HEADLINES of INTEREST

Oregon Live: Oregonians Discovery How to "live in harmony" With Wolves

KUNC Radio News: Biologist Study Wolves' Return to Colorado

KVAL: Environmentalists Want Wolf Protection in Oregon

Dutch Harbor Fisherman: Wolves' Boldness Keeps Villagers on Edge

The Observer: Wallowa County wants Changes in Wolf Plans

Salt Lake Tribune: Approval of N. Utah Pipeline Delayed to Protect Endangered Species

KTUU: Alaska: Judge to Hear Case on Allowing F&G to Kill Wolves on Island

Helena Independent Record: Feds "Listen" to Montana residents About Outdoor Issues...Right!

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Is Idaho Governor Turning Blind Eye To Illegal Wolf Killings?

Yesterday I commented on a letter Idaho Governor Butch Otter sent to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. That letter addressed many of the problems Idaho is facing as the direct result of uncontrolled wolves. Unless Secretary Salazar is living in a complete vacuum and/or is void of any skills at perception, he should have understood the tone of Otter’s letter and the sense of urgency in it.

Some time ago, and repeatedly since that first time, I have spoken about how the war on public opinion would eventually shift in an anti-wolf direction if the wolf loving cretins didn’t stop changing the rules of the game while exposing their avaricious desires for more wolves in more places. In truth this can be more precisely explained as the environmentalists’ appetite for the money they get the longer they can keep the wolf issue tied up in court and in the public eye – that is until someone comes along and pokes you in the eye.

That time appears to be well upon the people of Idaho and perhaps even the Governor of the Gem State. Not only do we have some hunters and those fighting for wolf reductions, discussing whether it is ethical to shoot wolves that are seen in the woods, Governor Otter informed Secretary Salazar that Idaho will no longer be the heavy in investigating complaints about ESA violations and wolves. Here’s his statement to the Secretary.

Further, consistent with the Commission’s recommendation, Idaho will no longer be the lead investigator regarding ESA violations as they pertain to wolves. Idaho will refer such matters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I take that to mean that if you think someone is illegally killing a wolf, don’t call Idaho authorities. Evidently the Governor and his Board of Commissioners have reached a point they are starting to see the gray wolf as a “despised nuisance”, as Governor Otter so described in his letter. To that end we now have to question what, if any, effort IDFG or any other state law enforcement agency will expend to stop a poacher?

Whether we like it or not, it is unlawful to kill a protected species but this is what it has come down to. It actually pains me to no end that I now have to say, “I told you so!”

Tom Remington

Hurricane Earl Used To Steal Second Amendment Right

When will these negligent, idiot, elected officials get it in their thick skulls that they don’t have the authority to suspend the Constitutional rights of Americans due to a perceived state of emergency? North Carolina’s Governor, acting as any good Marxist dictator would do, declared a state of emergency due to hurricane Earl and as such bars lawful citizens the right to self protection.

Moose Droppings has more.

Tom Remington

Wolves Altering Elk Behavior Isn’t Saving Aspen Trees…..But Wait!

Well, here we go again! One more study that seems to show that previous theories on wolf and elk behavior just isn’t turning out the way some thought it would. But there is danger lurking behind the results of a recent study that seems to indicate that what some believed about wolves altering the behavior of elk would result in the regeneration of quaking aspen that elk so readily feed on, isn’t panning out.

The theory, and one that is ballyhooed among the environmentalists and have convinced the media and others to be the truth, is that wolves are important to a well-balanced ecosystem. It is believed that there were too many elk in Yellowstone Park and that if wolves were introduced it would turn the landscape into Shangri-la.

The theory goes like this. Elk eat aspen shoots. Too many elk eat too many aspen shoots. Too many aspen shoots eaten, results in not enough regeneration of new aspen – not enough by somebody’s standards – and this results in a poor, unhealthy and unbalanced ecosystem. But not only was this theory based on notions that there were too many elk, the key anchor of this hypothesis was that the mere presence of wolves would so alter the behavior of elk that they just wouldn’t dare come into “high risk” areas to eat aspen. As a result, aspen would regenerate.

Wolves, evidently, aren’t the miracle cure!

