|
[ Return to Contents
| Post a Reply
| Post a new message
]
Predator conrol, etc
Posted by bwake on Mar 08 2006
I think both Mark & Dave have hit it directly on the head, in that they espouse essentially the two logical different conclusions on this subject when given careful thought. I have mixed emotions too, and personaly would like to think of the good old days of no 4 wheelers, etc, but guess what-tey're here to stay! I'll also throw into this the good old days of no computers, electronic engine controls and the like; it seems that certain elements of our ever modernizing society either enhance or diminish our life experience, rewards, and values.
As a lifelong (43) resident of Anchorage, I can relate stories of going to Montana Creek with my old man and catching all the silvers we needed for the smoker, with little or no competition. Same with the Kenai. Or of dog teams, horses, and snowmachines within the Spenard(not Anchorage) city limits. Flash to the present and I feel like a stranger in my home, so to speak. So to Mark, I feel your pain! But what are we (I) to do)? Sadly, there's not much and to a large degree if you can't beat em', join em' and bite the bullet.
Conversely, I have always thoughtpredator control in some is necessary to avoid the sharp swings that we see in unmanaged ares such as the National Parks. We can also remember when many watersheds didn't have the bear problems that we see now directly related to the enhanced fisheries which artificially have increased a seasonal food supply-think the Kenai and Copper Rivers, for starts. I think this gets to the crux of the issue: With more sport and commercial participants/demands, we are faced with trying to balance these management issues and to a large degree there is no silver bullet, short of limiting the number of participants (guide limits on the Kenai ANYONE?) or ever shortening seasons. Unfortunately a lot of these solutions involve legal discrimination in the courts' eyes and probably will never happen, short of the Tier 2 type regulations we see ever more often. As a result, I think that to a point we must continue to manage for maximum yield and as a result the predato population will suffer on occasion.
All the stats in the world really mean nothing in the big picture-after all the local natives for years would, for example, manage the bear populations by shooting them on site; in their eyes this competition was most unwelcome and a matter of life or starvation/moving the village to better grounds.
Sorry I,m not providing a solution, but I don't think there is one that fits all.
Previous: Way to go................ martentrapper Mar 08 2006
Next: David---let's use common sense facts bushrat Mar 07 2006
 Message Thread:
|
