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Category Archives: Trapping

More DNR Deception and the “Foxes in the Henhouse”

12 May

800px-Grauwolf_P1130280 Tuesday

 

Last week the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources bombarded the news media with figures showing that the wolf population this past winter remained “flat” following the “known” slaughter of almost 250 wolves last year. The DNR claimed that the wolf population is currently 834. From this article:

“The management objectives remain to put downward pressure on the population,” DNR carnivore specialist David MacFarland said. “The mortality levels experienced in 2012 didn’t achieve that objective or only made slight progress toward the goal.”

The DNR’s current wolf management plan calls for an off-reservation population of 350. The agency’s count found as many as 834 animals roamed the state as of March. That compares with as many as 880 wolves around the same time last year. The 2013 count marked only the fourth time since 1985 the DNR hasn’t detected an increase in the wolf population.

So just to reiterate, the DNR states that there are as many as 809 to 834 wolves in Wisconsin as of this past winter. That sure is strange, because just two weeks prior the DNR held a Wolf Tracking Survey Meeting on April 19th in Wausau, Wisconsin where they stated that the current wolf population was estimated to be 785 to 813. I wonder how the DNR can explain this significant difference? I supposed just like those mysterious “missing” calves this is just another example of the books being cooked to show higher numbers of wolves than there really are. I would expect nothing less from an agency ran by Cathy Stepp and her bear hounder masters.

In this meeting the DNR told of their “investigations” into the rampant wolf poaching occurring in our state:

In addition to tracking activities, DNR Conservation Warden Dave Zebro said DNR wardens were involved in several law enforcement investigations. Thirty wolf-related investigations were conducted, with 10 citations issued related to hunting and trapping. Fourteen illegally harvested wolves were recovered, Zebro said.

Funny how the DNR and their propaganda arms in the state newspaper “outdoor” pages went out of their way to show lurid photographs of everyone from children to old white men posing over freshly slaughtered wolves, there was never a mention in the media about these “investigations.” So 10 “citations” were issued but 14 poached wolves were “recovered?” So if that is the case then there are likely poachers that killed multiple wolves, or the DNR isn’t taking enforcement action against some poachers. Why has this not made the news? If I remember correctly Patrick Durkin was recently talking about how poaching concerns were “overblown” and acted as though they almost never happened and if they do it isn’t a big deal.

In that same meeting we had the usual shills from the killing cartels pushing to get their grubby hands all over the wolf counting that in the past was done by mostly volunteers. From this article:

The event drew a variety of DNR staff members, volunteer trackers, and other stakeholder groups, such as the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, Wisconsin Conservation Congress, and Wisconsin Fur Trappers Association.

Ralph Fritsch represented the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. He encouraged greater use of hunters and trappers in the counting procedures. “How accurate are these figures in establishing the current state wolf populations?” he asked. “Even though these are minimum number counts, how many areas within the state are not covered?

“(This could) greatly add to a more stable and accurate count, and hopefully give a number closer to maximum population numbers,” said Fritsch, who also serves on the Conservation Congress as a delegate from Oconto County.

What a shock. They want to eradicate wolves and what better way than to allow wolf haters free reign to come up with their own numbers. Each of those groups listed, with the exception of a few volunteer trackers, are on record as being anti-wolf. Sure sounds like a “fox in the henhouse” scenario to me, but of course the DNR will welcome them with open arms and then take their “counts” at face value. Remember these are the same people that year in and year out claim that wolves are “eating all the deer.” Wake up Wisconsin or we are not going to have any wolves left.

And there was this little tidbit from the above article that needs more explaining:

One change for 2013, Koele said, is that everyone must allow public hunting and trapping access. While the new rule was generally well-accepted, there was some pushback from “a couple of landowners who objected.”

So now landowners must open their lands to slob hunters, trappers,and hounders that want to kill wolves? I assume this is for the ones that had “depredations” but this is very concerning. I thought the right wing that runs this state were all about “property rights?” I guess not when it comes to killing wolves. They will openly violate the constitutional rights of citizens to achieve their goal of pushing this animal back to the brink.

Each and every day more and more disturbing information comes to light about how the DNR is scheming to find every way imaginable to persecute this animal. Do they think that this is making them friends int he general public? And they wonder why donations to the Endangered Resources Fund are way down over the past few years? Also disturbing is how supposed “biologists” are obsessed with this “350″ number in the 1999 Wolf Management Plan. That number was never intended to be a maximum yet that is exactly what the DNR is trying to make people believe. That number was only to be the point at which the state felt that wolves could be “managed.” It was NEVER designed to be a maximum population number. In fact the federal government accepted their plan based on this number and now the DNR is hellbent on getting to that number as quickly as possible. Apparently they are too arrogant to realize that they are supposed to be monitored by the feds for five years following delisting and their so-called “plan” is front and center in the lawsuit brought by the Humane Society of the United States challenging the delisting of the wolf in the Great Lakes. How about we establish maximum numbers for the other animals that people love to kill in Wisconsin? How about we have a maximum number of deer allowed? How about a maximum number of turkeys, ducks, geese, and everything else they love to kill?

Enough is enough, Wisconsin and it is time to get active. We cannot allow this insanity to continue and or rights be trampled on. The WDNR is proving themselves time and time again to be “cooking the books” or is misleading when it comes to wolf numbers and their alleged “depredations.” And we are supposed to believe them now? The proverbial fox is getting deeper and deeper into the henhouse while we just standby and watch. Please, get active!

 
9 Comments

Posted by on May 12, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 

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Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: NRA targets kids at Outdoor Education Expo

12 May

4e04fe8dc0ae4.preview-300 copy

Please read and comment on Patricia’s latest column here:

Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: NRA targets kids at Outdoor Education Expo

The usual anti-wildlife trolls continue to take over the comment section of Patricia’s columns. Please comment and report all abusive comments from these trolls to the moderators.