According to an article filed by the U.S. Geological Survey, the new report, which will be published in the next issue of Ecology, shows that this theory isn’t working very well.

“This study not only confirms that elk are responsible for the decline of aspen in Yellowstone beginning in the 1890s, but also that none of the aspen groves studied after wolf restoration appear to be regenerating, even in areas risky to elk,”

Before everyone who is interested in reducing the number of wolves, or getting rid of them altogether, gets too excited about this, consider the danger hidden in the claims of this new study.

“A landscape-level aspen recovery is likely only to occur if wolves, in combination with other predators and climate factors, further reduce the elk population,”

Did we now just leap from the frying pan and into the fire? Environmentalists have made millions of dollars by convincing Americans that wolves are a necessary element in any “healthy” ecosystem. They accomplished this by inventing theories about how wolves will alter behavior. The results of this new study should play right into their hands because their ultimate goal is to end hunting. If they can now convince the masses that reducing elk numbers low enough to save our aspen, they will effectively have accomplished their goal.

This new study claims that as elk numbers expanded through natural and restorative efforts, the aspen regeneration shrank. Elk are to blame for loss of aspen and this study showed that the only way they could effectively regenerate new aspen was to fence the elk out.

So where’s the “balance” here? If elk roamed these parts in historical times, were there any aspen growing then? Is the only means of restoring aspen through the reduction of elk? Has it been considered that from the times when elk once inhabited this area, conditions may have changed which have effected the ability of the aspen to regenerate naturally?

Dr. Charles Kay, who has studied and written quite extensively on aspen and aspen regeneration, indicates that this may be the case. (“Are Aspen Doomed?” Journal of Forestry, 95(8), August 1997) He suggests that the aspen present today in the West may not be the same species that is native or has “evolved” in something a bit different and as a result struggles at regeneration.

Science will continue to work on finding the answers here. Hopefully, those answers will teach us more about how to more successfully be good stewards of our resources. Unfortunately, in the meantime, environmentalists will pounce on every and any opportunity to protect their wolves and promote their agendas and this is just another convenient round of ammunition they will use to lock and load.

Mark my words!

Tom Remington

“Boogity, Boogity, Boogity! Let’s Go Racin’ Boys

New Coyote Bait! Phat Frog Fishing Lure

Yeah! That’s right. When I go fishing, the last thing that enters my mind is whether or not I might hook and land a coyote. No, a coyote isn’t some exotic fish with the nickname coyote. This is an actual coyote that, in a flash, darted from the weeds and pounced on a man’s Phat Frog bass fishing lure. They say a coyote will eat anything.

Read what happens next. Unreal!

Tom Remington

Al Gore An Accomplice In Discovery Building Headquarters Hostage Taking

Make no doubt about it, the nut job, James J. Lee, who stormed the Discovery headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland, is seriously sick between the ears. How will the left-structured media describe and deal with this guy? Time will tell.

MSNBC is reporting information found on Lee’s website, which has consequently been taken offline but some were able to cache it before authorities brought it down. Lee appears to be a left-wing, environmental extremist who hates humans and places animals at a higher level than humans. (Of course that describes any environmentalist.)

“I want Discovery Communications to broadcast on their channels to the world their new program lineup and I want proof they are doing so. I want the new shows started by asking the public for inventive solution ideas to save the planet and the remaining wildlife on it,” the alleged manifesto reads, adding:”Nothing is more important than saving … the Lions, Tigers, Giraffes, Elephants, Froggies, Turtles, Apes, Raccoons, Beetles, Ants, Sharks, Bears, and, of course, the Squirrels. The humans? The planet does not need humans.”

MSNBC falls a bit short as they didn’t includes Lee’s rants about “filthy”, “polluting” children and how we humans need to figure out how to live without them.

Interestingly enough, Lee claims he had an epiphany when he viewed Al Gore’s award winning movie, “An Inconvenient Truth”. So again, how will the media handle this? Remember that anytime the media even suspects an event like this could have been caused by a right-wing nut job (even when they make it up), they blame people like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and others for fomenting hatred and stirring these people up to cause violent acts.

