California wildlife official in hot water over mountain lion hunt

[Vehl]

One of California's top wildlife officials found himself in the political line of fire Friday, after a photo surfaced showing him holding a dead mountain lion he killed in what appeared to be a recent big game hunt.

Daniel W. Richards, president of the California Fish and Game Commission, shot the lion in Northern Idaho. The photo was posted on the website of Western Outdoor News, a hunting and fishing publication.

Mountain lion hunting has been illegal in California since 1990, when voters passed Proposition 117.

Within hours of the photo appearing, callers deluged the state Fish and Game Commission office, and the Humane Society of the United States urged Richards to step down.
"It's not illegal. But he's thumbed his nose at the people of California," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society. "He's supposed to be representing the interests of all California citizens. It seems like such a tone-deaf action. What part of 'no' doesn't he understand?"

[IMG][/IMG]

more here
http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_19992359

another interesting piece of news

Meanwhile, Richards is facing more political fallout.

In 2010, his former business partner was indicted, along with three other men, on charges of bribery, conflict of interest, tax fraud, tax evasion, perjury and forgery. San Bernardino County prosecutors said the indicted men worked to corrupt public officials in connection with a $102 million settlement in a land development deal

[cherokeeprogressive]

1. A California citizen LEGALLY kills an animal in Idaho. This is news... why?

And, in an effort to smear said California citizen, the follies of his former coworkers are highlighted. Why?

His FORMER business partner was indicted.

I went to Norwalk High School in the 70's... Vernon Butts went there also. In the 70's.

What's next? Indict me for murder or simply IMPLY I might be a murderer because Vernon Butts went to my high school and hung out with Willy Bonin who WAS convicted of murder and executed?

Should we indict every employee of every slaughterhouse in the United States because of a law protecting bovines in India?

[jsmirman]

4. He's supposed to represent the wildlife interests of the people of California

the political will of the people was expressed by a vote that said "we don't believe in killing mountain lions."

Now, there may be some dramatic difference between the mountain lion situation in California and in Idaho. But if there isn't, it doesn't seem like he's presenting himself as someone whose views on wildlife match the constituency he's been appointed to serve in wildlife related matters.

And I do not like the picture.

[FreakinDJ]

8. We had 2 Mountain Lions killed where I used to live

Once they start coming in your yard feeding on your pets and eyeing your children next DF&G issues a kill permit.

Maybe folks should get out to the country side more often.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. My neighborhood cats are cougars

Comes with the territory where I live. I take precautions and do not have domestic animals. In extreme circumstances you can shoot them without a permit (personal safety), though the paperwork is hellacious and the burden of proof on the shooter.

I might know someone who had to do that once and then did the SSS routine vice the paperwork. Country folk are practical like that.

[jsmirman]

37. Maybe people should stop assuming other posters are ignorant

wouldn't that be nice? I think it would be just great.

Do you really think anyone who knows a damn thing about animals isn't familiar with the threat to domestic animals? Really? Seriously?

We need to take a trip out to the countryside? Yes, all of us who care about animals are pale, effete weenies who would faint at the sight of a blade of grass, to say nothing of the failure of our atrophied legs to support us if we dare ventured out of our veal crate like cubicle pens.

I've had about enough of this tacky and ridiculous line of insult to people who care about animals.

As ellisonz points out, there was reason to know he was going to catch hell for posing in such a picture. And whether you like the California Prop or not, or want to pretend it's irrelevant because you can criticize it, it still represents the political will of the people. And as someone pointed out, the chief of police being pictured screwing a prostitute in Nevada isn't going to sail through on his actions being legal.

And the nonsense about those of us not knowing what a Fish and Wildlife Commission does or anything of the like? Yes, those of us who are involved in environmental/animal causes and just may - just might - have taken a class or two where such administrative bodies feature somewhat prominently - have no idea what these agencies are tasked with. Of course we know what they do - why, they generally screw over fish and wildlife for the benefit of industry. Wasn't that simple!

The endless onslaught of insults directed at people with the temerity to give a damn about what happens to the animals of this country is starting to wear on me.

[FreakinDJ]

42. What he did was legal in the State he did it in

"What a concept"

and is supported by many of the Californians that use the services he directs - "yet another revelation"

[jsmirman]

44. This is a non response

it adds no new information, makes no new arguments, is utterly non-responsive to points made in the post that it responds to, and concludes with a non-point which (I think?) expresses something indeterminate about being in the minority?

You respond to a point that discusses things on the basis of "it being legal in the state he did this in" with a point that says "it was legal in the state he did this in"???

Really, if you're going to bother, can't you do a little better than this?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. And he does, in California. Outside of the state, it matters not.

He was not appointed to match views with a particular constituency, and the person who appointed him can fire him tomorrow if they so choose. I would expect that to happen

Prop 117 was bill a goods and caused both cougars and people to die unnecessarily, but for some "political will" matters more than responsible wildlife management.

[jsmirman]

5. Also, your comparison between the relevance of a former business partner's

misdeed and the relevance of something a former classmate of yours did is a little confounding.

