thank you again to everyone who showed up, spoke up, and represented with strength, professionalism, and integrity.

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Well, after nearly 30 commission meetings and countless public input sessions, my time in front of the WDFW Commission has come to an end. Cant say I’ll miss the nonsense from some of those commissioners and antis, and I won’t get back the countless hours I put into the fight. But I will always be proud about the hard work and hours I poured into this. There were some moments that definitely weren’t pretty for this state. but I gained so much these last couple years. I gained so much knowledge about wildlife management, the political process, what integrity and honesty mean, and how NOT to act should I ever hold public office. I have met so many amazing people doing this, people I will call friends for the rest of my life. Hunters truly are the best community out there. CCW will always be a huge part of my life, this group has helped shape who I am. Been through a lot with these guys, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Though I may be leaving for Wyoming shortly, I will continue to be involved in the fight. I have family and friends who will be affected by these policies, and this state will always be home. Its helped make me who I am. @conservation_coalition_of_wa , @sportsmensall @howl_org @americanbearfoundation . Sportsmen and women have a ton of amazing groups and people fighting for them, and the wildlife of this state. This state is in good hands. So much progress has been made these last couple years, and I honestly believe things will get better. Looking forward to hearing some new blood at these meetings. I won’t ever be done fighting for our way of life, I will fight to make sure what happened in WA doesn’t repeat itself in WY. Its been an absolute honor to fight for this state, and to fight for you! For those who wish to follow me and see where life goes, my personal account is @dancz24 which is where I will be posting much more frequently. Keep up the fight, and don’t give up!

#hunting #washingtonstate #guardthegate #huntingrights

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Washington Sportsmen — Listen up!

April 17–18
📍 Natural Resources Building, Olympia
🕘 Public Comment: Friday 9 AM | Saturday 8 AM

This is an important moment for our community.

We know emotions are high. There’s been much brought to light and a lot of frustration building over the past couple weeks as we have watched a commissioner hop on a lawsuit with some lovely people, and awaiting a decision from Ferguson. But how we show up matters just as much as why we show up.

Be respectful. Be composed. Be undeniable.

There are groups watching closely, hoping for anything they can twist, exaggerate, or use against us. They will do it, so don’t give them that opportunity. We’ve already seen false narratives pushed about hunters—don’t feed into it.

We are not there to intimidate.
We are not there to silence anyone.

We are there to stand for accountability, facts, and the future of our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage.

You may hear things that borderline insane and untrue. Stay grounded anyway. That’s how we win. That’s how we represent our community with strength.

Stand together.
Support each other.
Speak truth.

We’ll see you in Olympia. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy lives to fight for science- based conservation and your hunting opportunities.

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Conservation Coalition leadership Dane Czarnecki and Jerry Lowdermilk sat down with Zack from PNWild over the weekend during the BHA Black Bear Bonanza to break down everything unfolding inside Washington’s Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Huge thanks to PNWild and Zack for giving these conversations a platform — it matters right now. Please give this one a listen.
With a major meeting coming up in Olympia (April 17–18), this is a critical moment. Public comment matters, and if you can show up, please be there.
This is about the future of hunting in Washington and making sure decisions are based on sound management, not emotion.
Stay informed. Stay involved. Make your voice heard.

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This is one of the biggest meetings in years—and showing up matters.

Right now, all eyes are on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The investigation into Commissioners Melanie Rowland, Barbara Baker, Lorna Smith, and John Lehmkuhl is set to conclude on April 6th. In the meantime, recent exposes, public record releases, and meeting clips from the Sportsmen’s Alliance and Conservation Coalition of Washington have raised serious concerns—ranging from ties to anti-hunting groups, to repeated votes limiting hunting opportunity, ethics issues, disruptions during meetings, and even alleged deletion of public records.

For many, public trust has already been shaken—especially after the loss of the spring bear season and continued threats to predator hunting.

Now is the time to show up.

📍 Location: Natural Resources Building
1111 Olympia Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501

📅 Key Dates:
Friday, April 17th at 8:00 AM (MAIN DAY – be early for seating)
Saturday, April 18th at 8:00 AM (also encouraged if you can attend)

If you can only make one meeting this year, this is the one. It will also be the last opportunity to attend before June.

This is about presence—but it’s also about representation. Show up respectfully and professionally. Represent the hunting community the right way.

More information, updates, and details on the investigation will continue to come out in the weeks leading up to the meeting.

🗣 Want to speak?
The Conservation Coalition of Washington (CCW) is offering a sign-up form. Fill it out ahead of time, and we will register you to speak once the agenda is posted—no scrambling required. You can even sign up friends and family through them.

Bring your buddies. Bring your family.
Stand alongside your fellow sportsmen.

Be there. Be heard. Demand accountability.

Link to the form that people can use sign up to speak.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPsNz5vedODh4OHkBK4FpmA02hS09KrgItKlI8vVfdw64wUw/viewform
Link in our bio- or comment speak

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For the first time, the internal WDFW memo that triggered the Governor’s investigation is now public. Conservation Coalition of Washington unearthed this through public records.

The memo focuses on Commissioners Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland and raises serious allegations about their conduct while serving on the Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission.

According to reporting by the Washington State Standard, the memo describes behavior that posed “serious risks” to the agency—particularly around transparency, conflicts of interest, and favoritism.

