What you don’t know is that the USF&WS approached us to drop all the test import permits across the board. Their message was loud and clear. Before we could react they started denying permits en masse. Little did we know it, but their first agenda in the new year was to crush all the Initiatives. They set the staffs of the Scientific and Management offices to the task of denying permits. We’ve since learned that February 23 was the culmination date when the denials and sham reasons came together. Though they were all denied on the same day in what had to be a horrific effort, they have since been mailed to Conservation Force on different dates in serial fashion. For more on this and the black faced impala go to www.safarinewsreel.com

Specifically: http://www.safarinewsreel.com/...4/05/import-permits/

Timot - I too have been telling people for years, including hunters, that the USF&WS is 100% anit-hunting, and anti-hunter! As is the U.S. Forest Service, and almost any U.S. government subsidiary that claims to be benefiting wildlife in this country, and throughout the world! I sincerely hope as a group, we do as much to help CONSERVATION FORCE in fighting against the beast! Give what you can, it will help!!!

Aaron Neilson

I thought that USF&WS stopped allowing imports of cheetahs and black faced impalas years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by timot:
Why would anybody want black faced impala on their land if they are worthless? Rather produce southern impala that can be hunted and revenue recieved.

Well, this isn't 100% true because there are countries that allow their importation, as with cheetah. However, I do understand your statement because US hunters typically won't pay for an animal they may not be able to import, with the exception of PAC animals. Sort of like the polar bear issue, there is still a certain number of animals that are going to be harvested regardless! Hence, why not allow the importation, if the country of origin allows them to be hunted? I can assume that if these two species were allowed to be imported into the US, their 'value' would probably increase!

Many years ago (9?) I got into a match with USF&W at their SCI booth over the denial of Cheetah imports. There were 3-4 USF&W agents in the booth and one of them started yelling at me when I accused them of being bureaucrats rather than conservationists or hunters and ignoring CITES. The other 3 tried to restrain him when I reminded him they were government employees who were supposed to be working for us rather than against us. My partner pulled me away from their booth before things could escalate further. Quite a crowd had gathered and it's safe to say they weren't siding with USF&W.

As someone stated above, these government agencies have been completely taken over by the bunny and tree huggers. Ask a ranger from the Channel Islands National Park why the Roosevelt Elk and Kaibab Mule Deer on Santa Rosa Island will all be killed off in 2011 and they'll tell you it's because they are not indigenous species. Tell them the Elk have been on the island for over 100 years and the deer over 90 years and if you then ask when a species may be considered indigenous, they will have no answer for you.

Timot - Maybe you and I are long lost brothers?? Again, your brief assessment regarding the USFWS is fairly accurate. Why not leave wildlife management up to the country in which the specie resides. Now, some might question that, especially regarding 3rd world countries, etc. But that brings us back to the Polar Bear, who here doesn't think the Canadian Wildlife department isn't capable of making rational decisions regarding the Polar Bear quota?? Not allowing the importation of many of these species has nothing to do with game management, it's strictly a political move backed largely by liberal, anti-hunting, morons!

Being in the business, I have dealt with the USFWS and others like the U.S. Forest Service, numerous times! You CANNOT believe the level of stupidity, and just plain lack of knowledge, by the very people that are making decisions! Actually, come to think of it, I hope the stupidity is just an act to cover up the anti-hunting sentiment, otherwise we are really in trouble!! Prime example, look no further than the Jaguar that just died last month in Arizona. Thanks to the "wildlife" officials!!!

timot and Aaron,

I think you both are spot on! I, too, don't understand why the USFWS trys to dictate what is, and isn't, a huntable population regardless of species and country of origin outside of the US.

Aaron, I always seem to lean towards most of these decisions are based upon lack of EDUCATION about the subject. Sometimes people won't/don't take the time to learn and educate themselves about something and would rather make a quick, gut feel judgement.

Graybird - You too are right! Lack of Education, lack of knowledge, and lack of experience, but yet they make the decisions!!

Aaron

Timot - All very accurate!!