You didn't choose your classmates - he chose this person to be a business partner, which if you've ever done any business with anyone else is a pretty weighty choice.

I'm not saying to tar and feather him because of the association, but I find the parallel you're drawing to be a wide miss.

[Paladin]

12. Try Dragging Yourself Into The 21st Century.

This kind of brain-dead trophy hunting is beind passe at this point in time. This jerkoff deserves every bit of public heat he's taking, particularly after having the whole incident vividly preserved via camera.

And for those of you advocating mountain lion as The New Pork on this thread---I'd tell you to be ashamed of yourselves, but I doubt you have the capacity.....

[Drahthaardogs]

16. What are you talking about?

I spent my life out west. Hunting is HUGE business and many people make their living off of it. It may be brain-dead trophy hunting where you live, but there are lots of places where it feeds the kids and pays the taxes. In addition, stores like Bass Proshop, Cabelas, and the companies that make their products are a huge business as well.

Not everyone lives in New York City or California.

[Johnny Rico]

18. If you find eating mountain lions immoral, what about wild boar?

What's the difference?

[Paladin]

21. Try Some Ben-Gay Ointment On That Painful Stretch...... (n/t)

[Johnny Rico]

22. What stretch would that be, given that they're both wild animals?

Do you object to the hunting and eating of wild boar? If not, why in the world would you object to someone doing so to a mountain lion?

[cherokeeprogressive]

35. That's an easy one...

Mountain lions are beautiful, lithe, and remind people of kittens. Boars? Well they're just... ugly.

[Johnny Rico]

39. When I went to the gun show today I talked with a representative from a game ranch here in Colorado.

My father and I are considering hunting there; he's always wanted to get a boar. I'm leaning towards a Corsican Ram, myself.

[Drahthaardogs]

34. I lived in Alaska for years.

Leg of lynx was considered a delicacy.

[Johnny Rico]

20. +1

[Webster Green]

2. Beautiful cat. Very ugly man.

What a fucking dick.

[alphafemale]

3. You gonna eat that thing...asshole?

No?

Yeah, You killed a predator that would have ripped your stupid face off your skull if you walked up to it.

So you killed it with a bullet from a cowardly distance.

Bravo.

You da man.

[safeinOhio]

9. Mountain Lion is much like pork and almost any pork recipe will work.

http://www.muzzy.com/recipes/mountain-lion-back-strap-with-apples-and-blueberry-jam
Serves 4
Ingredients Needed
1- 2 lb Mountain Lion Back Strap
3 Granny Smith apples peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup of water
3 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and Pepper

[Lasher]

6. The president of the California Fish and Game Commission is not allowed to go hunting?

I don't agree with that concept.

From the linked article:

Environmental and animal welfare groups that wrote and passed the ballot measure in 1990 banning lion hunting argued that the practice is cruel and unnecessary, because unlike with deer, turkeys and other game, hunters do not eat lions.

Not true. From the Flying B Ranch website:

There is nothing quite like eating what you kill at the Flying B Ranch....that right there is Mountain Lion.....killed on the ranch yesterday by a guest....doesn't get much fresher than that!

January 20 at 4:30pm

http://www.flyingbranch.com/flying_b_news

It is possible that Richards provided the cougar meal pictured above.

[Arctic Dave]

7. Difficult hunt?

You motherfucking pussy! I have ten times that snow in my front yard you idiot cheesedick. How cold can it be if you are wearing a baseball cap you fucking sissy. Fuck, you call that a hard hike? My daughter had a harder treks to the bus stop.

Let us know when your dick shows up in the mail, loser.

[fasttense]

10. Oh look, a big brave hunter hugging a beautiful wild cat he killed.

And he's the president of the California Fish and Game Commission. I guess we know why he likes game. To kill it.

"As president, Richards can set the commission's agenda on a range of issues including endangered species protections, ocean fishing rules and all types of hunting regulations from rabbits to black bears. If he were to bring the dead mountain lion back to California from Idaho, he would be in violation of state law. Proposition 117 banned the possession of mountain lion parts or trophies killed after 1990."

And from what I read below the sad picture he's so very proud of himself. It was just so difficult to stand dressed in cold weather gear in the snow and shot at an animal. He might of gotten a bruise on his shoulder or a hangnail.

Animals are killed everyday for food, but very few people brag about it and post pictures about it. I have to kill my chickens but I don't make a sport about it nor post my picture with the dead animal. And I clean it myself. I bet he didn't even skin it and clean it himself. He just handed it off to some poor kitchen help who had to take care of the mess Richards created.

[RebelOne]

38. I would love to wipe the smile off that big, brave hunter's face. n/s

[MineralMan]

13. Well, it seems he shot that mountain lion in

Idaho, not California. It's legal to do so in Idaho. I don't get the problem here, or how it affects California's mountain lions.

Here's a link to Idaho's mountain lion hunting regulations:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgMtnLion.pdf

Oddly enough, when I was a youngster in California in the 50s and 60s, there was a $100 bounty on mountain lions. Times change, no doubt.

