It used to be that most of the WDG/WDF staff hunted or fished. Especially the bio side of things. Plus, many/most were from WA, grew up here, and were familiar with the issues.

There seems a real disconnect now in that much fewer, especially higher up, partake of the resources. I think it is important because "you" are writing the rules and you better be able to understand and justify them.

While I can't confirm, because I was told this second hand, there are professors (in WA) who recommend that their students not work for WDFW. So, you go out of state to get folks.

In WDG, not only did a lot of staff hunt and fish but Opening Day (fishing/hunting) required participation by most of the staff in monitoring. Checking lakes for catch, being at check stations to evaluate kills, and so on. Hunting and fishing were important enough to the Agency that the whole damn staff got involved. And, incidentally, had to talk one to one with the users.

Now???