 
1 Comment

Posted by on May 12, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity

 

The Ties That Bind: What if the Shoe Were on the Other Foot?

10 May

WI Barcode

Imagine the following scenario from the perspective of a “conservative,” “pro-life,” hunter, trapper, and wolf hating Wisconsinite.

Wisconsin has elected a progressive and pro-living wildlife governor and legislature. The governor has decided to appoint an outspoken living wildlife advocate as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Upon assumption of the position the Secretary of the DNR decided to “reassign” most of the pro-hunting and trapping biologists and wardens along with filling her assistant positions with outspoken living wildlife advocates, former lobbyists from groups such as the Humane Society of the United States, and other outspoken animal welfare advocates. One of these assistants was a former state legislator responsible for an amendment to the state constitution that allowed for a guaranteed right for wildlife watchers to enjoy and protect wildlife and not be subjected to hunter harassment and intimidation. The agency is also now funded solely by wildlife watchers.

The next step in the governor’s revamp of the WDNR comes with her appointments to the Natural Resources Board. Upon the expiration of the terms of the current pro-hunting/anti-wolf board members, the governor decided to fill the board with pro-living wildlife advocates including the president and CEO of a pro-wildlife lobbying group, The Wildlife Watchers Rights Coalition, that pays lobbyists to argue on behalf of living wildlife before the legislature.

To take advantage of these changes the legislature introduced and approved, several laws banning or limiting barbaric hunting practices were enacted. These pieces of legislation included the ban on using dogs against any form of wildlife, the banning of trapping, and the requirement that all wildlife killed by hunters be consumed and not used as trophies. These bills were all passed and signed into law in record time. The Natural Resources Committees in both the Assembly and Senate gave the public 24 hours notice of their public hearings and rubber stamped the proposed laws despite massive opposition from hunters and their respective groups in the state. The DNR and Natural Resources Committees said that while public input is important, it really has no bearing on what is ultimately decided by them. After the laws were signed by the governor, they went before the Natural Resources Board. The Natural Resources Board received in excess of 3,000 letters voicing opposition to these laws but decided to ignore them and voted to approve all of the DNR recommendations on the laws.  

The next step for the WDNR Secretary was to revamp the 17 “citizen advisory” committees that advise policy to the DNR. The Secretary has decided to place representatives of the HSUS, Defenders of Wildlife, PETA, Wisconsin Wildlife Ethic, Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf, and tribal representatives on these committees. One of those on several of the committees is a paid lobbyist for a “coalition” of groups that are very influential with several legislators. This lobbyist is a former state senator with a wind-tunnel tested hairdo, and he will be a member on 13 of the 17 committees. The lobbyist works for the Wildlife Watchers Rights Coalition ran by a member of the Natural Resources Board. The lobbyist is also notorious for making numerous controversial comments that offended many hunters and anti-wolf citizens. While the lobbyist claimed to represent the HSUS on the website for the Wildlife Watchers Rights Coalition, the HSUS claimed no ties with him or support for his offensive comments. The WDNR decided that none of the controversy or dishonesty mattered and allowed the paid lobbyist to remain on the 13 committees. Concerns by hunters and their affiliated groups were ignored by the WDNR and the paid lobbyist continued to “advise” the WDNR through the committee and wrote several pieces of anti-hunter legislation for pro-wildlife legislators.

Then there is the “citizen advisory” group known as the “Conservation Congress.” The Conservation Congress, once dominated by hunters and the groups that support them, has experienced a radical change and is now stacked with living wildlife advocates. In fact the leaders and spouses of most of the wildlife advocacy and lobbyist groups have been elected as “delegates” for the secretive group. These delegates include high ranking leaders of the most active pro-wildlife groups in the state, including those also represented on the DNR’s own “advisory” committees and the Natural Resources Board. 

All of the above sure sounds crazy, corrupt, undemocratic, and certainly unethical, doesn’t it? But if you just switch the roles from living wildlife advocates to the anti-wildlife forces currently running this state each and every one of these things are currently occurring, and much worse than described above. This is how each of the above scenarios are occurring today:

  • Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker appointed former state legislator and real estate developer, Cathy Stepp, to the position of DNR Secretary. Upon taking over the position Stepp filled her deputy positions with pro-killing shills like Scott Gunderson who “authored” the Constitutional Amendment that allows the “right” to hunt, fish, and trap in the state. Stepp has also appointed numerous anti-wolf employees to prominent positions within the department and has excluded those with pro-wolf leanings from being involved any in the processes or having contact with the media.
  • The Natural Resources Board is now being filled with appointees of Governor Walker that give new meaning to the term “conflict of interest.” Most prominent of all is Walker appointee, Greg Kazmierski, who is a hunting outfitter and the founder of the “Hunters Rights Coalition.” The HRC is a lobbying group that pays former state senator and he of the wind tunnel tested hairdo, Bob “Connecticut Effect” Welch, to lobby for their group. So for those not making the connection, Walker appointed a hunting outfitter that is also the founder of a lobbying group that lobbies on behalf of issues Kazmierski supports before the legislature. Kazmierski then can vote on rules and regulations that directly benefit himself financialy from his seat on the NRB. Don’t people in other states either recuse themselves when their is a conflict of interest? Don’t people in other states actually go to jail for this kind of “pay to play” behavior? I guess in Walker’s Wisconsin this is perfectly acceptable. How can this have not garnered more attention?
  • And speaking of Bob Welch, he is considered a member on 13 or the 17 “advisory committees” that the DNR has set up. Not only is a paid lobbyist a “member” of supposedly “citizen based” committees, Welch also represents the “Hunters Rights Coalition,” and he also is the paid lobbyist for the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, and the Wisconsin Chapter of Safari Club International. And guess what? All of these groups take up individual spots on the various committees. So essentially the DNR is allowing the deck to be stacked from the get go by allowing one lobbyist to be a “member” representing all of these groups on the committee. What? Can someone explain to me how a PAID LOBBYIST is allowed to be on “citizen” and “science-based” committees?
  • Continuing with Bob Welch (anyone sensing a pattern here?), how can we forget the nefarious bills that allowed Wisconsin wolves to be slaughtered and ALL state parked to be opened up to hunting and trapping for SEVEN MONTHS of the year? Welch and his bear hounder benefactors admitted before the Senate Natural Resources Committee that they and seven lawyers had written the wolf kill bill that Rep. Scott Suder (R-ALEC) claimed authorship of. There is also the fact that the bear hounders, George Meyer, and other anti-wolf factions knew about the “public hearing” in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee almost a week before the public was notified regarding this nefarious bill. The public was given 24 hours notice. So much for that “citizen input” they claim matters so much. Of course the bill went on to be rubber stamped by the Legislature, signed by Walker, and again rubber stamped by the Natural Resources Board, featuring Greg Kazmierski.
  • And about the NRB. Amazing how the Board had received well over 3,000 letters and e-mails strongly opposed to the use of dogs against wolves, yet completely ignored them along with impassioned citizen testimony and again rubber stamped the use of dogs against wolves. And guess who was there speaking in support of the use of dogs against wolves? You guessed it Mr. Wind tunnel Tested Hairdo himself, Bob Welch. And of course guess who one of the voting members on the NRB was? None other than the one that pays Welch to lobby for the organization that he heads, Greg Kazmierski. Funny how the same names and the ties that bind them keep appearing.
  • Finally, we come to the illustrious “citizen advisory” group known as the “Conservation Congress.” Not known to many citizens in the state, except for the hunting clubs, this group was legislatively enacted decades ago to be the “sole” citizen advisory to the DNR on wildlife issues. Unfortunately, this organization has essentially become a propaganda arm for the DNR and the killing cartels in the state. Look no further than the fact that the “congress” doesn’t advertise their yearly spring gatherings in each county as anything other than “hearings” when in reality they are elections for sending delegates to the group and for advisory questions. Because the group has long been dominated by the killing cartels in the state, the vast majority of the “advisory” questions are geared toward providing more and more killing opportunities and less and less restrictions on those activities. On April 8th of this year the election of pro-wildlife delegates from the counties of Dane, Milwaukee, and Polk sent shock waves through the good old boy club. Gasp! The pro-killing factions now control over 300 of the seats and wildlife advocates control five. If you read the “outdoor” pages you would have thought our side ran the tables and now control the entire group. But as expected if the killing cartels do not have 100% control they scream doom and gloom for their “heritage.” And their is this little tidbit as well. As it turns out many of the “delegates’ for this “citizen advisory” group come directly from the killing cartels like the dubiously named “Wisconsin Wildlife Federation” including one of that groups leaders, Ralph Fritsch, who is a “delegate” from Onconto County. And to top it all off, the wife of the WWF head, George Meyer, is a delegate from Dane County. So the killing cartels even have their tentacles entrenched firmly in this supposedly “citizen advisory” group.

So what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if wildlife advocates behaved and legislated in the manner that is currently occurring on our state? We would be called “undemocratic” and be accused of ignoring the “will of the people.” Just try to fathom the outrage. Yet, this is exactly what is happening in Wisconsin this very day. Corrupt, undemocratic, and unethical behavior is the norm when it comes to the DNR, NRB, and the state legislature. The ties that bind the DNR, the NRB, the legislature, the killing cartels, and their lobbyists are plain to see. Wake up Wisconsin. We need to expose these blatant unethical and corrupt practices that seem to have become the norm in our state.

Please share your thoughts.

 
11 Comments

Posted by on May 10, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 

Wisconsin DNR Setting the Stage For Massive Wolf Slaughter This Fall

06 May
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

**Update** Apparently there are some that cannot understand sarcasm, so I will further elaborate about the “missing calves” issue. Last year after contacts with the DNR we were told that the DNR automatically attributes any livestock losses over 2.3% to “wolf depredation.” When contacted the DNR had no answer or evidence as to why so much money is being paid out for “missing calves.” Even more disturbing is that there was ZERO evidence that wolves were involved, only that there may have been wolf “activity” in the area. This is why I said that wolves in Wisconsin must have “magic” powers that allow them to just make these calves “disappear” considering that there is nothing left behind, not even bones to show that these calves even existed. For more on this please read this article.

All over the local news today were stories from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources proclaiming that the wolf population in the state is “stable” or “slightly” decreasing. The DNR claims that the current wolf population stands at “as many as” 834 animals. Last year they claimed the population was between 815 and 880 wolves. Now the talking heads at the DNR are using their new numbers to set the stage for what is likely to be an all out slaughter of wolves this fall by again obsessing on the ancient “management” number of 350 from the 1999 plan. Not content having over 243 wolves killed last year by “hunters,” trappers, Wildlife Services assassins, poachers, and “unknown causes,” the DNR is gearing up for all out war this coming fall.

Don’t believe me? Just look at the quotes and propaganda being put out by one of their talking heads:

“The management objectives remain to put downward pressure on the population,” DNR carnivore specialist David MacFarland said. “The mortality levels experienced in 2012 didn’t achieve that objective or only made slight progress toward the goal.”

