by K.C. Mehaffey
OLYMPIA — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials invite the public to a live webcast on Thursday for a discussion on how wolves impact deer, elk and other big game hunting opportunities.
Talking about the impacts wolves had on big game in their states will be Jon Rachel, wildlife manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and Jim Williams, northwest wildlife manager for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They will also discuss strategies that successful hunters have adopted.
Their two states have had wolves much longer than Washington, and the webcast is an effort to inform citizens and wolf managers in this state about the challenges ahead, a Fish and Wildlife news release said.
Washington’s Fish and Wildlife director Phil Anderson is planning to take part in the discussion.
The webcast will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Fish and Wildlife website, wdfw.wa.gov. Questions can be sent by email to july18event@dfw.wa.gov.