Large Predators: Them And Us!

Reprinted by permission from the author.

Valerius Geist, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science, The University of Calgary
Calgary, Canada.

We pay close attention to large predators. We do so because we evolved as prey. It was our ancient fate to be killed and eaten, and our primary goal to escape such. Our instincts are still shaped that way.

There is thus a reason why the bloody carnage on our highways is a mere statistic, but the mauling of a person by a grizzly is news. It’s not only that so many fossilized remains of our ancient ancestors are meals consumed by large predators in secluded caves or rock niches, but also that we speciated like large herbivores. That is, our pattern and timing of forming species, of adapting to landscapes, mimics and coincides with that of deer, antelope or cattle, but not that of large carnivores. And that despite our fondness for meat, despite “man the hunter”, and despite the fact that at least on species of humans, Neanderthal man, grew into a super predator. Read more

An Oryx in the Hill Country?

by Denny L. Vasquez

© Copyrighted

Several years ago I was bitten by the “exotic” hunting bug. Since then I have been on several of these hunts, and for the most part I have really enjoyed them. Whoa!, you say, “Exotic hunts, what in the world is this guy talking about?” Well, for those of you who do not know what “exotic” hunting is, I will try to explain before getting on with the rest of my article.

The exotic species of game animals available for hunting in the US today are the offspring of animals that have been introduced into this country in areas where they are a non-native species. Examples of this are the blackbuck antelope and axis or chital deer from the Indian sub-continent, fallow deer from Europe, oryx, wildebeest, kudu and nyala from the African continent; even Rocky Mountain elk on a Michigan or south Texas brush country ranch. Read more

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Approves Of Animal Slaughter

If you don’t like that headline then perhaps you should also not like one that states that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is an animal killer and an abuser. There are however a few marked differences between what some are accusing Gov. Palin of being and what I am accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of being but both bear striking similarities………..that is if you are willing to look at things from a honest perspective.

There will always be people who will have an issue with the killing of any animal and some to the extreme of any living thing whether plant or animal. We witness everyday people who ignorantly support the protection of a handful of animals while being responsible for the deaths of more than they saved. For that, I offer no cures nor do I pretend that I can in all honesty have any marked alterations to their beliefs. I expect nothing different in return either. Read more

Michael Waddell to Chair National Hunting and Fishing Day

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Outdoor television star Michael Waddell has been selected as honorary chairman for this year’s National Hunting and Fishing Day, set for Sept. 27.

In the volunteer role, Waddell becomes the official spokesman for the annual commemoration’s key message: Conservation succeeds only because of America’s 34 million hunters and anglers. In fact, through license fees and excise taxes, hunters and anglers generate $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife and habitat programs. Read more

Henny Youngman Might Say, “Take My Wolves…..Please!”

It might be an understatement to say that there’s a conflict brewing between U.S. Congressman George Miller of California and U.S. Congressman Don Young of Alaska. The battle stems from issues over wolf management in Alaska.

The state of Alaska, under the direction of the Alaska Board of Game and with the approval of Gov. Sarah Palin, is using aircraft to reduce the wolf population in specific areas where they are destroying the moose and caribou herds that supply native Alaskans with food. Animal lovers don’t like this and have been fighting the effort for some time. One of the radical groups involved is Defenders of Wildlife, of which it appears that Mr. Miller is a strong advocate for.

Rep. Miller is also the sponsor of HR3663(pdf), the misleading “Protect America’s Wildlife Act of 2007″, which is being promoted as a bill to stop aerial hunting of wolves. Read more

ISE Sacramento Prepares for Exciting 21st Year!

Sacramento, CA
January 17-20, 2008 (Thursday to Sunday)

Cal Expo, California State
Fairgrounds
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
www.calexpo.com

This is the grand-daddy of Northern California sportsmen shows and it just gets better and better. For 2008 there will be more exhibitors with more fishing, hunting and outdoor equipment. The halls will be brimming with adventure travel destinations and show priced gear. Read more

The Pendulum May Be Swinging Back Toward More Gun Rights

You have to wonder what affect, if any, the decision first by a District Court of Appeals to rule the District of Columbia’s ban on handguns was unconstitutional and then the Supreme Court of the United States agreeing to hear that appeal, has to do with other judges and courts ruling against gun bans. Is it now becoming “in style” to rule against gun control? Does this have anything to do with an election year coming up?

It was announced yesterday that in California, of all places, a Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that San Francisco’s gun ban was invalid because it was a preemption of state law. In other words, Proposition H, voted in by the residents of San Francisco in November of 2005, was a law that was declared invalid by the Court because the city can’t ban guns because the state allows them.

The judge in this case, Judge Ignazio Ruvolo, said that the city failed to show that banning guns would only affect criminals and that by banning the guns would affect every citizen who has a constitutional right to own a gun.

This is great news for Americans and hopefully another indication that the courts are beginning to understand what it is the majority of Americans want – their constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Tom Remington