If the media follows it’s modus operandi, if we are to assume they are operating from theories and not political bias and their own hatred, then Al Gore, those who awarded him the Nobel Prize, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a host of others, should be labeled as accomplices. Should we immediately begin demanding an end to movies? Freedom of speech? The Nobel Prize?

Don’t hold your breath!

Tom Remington

Montana Firearms Freedom Act Suffers Setback

The Montana Firearms Freedom Act has suffered a setback in the plaintiffs’ attempt at declaratory judgment in order that the state can manufacture and sell, within the bounds of the state, firearms and accessories, without undergoing the scrutiny of the Federal Government.

Attorney General Eric Holder has filed in Montana court for dismissal on the grounds that “lack of subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted”.

In an effort to get MSSA v. Holder into a courtroom in order that declaratory judgment could be rendered, Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch granted dismissal on the grounds claimed by the defendant.

It is my understanding that this dismissal ruling will be appealed.

Tom Remington

Elk Champion Jake Clark to Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame

MISSOULA, Mont.–Cowboy, outfitter, conservationist and devoted champion of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Jake Clark of Powell, Wyo., will be inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame on Sept. 10.

A ceremony in Casper, Wyo., will recognize 2010 inductees selected for “significant and lasting lifetime contributions to the conservation of Wyoming’s outdoor heritage.” Previous honorees include President Theodore Roosevelt, Curt Gowdy, Olaus Murie, George Bird Grinnell and many other names familiar to hunters and conservationists. The Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming sponsors the special honor and event.

An early and ardent supporter of RMEF’s mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, Clark has been a standout contributor to the organization’s conservation fundraisers. His donated hunts, pack trips, mules and other stock have generated $460,000 in funding for conservation. Clark also gives countless hours of volunteer labor, leads the ring crew for auctions and ladies’ luncheons at RMEF annual conventions, has served on the organization’s board of directors, appeared on the RMEF television show and, along with wife Kay, was honored in 2000 with the highest honor given by RMEF–the Wallace Fennell Pate Wildlife Conservation Award.

“Elk country is richer today because of Jake Clark,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Jake is a man of few words but infinite energy and passion for wild country, and we congratulate him on this well deserved honor.”

With leadership from Clark and spirited help from some 10,000 fellow volunteers, RMEF this summer passed the 5.8 million mark in acres conserved or enhanced for wildlife.

Wolf Issues Become “Unprecedented” And Media Focuses On Hunts

Idaho Governor Butch Otter sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar asking for help in finding a solution to a serious wolf problem that was magnified when Judge Donald Molloy placed wolves back under the protection of the Federal Government in August of 2010.

While the letter contained expressions of frustrations at the Courts, a request for a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to manage the predator problems, and assorted other dead end proposals and complaints, the media has instead chosen to focus on Gov. Otter’s request of the Secretary to have a wolf hunting season regardless of whether wolves are federally protected or not.

The Idaho Reporter’s headline reads, “Fish and Game says Otter will ask the feds to allow a wolf hunt“.

The Idaho Stateman opted for this headline. “ID, MT seek OK for hunting of endangered wolves“. And the Helena Independent Record has a very similar headline, “Montana, Idaho seek OK for endangered wolf hunt“. There are other similar headlines in other newspapers all pretty much repeating the same thing.

I find it interesting that of all the issues that surround the highly charged debate on wolves, the media has chosen to focus on Gov. Otter’s request to have the illegal Idaho Wolf Management Plan, that the USFWS approved before delisting, changed so the state can allow a wolf hunting season.

Why not focus on the sense of urgency in Otter’s letter when he described the situation in Idaho as “becoming more explosive” and wants a resolution complete within 30 days? They could have mentioned that Gov. Otter said “wolves are causing excessive livestock depredations”, or that the same wolves, “are causing excessive mortality on Idaho ungulate populations”.

The media could have just as easily turned their attention to Gov. Otter’s comment that the wolf issue was, “contributing to unprecedented social conflict”. And let’s not forget that Otter pointed out that because of the wolf issue and every aspect of the negativity that has come with it, hunters are now turning to a position of viewing wolves as nothing but a “despised nuisance”.

Are not these issues or at least a compounding of some or all of these issues, far more important than whether or not Idaho can have a wolf hunt? Is it because the media wants to bring hunters into the spotlight in order to portray them as the bad guys?

