Welcome to 2025-26 Washington Hunting
After more than 32 years working for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), I am proud to step into the position as your new Wildlife Program Director. When I think about those who contributed to wildlife conservation in Washington over the last 80 years, I am humbled to know that I now carry that responsibility. Since I started this position late last year, I am inspired by the hard work of our program staff and the passion of Washington's hunters. I was raised hiking, fishing, hunting, and watching wildlife with my family, and those experiences laid the foundation for my career and my appreciation for the connection between hunting and conservation.
If you're reading this in our annual hunting regulations pamphlet, I probably don't need to remind you about all of the important ways hunters contribute to conservation – whether it's helping fund the agency's conservation work through state hunting licenses and the Pittman-Robertson excise tax on equipment or helping to meet management objectives through sustainable harvest.
But there are so many other ways hunters contribute, too. Hunters are volunteers, youth mentors, and leaders in local outdoor associations. Hunters contribute to habitat restoration and public access projects and are quick to share their passion for nature with others. Hunters show up in support of initiatives that promote public enjoyment of natural resources and share their perspectives on issues that matter to them.
Hunters also contribute directly to science and research efforts WDFW and other managing agencies conduct. A timely example of this is all the hunters that showed up last season to submit harvest samples for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing after the first case of CWD was detected in Washington last year. Whether learning and abiding by new emergency regulations or providing samples, you're helping us track CWD and implement our response strategy. Thank you for your efforts.
For this year's cover photo contest, we asked to see unique examples of Washington hunters supporting wildlife management and conservation. Our winning photo showcases an individual with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteering on a project removing derelict barbed wire fences on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. This kind of volunteerism helps support WDFW's wildlife habitat work and adds capacity where we would not be able to accomplish as much work alone. We greatly appreciate all our volunteers who support WDFW and Washington's wildlife.
I am looking forward to working with you all in my first full year as Wildlife Program Director. On behalf of myself and everyone at the Department, I hope you have a wonderful year and safe and successful hunting seasons.
Mick Cope, Wildlife Program Director
