Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission oversight

In July 2026, Governor Bob Ferguson ordered an external probe of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission after the 2022 ban on spring black‑bear hunting sparked accusations of open‑meeting and public‑records violations. The investigation, run by Transformative Workplace Investigations, has already exceeded its budget, rising from an estimated $40,000 to nearly $80,000 with a possible total of $130,000, and its final report has been delayed to July 31.

By early August, the commission shifted focus to routine governance matters, announcing a hybrid meeting in Long Beach to review portions of the 2027‑2029 budget, consider land‑transaction proposals, and assess the status of the streaked horned lark. Concurrently, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife scheduled a series of virtual public hearings on hunting‑rule proposals for ungulates, waterfowl and other game species, inviting stakeholder input ahead of the 2027‑2029 season‑setting process.

Together, the snapshots illustrate a period of heightened scrutiny over the commission’s operations, followed by its continued administrative functions and public‑engagement activities.