COMPROMISE, 2012 STYLE

I am reading in several places where hunters and others are upset because the USFWS is going to release wolves in S Central Colorado.

I am reminded that the current Director of USFWS (who was also in charge of the Pittman-Robertson [he used to call it the Pittman-“Robinson”] funds in the mid 1990’s when $45 to 60 Million was stolen to, among other illegal things, introduce Canadian wolves into Yellowstone – was nominated for Director last year.  His appointment languished in the dark for quite a while and when it became public it was “held-up” (OOOHHH) by Montana, Idaho and Wyoming Senators.

Then some back room parleying with Montana and Idaho Senators plus the very public USFWS acquiescence to Wyoming’s Senators and Governor’s (still not completed) demands led to his approval by those august pretty boys and girls in the US Senate.  Wolf management was “returned” to Montana and Idaho (under revocable federal oversight in the future truth be known) and Wyoming was promised a quid pro quo that USFWS would “allow” (“thank you, thank you Sire”) Wyoming to kill wolves outside the Yellowstone/Jackson Hole Billionaires’ Ecosystem.  Wow, such a deal! 

He was confirmed and serves today as Director USFWS.

So now the erstwhile Director and his minions will be releasing wolves in Colorado on a refuge that was purchased for purposes that never mentioned wolves or predator introduction.  So, big deal.  Soon the wolves will “benefit” Colorado elk and Colorado hunters, and Colorado governments, and all rural Coloradoans just like the wolves are doing elsewhere.  Bye, bye Utah, Wyoming, N New Mexico, Kansas, and on and on…..

The Colorado fish and wildlife agency can hide under their desks for a couple of years and then emerge to burble at length about “global warming”, “windy opening days”, and how wonderful it is to see more aspens and willows.  By then, the Colorado Legislature may even give them money for a year or two to buy off owners of dead livestock and dead dogs unless of course “dogs did it” or “it may have been a cougar” or (by then if lucky) “it may have been a jaguar so you are under arrest for shooting at it.”

So much for “getting along”, “working together’, and “compromising”.

Ben Franklin said it best 240 years ago in Poor Richards Almanack.  “Neither a Fortress nor a Maidenhead will hold out long after they begin to parley.”  Or, to take the liberty to paraphrase; “a safe, productive, and enjoyable rural environment”.

Jim Beers

2 February 2012

If you found this worthwhile, please share it with others.  Thanks.

Jim Beers is a retired US Fish & Wildlife Service Wildlife Biologist,
Special Agent, Refuge Manager, Wetlands Biologist, and Congressional Fellow. He was stationed in North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York City, and Washington DC.  He also served as a US Navy Line Officer in the western Pacific and on Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands.  He has worked for the Utah Fish & Game, Minneapolis Police Department, and as a Security Supervisor in Washington, DC.  He testified three times before Congress; twice regarding the theft by the US Fish & Wildlife Service of $45 to 60 Million from State fish and wildlife funds and once in opposition to expanding Federal Invasive Species authority.  He resides in Eagan, Minnesota with his wife of many decades.