Ithaca 37
New member
Here's an editorial I received today. I don't know anything about this new group.
The Star - Tribune
Here's one 'tradition' Wyoming can do without
Dick Sadler PERSPECTIVE
As a sportsman and former legislator, I have often said that the
Wyoming hunters and fishermen are a fickle lot. When our ox is being
gored by the rural community, we can rise to the occasion and strike
down those who would restrict our outdoor recreational heritage. We
joined together to strike down game farms, various schemes to give out
transferable licenses, legislative control of Game and Fish funds, etc.
After each of these victories, we withdrew back into our shells and let
others chip away at our rights, privileges and Game and Fish funds.
Thirty years ago, the Game and Fish Department paid ranchers through
landowner coupons for antelope harvested on their private lands. Damage
to growing and stored crops were also paid for when caused by elk,
antelope and deer. We now issue redeemable coupons for elk and deer. We
also pay for damage caused by bears, cougars and game birds. We also pay
for damage done to bee hives, bee colonies and honey. We will soon be
paying for wolf damage and in all probability will pay for grass that
wildlife eats.
For years our Game and Fish ranch-oriented commission has paid damage
claims with no documentation in violation of damage laws. The attorney
general recently put a stop to these illegal payments.
Everyone likes to bitch about federal mandates using up Game and Fish
funds, but mandates created by a ranch-oriented Legislature cost a lot
of bucks also. With all the above benefits paid for from Game and Fish
funds, one might think public access might improve, but it gets worse
with each passing year.
I tell you all of this because a new wildlife group is being organized
in Wyoming promising to protect hunting and fishing heritage and
traditions in Wyoming. This group is called Sportsmen for Fish and
Wildlife (SFW), and to hear their pitch to new members, one thinks only
of motherhood and apple pie. What you don't hear or know about SFW might
turn your stomach. It sure has mine churning, and has me wondering if
the group is up-front on their entire agenda or if they are in fact an
insidious group with a secret agenda?
Because of this and other comments listed below, I would ask SFW to
openly publish where they stand on issues such as transferable licenses
for landowners, outfitters and, yes, themselves. They say 90 percent of
their income stays in the state. Where does the other 10 percent go?
Does it go to Dan Peay, SWF's Utah organizer? Peay and several Wyoming
members mention the huge influence you have on Game and Fish issues in
Utah. If that is the case, why is Utah a state where the wealthy have
the best access to not only licenses through a voucher system, but most
of the bull and buck permits in given areas? (More on this to follow).
Bob Wharff, an SFW organizer from Evanston, is a Utah transplant. He
speaks highly of the Utah Cooperative Wildlife Management units. These
units received 2,086 client licenses in 1998 while the general public
hunting the same area got 298. In 1999, ranch clients got 2,534 permits
and the public received 343. The locals hunt free, but the ranchers
decide when and where. The ranch clients get 90 percent of all bull elk
permits in most areas and 10 percent of the cows. The public gets 90
percent of the cows and 10 percent of the bulls. Most of the moose
bulls, buck deer and antelope also go to the clients, i.e., the wealthy.
When living in Utah, Wharff says he was an officer in the Utah SFW, and
understand he was also an employee of the Deseret Ranch, the Utah ranch
that is the largest recipient of client licenses.
A Riverton SFW member says local conservation groups don't "step up to
the plate on Wyoming issues when the going gets tough." Horse pucky.
Without the Wildlife Federation, Conservation Voters, John Jolly, the
Outdoor Council and others, sportsmen would be in a world of hurt. That
guy from Riverton ought to get off his butt and go to Cheyenne and see
who looks out for him at the Legislature.
At a recent legislative meeting in Cody, Joe Tilden, the Park County
president of SFW, extolled the virtue of not only the New Mexico system
but also the Colorado Ranching for Wildlife program. The Colorado
program is similar to the one in Utah where clients of ranchers in the
program get up to 90 percent of licenses. Some heritage! Joe went on to
say that not only he but the SFW program would support five to 10 or 15
transferable licenses for elk-deer-antelope to ranchers who have those
animals on their land. Joe never mentioned where these licenses would
come from. For Joe's information, ranchers can presently receive two elk
licenses at cost if standard qualifications are met. If all ranchers
qualified, exercised their option on "two" elk, there are many
limited-quota areas where they would take up all the licenses with none
for the general public. Almost forgot, Joe mentioned on the tape I have
that he was an outfitter for 21 years.
