Slides shown at last year ' s annual meeting of The Wildlife Society pitted hunters against new ideas for wildlife management .
already lost , as well as the long list of species facing extinction , she alternately conflated global biodiversity loss with North American and larger issues wholly unrelated to our management . She advocated washing away the sins of our outdated model by changing the primary mandates of fish and game agencies to that of protecting and conserving biodiversity — a definition gluttonous enough to encompass any desire zealots could ever contrive .
The Hypocrisy : In her damnation of the North American model , Allen focused specifically on the biodiversity loss of birds globally . She cited large losses and the looming of more across all continents and encompassing all habitats — except one . She admitted that the only habitat not suffering was wetlands , due to their expansion and immense funding . As a hunter who understands that the sale of federal and state duck stamps , and work of organizations such as Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited , is what drives that funding and expansion , try not to throw this issue across the room as you digest that reasoning . As a kicker , something mentioned to me by a biologist and Sportsmen ’ s Alliance member , it was under Allen ’ s watch as head of Washington ’ s endangered species program when the last vestiges of woodland caribou were extirpated from the United States in favor of protecting mountain lions and wolves .
Mike Phillips , Turner Endangered Species Fund : A great orator , Phillips commanded the podium and regaled the congregation with his biological work on Ted Turner ’ s ranch . He spoke eloquently on differing values and acknowledged the importance of cooperation when dealing with wildlife issues , even advocating compassion for ranchers with the reintroduction of wolves in the face of Colorado ’ s recently passed Proposition 114 , which he was instrumental in executing . Phillips ’ parable then turned to brimstone and fire as he attempted to connect wolf hunting with a larger societal issue by showing hunters in white hoods , holding an American
flag and a dead wolf . The hyperbolic display was effective as audible disagreement filled the room , the underlying message palpable : anyone who supports or engages in wolf hunting is also a proponent of racism .
The Hypocrisy : In posting the ugly picture , which has obvious ramifications for all predator hunters , Phillips ’ only intent for showing those wolf hunters was to persecute proponents of predator management , as he admitted it was a legal wolf hunt . If it were a legal wolf hunt , he could have used any image of a hunter and wolf , but that wouldn ’ t elicit the same visceral response and predispose the flock to his messaging . Ironically , in telling a story of controlling prairie dogs so they didn ’ t impact neighboring properties , and thus endanger his pet project and Turner paycheck , Phillips confessed to proactive management of the rodents , including using poison at property boundaries . However , when it comes to similar management concerning predators , ranchers and society , he only accepts lethal controls as a measure of last resort . In response to Phillips ’ passage on values , Washington Fish and Game Commissioner Kim Thorburn ( see page 21 ) would sum it up best for all in attendance : “ People who live in glass houses shouldn ’ t throw stones . While you speak of varied value systems , under your system , the only values that matter and are worthy of consideration are your values .”
Fred Koontz , former Washington Fish and Game Commissioner : Taking the dais , Koontz gave a heartfelt account of his tenuous time as a commissioner . He lamented his naivety around ending Washington ’ s spring bear hunt and the response it evoked . How could bear hunting be so contentious , he wondered aloud to a few chuckles . With near-crocodile tears , he confessed he resigned from the commission after receiving threats due to that vote . He then went on to outline the political barriers to change , namely state mandates that included hunting and fishing , and conflating departmental changes to those as anti-hunting and animal rights , among other points .
BRIAN LYNN
38 SPORTSMENSALLIANCE . ORG