March 2007
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Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer has appointed four new members to the board that oversees this state agency that has been so hostile to bison. In the Buffalo Field Campaign’s report below, there finally be some signs the DOL might change. Should we get our hopes up? Read story. Read also about it in the Western…
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Just weeks after a snowmobiler was almost killed by an avalanche in Jewel Basin in Montana’s Swan Range, closed to snowmobiles, the Forest Service wants stiff penalties for those riding illegally in Wilderness and other closed areas. The increasing number of rescues and fatalities of these illegal riders is both dangerous to rescuers and expensive.…
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I missed this important story earlier. I wouldn’t say this is proven yet, but the hypothesis is based on the observed fact that wolves actively kill coyotes and reduce their numbers. It is also observed fact that wolves rarely bother with pronghorn fawns, but coyotes prey heavily on them. Story in the Jackson Hole Planet.…
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This is an important article over at Sinapu. After Killing a Record 2.7 Million Animals, Federal Government Hides Of course Wildlife Services would rather operate in as much secrecy as possible. “Birds constituted the overwhelming majority of animals exterminated, with starlings registering the greatest single species death total at 2.3 million. Mammalian carnivore deaths exceeded…
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The northern range Yellowstone wolf packs are increasing fighting and killing each other according to this article in the Jackson Hole News and Guide. If you compare the 2005 and 2006 statistics on Park wolves, you may be astonished to see that the natural death and out-migration of adult wolves from the Park has been…
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Well it looks like the Idaho legislature is watering down the already weak legislation which would regulate canned elk-hunting operations. A proposed amendment would require ranchers to “knowingly” violate state law before the state could revoke their license. Read the Statesman’s article… FYI: Pocatello 12 Public TV produced a video entitled “Threat to Idaho Wildlife:…
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Ted Williams has written a very interesting article on ethanol. “America’s corn-based ethanol program carries high costs in fish, wildlife and tax dollars.” Check out Under the Influence of Ethanol on Ted Williams’ Conservation Connection.
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The Billings Gazette has an interesting story on mineral leases that BLM intends to auction in Montana despite state wildlife officials protesting the move. Gas developement could jeopordize quite a bit of habitat and “The development could undercut 100 years worth of conservation efforts across the state.” says T.O. Smith, fish and wildlife planner for…