Otter tells Secretary Salazar that the new MOA needs to have assurances that people can protect their property and that Idaho hunters, fishermen and trappers are no longer going to tolerate having their license fees pay for management of a predator species that is destroying all the time and money put in over the years to restore elk, moose and deer herds. The Governor continues telling Salazar that IDFG will no longer use it’s resources to investigate wolf incidents. This can be done and paid for by the Federal Government.

Are these also not more important issues to discuss and draw the attention of the Idaho citizens to instead of whether or not Gov. Otter can secure the authority to put on another wolf hunt?

Of all the issues that need to be debated and dealt with, a wolf hunt is the last thing hunters are interested in. They want the wolf numbers reduced so that ungulate numbers will return to management goals. Bear in mind that a wolf hunt is NOT an effective management tool for wolves. Wolf hunting is simply an added side effect to entire management process.

It has readily been said by scientists and others who are very familiar with wolves that you don’t manage wolves. With wolves you are only left with spending endless time and resources developing ways to reduce, spelled kill, wolves.

I even believe that too much focus is being put on a wolf hunt by the Governor, IDFG and of course the media, some for different reasons. If Idaho were to be successful in getting a wolf hunt while under ESA protection, it will have no real impact on the wolf problems. It will act more as a pacifier to some and a burr in the bonnet of others, mainly the wolf lovers.

The bottom line is that should any of Gov. Otter’s proposals come to fruition, real control of the predator wolf will not be realized until fish and game managers discover what they are really dealing with.

In a recent letter sent to Idaho Rep. Lenore Barrett from Tony Mayer, founder of Save Our Elk, he described the solutions Gov. Otter is proposing in his letter as the “slow bleed” solution.

As far as the substance of the governors letter, It is doubtful that any such negotiations will benefit Idaho over the long run, and entering into such a requested MOA will serve as nothing more then the continuance of “tying Idaho’s hands” to this perpetual, ill-advised, ill-conceived Federally controlled wolf boondoggle, This approach guarantees the continued “slow bleed” of our wildlife ungulate and ultimately guarantees their ultimate demise.

I think it’s time for the environmentalist-controlled media to reconsider their headlines. Time to put their focus on the real issues, the meat and potatoes of the wolf issue and stop their direct and subtle demonizing of the hunters.

Tom Remington

“Living On The Edge”: How Whitetail Deer Survive Winters In Maine

If you’ve not had a chance to read the three-part article in the new edition of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife summer edition magazine, called “Living on the Edge”, I strongly encourage readers to do so. Follow this link and page up to page 22 where the article begins.

Evidently this article first appeared in a newsletter published by SWOAM – Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine. The first part explains how deer use the makeup of a winter deer yard to protect themselves from the harsh elements of winter. Part II explores deeper what constitutes a winter deer yard and Part III looks at how to manage a winter deer yard.

This is all excellent information but could be just a bit misleading to those not fully aware of what goes on in and around a winter deer yard. My intention here is not to find fault with the article. Bear in mind the piece first appeared in a newsletter for woodlot owners. Their focus is on perhaps how to recognize a deer yard, understand its importance and how to manage accordingly.

What I would love to see is a similar piece that can honestly and thoroughly explain all the other dynamics that occur in and around Maine’s deer yards that deer have to dodge in order to survive a winter. It’s not all just deep snows, blowing winds and brutally cold temperatures.

I would be more than eager to read such an effort.

Tom Remington

Helicopter Crash In Idaho Claims Lives Of Three

The pilot and two Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists were killed this morning when the helicopter they were traveling in malfunctioned and crashed in Kamiah, Idaho.

One source says that the names of the two biologists are Dani Schiff and Larry Barrett.

More on the accident can be found here.

Tom Remington

Lead Ammo, The EPA And Don’t Get Conned By Scammers Wanting Your Money

Many of you will be aware that the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency asking the EPA to ban the use of lead for ammunition as a toxic material.

The good news is that when Congress gave the EPA the authority to regulate toxic materials in the environment, Congress specifically excepted lead ammunition from that EPA regulatory authority.

So, the EPA has reviewed the petition from the CBD and has rejected the request to regulate lead ammo, stating that it lacks authority to do so.