Instead of protecting our hunting heritage and traditions, the above
three gentlemen sound more likely to give the ranchers more welfare
(oops, subsidies) and make Wyoming one big game farm for the wealthy.
One ranch in Utah last year had 50 bull elk vouchers and 85-plus buck
deer tags to sell. I'm told they went for $11,500 and $4,500
respectively. This ranch also had vouchers for other species.
Check out the Utah SFW Web site (www.sfwsfh.org) and you can see where
hundreds of other wealthy client vouchers go. SFW has almost 100
vouchers (for licenses) that they sell to raise funds. Ninety percent of
the income goes back to the Game and Fish and SFW keeps 10 percent. Many
clubs in Utah have access to these vouchers. SFW gets vouchers for elk,
deer and moose (mostly bulls and bucks) as well as bison, swans (yep),
cranes, cougars and turkeys. The whole Utah program sounds like a turkey
to me and is certainly not a Wyoming tradition that needs Utah
protection.
One more reason to be skeptical about SFW is their support from present
and past Game and Fish commissioners, some of whom are probably SFW
members. Former Commissioner Henderson has expressed support for SFW and
may be a member. As a six-year commissioner from Rock Springs, I can't
recall a thing he ever did for the department or Wyoming wildlife, but
at one time a client of his was a large southwest ranch conglomerate.
The SFW may be a well-intentioned group or as I suggested they may be
fronting for others. Before you write a check, check them out. I hope
the three Game and Fish commissioners who gave them a license checked
them out.
In closing, I would say to Mr. Peay, Mr. Tilden, Mr. Wharff and the guy
from Riverton: If they are so great and powerful, show us by changing
the Utah law from one that favors the wealthy to one that favors the
average hunter and fisherman walking the streets of Utah all year, not
just during hunting seasons.
Dick Sadler has been a sportsmen's advocate for over 30 years, 17 of
those in the Wyoming Legislature as a state representative and state
senator.
>>>
The Star - Tribune
Here's one 'tradition' Wyoming can do without
Dick Sadler PERSPECTIVE
As a sportsman and former legislator, I have often said that the
Wyoming hunters and fishermen are a fickle lot. When our ox is being
gored by the rural community, we can rise to the occasion and strike
down those who would restrict our outdoor recreational heritage. We
joined together to strike down game farms, various schemes to give out
transferable licenses, legislative control of Game and Fish funds, etc.
After each of these victories, we withdrew back into our shells and let
others chip away at our rights, privileges and Game and Fish funds.
Thirty years ago, the Game and Fish Department paid ranchers through
landowner coupons for antelope harvested on their private lands. Damage
to growing and stored crops were also paid for when caused by elk,
antelope and deer. We now issue redeemable coupons for elk and deer. We
also pay for damage caused by bears, cougars and game birds. We also pay
for damage done to bee hives, bee colonies and honey. We will soon be
paying for wolf damage and in all probability will pay for grass that
wildlife eats.
For years our Game and Fish ranch-oriented commission has paid damage
claims with no documentation in violation of damage laws. The attorney
general recently put a stop to these illegal payments.
Everyone likes to bitch about federal mandates using up Game and Fish
funds, but mandates created by a ranch-oriented Legislature cost a lot
of bucks also. With all the above benefits paid for from Game and Fish
funds, one might think public access might improve, but it gets worse
with each passing year.
I tell you all of this because a new wildlife group is being organized
in Wyoming promising to protect hunting and fishing heritage and
traditions in Wyoming. This group is called Sportsmen for Fish and
Wildlife (SFW), and to hear their pitch to new members, one thinks only
of motherhood and apple pie. What you don't hear or know about SFW might
turn your stomach. It sure has mine churning, and has me wondering if
the group is up-front on their entire agenda or if they are in fact an
insidious group with a secret agenda?
Because of this and other comments listed below, I would ask SFW to
openly publish where they stand on issues such as transferable licenses
for landowners, outfitters and, yes, themselves. They say 90 percent of
their income stays in the state. Where does the other 10 percent go?
