Antelope Reintroduction to Washington

[ellensburgpo]

I think that's it's a great thing, as long as it's done right. One more species to hunt is ok by me.

[Guy]

This is great. I've often wondered why we don't have any antelope. Cool. Well done.

[BallisticsNut]

Sorry guys I posted the wrong address to get involved with supporting some of the groups that raise the funds to get projects like this done, has been a busy day working4wildlife.com is how it should have read. Come to the event find out what we all do.

Thanks Joe for posting this and staying on top of this topic. 
 
Some of you wanted to know more and how to get involved.  Here is the link to the local Puget Sound Chapter of SCI and some of the projects we support.  We created the website about a year ago to try and get more info about our organization out to the public.  This has been my baby since inception from the creative process, design and hosting.  Please take the time to visit our site and forums.  Keep in mind, the site is less then a year old and it continues to evolve.   

www.sciseattlepsc.com

[Tom Reichner]

Josh,
I am not to good at posting pics. send me your phone number and I will send you a pic off my cell phone. I filmed the whole event with the exception of the release which was done late at night as we did not want to keep them contained any longer than we need to and we did not want to stress them any more than necessary with alot of flashes going off.

I'm surprised that the release would have been done this way (late at night).  I would think that such a significant event would have had press releases for all media outlets, local and state news crews there to film it for regional TV, a film crew from SCI so that they can fully document their work here in the state, etc.  It seems like something that would have been a big deal, with a lot of attention.  

It just surprises me that we, the public, didn't hear about this release before it was done, or get to see it live, as it was being done.

Perhaps this was intentionally kept on the "down low"?  

Hopefully, the next time something like this is scheduled to happen, the media is better at sniffing it out and letting the public know about it in advance.

[jackelope]

Josh,
I am not to good at posting pics. send me your phone number and I will send you a pic off my cell phone. I filmed the whole event with the exception of the release which was done late at night as we did not want to keep them contained any longer than we need to and we did not want to stress them any more than necessary with alot of flashes going off.

I'm surprised that the release would have been done this way (late at night).  I would think that such a significant event would have had press releases for all media outlets, local and state news crews there to film it for regional TV, a film crew from SCI so that they can fully document their work here in the state, etc.  It seems like something that would have been a big deal, with a lot of attention.  

It just surprises me that we, the public, didn't hear about this release before it was done, or get to see it live, as it was being done.

Perhaps this was intentionally kept on the "down low"?  

Hopefully, the next time something like this is scheduled to happen, the media is better at sniffing it out and letting the public know about it in advance.

Oooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr.................
They wanted to keep the stress to the animals to a minimum and get them out of the trailers ASAP?

[bobcat]

Probably didn't hear about it because it was not a WDFW sanctioned "event."  Basically was done in another "nation"- the Yakama Nation. It'd be the same if something like this was done north of our border in Canada.     

[bearpaw]

It was posted by someone involved that they did it at night to reduce stress on animals and get them released as quickly as possible. I think he also said they didn't want a lot of camera flashes, etc. or something to that effect.

FYI - Yesterday I believe the WDFW commented to the House resources committee that antelope were released.

[Woodchuck]

I am just really hopeful that there are more to come. 4 or 5 more plants around the state would be very cool. I am sure i can find some private land for em to release some around here. 

[runamuk]

Josh,
I am not to good at posting pics. send me your phone number and I will send you a pic off my cell phone. I filmed the whole event with the exception of the release which was done late at night as we did not want to keep them contained any longer than we need to and we did not want to stress them any more than necessary with alot of flashes going off.

I'm surprised that the release would have been done this way (late at night).  I would think that such a significant event would have had press releases for all media outlets, local and state news crews there to film it for regional TV, a film crew from SCI so that they can fully document their work here in the state, etc.  It seems like something that would have been a big deal, with a lot of attention.  

It just surprises me that we, the public, didn't hear about this release before it was done, or get to see it live, as it was being done.

Perhaps this was intentionally kept on the "down low"?  

Hopefully, the next time something like this is scheduled to happen, the media is better at sniffing it out and letting the public know about it in advance.

Oooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr.................
They wanted to keep the stress to the animals to a minimum and get them out of the trailers ASAP?

from what I gather antelope dont do captivity well so night release quickly and quietly to reduce stress would be important ..it isnt always secret agendas and stuff sometimes it is simple good animal handling practices to increase the odds of success.
 

[bearpaw]

I am just really hopeful that there are more to come. 4 or 5 more plants around the state would be very cool. I am sure i can find some private land for em to release some around here. 

 

I definitely agree, several releases from different areas would add gentic diversity and bolster numbers.

[Raul Duke]

I cant wait for the day I drive over sastus pass, and look , and see Antelope grazing in the feilds.

This is a great idea, and I hope one day my kids have the chance to mount one on there walls.

  Big thumbs up to everyone involved.

[Pathfinder101]

Josh,
I am not to good at posting pics. send me your phone number and I will send you a pic off my cell phone. I filmed the whole event with the exception of the release which was done late at night as we did not want to keep them contained any longer than we need to and we did not want to stress them any more than necessary with alot of flashes going off.

I'm surprised that the release would have been done this way (late at night).  I would think that such a significant event would have had press releases for all media outlets, local and state news crews there to film it for regional TV, a film crew from SCI so that they can fully document their work here in the state, etc.  It seems like something that would have been a big deal, with a lot of attention.  

It just surprises me that we, the public, didn't hear about this release before it was done, or get to see it live, as it was being done.

Perhaps this was intentionally kept on the "down low"?  

Hopefully, the next time something like this is scheduled to happen, the media is better at sniffing it out and letting the public know about it in advance.

Oooooooorrrrrrrrrrrr.................
They wanted to keep the stress to the animals to a minimum and get them out of the trailers ASAP?

from what I gather antelope dont do captivity well so night release quickly and quietly to reduce stress would be important ..it isnt always secret agendas and stuff sometimes it is simple good animal handling practices to increase the odds of success.
 

Sorry you had to wait for so long to finally use that new emoticon Run...

[Practical Approach]

Congratulations to the Yakama Nation, the  Nevada Game department and all of the volunteering people and organizatons that made this transplant happen.  I hope these animals do well.  I am curious if anyone knows why WDFW was not able to work with Nevada when they were first approached???Anyone have any insight to what happened?

[Woodchuck]

This got me to thinking...I wonder if WDFW would get on board if we could get this on the news and tell the truth about how it all took place and the dept's lack of motivation on this issue. 

[bobcat]

It would probably be along the lines of the WDFW is not in the business of providing targets for hunters. 

Seriously, I think the issue may have been that there really is no proof that antelope were ever present in this state. So they'd be introducing an invasive species.