Of course, “only” 243 wolves were known to be slaughtered last year and magically the numbers are exactly the same. Funny how that happens considering biologists estimate that over 70 percent of pups born each year die from various causes, and adult wolves actually do die from natural causes. I guess in addition to consuming entire animals and leaving no trace, Wisconsin wolves can apparently magically replicate so that their numbers never go down even after hundreds of deaths. So here is the DNR setting the stage for a massive increase in their kill quota because there are still “too many” wolves for the DNR and their bear hounder puppet masters.

And if there hasn’t been enough exaggeration and hyperbole about the states wolf population there is this:

The wolf hunt has been a flashpoint of contention since Republican lawmakers authorized it last year. Supporters say the state’s wolf population is exploding and devastating livestock. Animal rights advocates have countered the wolf population is still too fragile to support a hunt and people should leave what they consider a majestic animal alone. The state’s Chippewa tribes also are vehemently opposed to the hunt; they consider the wolf a spiritual brother.

Wolf populations are “exploding” and they are “devastating” livestock. Really? From the DNR’s own numbers here:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolf/documents/WolfDamagePayments.pdf

Remember last year when the wolf killing proponents were trying to justify their persecution of wolves by claiming that wolves were “devastating” livestock to the tune of almost $215,000? In 2012 the DNR paid out over $190,000 of that money for “missing” calves alone. Of course all of that money came from the Endangered Resources Fund that was generated from the sale of “Endangered Resources” license plates, featuring a wolf, and from income tax check-offs. Upon passage of the wolf kill bill last year those “depredation” funds now come from the sale of wolf killing licenses, and guess what? Suddenly the “depredation” payouts for 2013 have amazingly been cut to the amount of $139,174 over the same span of time. Of course again the vast majority of these payouts, $95,519, went for “missing calves” and $14,000 went for SIX dogs used by hounders. Another funny aspect is that wolves in Wisconsin have apparently decided to go to a beef only diet because amazingly they no longer “predate” on deer, pigs, chicken, and turkeys. They did apparently break away to “predate” on one $135 sheep, and one $625 goat though. But as long as that “missing calves” scam is still bringing in the dough it keeps the illusion alive that wolves are still “devastating” livestock. And as usual there is ZERO evidence that wolves were involved in the disappearance of the calves, but as we know Wisconsin wolves have magical powers that allow them to consume every last scrap of these calves, including bones (Authors note: this is SARCASM). Remember that all livestock losses over 2.3% are automatically attributed to wolves if their is “evidence” of wolf activity. Can you say scam? Also amazing was that there were not any $10,000 deer from canned hunting operations claimed this year. I guess now that the wolf haters have to pay for the “depredations” out of their killing licenses the number of claims have amazingly dropped. And of course this allows our wolf hating governor to drop the cost of a wolf killing license from $100 to $50 so that more killers will be out there gunning for wolves.

So all of this sets the stage for this:

The agency has formed an advisory committee to develop a 2013 kill limit recommendation. The committee plans to meet on May 23 in Wausau to work on the quota. DNR leaders will consider the committee’s recommendation as it finalizes a quota. The Natural Resources Board likely will vote on the number in June or July.

“The goal is 350 animals,” said MacFarland, who sits on the committee. “We’re working with that as the objective.”

Natural Resources Board Chairman Preston Cole had no immediate comment on what the population count might mean for the 2013 quota, saying he wants to gather more information from DNR staff.

Gee, I wonder what the “DNR staff” are going to tell Mr. Cole? Not that it matters because we all know that the NRB will rubber stamp whatever killing proposal the DNR recommends. Be prepared. This is going to get very ugly this fall and wolves are going to be pushed to the brink while the DNR keeps feeding us their propaganda and questionable numbers. Let’s hope that the federal courts see through this charade and puts the wolf back on the Endangered Species list where they belong.
 
18 Comments

Posted by on May 6, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 

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Killing as “Conservation” and Other Obscene Hypocrisies

01 May

Wolf Tracks

Definition of HYPOCRISY (from Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

1: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
Gee, of whom does the above definition describe?
While again reading the story about the wealthy Wisconsin trophy killer that paid hundreds to thousands of dollars to fly to Africa and kill a HIGHLY ENDANGERED black rhino, I came across a quote that made my blood boil:
But an organization named Conservation Force, which has spent about four years helping Reinke get his permit so he could bring home the trophy, argues the decision will be a precedent-setting boost for efforts to protect endangered species.

“Mostly it’s significant for rhino conservation,” said John Jackson of Conservation Force. “It will help support anti-poaching efforts.”

Jackson said Conservation Force is a nonprofit, charitable organization that is “using hunting as a tool to conserve species.” And the group’s website describes itself as “a force for wildlife conservation, wild places and our way of life.”

Really? Protect endangered species by killing them. Sure. Just like NAMBLA (Google it) is all about “mentoring” and providing “guidance” to the little boys that they molest. Give me a freaking break.

But sadly this isn’t the only form of hypocrisy from wildlife exploiters and killers. In Michigan the voices of 250,000 plus signers of a petition to stop their upcoming wolf killing season are about to have their voices silenced by the anti-wolf legislature in their state. From this article:

Supporters of Casperson’s bills, however, say the move protects Michigan citizens’ hunting rights by not allowing outside groups from coming into the state and pushing their own agenda through referendums. They point out that the Keep Michigan Wolves Protected petition drive was backed by a national animal rights group, the Humane Society of the United States.

So the killers and exploiters of wildlife in Michigan and other states don’t have “outside groups” pushing their own agendas? Really? I guess they missed the recent story about the rabidly anti-wolf ROCKY MOUNTAIN Elk Foundation and how they want to interject themselves into the pending federal lawsuit about relisting wolves in the GREAT LAKES. I am smart enough to know geography, and the ROCKY MOUNTAINS are not in the GREAT LAKES. I assume that because they are rabidly anti-wolf the wolf haters don’t view them as an “outside” group. And we are hypocrites?

