Posted on 03/09/2010 11:15:34 AM PST by jazusamo
Ducks Unlimited was probably the original group to promote habitat and wildlife conservation with many hunters as members though I don’t know it for a fact. They have raised tons of money that’s benefited wildlife.
RMEF got started in the middle 80s and has done a great job also.
Don't forget all the duck stamps and hunting/fishin license fees and the taxes on hunting gear that go towards state and federal conservation and wildlife management programs.
Yes, the Pittman-Robertson Act has provided untold money for wildlife over the years. During HS I worked in a sporting goods store and remember when the price of Duck Stamps increased from two to three dollars, a few customers thought that was outrageous. LOL! I have no idea the cost of one now.
>>>Besides wolves are friendlier than your average democrat around here.<<<
You can tell them apart?
That is the money quote from the article. It is time for the adults to take charge and send the enviroweenies away kicking and screaming, or feed them to the wolves.
RMEF had a good series of articles about five years ago in their Bugle magazine about the wolves reintroduction and the impact it had on the elk herds, the ranchers, and on the hunting community. They were balanced and did not take sides at that point. Now that the carnage to the herds is overwhelming it is good to see the RMEF take a stand to manage the wolf numbers.
I couldn't agree more. I've been a life member for twenty or so years and was a little surprised they didn't come out strongly against reintroduction but like you say, it's good to see them doing it now that wolves are taking a devastating toll.
It would be nice to have a non-political examination of the appropriate populations of both wolves and elk. For example, was there over grazing when the elk population was at 17k? What factors drove the population down? Wolves, disease, harsh weather?
It’s pretty clear that wolves have largely recovered, so how should their numbers be managed? Good population management doesn’t mean hunting them back to extinction.
Even in Wisconsin, the wolf population has exceeded the DNR’s initial goals and the carcass of a young male wolf was found just south of downtown Milwaukee. I don’t live too far from where the carcass was found and I can tell you that our local coyotes look a lot like the wolves I’ve seen in captivity, leading me to believe that they are hybrids.
I believe the problem now in management of wolves is the enviro groups that fight tooth and toenail against management whether it be hunting them for control or even killing wolf packs that are taking a big toll of livestock in their territory.
Wolf numbers are way above what the intended recovery number that was originally projected in most areas but the enviros want those numbers to be higher and higher.
RMEF tried to be neutral after the reintroduction (which I bet was hard to do given their base), but I think now that they have seen enough carnage to outfitters, private hunters, ranchers, and the herds they have had enough of the grand experiment. That and they need membership, and sitting on the fence reading letters from outraged elkaholics closing their check books is not good business.
I’m sure you’re right about both, them trying to be neutral and the closing of check books. The important thing is they’ve taken the stand they have now, they’ll be a strong voice in wolf management.
“>>>Besides wolves are friendlier than your average democrat around here.<<<
You can tell them apart?
The pelt on the real wolf looks natural, on a Democrap it looks fake. Think of a Democrap as a Fabian but wearing a wolf pelt instead of a sheep pelt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.