Big Game Hunting > Wolves

Gray Wolf News "The latest in the Wolf Wars"

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ghosthunter:
http://fox17online.com/2016/01/20/senate-panel-backs-bill-to-drop-wolf-protections-in-4-states/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_FOX_17

CementFinisher:
right on hopefully they pass that

Bango skank:
The key words being "truly imperiled species."  I like that language.  Something the crazy bunny huggers just dont get.  They throw around the word extinct (not extirpated) all the time, when wolves have never been anywhere near extinction.  Between northern north america and eurasia there are plenty.  Time to get rational about this.  If only wdfw would grow some balls and quit worrying about the social / political aspect of predator management and do what is logical and right for our wildlife.

denali:
By Roger Harnack

TOPPENISH — Yakima County Farm Bureau directors voiced their angst and frustration over governmental land and wildlife bureaucrats last night during a discussion with the state’s contract wolf conflict manager.

Francine Madden joined about half of the Farm Bureau board to talk about bringing producers, environmentalists and state Department of Fish and Wildlife together to resolve issues relating to wolf depredation. Seven of the 15 directors boycotted the meeting.

With half the chairs empty in the back meeting room of Toppenish Eagles Aerie, Madden chose a seat away from Farm Bureau members, setting the initial tone for the evening.

According to Madden, the issue isn’t really about wolves, it’s the “us versus them” perception of rural residents. The professional mediator from Washington, D.C. — who’s being paid $850,000 over two years by the Department of Fish and Wildlife — told Farm Bureau directors they have an “identity conflict” more than a wolf conflict.

The directors agreed there is a lack of trust in state and federal agencies, and that the introduction of wolves is one of the latest assaults on the rural lifestyle.

Organization President Frank Lyall said rural residents don’t believe government bureaucrats and far-removed environmentalists value them or their need to protect their livestock, families and livelihoods.

“It’s a very fundamental right to be safe,” he said. “If government is telling you you’re not allowed to defend your person or property, government doesn’t much value your person or property. You’re essentially being driven from your property.”

After a brief pause, Madden said, “That’s a hell of a way to live.”

Lyall called the effort “rural cleansing.”

John Ashbaugh of Wenas agreed.

“They’re trying to clear the land. They want clear title,” he said, noting he believes government agencies are intentionally driving farmers off the land so they can use it as collateral for the nation’s $19 trillion debt.

Fifth-generation farmer Mark Herke of Taneum said he doesn’t believe anything will change until so-called environmentalists and government officials go to the store and start finding the shelves bare.

“You have 2 percent of the people producing food for 98 percent,” he said.

Don Young of Sunnyside questioned how state and federal agencies continue to come up with money to buy land, but can’t make their requisite payment in lieu of taxes.

“It damages the economic infrastructure of our county,” Lyall said.

Ashbaugh, too, noted the agencies pushing wolf introduction always seem to have money for more and more land acquisitions, but not enough to pay their fair share to municipal governments or enough to maintain lands.

Farm Bureau members said environmental groups and government agencies need to consider local management options a priority.

“We are all professional ecosystem managers,” Lyall said, noting farmers and ranchers have to take care of their land in order for the land to take care of them.

Madden said she believes her efforts are paying off.

“Ranchers are able to share their concerns and the environmentalists are able to hear them,” she said.

Those in attendance weren’t convinced and pointed to problems on the state’s Wolf Advisory Group, the board Madden has been working with.

Last fall, rancher Dave Dashiell of rural Stevens County and the Cattle Producers of Washington walked away from the advisory group because their concerns were being derided by state officials and westside environmentalists.

Farm Bureau Secretary Steve George of Moxee said there’s a “huge inconsistency” in wolf management and the mediation practices.

“We’re putting money into this thing? What a farce,” he said. “We don’t see a lot of pluses here.”

George called the introduction of wolves into Eastern Washington and other areas of the west a “bogus, baloney deal to get people off the land.”

The discussion continued for more than 90 minutes, with Lyall having to get the organization back onto other business.

But before he shifted topics, he reminded Madden:

“There’s a huge power imbalance, and they know how to play the game. We’d just like to split us off the state,” he said, referencing renewed efforts for Washington to split along the Cascade Crest into two separate states.

http://www.dailysunnews.com/news/2016/mar/11/farmers-air-concerns-wolf-meeting/

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