Fish and Game Upheaval Reveals Shift in State Wildlife Policy

[Burke]

I just saw this article in the San Francisco Chronicle.....

The sudden resignation of the most adamant defender of hunting and fishing on the California Fish and Game Commission could put the finishing touches on a sweeping philosophical shift in the way the state views wildlife, sets rules for fishing and controls predators like mountain lions and wolves.

Commissioner Jim Kellogg retired in late December in frustration over what he termed a lack of consideration for the sportsmen and women he represents. The resignation — combined with the unrelated recent departures of commission President Jack Baylis and Sonke Mastrup, the commission’s executive director — sets the stage for Gov. Jerry Brown to appoint conservationists to the increasingly pivotal state board.

Such a move may, observers say, complete the transformation of the commission from an organization that advocates for fishing and hunting to one that safeguards endangered species, preserves habitat and protects California’s top predators from slaughter.

But it won’t happen without a fight. While environmentalists say they are finally getting a fair shake in the high-stakes political game of wildlife management, advocates for outdoor sports fear that they have lost their voice and that the role they have played in the protection of species is being forgotten........

The rest of the article can be found at....

http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/U ... 759859.php

[mark poulson]

It's a crying shame when the State's Department of Fish and Wildlife/Game is run by political appointees, instead of the qualified experts who actually work in that department.
Look what happened to Flint, Michigan when politicians made public health decisions.

[MGJR]

Yes, frustrating for both the sportsman and for the managers/biologists perspective. People with little to no experience dealing with wildlife fishery management. The commission should not be comprised entirely of political appointees. It should include Dept. Managers (wildlife, fisheries, enforcement branches) as well as some outside entities who are well versed in wildlife management and regulation, not Democratic party consultants or Burrito Brother chairmen. Stupidest thing I'ver ever heard.

[mark poulson]

Yes, frustrating for both the sportsman and for the managers/biologists perspective. People with little to no experience dealing with wildlife fishery management. The commission should not be comprised entirely of political appointees. It should include Dept. Managers (wildlife, fisheries, enforcement branches) as well as some outside entities who are well versed in wildlife management and regulation, not Democratic party consultants or Burrito Brother chairmen. Stupidest thing I'ver ever heard.

It isn't a Democrat/Republican issue. It is a larger political issue. Commissions are used to reward campaign contributors, and to enlarge political power and influence. Politicians of all parties have used them to increase their political power, often at the expense of the very constituencies the commissioners are supposed to serve.
If sportsmen are going to have a real chance to change this, we can't be fighting each other over politics, or we're beaten before we start.

[reddog]

Has anyone ever left the state to hunt and fish? If you have you know that in MOST other states there are signs that will clearly point out where access points are for both hunting and fishing in their areas. When was the last time you passed by the boat ramp access at 50mph because there was little or no signage? How about a sign showing where you can take a kid hunting? Good luck. There's a social stigma problem with outdoor sports in this state that has come from the top and no one is stepping up to change it. All the programs I see for promotion of outdoor fishing and hunting is ALL primarily done by private parties, which is great but shouldn't some of the massive amount of tax dollars we pay also go to help kids get outdoors not only for "scheduled" events but just fun?

[Robb R]

I agree with what everyone has said . I also think the media is largely to blame . Remember when the Fish and game President did a completely legal mountain lion hunt in Idaho ? he had his picture taken with the mountain lion and the liberal media went nuts ? About one week after the pics of the hunt went viral , Gavin Newsome , our liberal DEMOCRAT Lt Governor went of channel 5 news and claimed this individual didn't have the " morals " to be in charge of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife !!!! This morality claim coming from a man that was screwing his best friend and current campaign managers wife ---while he was also married. How does an individual that calls out a completely legal hunt from the man in charge of the DFW claim moral high ground ---it can only be done if the media allows it .
Unfortunately the silent majority is NEVER heard from ---- and Gavin Newsome , our Lt Governor with incredible high moral standards will probably be our next State Governor .
All the above reasons is why my bass fishing , outdoor loving son just moved to Texas.
Robb

[Gary Dobyns]

Reddog and Robb R. Great posts guys. It's too bad our state is going to shi*.

