tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post4355404251671366086..comments2023-10-29T15:32:19.571-04:00Comments on The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles: Idaho Wolves and F&S BlogAlbert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-79774831207302177342010-12-05T11:59:08.831-05:002010-12-05T11:59:08.831-05:00Albert,
You're right. We are rich beyond beli...Albert,<br /><br />You're right. We are rich beyond belief, and still we, as a people want more.<br /><br />Keep up the good work and helping open eyes!<br /><br />your friend,<br /><a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/" rel="nofollow">Scott Croner</a> and<br /><a href="http://www.nebraskahunting.net/" rel="nofollow">Nebraska Hunting Company™</a>Nebraska Hunting Companyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11821029256494798924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-19969290787293063402010-12-03T12:37:13.939-05:002010-12-03T12:37:13.939-05:00Jamie,
I just call it like it is. I have been stu...Jamie,<br /><br />I just call it like it is. I have been studying 17th and 18th century America lately, and though I recognize the prevalence of famine, pestilence, and warfare, I also see many of the consequences of our more destructive policies. Most of them are borne of ignorance. What looks good now, ma not be very good tomorrow. <br /><br />I think most rational peole would be hard pressed to argue that that things are great, modern America is on the right track in all ways. I would counter that America is has the greatest ability to influence the course of mankind, but that we still have much to learn, much to undo, and much to fix!<br /><br />As a people we are unbelievably spoiled and desirous of more than we could possibly appreciate - or deserve for that matter! It is well past time that we took stock of ourselves and started to make do with less, and learn that we really do have more.<br /><br />If you doubt what I say, you ought to come to Afghanistan...<br /><br />Regards,<br />Albert<br /><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles</a><br /><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2010/03/python-hunting-in-everglades.html" rel="nofollow">Big Snake Hunting in the Everglades</a>Albert A Raschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-82939435759091623452010-12-03T08:15:44.384-05:002010-12-03T08:15:44.384-05:00Thanks Albert for putting the subsidized American ...Thanks Albert for putting the subsidized American agricultural system and its unintended consequences in print that people can understand. I couldn't agree more with your essay.Jamie Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07411528916240029910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-86977404211632466492010-12-02T12:43:58.857-05:002010-12-02T12:43:58.857-05:00Thank you guys!
After I posted my comment, a coup...Thank you guys!<br /><br />After I posted my comment, a couple of folks came up to the plate and added comments in support of what I said.<br /><br />I think all too often, some folks just hop on the band wagon and run in the same direction. Being an acknowledged contrarian, I of course, had to look at it carefully and holler, WHOA!<br /><br />As I have mentioned many times, I have no objection to "Trophy Hunting." When done ethically, it is still hunting; and that is what I do - hunt.<br /><br />The issue that brought this up is all about economics. Each steer is worth about $650 to $850 let's say. Every heifer two to three times as much. So if I was a rancher I would pitch a major fit each time I had loses! I get it.<br /><br />But to turn it on its head, and blame wolves for every woe including a dirth of game, is wrong headed at best. That's where the wildlife biologists come into play. There is right, and there is wrong, and to extirpate a species for economic reasons is wrong.<br /><br />Biologists can and do determine what the appropriate capacity for a given area is, and make policy reflecting such data. And science should be what we go by, not feelings! (Or your pocket book...)<br /><br />Boy what fun!<br /><br />AlbertAlbert A Raschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-788749416753071112010-12-01T20:30:54.370-05:002010-12-01T20:30:54.370-05:00I think the wolf issue is completely overblown by ...I think the wolf issue is completely overblown by sensationalists...wolves are a part of a functioning ecosystem and while I recognize the rancher's plight I don't think highly of eradicating wolves. An ecosystem without a top level predator just won't work well for long.<br /><br />Predation losses are part and parcel of the ranching business and always have been. Mega ranches with thousands of head of largely untended cattle is kind of a new wrinkle though.<br /><br />Even in AK where we have a healthy wolf population there is a lot of pressure to eliminate or reduce them severely in the interest of moose and carribou numbers.<br /><br />So no one thinks I'm romanticizing wolves- they are deadly and efficient predators and as often given "human" qualities as bears. I've watched wolves take down a moose calf and while it was a vicious event I've got to respect an animal that can run down a moose and drag it down with its teeth. I still hunt wolves (fair chase with a rifle) and I think anyone who can't see the logic of a wolf pelt on the wall (where the numbers for harvest exist) AND the logic of wolves in the woods hasn't got a very good head on their shoulders...<br /><br />OK...rant off.hodgemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07632228055641750343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-21112363674300903752010-12-01T19:21:26.537-05:002010-12-01T19:21:26.537-05:00Albert, I'm so glad you posted this. When I sa...Albert, I'm so glad you posted this. When I saw the comments on F&S, there was no way I was going to dive into that pool of crazies - I don't enjoy being attacked.<br /><br />But I do agree 100 percent that laws are laws, and having officials openly (hint-hint-wink-wink) suggest breaking them does nothing but make us look bad. And ya know what? Most people don't understand wolf hunting anyway, because <em>no one eats wolves</em>. The public knows this is truly killing for sport and trophy, and so even when/where wolf killing is legal, this practice starts at a huge PR disadvantage.<br /><br />Bravo, Albert.<br /><br />And don't get me started on their system at F&S. I'm still irked that their new system won't allow link-backs to blogs - totally defies the well-known Internet truism that linking to others is good for you, and doesn't cost you readers.Holly Heyserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03134909592916671876noreply@blogger.com