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Discussion Topic: Federal Protection For Polar Bears
From an NRA press release:
The NRA submitted comments . . . in opposition to the proposed listing [of polar bears] noting that the threats associated with climate change, as they relate to melting sea ice and [the bear’s] survival, are not well enough known to predict what will happen in a half century from now, and are outside the scoop of [Endangered Species Act] and the authority and ability of the [US Fish and Wildlife] Service to correct. What is absolutely certain is that the listing will threaten the future of polar bear conservation programs and research in Canada that rely on revenues from hunters, including US-based hunters. Thirteen populations of polar bears in Canada have been approved by the Service for trophy importation. An ESA listing will close the border to trophy imports and dry up a major source of conservation funding.
Check out the full release and tell us what you think.
I was probably a pre-teen when I first heard "If you want to preserve an animal, fish or bird, make it wild game and sell licenses". I guess that still holds true. Plan B is to build more zoos. We all want that!
YooperJack
Posted by: YooperJack | January 10, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Canda? Outside the scoop? Forget the polar bears, what I want to know is who the hell is writing the NRA's press releases and how much they're being paid?
With all that money you'd think they could afford a copy editor...
Posted by: Chad Love | January 10, 2008 at 12:32 PM
After reading the article, it sounds like the same old shuck and jive from ARA. (animal rights activist's) Their only concern is to "ban hunting". Nothing else!!!
It looks to me a prime example of "hunting/importation provides a future for these animals, no hunting/importation, no animals!"
Same old song and dance!!!
Bubba
Posted by: Bubba | January 11, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Managing polar bears will be an administrative nightmare. There must be at least four or five countries that would need to be involved. That means a treaty.
Posted by: Mark-1 | January 11, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Same old, same old. We hear about a species that might need protection, if in fact, an event that be occurring. The Polar Bear populations are stable. We don't really know if there is global warming. Al Gore is stil going around in his jet and living in his massive home. We don't know yet if we even have global warming.
YooperJack
Posted by: YooperJack | January 11, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Please note too that it snowed in Bagdad this A.M. Apparantly, that's never happened before. I bet many of the troops never thought, or had room to, pack long johns.
Yooper
Posted by: YooperJack | January 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
You reckon today was the proverbial "cold day in hell" over there?
Posted by: WA Mtnhunter | January 11, 2008 at 02:27 PM
"There will be peace in the middle east when hell freezes over"...... maybe it is closer than we think!
"If" (read big "if") polar bears are going to have a reduced range and thus an attrition rate (Population decline) then it would seem like an ethical and conservation minded (wise use) thing to hunt them thus raising money to preserve habitat and the remaining numbers vs let them eat each other!
(BTW Polar bears do not poop in the woods!)
Mike
Posted by: mike | January 11, 2008 at 03:50 PM
If polar bears are in that much trouble, I have a silly idea. Why not take a few and re-locate them to Antarctica? Seems like an ideal habitat, no? The only problem with this is the bears will then eat all the penguins.
Just a thought. (do penguins taste like chicken?)
Posted by: Blue Ox | January 12, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Leave it to Blue Ox to come up with a wise-a$$ funny comment! But it also might work, sort of. The polar bears might take a liking to those yummy scientists running around McMurdo Station too!
Taste like pork I hear!
SA
Posted by: SilverArrow | January 14, 2008 at 03:20 PM