Contacting representatives about wildlife management is barking up the wrong tree...
It was always my understanding the DOW was a seperate entity from any other Govt function. I was told this was the case to keep politics OUT of management of wildlife. What do I know, apparently folks that can't manage a budget think they can manage wildlife.
If its a choice between a DOW that have headed in what I perceive to be the wrong direction for the last decade or so, and a State governing body, I'll take the DOW everyday of the week.
On paper it's a separate entity. In reality,
1. Lobbyist put pressure on the lawmakers and the governor to get their way.
2. The governor appoints the head of the DNR and board members of the wildlife council.
3. Directive and direction for the DOW comes from Lobbysts through lawmakers and the governor.
4. The Head of the DOW and the Council puts pressure on those making the recommendations.
5. The recommendations they want are recommended and passed..
6. It looks like the system worked as designed, except you can't see the lobbyists pulling the strings.
That's how every government ran organization runs. It's why lobbyists exist and spend billions a year..
The trouble is, the guy at the bottom made a change recommendation the string pullers and paid for politicians didn't like. So now they're flexing their muscles..
The strings are always pulled at the top Brock, whether we see it or not.