just another rant …

One day while I was minding my own business, I received an email from the fish and wildlife department. I signed up to get them but not out of malice or some secret plan to track the actions but I gotta say reading it gave me chills sadness and great disappointment… and that was my first reaction then it made me remember the elk kill that happened in 12/11; for a little background. I was reading local online news when I saw an article about an elk kill that was going to happen the following Monday. It went on to say that there was a golf course built in the area and after two years the course was suffering from damage so a request for containment was obviously put in and approved. This story just gets worse as the silly and ugly of it all becomes known and the obnoxious takes over; I read for more information. The article says about 30 Elk are encroaching and that a schedule of Elk Kills would happen on Mondays…I am becoming more upset and decided it is time to call. The contact person was great but he said that there were only about three making life miserable for the owner of the golf corse owner. The dept. had arranged with the Owners of the golf course and between you and me, it did not sound kosher because it had not been announced so that the community might know and the area’s tribes seemed to be left out as well. I am not against sport fishing or hunting but this is not the definition of it…more like legalized poaching, which is wrong on so many levels.  My dad hunted and fished, but in the good way. Anyway, I decided to put the original article and my entry out into the airwaves to see what would happen. Thank goodness some in the community heard about the upcoming kill, demanded the kill be stopped. The area’s tribe stated they did not know about the kill, they also stated some of the land where the kills would take place were on sacred land, which made me relax unless or until a mutual agreement is made the Elk may just be safe. If they needed the meat, far be it from me to obstruct as long as the tribe and that area’s food banks are filled for the local communities. I cannot say that was on their minds though as one of the employee’s stated if they had just kept it quiet the commotion would be less…   the Elk kill was delayed and the story obviously is not over.

Now, in a different part of the Pacific NW, not only are they hiring to help with an elk kill they have a wait list of volunteers and paid for helpers to “round” up the elk which is sickening . Why? Because not too long ago the  Elk were reduced to questionable numbers and five years later WA state decides to thin them out again. My inquiry is below:

Hello:

I just had to respond to an email, which I guess I subscribed to on a regular basis. First, I want to state that I have nothing against hunting but I really do not understand why these elk kills not hunts are put on if the elk are truly not harming anyone. If someone could explain to the public who decides the kills are needed why how many and what could be done other than the every 5yrplan or so. I have to ask because the available habitat seems to be shrinking. At one point, the number of elk was very low with humans building roads and or homes in wildlife land, I assure you that I am not the only Washington resident that misunderstands, and some object to the kills. I am no expert but who is invading whom. I received an email looking for volunteers, who included the following:  “The department’s management plan calls for reducing the herd size to bring the number of animals into balance with available habitat,” Jonker said.  This seems like a legal poach and bringing the number in balance with the available habitat is only as big as the next golf course or family center or housing development. I just do not understand who gets the meat, hopefully to ALL Native American Tribes … who, should be the “hunters” by the way or the areas food banks but the whole”Volunteers” needed to facilitate access for elk hunts” sounds the opposite of what hunting is all about.

Their response:

Thank you for contacting the Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am forwarding your e-mail to our Wildlife Management Program, so they can address your concerns.

If you have, any questions please feel free to contact us at360-902-2464 or email us at licensing@dfw.wa.gov.

N.

Like I said, I have nothing against hunting and fishing, but what we have is nothing close and poaching on wildlife that already is dealing with humans that have decided to spread out at whatever cost just is wrong.  If that wasn’t enough, let us talk about the Puget Sound’s Orca. I know even less about them scientifically, but grew up hearing one side of the story of Namu’s capture and Ted Griffith and the stories aren’t good. Consequently, I have a lot opinions thougthts and feelings.  I feel that our Navy should cease and desist with all the sonar or at least tell the public what are the sonars being used against and why the grey whales washed up on our beaches. The organized elk kill, taking whales off the endangered list are all beyond sad but to hear that Wyoming has planned a massive wolf kill has us all gasping … Why? Because there is no announcement no explanation and leaves some of us wondering what new development is about to shrink the habitat even more.

To Be Continued … Hey, call your states Fishing & Wildlife dept.  and Ask Questions!