Posted on 02/28/2012 10:53:32 PM PST by SmithL
California Fish and Game Commission President Daniel Richards said Tuesday that there is "zero chance" he will resign over a photograph showing him grinning as he holds up the body of a mountain lion he shot, killed and ate in Idaho recently.
In a letter addressed to Assemblyman Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, one of dozens of public officials who called for Richards' resignation in recent days, Richards blasted lawmakers and others for their criticism of his hunting expedition and mocked their condemnation of the kill.
Richards wrote that he did eat a cougar for dinner, did not use a high-powered rifle and said he has "consistently supported" conservation efforts as a commissioner when they were backed by scientific evidence. He compared his actions to a California official gambling in Nevada.
While it's legal to kill the big cats in Idaho, California has banned the hunting of mountain lions since 1972, and voters have twice renewed that restriction. After the photo surfaced online this week, at least 40 lawmakers and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom called for his resignation.
Newsom, in a letter, said the "actions call into question whether you can live up to the calling of your office," and "do not reflect the values of the people of California."
Richards was unapologetic.
"Do you really think a California commissioner is actually obligated to follow California laws across these United States? Really?" Richards wrote on Fish and Game letterhead in a two-page correspondence he also sent to the entire Legislature, the governor, the California secretary of Natural Resources, and members of the Fish and Game Commission.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Why does he say he didn’t use a high powered rifle and why does that even matter? I would have used my Marlin 1895ss and bragged about it, but the girly men are prevelant right now I see.
Given Newsome’s personal life, I think he would shut up about what others do.
Nice looking cougar!
He should shoot and eat the cat that mauled Roy of Seigfried and Roy.
Shrug. My guess is that he used hounds[Black and Tan] and shot it out of a tree. Not my cup of tea.
No mention of Richards’ political affiliation. At least I didn’t notice one.
So the a hole thinks he is above the law, put his a** in jail.
Guess what they said he did not have a tag to kill the cat.
Where is the claim of illegality?
I don’t know how common they are out there, but the Florida panther subspecies is almost extinct.
I believed the poster in #9, you are free to call him whatever gives you a thrill.
Here is the letter from Newsom making clear that it was legal.
Mr. Daniel W. Richards
President, California Fish and Game Commission
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1320
Sacramento, CA 95814
President Richards,
Thank you for more than 4 years of service to the people of California as a member of the California Fish and Game Commission. Unfortunately, recent events make it clear that you cannot continue in any capacity on the Commission. (California wildlife official in hot water over mountain lion hunt, San Jose Mercury News, February 17, 2012) I must confess to a personal interest in this issue above those of my current office. As you may know, my father, Judge William Newsom is a long-time mountain lion protection advocate and past president of the Mountain Lion Preservation Foundation. Additionally, I have personally worked for the protection of these majestic animals and their habitat.
While not in California at the time, your actions call into question whether you can live up to the calling of your office. Since 1870 the Commission has worked to manage the wildlife resources of our state. As president of the commission, I am sure you understand that merely complying with the conservation laws of California is not the standard by which the Commission or its members are measured. As is stated on the Commission’s website, your actions should be in the “best interest of the resource and truly reflect(s) the wishes and needs of the people.”
I do appreciate that you did nothing illegal in Idaho, but it is clear that your actions do not reflect the values of the people of California. In 1972, Governor Ronald Reagan signed legislation banning the sport hunting of mountain lions in California for 5 years. That ban was twice renewed before the voters of California passed Proposition 117 in June 1990.
I’m sure I needn’t remind you of the many challenges facing California and the important work ahead for the Commission. Your continued presence on the Commission is a distraction from those important issues.
As such, I am prevailing on your sense of civic service to respectfully request you resign, effective immediately, so we can move on to the pressing issues facing our great state.
Sincerely,
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom
A cat like that has a range of about 120 square miles. As fat as it is someone has been baiting for the commissioner. His term in office is soon up if he is not fired. He will never get reapproved.
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