[Johnny Rico]

17. What part of "not illegal" don't these people understand?

As president of the California Fish and Game Commission, his duties presumably include overseeing game hunting in the state of California...and he was hunting game. Big freaking deal. Why shouldn't he hunt an animal in another state when he doesn't have the opportunity to do so in his own state?

[slackmaster]

19. Imagine the outrage if he'd gone to Pahrump, Nevada and partaken of a legal prostitute

[Johnny Rico]

23. Suppose the head of the CHP drove 120 mph on the Autobahn

On his next trip to Germany...what disregard that would show towards California law! <sarc>

[ellisonz]

24. Schwarzenegger appointee.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, chairman of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, said Friday he is considering introducing a resolution in the Legislature to remove Richards.

"He's thumbing his nose at California law," Huffman said. "He's mocking it. Frankly, I think he should face the music and step down. He's done something that's a disgrace to his position and to responsible hunters in California."

Pretty dumb to think this isn't going to be an issue.

[shanti]

26. i was hoping someone would

post about who appointed this guy. here's to hoping jerry brown cans his ass!

[ellisonz]

32. I think that alone...

...merits him being tossed to the curb. Never trust a puke...

[SpartanDem]

27. Doing somthing that legal activity in another state

is thumbing your nose at the law? Give me a break.

[petronius]

28. Thumbed his nose at the law - by obeying it?

If he'd issued himself a fraudulent depredation permit I'd see that problem, but there's nothing wrong with this.



Frankly, I think people who see an issue/problem here need to ask themselves, deeply and honestly, whether their attitudes toward guns and/or hunting are influencing their opinions...

[Johnny Rico]

40. Remember the late, unlamented assault weapon ban?

Firearms manufacturers were accused of thumbing their nose at that one when they followed the law to the letter.

[petronius]

41. That was very much in the forefront of my mind

Same kind of logic...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

25. No doubt he did it for the cat's own good.

Certainly not because he enjoys killing animals.

[Vehl]

29. imo this is not about illegality,but about how genuine his concerns are for the wellbeing of animals

sure, there is absolutely nothing illegal about this. The news article does not imply anything to that effect either. however the news article, and the people interviewed do raise valid questions about just how genuine he is towards the preservation of animals.

Imagine what would the public reaction be if the Californian head of the EPA visits another state where dumping toxic chemicals into natural waterways is not prohibited, and dumps a few barrels of chemicals into them? . Surely what he did was perfectly legal. However it would definitely raise questions about how committed he is to protecting the environment in California..would it not?

[SpartanDem]

30. There plenty of hunters are who are conservationist

If know your history then you'll that it Teddy Roosevelt an avid hunter/outdoorsman protecting was first president to push protecting the enviroment. This is really about peoples preconcieved notions about people who hunt.

[Vehl]

31. well

I do think that hunting any animal for sport is wrong. I have no problem with it if its for food. I dont know if the aforementioned person ate the mountain-lion he shot..but I Highly doubt it.

Maybe its just me, but I could never understand how one can shoot an animal for fun/sport(or whatever they want to call it). Taking a life for "fun" sounds cruel to me.


ps: What if, in a hypothetical situation..a bunch of high-tech UFO's arrive on this planet and hunt humans for fun?
I doubt the humans would be like "hey its cool, they are doing the same thing...that we do to the animals".

[slackmaster]

33. Proper wildlife management and preservation of the environment don't always coincide with...

...the well-being of a particular individual wild animal. Sometimes the well-being of a population is served by culling.

I happen to be very fond of cats, and doubt that I could intentionally kill one even in self-defense. But I do trust professional wildlife managers in Idaho to have a better idea about hunting practices in Idaho than I do.

[cherokeeprogressive]

36. I don't think you understand the purpose of the "California Fish and Game Commission."

It's purpose IS NOT the preservation of animals. Maybe a little reading will help. Maybe every outraged poster on this thread should do a little reading about the Fish and Game Commission.

Probably the best known responsibility of the Commission is its general regulatory powers function, under which it decides seasons, bag limits and methods of take for game animals and sport fish. (emphasis mine)

http://www.fgc.ca.gov/public/information/

[Drahthaardogs]

43. No it would not.

Because the environment, ecosystem, and wildlife populations between California and Idaho are completely different. Idaho has an abundance of wild places (most of the state), while California's environment is very fragmented.

Idaho also has to balance the lion, the grizzly, and the wolf so that each species may have some ungulates for dinner. Please do not give me the whole "let nature take its course" nonsense because that only works in vast areas. I am from Alaska and it was quite common for the wolf to literally eat himself out of house and home in a very large area. Moose and caribou populations crash, wolf populations then crash, then things start to come back, only to repeat a couple decades later. However, Alaska is three times the size of Texas with a population of less than 500,000 people. It can happen there.

Idaho cannot allow that sort of scenario to happen any longer. The days of allowing a boom and bust cycle for large predators and ungulates are over.

Why does everyone assume that the rules that apply to California are appropriate for the rest of the country? For that matter, why is it always the completely urbanized person who think they know what is best for the bucolic among us?