George: Oft-maligned trophy hunting actually key to conservation

[WWC]

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/sep/25/george-oft-maligned-trophy-hunting-actually-key-to/?fbclid=IwAR1jsK4R8EBUk2_PkVmRIUtcBtKCQzo67pFSX1gdB6U_AUY7zhCd6FBXU3M

By Bart George
For The Spokesman-Review
This is an opinion piece written by Bart George, a wildlife biologist and hunter in northeast Washington. For another perspective read “Trophy hunting driving away would-be hunters,” by professor and author Paul Lindholdt.

When it comes to wildlife management and hunting, I cannot wax poetic and quote Shakespeare or ponder philosophical conundrums while drawing abstract conclusions that fit my predetermined bias. No, as a professional scientist, I am required to suspend my opinions and rely on hard data, historical knowledge and field observations to direct my course of action and management decisions.

The science of wildlife management is guided by research and data generated over the past several decades. Population dynamics, birth and mortality rates, carrying capacity and ecosystem-wide habitat composition are just a few variables we consider when managing predator and prey species, as well as their relationship to each other and humans. Wildlife managers are not gambling with outcomes. We take a very cautious approach. Further, we have 100 years’ worth of data from which to draw. In short, we know what works and what does not. And we continue to improve our understanding of complex biological relationships and adjust management schema as new technology increases our ability to collect more and new data.

[WWC]

Please read the whole article on the Spoksman Review site.

[KFhunter]

Good write up Bart 

[buckfvr]

Great job Bart, I hope you hit some nerves and rang some bells.

[Special T]

 

[WAcoyotehunter]

Thanks guys!

[idahohuntr]

Excellent article. 

[Bushcraft]

Bart,

Your outstanding article is arguably one of the best I've read on the aspect of "trophy hunting" in some time.  Well done!

Thank you.

Allen

[RB]

Now if we could just get people (non hunters) to read this and understand it! Best article I have read in a long time!

[mburrows]

Really well done!

[hunter399]

 

Really well done!

 

[Rainier10]

The full article is amazing. Great job Bart!

[trophyhunt]

Excellent and spot on, anyway you could read this article to the commission when they have the next spring bear meeting?  Thanks for writing this!

[Ironhead]

Great write up Bart!

[Sneaky Squirrel]

That was a great piece writing Bart! I sure wish the commission would not base there decisions on Emotions.....