If successful as an intervener, RMEF will join the Hunter Conservation Coalition group comprised of Safari Club International, National Rifle Association, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation.

Gee, how many of these groups are “outside groups” pushing their agendas? The NRA, SCI, RMEF, etc. No those aren’t big money “outside groups,” are they? Apparently in the eyes of anti-wolf/anti-wildlife groups you are only an “outside” group if you don’t follow their kill everything agenda. And they call us “hypocrites?” Give me a break.

And let us not forget the ultimate hypocritical statement about how having a killing season for wolves will make the wold haters more tolerant of the species. Sure. Just take a look at the revolting Wisconsin Wolf Hunting Facebook page to see how “tolerant” these cretins have become. How about this sadistic fantasy quote from the page

“The only regret I have is that I used a recording device without sound! Just think how cool a video with sound would have been. To hear him trying to gasp for air would have been amazing! I should have taken an “after” pic, because it looked like it tried to claw it’s own face off with it’s front paws.”

Sure sounds “tolerant” to me.

When are people going to wake up and realize that these kill everything groups care NOTHING about LIVING wildlife and wild lands. They always brag about how they “fund” the various fish and wildlife agencies across the country and act like the rest of us don’t contribute anything. This is another hypocritical fallacy because we haven’t been given the option to fund these agencies because that would end the hunter/trapper monopoly that they have on power. I and many other LIVING wildlife advocates would gladly pay to fund the Wisconsin DNR and other similar agencies. But guess what happens then? We would actually get a say in how the DNR operates and we might exposed their corrupt agenda and pandering to the killing cartels. We all know that will not happen anytime soon, so the killing cartels need to get off of their tired and stale argument about how only they fund “conservation.” They only pretend to want our money. Money equals control and they sure don’t want to give that up.  If they didn’t get to kill and torture our wildlife with traps and dogs, they wouldn’t give one dime for “conservation.” It is time that someone calls these hypocrites out for their ridiculous arguments.

It is also sickening about how the term “conservation” has been corrupted just as the word “harvest” has been. With groups like Conservation Force, SCI, the NRA, and RMEF it is all about KILLING, not “conservation.” Who really believes the garbage propaganda that they spew? It is like those that said during the Vietnam War that “sometimes you have to destroy a village to save it.” We all saw how that turned out and we are seeing now how “conservation” in Africa and for wolves in the United States is turning out. Please call these groups out for their hypocrisy every time that you can, and spread the word about their true agendas. We need to create a REAL “conservation force” and not pander to big money trophy killers feigning “conservation” for their own sick blood lust.

 
4 Comments

Posted by on May 1, 2013 in Endangered Species, Hounding, Hunting, National Wildlife Issues, Other Wildlife, Trapping, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 

Wisconsin DNR Again Extends Middle Finger to Nature Lovers

30 Apr
Badger Army Ammunition Plant near Baraboo, WI.

Badger Army Ammunition Plant near Baraboo, WI.

It wasn’t enough that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wanted to turn the Mackenzie Environmental Center near Poynette into a “training center” for wildlife killers, now they want to do the same to the now defunct Badger Army Ammunition Plant. From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

Conservationists who want land near Baraboo to be used for quiet activities are angry that the state might use it for motorcycle trails or shooting ranges.

The state Department of Natural Resources is in the process of deciding what to do with the 7,300 acres on the site of the now-defunct Badger Army Ammunition Plant. A plan approved in 2001 called for the property to be used for activities such as agriculture, hiking and bird-watching, but the agency said it has to consider whether conditions have changed in the past 12 years.

The plan in question was approved by the Sauk County Board in May 2001. It called for the land to be used for conservation, education and agriculture, as well as low-impact recreation, such as hiking and bird-watching.

Of course the “conditions” have changed. Now Bob Welch, the bear hounders, and other killing cartels have complete and total control of the WDNR. Screw nature lovers, the DNR just wants this land to be used for any and all destructive means possible. Apparently the backlash they have received about their plans for the Mackenzie Center mean absolutely nothing to them. It also seems that the DNR has no interest in seriously providing opportunities for wildlife watchers and nature lovers unless that wildlife is being watched via a rifle scope.

I have been to this area many times and not long ago there was talk about reintroducing free roaming bison, and providing for all kinds of opportunities for nature lovers. So much for that. Now they want to replace what could be a pristine natural prairie (give or take a few toxins) with gunfire and motorcycles. Then we have a DNR representative telling us that majority public opinion has no bearing on how they make their decisions:

But DNR regional director Mark Aquino said the reuse plan was just a “guidance document.”

“Their task was to develop a common vision,” Aquino said of the committee that developed the plan. “Since it is 12 years old and because our planning process requires us to have other involvement, we have to see whether conditions and desires now are sufficiently different.”

The DNR will issue three alternatives this summer and hold open houses and public hearings to gather comment on the plans, he said. The three scenarios range from a plan focused on conservation and quiet activity to one that emphasizes more high-intensity recreation.

Aquino said the agency already received 388 comments during a public comment period that ended last winter. Although a list of those comments on the DNR website shows that many favored conservation and low-impact recreation, Aquino said the final decision on which plan to recommend doesn’t necessarily rest on how many people favor a particular use.

“This isn’t a vote process,” Aquino said. “The public input is only one part of what we consider.”

So in other words here is a big middle finger to nature lovers. So much for our state being any semblance of a democracy anymore. Majority rules has no place in Wisconsin, we only care about what special interests want, in this instance the DNR is pandering not only to shooters and motorcycle riders, but to ATV people as well.