So, this round is over, for now. Much ado about nothing, this time.

Despite that this fight is now history, a less than scrupulous entity is trying to raise scare money off this episode, claiming that ammunition will be banned if you don’t send them money to engage a fight over lead. This entity also sent out a fundraising pitch a couple of months ago claiming that they desperately needed funds to support the Firearms Freedom Act effort. I don’t know if anyone sent them any money, but they sure never offered to assist us with the FFA fight. I suspect this entity doesn’t really exist, and the effort is just raising money for the guy who writes the fundraising letters.

If you have money to donate to the “cause,” I highly recommend that you donate to an entity that has a track record of actually doing something, such as MSSA, SAF, GOA or the NRA.

Best wishes,

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
author, Gun Laws of Montana
http://www.mtpublish.com

Bandwidth Issues

I apologize to readers who tried to come here and check for information and updates. Sometime very late last night, this site exceeded bandwidth and that is my fault for not checking. I believe we have resolved the issue and should be good to go now.

Exceeding bandwidth is not a good thing because it essentially puts you out of business. The upside is that the site is very busy. I just need to pay closer attention. Thank you readers from keeping me busy!

Tom Remington

The Lincoln Memorial Too Sacred To Discuss God?

Hang on! Hang on! Hang on! Bill Press, who obviously hates Glenn Beck, says that the Lincoln Memorial is a sacred place. I’m certainly not in any position to make a determination as to whether or not a memorial to Abraham Lincoln is sacred ground, but……….oh, my! Perhaps he meant because that’s where the Rev. Martin Luther King once stood and delivered a speech………invoking God into his address in 1963.

You decide whether the Lincoln Memorial is sacred ground and then try to make sense out of Press’ comment that because it’s sacred ground, it’s no place to talk about God and religion and politics. Oooooh! Maybe there’s somebody Press is thinking about besides Lincoln or King but do either of these two guys, separately or combined, trump God when it comes to whose allowed on sacred ground? Anybody?

I think this is more a clear example of how blind hatred rules the mind and can turn a man into an incoherent, nonsensical blatherer.

Tom Remington

Firearms Tax Improvement Act That’s A Tax On Guns

Why do I have to be the one to ask the tough questions and come across as though I am picking on the NRA again? I have to ask certain questions when I don’t understand. I am willing to entertain serious comments on why the newly passed into law “Firearms Tax Improvement Act” is being hailed as not a tax but yet certainly appears like a tax to me, no matter how small that tax is?

First let’s set the record straight. I sounds as though the bill will make the job of tax accounting for those people selling firearms, ammunition and certain other recreational equipment a whole lot easier. These vendors have paid federal excise tax bi-weekly and now it will be able to be done quarterly, like all other manufacturers. Great! Reducing the bureaucratic nonsense is good.

The NRA and others are hailing their victory and stating that this change is being done without increasing taxes.

This legislation will neither raise taxes nor exempt firearm and ammunition manufacturers from paying federal excise taxes into the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.

Great!

However, the Bill text says this:

The percentage under paragraph (2) of section 561 of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act is increased by 0.25 percentage points.

Hmmmmm!

And the NRA says this:

The Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated that this legislation will create a net revenue increase of $4 million over 10 years.

Not so great! If this Act does not increase taxes, then where is the $4 million revenue increase going to come from? I’m struggling with this concept. Is this a battle of semantics where by definition an increase is not a tax? Is this a matter of the Act itself didn’t cause an increase but the Restore Unemployment Act did? Therefore it’s not a tax?

It matters not whether this Act complies or doesn’t comply with the Paygo. It matters not whether supporters of the bill think it doesn’t matter this tiny tax. What matters is that people should be told the truth and I don’t feel that we have been.

I don’t understand the Joint Committee on Taxation’s calculations as to how they arrived at a net revenue increase of $4 million over ten years and then to be able to say this isn’t a new tax.

Help me!

I almost walk alone as the vote was 412-6. The following people voted against the bill but I don’t know their reasoning for doing so. More homework for me.

Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Sam Farr (D-CA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Ron Paul (R-TX) and Maxine Waters (D-CA)

Tom Remington

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