Does it go to Dan Peay, SWF's Utah organizer? Peay and several Wyoming
members mention the huge influence you have on Game and Fish issues in
Utah. If that is the case, why is Utah a state where the wealthy have
the best access to not only licenses through a voucher system, but most
of the bull and buck permits in given areas? (More on this to follow).
Bob Wharff, an SFW organizer from Evanston, is a Utah transplant. He
speaks highly of the Utah Cooperative Wildlife Management units. These
units received 2,086 client licenses in 1998 while the general public
hunting the same area got 298. In 1999, ranch clients got 2,534 permits
and the public received 343. The locals hunt free, but the ranchers
decide when and where. The ranch clients get 90 percent of all bull elk
permits in most areas and 10 percent of the cows. The public gets 90
percent of the cows and 10 percent of the bulls. Most of the moose
bulls, buck deer and antelope also go to the clients, i.e., the wealthy.
When living in Utah, Wharff says he was an officer in the Utah SFW, and
understand he was also an employee of the Deseret Ranch, the Utah ranch
that is the largest recipient of client licenses.
A Riverton SFW member says local conservation groups don't "step up to
the plate on Wyoming issues when the going gets tough." Horse pucky.
Without the Wildlife Federation, Conservation Voters, John Jolly, the
Outdoor Council and others, sportsmen would be in a world of hurt. That
guy from Riverton ought to get off his butt and go to Cheyenne and see
who looks out for him at the Legislature.
At a recent legislative meeting in Cody, Joe Tilden, the Park County
president of SFW, extolled the virtue of not only the New Mexico system
but also the Colorado Ranching for Wildlife program. The Colorado
program is similar to the one in Utah where clients of ranchers in the
program get up to 90 percent of licenses. Some heritage! Joe went on to
say that not only he but the SFW program would support five to 10 or 15
transferable licenses for elk-deer-antelope to ranchers who have those
animals on their land. Joe never mentioned where these licenses would
come from. For Joe's information, ranchers can presently receive two elk
licenses at cost if standard qualifications are met. If all ranchers
qualified, exercised their option on "two" elk, there are many
limited-quota areas where they would take up all the licenses with none
for the general public. Almost forgot, Joe mentioned on the tape I have
that he was an outfitter for 21 years.
Instead of protecting our hunting heritage and traditions, the above
three gentlemen sound more likely to give the ranchers more welfare
(oops, subsidies) and make Wyoming one big game farm for the wealthy.
One ranch in Utah last year had 50 bull elk vouchers and 85-plus buck
deer tags to sell. I'm told they went for $11,500 and $4,500
respectively. This ranch also had vouchers for other species.
Check out the Utah SFW Web site (www.sfwsfh.org) and you can see where
hundreds of other wealthy client vouchers go. SFW has almost 100
vouchers (for licenses) that they sell to raise funds. Ninety percent of
the income goes back to the Game and Fish and SFW keeps 10 percent. Many
clubs in Utah have access to these vouchers. SFW gets vouchers for elk,
deer and moose (mostly bulls and bucks) as well as bison, swans (yep),
cranes, cougars and turkeys. The whole Utah program sounds like a turkey
to me and is certainly not a Wyoming tradition that needs Utah
protection.
One more reason to be skeptical about SFW is their support from present
and past Game and Fish commissioners, some of whom are probably SFW
members. Former Commissioner Henderson has expressed support for SFW and
may be a member. As a six-year commissioner from Rock Springs, I can't
recall a thing he ever did for the department or Wyoming wildlife, but
at one time a client of his was a large southwest ranch conglomerate.
The SFW may be a well-intentioned group or as I suggested they may be
fronting for others. Before you write a check, check them out. I hope
the three Game and Fish commissioners who gave them a license checked
them out.
In closing, I would say to Mr. Peay, Mr. Tilden, Mr. Wharff and the guy
from Riverton: If they are so great and powerful, show us by changing
the Utah law from one that favors the wealthy to one that favors the
average hunter and fisherman walking the streets of Utah all year, not
just during hunting seasons.
Dick Sadler has been a sportsmen's advocate for over 30 years, 17 of
those in the Wyoming Legislature as a state representative and state
senator.
>>>
