Conflicts of Interest on Game Commissions | Fresh Tracks Weekly (Ep. 76)
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2024
- This week, we discussed some potential conflicts of interest within Fish and Wildlife commissions and how certain individuals could directly benefit from their votes as commissioners.
In Montana, the statewide mule deer permit was recently raffled off by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, raising a record amount of money for mule deer conservation.
Last December, the Duck Stamp Modernization Act was signed into law. This act will allow federal duck stamps to be purchased online, and an E-Stamp will be valid throughout the season.
In Tennessee, the Wildlife Resources Agency recently lost its appeal over a previous decision that had ended the use of the open field doctrine within the state.
A New study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that Chronic Wasting Disease is unlikely to transfer from other species to humans.
In Washington, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to change mountain lion hunting regulations and seasons, reducing hunting opportunities. The department is accepting public comment on the matter until June 21.
Comment on Washington’s Cougar Season
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Howl For Wildlife Call to Action on WA Cougars
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Thanx
I’m glad this discussion happened about Region 1. I’ve felt very frustrated as well about these issues and feeling like there is nothing we can do about it.
You guys are totally right about the previous June 15th extension. Awfully convenient that the one unit that had the extension, and now exemption, is where the outfit operates out of. When it’s been addressed before he says his son owns it now and he’s removed from it. Which I don’t believe and which still has an appearance of a conflict of interest.
Other things have been a push for significant increases in mountain lion quotas despite information that states it’s not needed. More lions to kill equals more NR hunters paying around $7k per hunt.
There was a recent fishing regulation change on the Swan that he proposed, that was not supported by the department, that again would benefit the outfit or deter others from fishing that stretch of river.
And don’t forget the back door emails that surfaced where he was telling other commission members what they were going to vote to support and what they weren’t going to support.
So now the trust is broken that even if he doesn’t propose it, he’s telling someone else to.
Thank you for discussing this. As a public accountant, this plays into everything I do, but I don't think the general public understands this concept. Thank you for explaining it so well. You don't get this type of content anywhere but here. That's why I love the channel!
Hey Randy. I’ve been following your channel for several years now. I appreciate all the content you’ve provided over the years. I will be in Montana most of June. Passing through Bozeman at some point. I am also a big fan of Dairy Queen and would love to treat you to a blizzard if you had time to meet. Sincerely, Clint
Another great video. Thanks for a great informative video - best news source on public wildlife issues.
North Dakota is a great example. Game and fish is run by landowners and bow hunters association.
I am not a fan of raising prices for tags or licenses because it puts hunting out of reach for many people. Hunting should not be only for the wealthy, or else we will end up like europe.
Our prices are not out of reach of anyone for the general big and small game licensing, if $30 is too much then you’ve got far bigger problems then affording tags. State to state it obviously varies but all the states I hunt in it’s around 30 for the locals, so if that goes up by a few bucks to make sure there are still bucks on the landscape then so be it. Now if you’re talking out of state tags, those can be ludicrous but the travel cost alone puts it out of the price range most people are willing to spend on hunting.
@@jaydunbar7538 I'm talking out of state hunting.
Prices are close to free. A box of ammo, gas to the hunt, jerky, beer, all have cost me more than the measly 30 bucks.
Beyond that - i dont know a hunter alive that wouldnt help a kid/family who couldnt afford it and b tags are VERY cheap.
💯 if anything we can sack a few politicians that make 100+grand a year!
@@jaydunbar7538not in Washington
This very topic is happening in every state that I'm aware of! It sucks, but the decisions are made by the people that have a seat at the table! Not by the general public!
You could be like Washington state and have people in there that don't know jack about wildlife. You must have people in the know, the best you can do is vet for their integrity.
I dont know Montana laws on bear, but in Wisconsin you cant shoot a bear with cubs period. We dont have a spring season but i would assume like here its not hard to tell boar from a sow with cubs in spring either new cubs or yearlings. So is it not regulated on sows with cubs or are there just 37 percent cubless sows in the high units? I know here its getting bad again many sows are having 4 cubs compared to 3 was rare years ago now 3 is normal with many having 4 cubs, but our dnr makes too much off application fees now so they dont give out enough permits to stabilize the population. Bear tags used to be included with gun and bow deer tags free.
Montana has similar regulations where you can’t shoot a sow with cubs (less than a year old) or the cubs themselves. I would say depending on where you’re hunting, it can be a challenge to determine if it’s a sow with cubs mainly based on how patient or impatient someone is.
I saw a sow with two cubs while hunting this spring and the sow was at the base of a tree with cubs playing around her. The next day I was in the same area and she was a good distance from where she was the previous day and there was no sign of her cubs until she went back into thicker timber and climbed a tree where they were stashed. Someone who wasn’t there the day before probably would have seen a bear, gotten excited, not seen cubs around on the ground and taken a shot.
I run into a lot of people in NW Montana that just want to shoot a bear. They aren’t picky on size and I would guess aren’t trying to determine sow vs boar before they shoot.
If states start banning,lowering or whatever for species like mt. Lion,bear wolf, then there should be a clause in the bill also to never kill these animals as nuisance animals also. A bear or cat attacks a person or livestock fine people want no hunting give them a few years of no hunting it will change. As for livestock the wildlife belongs there livestock doesn't period, and there are programs that compensate for losses which i dont agree with but thats my opinion.
Doesn't everyone have a conflict of interest? There are layers of conflict. It really cones down to direct conflict of interest.
We would have to remove most politicians, board members and people in high positions because they all have conflict of interest.
I don't think "free from bias" exists
If commissioners should recuse themselves from voting on a topic with which they have a professional conflict, why is it so flagrant to suggest that hunting industry media should recuse themselves of efforts related to R3, as getting more and more hunters is a quick and easy way to sell more hunting product (i.e. more views and more buyers for your sponsors products). R3 is less about making more advocates and more about creating more customers, the crowded fields be damned. You can't see it, because, just like a conflicted commissioner, you're biased to want more people buying your products, or your sponsors products.
Man - you should check out this matt rinella guy. He has went to the legislature and made enemies of his clients to advocate for wildlife, he has spent his own money on legal fees to fight special interests destroying fwp, he has raised countless dollars, taken disabled hunters, done several conservation projects at a loss. Oh wait, jk thats randy.
@@JasonKoehler2009 I'm glad Randy has done those things. That's great work and credit where credit is due. I don't imagine we should assume that someone is all good or all bad. Is Randy all good? Is Matt all bad? I would guess that the commissioners that Randy and Marcus are questioning most likely have done some good things in their past. Does that preclude them from a fair criticism? I don't think so. Does the good work that Randy and others have done preclude them from a fair criticism? So, again, is flagrant to even suggest a criticism?