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Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 | 2:01 a.m.
Another view?
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Last weekend’s state Wildlife Commission meeting in Las Vegas reflected a continued focus on killing rather than preserving and fostering the state’s wildlife. Eight of the nine commissioners favor skewed statistical analyses to maximize the number of animals available for “harvesting,” their sanitized word for killing. Those eight apparently think of conservation as ensuring enough of a species for recreational killing.
Each county wildlife advisory board is populated only with people holding licenses to kill wildlife. State statute prohibits the rest of us from serving on these boards. These alleged representatives of the state’s general populace don’t reflect our overwhelmingly urban neighborhoods, which are largely opposed to the gratuitous killing.
The state’s wildlife belongs to everyone in the state, not a fringe group that believes they should be able to kill as much of it as they can mange through control of quotas, regulations and killing season length.
When will our state leave the 19th century for the 21st century by representing more than the wildlife killing mentality? Gov. Brian Sandoval and state legislators should make real reform. Let’s end the senseless slaughter of our state’s wildlife. Will they rise to the task?
As you said it belongs to everyone, not just to the pot smoking hippies from the 60's
"When will our state leave the 19th century .....?"
Never, unless the 18th century becomes available!
Yes, That's a great Idea. Lets not Harvest ( a term used when you take or kill an animal that you plan to eat) as opposed to sport killing. That way I have more objects to hit with my car, cause damage and possibly kill someone.
Imagine how many animals we would have if we did not keep the population in check.
Go back to your easy chair and read a book instead of the paper.
Killing for the "sport" of it is, well, kind of sick, as far as I am concerned. Mounting the heads of dead animals on the wall is a bit gruesome for my tastes. I love watching TV programs that capture animals in the wild but cannot force myself to watch when they show lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc., attack and kill. I know it happens but, yet, it turns my stomach to watch, so I'm quick to change channels. But, for some, it's just the type of "blood sport" they love, much as boxing or ultimate fighting. I do disagree with the writer on one thing: we do not "own" the animals. They are free spirits just as we are and deserve the right to remain so.
Rare thoughtful letter !! Should every bush be pulled from the ground and every animal pluged with lead ?
Regrettably, man-made law regards all animals as property, even wild ones.
Wild animals have a tough time surviving in our state given its extreme weather. The situation is actually made worse when man tries to control predators through eradication; the target species survive and thrive in spite of man. Is it so far-fetched to let nature's highly-sophisticated food chain balance out the various species based on forage, water and weather, rather than foolishly thinking man knows better?
How about trying some non-lethal methods of handling predators of livestock and farm lands for those who claim threats to their property?
For people who have had any type of training growing up, most religions and belief systems strive to respect ALL forms of life, not just the human variety. To sanction widespread killing of wild animals for sport, not survival, doesn't say anything positive about the evolution of humans. Let's see the killers of wildlife build, repair or nuture something, i.e. do something constructive, rather than commit premeditated murder to while away their weekends.
Remember, we have invaded wildlife's habitats, not the other way around. Let's try to co-exist with wildlife and 'let it be' rather than torture, mutilate and eradicate it.
too many rodents and not enough preditors on public lands.
Most states have hunting laws to manage the game within the state. You do realize if to many animals exist in a given area they start to die from starvation. You like that idea better?
too many predators in Carson City not enough in the mountains and deserts.
Can wildlife truly be "managed" or is Mankind simply trying to play God with nature? It is far kinder to allow wild animals to live their lives without Mankind's 'concern' for their well-being. Can Man control the ocean's direction and impact? Of course not, so why does Mankind arrogantly believe it can control the wildlife species? The result has only been to mess up the natural balance of nature.