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Looks like the NH legislature put a beat down on NH F&G's proposal for a bobcat season
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20160402/NEWS0621/160409967
Nahhh....this is about accountability
Unelected bureaucrats should not be allowed to make rules/decisions that carry the weight of law....persiod
The NH JLCAR committee is an attempt to reel in the 4th branch of government in NH
The comments section is precious
Another self-focused FUDD :
I've been a hunter for 50 years and I've never shot anything that didn't feed my family. I'm happy with this decision. More people should go into the woods and smell the fresh air, listen to the stillness and bring along a camera instead of a gun. Appreciate that first.
Agree that wildlife management via public opinion is idiotic. If there's an adequate population to enable hunting, why not. I do agree that they should not be trapped since there is no way to prevent trapping the endangered lynx. I'm not against trapping per se- I ran traps as a kid.
No but the fur makes gorgouse garments. Utilization of game is not just what can go in your mouth.Hmm, can you eat Bob cat?
Utilization of game is not just what can go in your mouth.
Agreed. But my point is hunting and trapping ethics should not be held simply to food. Hyde and fur are reason enough in my book to be an ethical use of a resource.I would say yes actually, not that I would want too. The Alaskans eat Lynx. I would guess that it isn't much different.
Not directed at you but its funny when folks think there should be oversight when something they disagree with occurrs.....but when they agree with something the unelected bureaucracy does they should be allowed to do it without question
My point is that it doesnt really matter WHAT F&G does......EVERYTHING unelected bureaucrats do should be subject to oversight of the our elected officials
There are a great deal of hunters in our ranks that believe in "food only" for the ethical reason for taking game......many reared their heads in the comment section of that article. That is a problem. Utilization goes beyond food only.You and I are in total agreement on that (I have 40years on the trap line). I am also the New Hampshire Trappers Assoc. Director for Cheshire County. (Volunteer position to a private organization) I am Also The National Trappers Assoc. Director for New Hampshire (unpaid position) Fur Takers of America Director for New Hampshire (unpaid position)
Yeah, I recall reading about that. I've personally come across no evidence that actually take turkeys (we have both all around here) - and every wildlife expert I've talked with says the bobcats are way more into rodents and small birds. As I mentioned, there are several bobcats around here, and I know (from tracking the birds) where the larger flocks of turkeys roost. We've not seen any sign that the bobs here go after turkeys (but we did used to have a large rodent population). Now, they may well go after the poults (where we wouldn't see much evidence, and which would affect the population), but we also have a ridiculously large coyote population here - they aren't native or cleaning up field mice for us, and they definitely go after turkey (and dogs, and chickens, and so on). I'd rather see some serious coyote control go into effect (I'll do my part!) and get this state back to low lyme incidence than start culling bobcats because our turkey stock might decline (it's already got the coyotes on them, let's cull those). The bobs, as I said, are the least problematic of predators, have real benefits to us (and to the health of our deer population), and coyotes don't even belong here. That all said, I personally leave it to the experts; I didn't go to Concord to "save bob" even though I mildly disagree with the timing. My personal opinions, experience, and preference shouldn't trump the team that we-the-people have asked to keep track of it all, state-wide.Strangenh: from what I recall there's concerns about the bobcats cutting into the turkey population. Hence why they wanted to start now. (But granted I haven't followed too closely). I don't think it was too drastic an increase either, but yes it did get caught up by the bleeding hearts. Once that happens any "conservation increase" change is basically a non-starter until their puppies and poodles start getting eaten.
If I am remembering the reasoning correctly, it'll mean turkey quotas might start getting cut back over the upcoming seasons.
Actually the New Hampshire Trappers Assoc. bought large cage traps and an equal number were borrowed from Vermont, The trappers did the live trapping for the New Hampshire Fish and Game to be able to conduct the tracking and document Bobcat Population, No, there was no issue of the same cat being caught twice, radio collaring and other methods of IDing was done to avoid that. The study was thrice reviewed and there has been a 10% growth in the population per year, So a 2% harvest is not going impact the sustainability of the Bobcat In New Hampshire.
Oh, The trappers did this without any cost to the fish and game dept. all donated time, mileage, and experience.
There are a few recipes on the internet... supposedly a mild meat.Hmm, can you eat Bob cat?