Most Important Issue in US Conservation

[WoolOverAll]

I mean, seriously, there's no use in us pretending to discuss this anymore. You've lost me and I don't think you're going to get much traction on this board in general.

Well we have lost each other on this issue then.

 

[KurtR]

You know Rokslide is getting big when the antis start infiltrating and trying to spread their propaganda.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

I'm open to their arguments against commercial fur harvesting. You are welcome to add your argument for commercial fur harvest and how it aligns with conservation.


Those issues are plastered across their website. Center for Biological Diversity, front page.


I could see a reasonable compromise on prohibiting the commercial sale of fur.

Straight from one of the petitions:

"The proposed amendment covers
only the for-profit sale of furbearer parts, including hides, pelts, skins, claws, and similar items,
with limited exemptions, and does not impose any restrictions on the hunting or trapping of
furbearers."


I do acknowledge it. Show me the clear proof then. What laws or regulations have changed in Colorado due to these groups? How has your pursuit been diminished by them? Have they changed the amount of tags issued? Can you not hunt a specific animal anymore? From the outside looking, these groups seem like they could be conservation allies with some concessions from both sides. I'm not going to write off potential allies just because their goals and language aren't 100% aligned with mine. I will certainly back some of these groups over agricultural lobbies.

So something isn’t a threat until they have successfully attacked you and taken something away? Do we have to wait until they have taken away hunting before we defend our hunting heritage? They have attempted to eliminate mountain lion hunting 3 times in Colorado-ballot box, commission, and legislature. They attempted to remove hunting as a primary wildlife management tool for CPW in statute through the legislature. I believe we must fight to defend hunting from a clear and present danger with anti-hunting groups in Colorado and a commission filled with anti-hunting activists. Just got done watching the commission reject the recommendation of the CPW staff/director (biologists) and will of the people (Denver Ordinance 308) by accepting a citizen petition to ban fur sales. Despite overwhelming opposition in the room. Absolutely disgusting.

What have your pals in the anti-hunting groups been willing to compromise on? They are coming for everything, one piece at a time. Do you really believe if we just end commercial fur sales the anti-hunting groups are going to go away? They will just decide that mountain lion and black bear hunting is ok? You can’t really believe that. Wayne Pacelle of Animal Wellness Action has stated on numerous occasions that the goal is to go state by state and one species to the next and eliminate hunting and trapping in each state using the ballot box, wildlife commissions, and the legislature. His reps were in Colorado today at this commission meeting. He regularly headlines meetings with Colorado First Gentlemen Marlon Reis.

I watched every conservation org I know of- RMEF, BHA, WSF, SCI, RMBS, and Trout Unlimited all campaign against the fur ban. They were ignored by our anti-hunting, anti-trapping activist commission. The commission was quite clear their decision was values-based, nothing to do with science. The question is whose values? Clearly the values of the individuals on the commission and a small, oval minority- not the majority of Coloradans.

Center for Biological Diversity, the group you believe is a good partner has campaigned for every anti-hunting initiative I can think of; lion hunting ban in Colorado, hound hunting ban in Arizona, fur ban in Colorado, remove hunting and trapping from wildlife management in Colorado and that is just at first glance.