The allegations outlined in the memo include:
• Failure to properly comply with public records laws
• Use of private emails and devices for public business
• Repeated private meetings with special interest groups
• Coordination with an outside advocacy group involved in active litigation against WDFW
• Actions that may create conflicts of interest or the appearance of bias

The memo also highlights what it describes as a “tight relationship” between commissioners and an attorney representing advocacy groups suing the agency, raising further concerns about influence over policy decisions.

This memo was written in May 2025, shared with the Governor’s office, and ultimately helped lead to the independent investigation that is now set to conclude on April 6.

The commissioners named have strongly denied the allegations and claim the memo contains false and misleading conclusions.

We believe the memo speaks for itself.

Now the public can read it and decide.

Read the full memo here:
ccofwashington.com

#WDFW #WashingtonState #Transparency #Accountability #PublicRecords

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The Governor’s investigation into WDFW Commissioners Lorna Smith, Melanie Rowland, Barbara Baker, and John Lehmkuhl ends April 6 after several delays. Many people are rightfully frustrated, wondering why certain commissioners haven’t already been removed despite serious concerns. We are all chomping at the bit to finally see what will happen.

Removing a commissioner isn’t simple. Commissioners serve fixed terms, confirmed by the senate, and are semi-independent, meaning the governor cannot just fire them. Removal must follow a legal process under RCW 43.06.070, which allows the governor to remove an appointed officer for verified malfeasance, misfeasance, or neglect of duty. Investigations focus on documented violations like misuse of office, unlawful coordination, ignoring statutory responsibilities, ethics violations, or failure to comply with public records laws.

If misconduct is found, the governor may first contact the commissioner privately to encourage resignation, avoiding formal charges, public legal battles, or Senate involvement. If the commissioner refuses, formal removal charges can be filed, often triggering media attention, legislative scrutiny, public pressure, and legal risks. Most cases end with a negotiated resignation rather than a full court or Senate process.

Timing also matters: three of the four commissioners’ terms end at the end of the year, allowing for natural turnover and new appointments. Special interest groups may also push back or litigate to keep commissioners in place.

Public transparency: We may see a brief official announcement if misconduct is substantiated, especially due to the level of public interest, but the full investigation report is usually not automatically released. Accessing the full details typically requires a public records request, and parts may be redacted for personnel or legal reasons. CCW will be requesting these records and will soon be releasing the memo produced by WDFW’s Criminal Justice Legal Liaison that highlighted some of the alleged concerns with Smith and Rowland found in public records.

What do you think will happen? Will commissioners resign, be removed, or wait out their terms?

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The day before the March Commission meeting, WDFW Commissioner Rowland published an op-ed in the Methow Valley News. While commissioners have First Amendment rights, Rowland is currently under investigation by the Governor’s office over allegations of collusion, malfeasance, and corruption.Her op-ed appeared official, never clarifying she was speaking as a private citizen.
The piece cherry-picked the Commission’s mandate — highlighting one portion while ignoring the rest. Sorry Melanie, you can’t support half the law and condemn the department for following the other half.
She defended removing the spring bear hunt despite support from department biologists. Claims of “following the science” fall flat when that science was ignored. The result? A respected biologist lost, revenue gone, and a favorite hunt stripped from sportsmen.
She says she’s not against hunting — yet celebrates reducing cougar opportunity and keeping wolves listed, despite downlisting being recommended by department biologists.
On public records, she dismisses the Sportsmen’s Alliance as “out of state,” though they represent thousands of Washington members. Conservation Coalition of Washington has also provided records supporting allegations of collusion with anti-hunting groups, ethics issues, meeting disruptions, and etc.
She complains about investigation costs and time- but from all the records we have this was long overdue. If these allegations were not so clear or if she just resigned maybe this wouldn’t be a problem.
Her claim of “just exchanging emails” with citizens that represent the majority is not reality. Her close relationship with the state’s leading anti-hunting and self-proclaimed animal rights group funded by a billionaire — is clear from all of our records. And last time we checked.. billionaires and animal rights groups don’t represent Washington.
She says she’s open to hunting groups, yet declined repeated invitations and has refrained from replying to emails.
Her op-ed appears to urge supporters to pressure the Governor to keep her in place. Continuing to divide stakeholders isn’t the answer. Melanie, you should step down. You certainly do not “protect balance”.

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Sportsmen- Our wildlife needs your voice!

Senate Bill 5203 is headed to the House Transportation Committee for a public hearing on Wednesday, February 18 @ 4:00PM, and it’s all about keeping wildlife safe and protecting drivers.
This bill aims to reduce wildlife‑vehicle collisions, preserve crucial migration routes, and fund safe crossings so deer, elk, and other wildlife can move safely across the state. It was a big deal for this bill to pass on the senate floor and even a bigger deal for it to get a hearing in with the House Transportation Committee- but this is a large committee and it will likely take some effort from the public to get it to the next step.
You can make a real difference by signing in “PRO” to show your support and submitting written testimony — even a short written statement helps legislators understand that Washingtonians care about wildlife and public safety.

How YOU can help:
1 Sign in “PRO” — Having your position noted for the legislative record is the easiest and quickest way to support.
2 Submit written testimony — a few sentences makes a big difference.
3 Provide in-person or online testimony at the hearing.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House?selectedCommittee=31651&selectedMeeting=33941

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