Author Topic: PAROWAN, UT a good place for a .17...  (Read 958 times)

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Offline MSP Ret

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PAROWAN, UT a good place for a .17...
« on: June 26, 2012, 08:20:09 AM »
PAROWAN, UT –  In southern Utah, folks  have just about had it with prairie dogs and the federal government. Residents  say the rodent has reproduced so much that it's a complete nuisance. And there's  little they can do about it.
In 1973, the Utah prairie dog was labeled "endangered" under federal law. In  1984, the species had thrived enough to be upgraded to "threatened" status under  the Endangered Species Act. 
But a quarter-century later?
"It's a plague, as far as I'm concerned," said Parowan native Bob Talbot as  he stood atop a hill overlooking farmland that's come alive with prairie dogs  popping out of holes.
"They're just ruining the fields, building lots, everything else around,"  Talbot griped.
In town, realtors say the prairie dog hurt their business during the housing  boom. "People from out of state actually think they're cute," said Cindy Smith  of CS Real Estate Group. "But once we tell them you have to pay to get them  cleared. ...it's a whole different story."
'It's a plague, as far as I'm concerned.'- Bob Talbot

At a nearby church, the pastoral staff is concerned about their children's  safety. Associate Pastor Rob Bernhardi walked through the grassy grounds of  Grace Christian Church, pointing out hole after hole dug by prairie dogs.  Bernhardi would like to fill the tunnels to prevent his congregation's children  from tripping. But he's hamstrung by federal law. 
"God's given us dominion over the animals. Right now, the animals have  dominion over us," Bernhardi said. 
The most striking example of the prairie dog's influence is next door in  Paraghona, Utah. Population: 550. The town's cemetery has been ransacked by the  critter. In some cases, the dogs have burrowed below tombstones, leaving gaping  holes. 
"At first they were pests," said Paraghona Mayor Connie Robinson. But now,  she's concerned about the safety of grievers, who are also distraught at seeing  their family burial grounds destroyed.
"They've come to me and said, 'I'm sorry I ever buried 'em here, because we  put them here thinking they'd be safe and these prairie dogs can do whatever  they want.'" 
Her town has spent thousands of dollars on two fences to keep prairie dogs  out. Neither worked. "I just wanna be exempt from the Endangered Species and get  'em out of here. I don't wanna mess with another fence. Why waste the money?"  Robinson asked.
Over at the Parowan Airport, the runway was so dug up that it no longer met  Federal Aviation Administration standards. With the help of FAA funding, the  airport built a massive fence burrowing 6 feet below ground. So far, it's  worked. 
In a major concession, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will allow the  airport to trap and relocate the remaining prairie dogs this summer. After the  trapping period ends, they can exterminate what's left.
But prairie dog experts oppose extermination.
"Love 'em or hate em, we gotta have 'em," said Lindsey Sterling Krank of the  Prairie Dog Coalition. Krank says she understands the frustration of the locals,  but believes the rodents serve a purpose. 
"If you were to remove a prairie dog from the prairie ecosystem, the prairie  ecosystem could fall apart," Krank said.
Washington, DC, has finally taken notice of the problem. Sen. Orrin Hatch  (R-Utah) visited the cemetery earlier this year, witnessing firsthand the red  flags that dot the land, marking dozens of holes.
"It's a sacrilege," Hatch told KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City.  "I think it's  a disaster that we can't take care of those prairie dogs." Along with the rest  of Utah's congressional delegation, he is supporting legislation that would  allow the cemetery to kill remaining prairie dogs. 
It can't come too soon for locals like Parowan Councilman Dennis Gaede, who  says their hands are tied. "We're basically held hostage by the prairie dog and  the federal government."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/26/endangered-prairie-dog-outnumber-residents-in-utah-town/#ixzz1yvhQ4xIV
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline mechanic

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Re: PAROWAN, UT a good place for a .17...
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2012, 09:36:12 AM »
Another case where government knows best.  SSS.
 
Ben
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: PAROWAN, UT a good place for a .17...
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2012, 01:11:49 PM »
The nine scariest words in the english language:
 
"I'm from the Government and I'm here to help"....<><.... ;)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline stimpylu32

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Re: PAROWAN, UT a good place for a .17...
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2012, 03:29:06 PM »
22 Short and a babybottle nipple should do the trick .  ;D ;D ;D
 
stimpy
Deceased June 17, 2015


:D If i can,t stop it with 6 it can,t be stopped