Another point to consider is which recreational opportunities are underrepresented, he said. He noted, for example, that the Wisconsin ATV Association has been telling the Natural Resources Board for years that ATV users have too few recreational options in southern parts of the state.

So make sure to add earplugs to go along with your orange jacket while dodging the landmines called traps when trying to enjoy nature in our state. Just make sure that while dodging the traps you don’t get ran over by a motorcycle, ATV, or get mauled by a pack of vicious dogs participating in some of that good old Wisconsin “tradition.” Should we expect anything different from an agency headed by a real estate developer? read more here:

Conservationists, DNR spar over use of old Badger ammo plant

 
3 Comments

Posted by on April 30, 2013 in Hounding, National Wildlife Issues, Trapping, Uncategorized, Wisconsin Insanity

 

Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: Don’t let hunters do end run to use private land

28 Apr

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Please read and comment on Patricia’s new column here:
Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: Don’t let hunters do end run to use private land 

From Patricia:

Please urge your senators to support Sen. Fred Risser’s Senate Bill 93 to remove the use of dogs from killing wolves. Ask your representatives to support the Assembly version, AB 94, and oppose AB 137 on killing woodchucks.

The sooner the better.  It just takes a few minutes.  Make sure they get your name and address and register your statement to convey to your legislators.  Ask for the position that your legislator takes on these issues, and ask for a call back to tell you that position when they take one.  Make them accountable to you!

To find your legislators, http://legis.wisconsin.gov/Pages/waml.aspx

Please add your voice to the comments on the Madravenspeak columns.  And feel free to spin off of them to write editorials to the Wisconsin State Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
For the Wisconsin State Journal, Milfred, Scott, editorial page editor, 252-6110, smilfred@madison.com
For the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel :

Phones: General/Letters to editor – 414-224-2143; Crossroads – 414-224-2770
E-mail: jsedit@journalsentinel.com

I find it is best to email in your editorial early in the week, then call the next day, say you submitted the editorial and ask that it be printed and ask where it is in line for printing.  Sometimes you have to fight for it.
Please join us at Wisconsin Wildlife Ethic. www.wiwildlifeethic.org  We will be planning an annual celebration of wildlife event to build every year.  And a campaign for our wildlife.  This is an exciting time to get involved.   Bring your ideas and outreach to helping our wildlife while we still have some left to help!

Thanks.

Patricia Randolph
State Journalist
Madravenspeak living wildlife column every other Sunday online
Capital Times newspaper

 
2 Comments

Posted by on April 28, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity

 

The Sleeping Giant Begins to Stir

22 Apr
The sleeping giant is slowly waking up!

The sleeping giant is slowly waking up!

 

In conclusion I want to address the possible consequences of ignoring majority public opinion. This bill seems to reflect a vocal minority. In so doing it will unify opponents who otherwise have not collaborated. I will venture two predictions. Opponents will challenge the bill at the ballot, in the ceded territories, and in the courts. You have never seen wolf policy challenged in these ways, particularly in state courts. Litigants will invoke the Public Trust Doctrine with its precedents in the U.S. Supreme Court that guarantee wildlife are a public trust resource that cannot be jeopardized. This bill will unify the opposition and this bill does not do justice to the measured and prudent approach to wolf policy the great state of Wisconsin has taken up to this point.

Arian Treves written testimony to the Senate Natural Resources Committee, February 8, 2012

As we all know the testimony of Professor Treves and that of countless other wildlife advocates were ignored that day and the wolf kill bill went on to pass the Wisconsin Legislature with “bi-partisan” support. A couple of major things happened once this abhorrent bill was rubber stamped and passed into law. First, people began to wake up to the institutionalized brutality that the state of Wisconsin openly advocates and actively promotes. Second, the residents of this state slowly came to realize the corrupt and openly biased system in place that shuts out the voices of everyone except a few powerful kill everything lobbyists and the killing cartels that employ them. Undeterred the Legislature and DNR continued to pass and implement anti-wildlife and pro-killing policies like never before. But people are starting to wake up.

While the wolf kill bill and the sadism included in it infuriated wildlife advocates across the country the Legislature, including almost all of the spineless Democrats, voted to allow hunting and trapping in almost every state park for SEVEN months of the year. This outraged not only wildlife advocates but non-consumptive users of the parks, and even some hunters as well. This bill, even more arrogant and audacious than the wolf kill bill, led to a public backlash that seemed to take the DNR and Natural Resources Board by surprise. The outrage was so massive that the Natural Resources Board actually listened to the citizens (unlike with the wolf kill bill) and scaled back the time allotted for killing in state parks to one month. Of course this was unacceptable to the kill everything good ol boys in the so called “Conservation Congress,” so they had to put the issue up for a vote in their yearly sham elections. But something strange happened this year at these elections, that the DNR tries to play off as a “sportsmen hearing.” Bristling from anger over the wolf kill bill and non-stop killing in state parks, attendees in Dane, Milwaukee, and Polk Counties voted to elect four PRO-wildlife candidates. And as you can guess this has the kill everything types like “outdoor” writer Patrick Durkin whining about hunters “losing” and about how these counties determined the outcome of several key votes. From Durkin’s propaganda article:

The wolf and “silent-sports” crowd also helped elect four of their own during the WCC’s annual elections, which lead off the hearings so all attendees can participate:

■ Melissa Smith, Madison, helped lead wolf-hunting opposition in Wisconsin the past year, and also opposed the Legislature’s expansion of hunting and trapping in state parks. She defeated incumbent Matt Rainey, Madison, for one of Dane County’s two-year delegate posts.

