brocksw
WKR
Found this on bowsite's forum. Someone wrote into BHA about this and this is the response they received. Post was made by username MichaelArnette on bowsite.
"Got this email from BHA today. I would encourage anyone who is a member or is interested in being a member to continue to put polite pressure on them to address the issue of predator management and ballot box biology.
I think this is a big step in the right direction:
Hi Michael,
I really appreciate you reaching out on this very important issue. We traditionally don't engage on species specific issues but as you very thoughtfully laid out, there is more going on here (ballot box biology) that needs attention. I want you to know that your email helped the decision to weigh in on this issue more formally. I really appreciate you reaching out and want you to know that your concerns are definitely heard and that it's a priority for BHA to be responsive to our members and act on your concerns. You are our boots on the ground, so please never hesitate to reach out. We have our work cut out for us being the voice for public lands, waters, and wildlife...the threats they face are very real and require our close attention....and as we grow and take on more in more places, sometimes we're a little slower than we'd like to mobilize around an issue, and I appreciate the nudge. I hope we can count on your support in the future. We need members like you to keep us strong.
Thank You!
Statement:
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the Public Trust Doctrine define fish and wildlife resources as the property of the people and managed by the state and federal agencies entrusted with their stewardship. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers acknowledges this model as the foundation of science-based fish and wildlife management and we support hunting, fishing and trapping as appropriate management tools. BHA does not endorse advancing wildlife management policies and decisions by state or federal legislation or voter referendums and ballot initiatives. We are obligated as an organization committed to hunters and anglers to advance sound stewardship policies that are guided by science over politics, emotion, and conjecture.
While the presence of wolves and evidence of natural colonization in Colorado has instigated passionate conversations, BHA’s policies related to wildlife management remain unchanged. We do, however, recommend the following actions be considered related to future wolf management needs in the state:
• Update Colorado’s dated wolf management plan to incorporate new science, wildlife and habitat data, and the growing body of evidence that suggests natural colonization of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a reality in Colorado. • Direct the appropriate decision-makers to study, evaluate, and secure new sources of funding to support the new financial burden of wolf management in Colorado. • Develop a plan to evaluate potential livestock depredations and community conflicts, provide for ongoing monitoring, and create a compensation program that mitigates livestock losses for impacted commercial producers. • Direct the appropriate decision-makers to create durable policies for any new livestock compensation programs that protect state-based revenue sources provided by hunters and anglers (Game Cash Fund) and create legal compliance with and insulation for federal funds provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (Pittman–Robertson). • Facilitate cross-jurisdictional collaboration with neighboring states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service related to future wolf management needs in Colorado.
Brien Webster Program Manager Backcountry Hunters & Anglers"
"Got this email from BHA today. I would encourage anyone who is a member or is interested in being a member to continue to put polite pressure on them to address the issue of predator management and ballot box biology.
I think this is a big step in the right direction:
Hi Michael,
I really appreciate you reaching out on this very important issue. We traditionally don't engage on species specific issues but as you very thoughtfully laid out, there is more going on here (ballot box biology) that needs attention. I want you to know that your email helped the decision to weigh in on this issue more formally. I really appreciate you reaching out and want you to know that your concerns are definitely heard and that it's a priority for BHA to be responsive to our members and act on your concerns. You are our boots on the ground, so please never hesitate to reach out. We have our work cut out for us being the voice for public lands, waters, and wildlife...the threats they face are very real and require our close attention....and as we grow and take on more in more places, sometimes we're a little slower than we'd like to mobilize around an issue, and I appreciate the nudge. I hope we can count on your support in the future. We need members like you to keep us strong.
Thank You!
Statement:
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the Public Trust Doctrine define fish and wildlife resources as the property of the people and managed by the state and federal agencies entrusted with their stewardship. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers acknowledges this model as the foundation of science-based fish and wildlife management and we support hunting, fishing and trapping as appropriate management tools. BHA does not endorse advancing wildlife management policies and decisions by state or federal legislation or voter referendums and ballot initiatives. We are obligated as an organization committed to hunters and anglers to advance sound stewardship policies that are guided by science over politics, emotion, and conjecture.
While the presence of wolves and evidence of natural colonization in Colorado has instigated passionate conversations, BHA’s policies related to wildlife management remain unchanged. We do, however, recommend the following actions be considered related to future wolf management needs in the state:
• Update Colorado’s dated wolf management plan to incorporate new science, wildlife and habitat data, and the growing body of evidence that suggests natural colonization of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a reality in Colorado. • Direct the appropriate decision-makers to study, evaluate, and secure new sources of funding to support the new financial burden of wolf management in Colorado. • Develop a plan to evaluate potential livestock depredations and community conflicts, provide for ongoing monitoring, and create a compensation program that mitigates livestock losses for impacted commercial producers. • Direct the appropriate decision-makers to create durable policies for any new livestock compensation programs that protect state-based revenue sources provided by hunters and anglers (Game Cash Fund) and create legal compliance with and insulation for federal funds provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (Pittman–Robertson). • Facilitate cross-jurisdictional collaboration with neighboring states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service related to future wolf management needs in Colorado.
Brien Webster Program Manager Backcountry Hunters & Anglers"
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