As much as we hate going to meetings, this one may be of interest to all outdoor-minded people, especially those who hunt and fish, but also those who are interested in the wolf situation.

The next Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting is scheduled for March 9 and 10 at the Moses Lake Civic Center. This is a chance to see the Commission at work.

This week we are featuring the March 9 preliminary agenda, next week we will have the March 10 agenda. Read on.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting of March 9 and 10 at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam.

Friday, March 9

8:30: Call to Order; Commissioners' Discussion, Director's report (Phil Anderson): Legislative Update, Wolf Plan Update, Committee Report.

Budget and Operations Update (Joe Stohr).

9:00: Open public input. The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. Note: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that are not on the agenda for decision action.

9:30: Break

9:45: Hunting Practices, Rule Briefing and Public Hearing

Department staff will brief the Commission on Hunting Practices. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amendments: WAC 232-12-047 Unlawful methods for hunting, WAC 232-12-054 Archery requirements -archery special use permits, WAC 232-12-257 Use of decoys and calls, WAC 232-12-264 Baiting of game birds -unlawful.

Proposed Adoption: WAC 232-12-063 Hunting at night-regulations-penalties.

Staff Report: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program and Don Kraege, Waterfowl Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

11:15: 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 Small Game Seasons - Rule Briefing and Public Hearing. Department staff will brief the Commission on small game seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amendments: WAC 232-28-342 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 Small game seasons.

Staff: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program and Don Kraege, Waterfowl Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

11:35: Landowner Hunting Permits - Rule Briefing and Public Hearing

Department staff will brief the Commission on Landowner Hunting Permits. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Adopt: WAC 232-28-296 - Landowner hunting permits

Repeal: WAC 232-28-295 - Landowner hunting permits

Staff: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program and Kevin Robinette, Region 1 Program Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

12:15: Lunch break

1:15: 2012-2014 Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat Seasons and Permit Quotas - Rule Briefing, Public Hearing and Rule Action. Department staff will brief the Commission on moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend: WAC 232-28-273 Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat seasons and permit quotas.

Staff: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

1:50: 2012-2015 Cougar Seasons and Regulations and Public Safety Cougar Removals - Rule Briefing and Public. Department staff will brief the Commission on cougar seasons and public safety cougar removals. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend: WAC 232-12-243 Public safety cougar removal.

Adopt: WAC 232-28-297 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.

Repeal: WAC 232-28-287 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Cougar permit seasons and regulations; WAC 232-28-272 2009 Black bear and 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.

Staff: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

3:00: 2012-2015 Black Bear Seasons and Regulations - Rule Briefing and Public Hearing. Department staff will brief the Commission on black bear seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend: WAC 232-28-286 2012-2014 Fall black bear hunting seasons and regulations; WAC 232-28-288 2013, 2014, 2015 Spring black bear seasons and regulations.

Staff: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

4:00: Deer and Elk Boundaries - Rule Briefing and Public Hearing

Department staff will brief the Commission on deer and elk area boundaries. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Amend: WAC 232-28-337 Deer and elk area descriptions.

Staff: Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

4:25: Break

4:40: 2012-2014 Deer General and Special Permit Seasons - Rule Briefing and Public Hearing. Department staff will brief the Commission on deer general and special permits seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Adopt: WAC 232-28-357 2012-2014 Deer general seasons and definitions

WAC 232-28-359 2012 Deer special permits.

Repeal: WAC 232-28-351 2009-2011 Deer general seasons & definitions

WAC 232-28-355 Deer special permits.

Staff Report: Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

5:40: 2012-2014 Elk General and Special Permit Seasons - Rule Briefing and Public Hearing. Department staff will brief the Commission on elk general and special permits seasons. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 13-14, 2012 meeting.

Adopt: WAC 232-28-358 2012-2014 Elk general seasons and definitions

WAC 232-28-360 Elk special permits.

Repeal: WAC 232-28-352 2009-2011 Elk general seasons and definitions

WAC 232-28-356 Elk special permits.

Staff Report: Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program.

Public input on this item only.

6:40: Recess.