■ Barb Eisenberg, Milwaukee, a nonhunter and conservation/environmental activist, defeated incumbent Josh Hennlich, Oak Creek, vice chair of Milwaukee County’s WCC delegation, for a two-year term. Eisenberg also served as a WCC delegate from 2005 to 2008.

■ Brook Waalen, Luck, a member of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, defeated incumbent David Hraychuck, Balsam Lake, vice-chair of Polk County’s WCC delegation, for a two-year term.

■ Paul Kuhlman, St. Croix Falls, also a member of the IATA, was elected to fill a vacancy for a three-year term on Polk County’s WCC delegation.

Unlike some advocacy groups, the wolf-and-parks contingent didn’t just vote on pet questions and leave.

I love the “us vs them” tone of the article. The way Durkin makes it sound is if you are against dogs being used on wolves or against non-stop killing in state parks, you are the enemy. Then comes this little quote from Dane County Conservation Congress Delgate and wife of George Meyer, Jane Meyer:

Jayne Meyer, chairwoman of Dane County’s WCC delegation, said the Congress paid a price for asking the state parks question. “That’s why we lost our guy (Rainey),” she said. “There was no need for it. The Natural Resources Board settled that issue last year.”

Our guy? I thought the WCC was supposed to represent ALL citizens and be a citizen advisory? This quote shows that this sham organization is nothing more than another mouth piece for the killing cartels run by the likes of George Meyer and bear hounder lobbyists like Bob “Connecticut Effect” Welch. They had to give up FOUR spots to pro-wildlife/pro-enviroment candidates and they act as though the world is ending. To show how vastly unfair this “congress” is just look at how each county, no matter the population, gets the same number of delegates. So a county in the north with a tiny population gets the same say as counties with massive populations like Dane and Milwaukee. Is it just me or is something wrong with this picture? The game is rigged from the outset and they still whine that they lost four seats out of 300 plus that the good ol boys still control.

But the sleeping giant is starting to awaken. As Professor Treves foreshadowed in his above testimony people are catching on and getting fed up with the “business as usual” way wildlife is “managed” in this state. The time has come to give ALL citizens a voice in this issue and not just a select few from the good ol boy clubs that attempt to bully and intimidate anyone that doesn’t bow to their every whim. This is just the beginning. It is time to take our voice back from the killing cartels and demand that we be heard.

For more about our friend and newly elected Dane County delegate, Melissa Smith, please read this:

Hunting critics want a say in Wisconsin’s wildlife management

 

 
3 Comments

Posted by on April 22, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 

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Patricia Randolph’s Madravenspeak: Dead coyotes hung in tree a sign of killing culture

14 Apr

coy

Madravenspeak

Dnr New Landscaping:  dead coyotes hanging from trees;  mutilated wildlife in traps as state park ground-cover

“It is shocking to me that a professional, government department could be allowed to use such obvious trickery to deceive the public that came to be clear about what they are for and against.” ~ Ingrid Hanson, first time attending DNR election

After papering Dane county bulletin boards with 100 Wildlife Ethic posters, advertising the 79th annual DNR/Conservation Congress Elections and Vote,  I came home to a heart-breaking email.  The Boscabel Dial had published pictures of a tree in southwestern Wisconsin hung with 12-15 dead coyotes, and a hand-written sign at the base, saying “BAD COYOTE”. (http://www.pearltrees.com/#/N-f=1_7900911&N-fa=5325757&N-p=75233552&N-play=2&N-s=1_7900911&N-u=1_672789).

The DNR is recruiting kids to destroy life for fun.  So it is not surprising to see this kind of “prank”.  Expect more strewn bodies mangled in traps decorating our state parks this month. Where are the scientists?  April is prime birthing season.  Don’t they want some yearlings to mutilate next year?  State park visitors:  be good and stay on the trails.  Don’t look right or left and keep apathy and denial in your survival kit, while you pull your kids back from the screaming.  Boycott the parks or experience Trapping 101.

Coyotes are toast because Monday’s vote rationalizes killing them through the 9-day deer hunt.  Killed night and day year-round, they had been spared during the traditional deer hunt to protect wolves.  Both species need the protection more than ever when 600,000 enthusiasts are driving deer toward each other shoulder to shoulder.  No place to run.  But the hunters want to kill every coyote and (oops, a wolf) predator in their path while it is convenient.

As one voter wrote, “I found Monday’s meeting frustrating and that I was being manipulated.  In many cases my only choice was to answer ‘YES’ to things I was totally against, yet making it look like I am for this but merely want some rules to be in place….clearly I don’t want dogs chasing wolves at all.  Even question 68 was was written in a counter intuitive manner forcing you to answer yes, when intuitively you would want to answer ‘NO’ to a wolf hunt by dogs.“

Despite that planned confusion, people voted for legislation against the use of dogs on wolves,  2631 to 2494.

The vote ( 2922 to 1922 ) supported expanding hunting and trapping in our state parks, but even voting against 7 months made it seem one was voting for two months.

Call your senators to support senate bill SB 17 (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/proposals/sb17 ) which removes hunting and trapping from state parks.

Other key results expanded hunting and trapping the rare bobcat statewide, killing feral pigs statewide with any license, and weasel traps checked every four days instead of daily. (http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2013/2013_StatewideResults.pdf)

Most votes liberalized killing: the use of rifles statewide in deer kill, expanded youth hunting,  increased dove and pheasant hunting, and using high powered lights to confuse animals at night with intent to kill.

