Wildlife Commissioner taking heat for a legal cougar hunt

[bearpaw]

This made the WSJ today.  It sounds like he can be removed with a resolution passed through the legislature.  Unfortunatey I feel like he is going to get pushed out.  Not right at all! 

It's theoretically possible yes but if you look at all those comments you will see the same few flapping their keyboards repeatedly while a lot of people who have more realistic views are answering them.

Very True....

Keep the comments going in for him.....

[Sumpnneedskillin]

OK, after reading that it doesn't sound to me like it was a "gift". He was there anyway as a paying customer, hunting birds and shooting clay pigeons, and he just went along on a cougar hunt, and was the shooter. If he hadn't been there they would have chased that cat and killed it anyway. He doesn't even get to bring it home. So I don't see what he has gained. But they will probably be able to spin this the right way and get rid of him. Too bad we can't get him here on our fish & wildlife commission as some have already said.

I read it the same way.  I think you are right that they will get the spin going and going and going and then can him.  However, this guy may have the fight in him to challenge it in court.  If he decides to do that he may wind up with a lot of financial help from around the country.

[huntrights]

Below is a sample communication that can be written to all of our representatives, including the President and the California Fish and Game Commission.  It is very fast and easy through the U.S. Sportsman's Alliance website:

Link to U.S. Sportsman's Alliance article:
http://www.ussportsmen.org/page.aspx?pid=3004&erid=11039021&trid=f81f4f8e-3ed6-4eae-af52-eba5743123fc

Excerpt from article:
"Take Action!  Sportsmen need to call their state legislators in support of Commissioner Richards TODAY.  Tell them to keep anti-hunting politics out of wildlife conservation. To find your state legislators’ contact information, visit USSA's Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

Sportsmen can also voice their support for Commissioner Richards with the California Fish and Game Commission via phone at             (916) 653-4899       or by email at fgc@fgc.ca.gov."

Sample communication:

"I am writing to clearly voice my solid support for Commissioner Richards, with the California Fish and Game Commission, who participated in a legal mountain lion hunt in Idaho. The arrogant and blatant anti-hunting attack on Commissioner Richards by some of the California State Legislature representatives and radical anti-hunting organizations shows how out of control the management of our wildlife populations has become.  Anti-hunting politics and radical anti-hunting organizations absolutely must be kept out of wildlife management and conservation decision making.  Wildlife management and conservation must be based only on valid, unbiased science and research, NOT on radical anti-hunting sentiment and emotionally based propaganda disseminated by anti-hunting organizations.

Voters in California voted for a hunting ban on mountain lions based on emotion and anti-hunting sentiment; it had nothing to do with science-based wildlife management or conservation.  The same types of manipulations of wildlife management are happening in the state of Washington and other states.  Perhaps it is good that the anti-hunting legislators and anti-hunting organizations have shown their true radical and controlling nature.

I am writing to respectfully ask that legislation be written and enacted on national, state, and local levels that will ensure wildlife management and conservation is based only on valid, unbiased science and research.  Anti-hunting politics and emotionally-based voter initiatives absolutely cannot be allowed to control wildlife management decisions and conservation.  Outrageous attacks like what is happening to Commissioner Richards clearly shows that there is a need for such legislation at all levels.

Thank you."

[bearpaw]

thanks for the info, messages sent to my legislators

[Wenatcheejay]

Thanks JS, letter sent. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Done!!

[Sumpnneedskillin]

The CA F&G Commission is having a meeting today.  Just got an update from one of the Socal boards that the meeting is standing room only.  It also appears that there are several tv cameras there too.

[bearpaw]

I read a recent story on my email that he is getting lots of support from sportsmen, good job to everyone who has written.... 

[pianoman9701]

From the US Sportsmen's Alliance just now:


"HSUS Demands Payment for Support
3/9/12

 

There’s no denying that California’s Department of Fish and Game has become increasingly cozy with the Humane Society of the United States.  In 2009 the radical animal rights group “donated” $5,000 to help feed game warden search dogs. The group also pledged an additional $2,500 to the Cal TIP line (a special line to report poaching) to help combat poaching. And HSUS donated deer decoys to California that were used to catch poachers.  Of course there is a price to pay for collaborating with the world’s largest anti-hunting organization.  In their publications, HSUS refers to the apprehended poachers as hunters.

Just to be certain you understand this growing connection between HSUS and California, and see the results, California Dept. of Game and Fish Chief of Law Enforcement Nancy Foley wrote this in 2009: "California's wildlife and habitat are under severe pressure," penned Foley. "We are very grateful for the support from The Humane Society of the United States for our efforts to combat the scourge of poaching and look forward to developing a lasting partnership."

Hunters know better.  They are fully aware of HSUS’ real agenda to ban hunting, and recognize that their ploys are a means to sanitize their image to fool people.

Now it seems that HSUS is demanding payment for the more than 7,500 favors (dollars) it bestowed on California. The HSUS wants Commissioner Daniel Richards fired for taking personal vacation and legally—and successfully—hunting mountain lions in Idaho. Daniel Richards is the current president of California’s five-member Fish and Game Commission.

On February 22, 2012 Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO, blogged that, “Richards should step down and make way for an appointee who balances the diverse interests of the people of California―who want something more than a lion hunter in the lead.”

Perhaps Pacelle really wants Richards to step down and make way for someone who follows HSUS views and does not hunt—anything, anywhere.

Apparently HSUS feels that its financial investment in the California Department of Fish and Game gives the organization the political clout to determine whether a hunter can continue to manage a department that is charged to manage all wildlife—and hunting, trapping,  and fishing.   

The ranting by Pacelle continued again on March 2 when he blogged: “The NRA and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance are bellyaching that Richards is being unfairly targeted for a legal hunt.”   Mr. Pacelle has us dead right there.  The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance will always stand up for the rights of America’s hunters and anglers.  And we’re not alone in this fight.  In addition to the NRA, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Safari Club International, Masters of Foxhounds, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and many, many more organizations have all lent their support to Commissioner Richards.     

The bottom line is that HSUS has declared open season on wildlife professionals who hunt.  And we can’t just take that lying down.  And neither should any other hunter.  HSUS has already hoodwinked half of California’s state legislature to call for Commissioner Richard’s head.  California sportsmen should contact their state assemblymen and state senators in support of his right to hunt, right now.

Take Action! Sportsmen need to call their state legislators in support of Commissioner Richards TODAY. Tell them to keep anti-hunting politics out of wildlife conservation. To find your state legislators’ contact information, visit USSA's Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

Sportsmen can also voice their support for Commissioner Richards with the California Fish and Game Commission via phone at (916) 653-4899 or by email at fgc@fgc.ca.gov

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Looks like they are changing tactics.  Instead of trying to remove him they're going to change the way the commission does business.  They vote in May to change the way the President of the commission is selected.  Instead of seniority it will be by vote so it looks like the antis will get their person as president of the CA F&G commission.  The president determines the agenda and speaks for the commission.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_20134520/wildlife-official-caught-mountain-lion-controversy-may-be