Anti baiting group for ID

[n_mathews13]

https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/hunting/article223314975.html

[Machias]

Grrrrr

[n_mathews13]

Western bear foundation said they would let me know what we can do to help, if anything

[CaNINE]

Double grrrrr

[n_mathews13]

Got this from Joe from WBF
"We are just drafting a Sign on letter that we will send to all the US Senators for Idaho and Wyoming as well as directors and game and fish commissions.  Right now that is about all we can do other than just make sure everyone knows what is in the works. It has not been filed as a lawsuit just yet.  We will keep you posted"

[Machias]

 

[pianoman9701]

I'm surprised at how one-sided that article in the ID Statesman is. They didn't used to be so far left, as I recall. Must've been bought by Tribune Publishing.

[bearpaw]

I'm surprised at how one-sided that article in the ID Statesman is. They didn't used to be so far left, as I recall. Must've been bought by Tribune Publishing.

Boise is becoming a liberal stronghold in Idaho

[bornhunter]

Many from Wa who have moved to Idaho say Idaho is only a few years behind Wa before same liberal type wackjobs are in control.

[n_mathews13]

Got this today:

Hello Everyone,

I spoke with a team from the US Sportsmen Alliance today via the phone, Included on call was Evan Heusinkveld and the US Sportsmen Alliance lawyer Jim who has tried similar cases for them.

I was really curious as to their support and what their thought were on the direction of this intent to sue.  I got some great information but to be honest I am a little more nervous now than I was before.

The intent was filed against the US Forest Service so that is not a great thing for us, they are backlogged with work and right now completely shut down. This intent is up in a few weeks and it is very likely that their will be no response from the Forest Service, USFWS, or USDA due to this shut down.  They will likely then file the suit as they have planned. Jim and Evan both mentioned cases similar to this in the past, specifically in Alaska where they sued to ban baiting on USFWS and National Parks Land.  The groups suing understood they would likely not get an all out ban on baiting so they compromised on a NEPA Analysis of the effects of baiting on the land and people.  The agencies tasked with this got in their hands a report saying how bad baiting was for habituating bears to food and complied with ban on their lands. 

This is likely the approach they will take in Wyoming and Idaho,  The suit will likely be held in Idaho in 9th circuit court as it will be a friendlier court than Wyoming.  If the Forest Service is not keen on fighting will likely look for a compromise in which case the organizations filing suit will ask for a full NEPA analysis of all forest service lands and the use of bear bait on them.  We all agreed that this is a hassle for the local FS to handle and if that happens they will be more likely to sign off on the path of least resistance, which is an all out ban on their forest.  This also leaves them vulnerable to influence from these activist groups to side with them.  Its a nasty tactic and one they will continue to use as they have seen benefit. 

We all agreed the use of the ESA was bogus but did see that this tactic is effective for them as anything with the ESA holds so much weight in the courts and with public.  They also mentioned Montana heavily and their decision not to use bait to hunt bears. This is not a new decision, but one that could effect this one. I need to do some homework and see if that bait ban in statute or a commission rule.  The did mention that this lawsuit will be negatively effected by their neglect in doing a petition or a petition to agency for rule changes.  That is the protocol and it was passed up for litigation.

They both recommended I contact USDA and USFS and just get their gauge on the intent and what their plan may be without asking for them on a decision.  We need to know who we have on our side moving forward. 

That is all I have for you right now. We have all the sign-on's for our letter and I will be sending that out this week as well as sending to Game and Fish Commissions, US Senators, USFS, and USFWS.  I thank you all for your interest and pro-active stance

[mulehunter]

I'm surprised at how one-sided that article in the ID Statesman is. They didn't used to be so far left, as I recall. Must've been bought by Tribune Publishing.

Boise is becoming a liberal stronghold in Idaho

Agreed, There 600,000 new residences thur Idaho in last 5 years all Liberals trying to take over Idaho from Ca.

[Machias]

I'm surprised at how one-sided that article in the ID Statesman is. They didn't used to be so far left, as I recall. Must've been bought by Tribune Publishing.

Boise is becoming a liberal stronghold in Idaho

Agreed, There 600,000 new residences thur Idaho in last 5 years all Liberals trying to take over Idaho from Ca.

Mulehunter, how have you been?

[n_mathews13]

Hey folks,

I spoke to Lee Jacobson the Head ESA guy for the USFS based out of Ogden, UT.  He gave me some good insight as to what is happening moving forward on this Notice Of Intent. Basically the Forest Service is now reviewing the intent and trying to decide if it has any merit or if it is refutable.  He said in these cases the USFS leans 2 ways, either develop a letter refuting claims or trying to compromise if the intent as any merit. In this case he said their are some possible points made by the suing parties that they may have to look at. It all hinges on whether they think they can win in court or not.  He did note that he feels this suite is just a witch hunt on bear baiting and really doesn't think the suing parties care about grizzly bears.  They have 60 days to respond and we are well into that.  Sometimes nothing happens but he feels the groups involved will push for a response.  He said in most cases like this the USFS leans toward defending their position.  This case is tricky because it involves state regulated wildlife and the USFS is a federal agency that does not manage black bears in either state.  They do not like getting into Federal/State issues like this but feels it may come down to it. 

If the states become involved I am confident both Wyoming and Idaho will defend bear baiting.  He is going to mail me the response to NOI as soon as they have it complete so I can share with your their response. Sorry not more of a definitive answer, I will continue to keep you all updated

[rasbo]

I came across a bait site outside of McCall last year,what a mess.. McCall is full of anti-hunters,guys need to keep their sites clean,I was pissed and cleaned up the mess. These people are looking for any reason to stop hunting. I was surprised just how many people that live there are anti hunter....

[n_mathews13]

It is easy to miss a piece of trash in a bait. So for a lazy no good, it would be easy to have a mess. Once in a while I’d show up to rebait and find a wrapper, man it makes you feel so bad. And  litterly find myself looking to see if anyone is watching, cause it’s  embarrassing.  I agree, I’ve seen some poor maintained baits.