The questions are narrowly framed.  Do you want to kill this way or that way, more or more than that?  When citizens want to vote against killing altogether.  Against running dogs.  Against trapping.  Against shining,  torturing, and shaming our state in this killing spree.  There were irregularities.  A friend left three ballots for the second election with a DNR official while filling out questionnaires with his sons.  Leaving fifteen minutes later, they noticed the ballots still sitting on the table, not submitted.  The hunters tally the election and votes.

Dane county (http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2013/2013_CountyResults.pdf) and a few other counties made more life-tolerant, ecologically balanced decisions.  Bayfield county elected a Northlands professor.  Melissa Smith, wolf advocate was elected in Dane.  Barb Eisenberg, Green Party biologist, who had served 2005-2008 on the Congress, was re-elected to the three-year term in Milwaukee county.

 

Melanie Weberg emailed that “two sane, common sense advocates for the environment, Paul Kuhlmann and Brook Waalen, were elected in Polk. “  She just moved from Minnesota and said, “ I could tell from the nasty table of hounders, trappers and hunters that they weren’t happy at all.  It was quite an eye opener for me.”  As she testified, “The nasties’ failed candidate (a big buffoon/yes boy) tried intimidating me, as when I looked up he wanted to lock eyes with me, and if looks could kill I would be dead.”

Elizabeth Huntley-Roberts, a cop,  attended in Kenosha and ran for election wearing her Howling for Wolves T-shirt.  She emailed, “I’ve never seen so much Camo in my life (not to mention the pick-up trucks parked in the lot)!  No one can intimidate me, especially men in Camo…REALLY?”  She went on, “My experience was that I had walked into the enemy’s camp,  with a smile on my face, and a good speech.”   After giving her speech, she was asked in a very hostile manner whether she is a member of Peta, and had she ever seen a pet dog torn apart by a wolf.

As Earth Day approaches, the words of  Gaylord Nelson ring poignant: “Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all living creatures.”

Carl Landsness, attending on a lark, said, “I’m wondering if this life-killing, soul-killing behavior is why I’m back in my Madtown roots…to find and facilitate better ways of working with each other and nature…before we destroy a reason to live.”

 

Patricia Randolph of Portage is a longtime activist for wildlife. madravenspeak@gmail.com or www.wiwildlifeethic.org

Dan Newcomb Photography (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9453805@N07/7201358234/sizes/m/in/set-72157609007003002/

 
6 Comments

Posted by on April 14, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 

Two Small But Very Welcome “Victories” From Conservation Congress Elections

09 Apr
Howl for Melissa!!!!

Howl for Melissa!!!!

For the first time in over a decade wildlife advocates have a friend on Wisconsin’s dubiously named “Conservation Congress.” WE VOW friend and supporter, Melissa Smith, won a resounding victory last night at the yearly ELECTIONS to represent Dane County on the Congress. While the Conservation Congress does not wield the power that it once did, this is still a massive victory for wildlife advocates across the state.

From Melissa:

I am honored to have been elected to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and look forward to helping to form recommendations to the DNR that are ethically and scientifically sound. I have my work cut out for me for sure. However, I am saddened that statewide, other delegates felt intimidated and overwhelmed by the really extreme hunters and trappers. I am grateful to have brought light to some of these issues such as how important it is for all citizens to attend, wolf /dog fighting and hunting and trapping in state parks. We DID win the vote about not using dogs to hunt wolves!!!! However, other results are in…expand hunting and trapping in state parks, 2922 yes, 1922 no…year round coyote hunting, 3368 yes, 1335 no..and checking weasel traps every 4 days vs daily majority voted yes. This is why it is my main goal as a delegate to make the WCC very transparent and available for all citizens to vote.

Opponent of hunting and trapping in Wisconsin state parks unseats Dane County incumbent on DNR advisory committee

Please join us in congratulating Melissa as we know she will not make it easy on the “good ole boys” running the “congress.” We are so proud of you!

Also in more welcome news from last nights ELECTIONS a majority of attendees voted that they support a law that would ban the use of dogs against wolves. Here was the question:

68. Would you favor legislation to prohibit the use of dogs to hunt and training dogs to hunt wolves?

Surprisingly voters agreed with this 2631 voted yes and 2494 voted no. In a state of almost 6 million people a question like this should be on a real ballot referendum, but we will take the small victory.

Finally in an article that floored me over the weekend it seems that even kill everything proponents like “outdoor” writer Patrick Durkin are catching on to and calling out the DNR and Natural Resources Board for their unethical and possibly corrupt practices. I can’t believe I am writing this but I actually for the first time agree with Patrick Durkin about the dubious “committee” selection procedures of the DNR. From Durkin:

The lack of selection criteria also raises eligibility and “deck stacking” concerns on the deer and bear committees. For instance, the Hunters Rights Coalition and its lobbyist, Bob Welch, represent the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and state chapters of Safari Club International. However, the HRC and SCI are both on the revamped deer committee, and the HRC and WBHA are both on the bear committee. Who gets to talk, to vote?

Besides, how can the HRC qualify as a partner on six of 13 committees so far? It’s a lobbying group, not a membership organization. It has no website, newsletter or membership roll, and its Facebook page has two “likes” and no content. And its founder, Greg Kazmierski of Pewaukee, is secretary of the DNR Board.

How does a paid lobbying group end up on “professional wildlife committees?” Bob “Conneticuit Effect” Welch is a lobbyist for slob hunting groups. He is not a “wildlife professional.” So why is he and his group on almost half of the committees? This is the kind of pay to play garbage that people in other states go to jail for, but apparently is perfectly accepted here in Wisconsin. You can bet that we are going to be all over this in the future.

Pat Durkin column: DNR loses credibility with committee revamp

 

 

 
13 Comments

Posted by on April 9, 2013 in Hounding, Hunting, Trapping, Wisconsin Insanity, Wolves

 
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