Author Topic: US Fish and Wildlife, screwed us over again  (Read 264 times)

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Offline Sourdough

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US Fish and Wildlife, screwed us over again
« on: March 17, 2011, 08:47:04 AM »
I have been working with Alaska Dept of Fish and Game on reintroducing Wood Bison to Alaska.  We had Wood Bison here until about 150 years ago.  They were killed off by natives to feed their families, not understanding what they were doing to the Wood Bison.  They just thought their area was getting low on Bison, not realizing they were the last ones.

USF&W has had a hands off approch since the beginning.  Some directors did not like the program, and refused to take part in any talks about where to release the herd.  Others were just totally indefferant and did not care.  All said they would not have anything to do with the herd before or after release.  They would classify it as an experimental herd, with no standing with them.  They issued us a permit to that affect, and in the listing they said the herd was open for hunting as directed by Alaska Dept of Fish and Game.

Alaska then went ahead and jumped through hoops to get a small herd from Canada.  Once the herd arrived we took them to Portage, down near Anchorage.  The Bison are living in a large fenced enclosure till we can assure they are disease free.  The herd has been growing while there.  Wood Bison are considered preditor resistant, due to their size.  They are just too big for Wolves, or Bears to mess with.  The Cows, and the rest of the herd  are very protective of the Calves.  No Grizzly wants to mess with that Mama, of Herd.  It's now been two years and we are ready to make the first release.

Got word yesterday USF&W listed Wood Bison as ENDANGERED.  Continued below
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: US Fish and Wildlife, screwed us over again
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2011, 09:00:12 AM »
USF&W also removed the term HUNTING from all their listings for the herd.  When contacted the USF&W said "We have already listed them as endangered, the day you release we are taking over and no one will ever be able to Hunt or Harrass the herd".  Meaning where ever we release them will be considered Critical Habitate, and no development or use of the area.

Now we are in one heck of a delima.  Here we are with a herd of Bison ready for release.  If we release them we loose them.  We don't have the funding to keep them in captivity much longer.

 
This is a Wood Bison, they are bigger than the Plains Bison you guys have down in Montana and Wyoming.

Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline Pat/Rick

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Re: US Fish and Wildlife, screwed us over again
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2011, 09:18:46 AM »
Doesn't surprise me that the constitutionally illegal usf&w would let AK foot the bill for the reintroduction, then, step in to seize control. Your governor should take a stand and tell them to butt-out, that it is a state program. If they do insist on seizing state property the governor should hand them the bill.

 Yes they ARE BIG aren't they? Saw some when we drove the Alcan.

Offline Sourdough

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Re: US Fish and Wildlife, screwed us over again
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2011, 09:51:54 AM »
Pat/Rick:  Yep, those along the Alcan are Wood Bison.  Notice the hair on their heads looks like it has been combed forward.  Saw where Jim Shockey had taken a Wood Bison with a muzzleloader.  The animal was lying with it's legs up under it's body, lying on it's belly.  It was still as tall as Shockey and he is a big boy.  We are going to hit all the big outdoor magazines and try and make a big nation wide stink about this.  We have sent word to the Governor but it's too early to recieve a reply yet.  Just found out about it yesterday.
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.