Sierra Club Seeks Elk Hunt End

[pianoman9701]

From the US Sportsman's Alliance moments ago:


"Sierra Club Seeks Elk Hunt End
Posted on July 19, 2012

The Sierra Club has asked that the Grand Teton National Park complete yet another environmental review of its annual elk hunt. The group cites “changing conditions” since the park last completed a study in 2007 as the reason they want hundreds or thousands of taxpayer dollars again spent on the review.

The request was delivered as a letter to GTNP park officials and claims that the annual elk hunts habituate grizzly bears to eating gut piles and puts park visitors at risk. A pair of photographers urged the Sierra Club to send the letter. There was no report of whether the photographers had the required federal permits to take images on public lands as professionals, and definitely no mention that the Sierra Club hosts winter trips into Grand Teton and the vicinity with travel packages starting at $2500/person.

Grand Teton Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott reportedly responded to the Sierra Club’s request letter that their concerns about elk hunts had already been reviewed and that no additional steps would be taken.

Grand Teton’s 61-year-old annual elk hunt was created by Congressional legislation in 1950. Called an “elk reduction program,” the program enables federal, state and park wildlife managers to authorize the hunting of elk in Grand Teton to reduce the park’s elk population to a goal of 1,600. To update a management plan for bison and elk in Jackson Hole, the park, the National Elk Refuge and the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. conducted an environmental review of hunting, feeding and population objectives in 2007.

Last fall about 750 elk hunting permits were issued and hunters killed about 250 elk in the park’s reduction program."

In case it's not been clear in the past, it should be crystal clear now. The Sierra Club is in no way a friend of the sportsmen.
PMan

[huntrights]

Perhaps we should write some letters to the Grand Teton National Park to let them know the Sierra Club should not be dictating wildlife management policies.  Responsible wildlife management should be based on sound and unbiased science. 

The statement: "The request was delivered as a letter to GTNP park officials and claims that the annual elk hunts habituate grizzly bears to eating gut piles and puts park visitors at risk." is very ironic since NOT hunting large apex predators (i.e. grizzlies, wolf, and cougar) can habituate those predators to humans and put humans at risk.  How could they make a connection between gut piles and risk to park visitors?  This is the type of irrational, baseless, unscientific thought that has prompted very bad decisions regarding wildlife management.

[pianoman9701]

Perhaps we should write some letters to the Grand Teton National Park to let them know the Sierra Club should not be dictating wildlife management policies.  Responsible wildlife management should be based on sound and unbiased science. 

The statement: "The request was delivered as a letter to GTNP park officials and claims that the annual elk hunts habituate grizzly bears to eating gut piles and puts park visitors at risk." is very ironic since NOT hunting large apex predators (i.e. grizzlies, wolf, and cougar) can habituate those predators to humans and put humans at risk.  How could they make a connection between gut piles and risk to park visitors?  This is the type of irrational, baseless, unscientific thought that has prompted very bad decisions regarding wildlife management.

This article does say that the SC was turned down and the studies had already been done. A respectful letter of support would be called for. The email link to GTNP is here:
http://www.nps.gov/grte/contacts.htm

Let them know how much we appreciate special interest groups not having influence on scientifically arrived-at conservation decisions.

[huntrights]

Perhaps we should write some letters to the Grand Teton National Park to let them know the Sierra Club should not be dictating wildlife management policies.  Responsible wildlife management should be based on sound and unbiased science. 

The statement: "The request was delivered as a letter to GTNP park officials and claims that the annual elk hunts habituate grizzly bears to eating gut piles and puts park visitors at risk." is very ironic since NOT hunting large apex predators (i.e. grizzlies, wolf, and cougar) can habituate those predators to humans and put humans at risk.  How could they make a connection between gut piles and risk to park visitors?  This is the type of irrational, baseless, unscientific thought that has prompted very bad decisions regarding wildlife management.

This article does say that the SC was turned down and the studies had already been done. A respectful letter of support would be called for. The email link to GTNP is here:
http://www.nps.gov/grte/contacts.htm

Let them know how much we appreciate special interest groups not having influence on scientifically arrived-at conservation decisions.

Well said.  An email would only take a minute or two.

[pianoman9701]

Here's mine sent a few moments ago. We should always acknowledge this type of action from our public servants.

"Attn: Mary Gibson Scott

Dear Ms. Scott,

I want to personally thank you for not allowing the Sierra Club and their special interest, (mostly fueled by their lucrative tour business in your/our park) to have you abandon the elk reduction hunts. As you're well aware, these hunts were established by scientific study and utilize hunters for management - a responsible and cost-effective conservation management tool that also offers our hunting citizens increased recreational opportunities.

I'm a hunter (no kidding, eh?), and am glad to see that some of our government is making decisions based on sound principles, sensible management practices, and scientific research. Thanks again, so much! You're a valued public servant.

John W
Vancouver, WA"

[huntrights]

Nice letter.

Mine was similar, but a bit more abrasive toward Sierra Club who is applying their anti-hunting agenda by trying to dictate wildlife management practices.

I would encourage anyone who reads this post to write Mary Scott, the Grand Teton Superintendent.  You can bet the Sierra Club will be bombarding her with their barrage of emotionally based propaganda emails from their letter writing followers.

Let’s beat them to the punch this time.