so, I signed the petition to WA DFW sponsored by Center for Biological Diversity that was posted below on Feb 27 - and I received a reply yesterday... I was replying to the reply and accidentally sent it to WA DFW when I meant to send it to my spouse for proofreading (so there are some typos, grrr....) I also sort of wish that my affiliations werent dragged into my typos with me but in any case this is the exchange so far... damaging? -----Original Message----- From: Robert Merrick [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2014 12:13 PM To: Director (DFW) Subject: Protect Wolves and Coyotes, Stop Contest Hunts Dear Director Phil Anderson, I am writing to strongly oppose Washingtons sanctioning of wildlife-killing contests. Shockingly several such contest hunts or derbies take place in Washington each year -- and one such contest, a coyote derby, is taking place right now in a region where most of Washingtons endangered wolf packs call home. This derby places wolves at risk for nearly two months until the contest ends on March 31. Such contest hunts are offensive in their wanton killing of wildlife and disregard for the important ecological role coyotes and other predators play in maintaining ecosystem health and species diversity. It is high time for the Department to conduct a top-to-bottom evaluation of its approach to managing predators in Washington, including a review of current scientific literature and of proven practices that are more likely to yield better outcomes for wildlife, other animals and people. Please do everything in your power to stop these coyote-killing contests, ensure protections for endangered wolves, and help Washington move toward more responsible and ethical wildlife management. Thank you for taking my concerns into consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. Robert Merrick 72 Mill Rd Arcata, CA 95521 US On 5 Mar 2014, , at 17:49, Director (DFW) wrote: Thank you for contacting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Wildlife Commission expressing your concerns regarding hunting contests. Washington state rules, adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, regarding hunting contests were designed to limit the competitive aspect and any potential negative impacts on wildlife populations (WAC 232-12-169). Our staff has considered the potential for hunter misidentification between coyotes and wolves with the recent recolonization of wolves in Washington in reviewing requests for permits. In areas where there is potential for incidental harvest of wolves, we have provided information to the permittee with a diagram about how to distinguish wolves from coyotes and there is a diagram located in the hunting pamphlet. The permitted contests does not threaten coyote populations or the recovery of wolf populations in our state. The successful recovery of wolves is one of our highest agency priorities and the current permitted hunting contests will not affect the achievement of that goal. Subject: Re: Protect Wolves and Coyotes, Stop Contest Hunts From: monte merrick Date: 5 March 2014, 19:34:08 PST To: Director (DFW) This is a woefully inadequate reply. There is no legal, scientific or moral justification to hold coyote-killing contests. The idea of what constitutes a proper relationship with the natural world is poorly represented in such a contest. The posture of respect that is the hallmark of a true hunter is absent. My concerns are not that wolves may be killed mistakenly and that a distinction such as can be learned from an agency diagram of what it means to be either a wolf or coyote will allay my concerns. To reply as if such were true extends the disrespect from the animals you condone killing for amusement to the citizens of this region. I am sickened by the sad and gruesome costs of your juvenile understanding of the value of life. Your sanctioning on this contest is and choice and I believe it will cost you in the long run. You could be a true leader. You could show what respect for nature looks like. You could do your job. The time for such grotesque activities as a wild animal killing contest is past. It is a shame and disgrace that such have ever existed - bisons of the great plains, eskimo curlews, passenger pigeons - these animals were once numerous - common... inexhaustible - as was the sea considered for its ability to contain industrial waste, and as is the sky considered for its ability to hold the fumes from our various exhausts. My concerns and the concerns of thousands and thousands of others, from all walks of life, is that this coyote-killig contest is repugnant and must, in the face of true understanding and scientific knowledge, be seen as outdated, outmoded and an out an out travesty. Your apparently heartfelt defense of this contest demonstrates your lack of fitness for the task of being a public trustee. You task is to lead. If this is an example of your leadership, then clearly Washington and the wild communities with whom Washingtonians share the world deserve much better. Coyotes and all wild animals deserve respect. As do the citizens you callously brush aside with this response. Each are your constituents. Now serve them. ++++++++++ monte merrick co-director bird ally x co-director humboldt wildlife care center board member, california council of wildlife rehabilitators (707)832-8385 cell (707)822-8839 clinic
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 18:35:29 +0000
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