Lorna Smith and Fred Koontz were appointed to the WDFW Commission in January of 2021. Since their appointment, Smith and Koontz have demonstrated a coordinated and discriminatory anti-hunting bias, with an emotional and unscientific agenda of opposing the sound management of large predators in Washington recommended by WDFW's own biologists. If left unchecked, this extremist agenda will lead to the (further) destruction and imbalance of Washington’s biodiversity.  
 
In November of 2021, Koontz and Smith were presented with clear and convincing scientific data by WDFW’s biologists demonstrating a stable and healthy black bear population, and a recommendation from WDFW staff to continue the long standing spring bear hunt in 2022. Koontz and Smith ignored the science and the recommendation, and voted against the 2022 spring bear hunt, thus violating the Commission’s mandate to “maximize fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreational opportunities compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations.” (RCW 77.04.055 1b). Smith insulted hunters, calling them unethical, and sided with animal rights extremists promoting the false narratives of trophy hunting and orphaned cubs. In fact, the incidence of unintentional lactating female harvest is very rare, as hunters target boars that are known to kill cubs in the spring. In general, hunters and their families consider bear to be excellent table fare and depend on game meat as an organic and preservative free protein source.
 
In December of 2021, the WDFW commission was presented with extremely concerning data regarding the rapid decline of the Blues Mountain elk herd, to a level 35% below objective. Uncontrolled predation of elk calves by cougars and bears was identified as a primary contributing factor, with 77 out of 125 collared elk calves being killed in just their first 150 days of life. Koontz and Smith downplayed this alarming data by suggesting that the elk population goal be decreased, and elk hunting be decreased, with no plan for management of the predation problem. This suggestion was met with a wave of backlash from hunters, and drew the strong disagreement from tribal wildlife management as well.
 
Koontz subsequently resigned from the Commission December 13, 2021.

Lorna Smith has asked for science and data to guide policy making. However, when presented with scientific data contrary to her personal agenda and bias, she has responded with emotional arguments and ignored the data she asked for, even going so far as to interrupt the recent Cougar Safety Science presentation to the Commission to express her disappointment in a lack of recommendations (in support of her agenda). 
 
In keeping with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Washington’s natural wonders are a public resource, and require care guided by science for preservation for future generations. All citizens have an equal and legal right to enjoy and recreate in the outdoors with their families, whether hiking, camping, fishing, viewing wildlife, or hunting, according to longstanding cultural traditions. No one minority subgroup should be unlawfully discriminated against when policy is created.
 
Lorna Smith is unfit for the role of WDFW Commissioner, and we the undersigned demand her immediate resignation.