[g man]

[ DEMOCRAT Lt Governor went of channel 5 news and claimed this individual didn't have the " morals " to be in charge of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife !!!! This morality claim coming from a man that was screwing his best friend and current campaign managers wife ---while he was also married ]..... While it may be argued the G&F should not be political the truth is it always has been and always will be. I feel one of the biggest problems we face as hunters and fishermen is the "tree huggers" are highly organized and well funded. Another big problem we face is they are passionate about their beliefs and will go to any length to force their opinions down our throats. They are like little Hitlers trying to control everything. They wouldn't like it if I tried to make them eat meat but don't see anything wrong with trying to make me a vegetarian....ticks me off. Notice how few people replied to this post? This thread should be 50 pages long with protests and forwarded to the proper legislators otherwise your precious bass are going to be replaced with the native chub Truth is we just want to take a few days off and enjoy the outdoors in the form of the sports we love; hunting and fishing. g man

[mark poulson]

[ DEMOCRAT Lt Governor went of channel 5 news and claimed this individual didn't have the " morals " to be in charge of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife !!!! This morality claim coming from a man that was screwing his best friend and current campaign managers wife ---while he was also married ]..... While it may be argued the G&F should not be political the truth is it always has been and always will be. I feel one of the biggest problems we face as hunters and fishermen is the "tree huggers" are highly organized and well funded. Another big problem we face is they are passionate about their beliefs and will go to any length to force their opinions down our throats. They are like little Hitlers trying to control everything. They wouldn't like it if I tried to make them eat meat but don't see anything wrong with trying to make me a vegetarian....ticks me off. Notice how few people replied to this post? This thread should be 50 pages long with protests and forwarded to the proper legislators otherwise your precious bass are going to be replaced with the native chub Truth is we just want to take a few days off and enjoy the outdoors in the form of the sports we love; hunting and fishing. g man

I agree.
We are the easiest target, because we are only unorganized fishermen and hunters, and have no big money to lobby for us.
Most people have totally lost touch with the outdoors and and nature. Hunters and fishermen are the only reason there are still fish and wildlife. People want a quick fix to what are huge, complicated problems, and someone to blame. The degradation of our natural ecosystem has little to do with hunting and fishing, and everything to do with how our natural resources are being misused by big industries and the laws politicians pass to protect them, not us.

[Robb R]

I agree , like I said , " the silent majority is never heard " . I also believe is an issue of time . Fisherman and hunters are typically people who work hard for a living and don't have the time to protest , paint signs , demonstrate etc...
Our time off is spent with our families and pursuing our own passions , like bass fishing , duck hunting etc...
That's why voting is so important , and not just voting , but understanding what we are voting for .
But I still believe the media is the single largest contributor to "liberal" America .
Do you remember the last person executed in California ? The media showed up and made the 10-15 people demonstrating outside the prison look like a group of thousands hell bent against the death penalty!!!
Recently , we had article published in the San Jose Mercury News comparing the death penalty in countries like North Korea , Afghanistan , Pakistan to the death penalty in America . How's is it possible to compare countries that execute people for crimes like the reading porn , stealing money , or dealing drugs to unthinkable crimes like the recent death of a 2 year old toddler that was sexually assaulted , beaten , then killed by his 22 year step father I n san Jose on 1/16/16 ?? It can only be done when the liberal media allows it .
You want to stop violent crime in America ? Start executing every single person convicted of Murder is this country and eventually thousands of lives will be saved . Could you end up executing a few innocent people ? Sure / yes !! But people would think twice if they thought they were executed 30 days after being found guilty .
I wonder would Kate Stienle's parents think of the individual who "executed " their daughter should be handled ?
Robb

[mark poulson]

Robb,
If you look at who actually owns the media, you'll find they're far from liberal.
Corporate America has only one objective, profit, and they will cover whoever/whatever sells papers and gets ratings.