Oh man this sucks.
I thought I was ahead of the game and booked a bull hunt for 2015. Life was great, hell I tested some CEB solids this morning.

This is just what the turds in Washington were waiting for. Now they can say it wasn't our doing. The Chinese know Obama is a pussy and won't stand up to their poaching schemes. They closed hunting in Kenya for the same reason.

Marty, I'm really sorry this is happening to you. I do however know Buzz and Myles will do what they can to make things right.

quote:

Originally posted by Topgun 30-06:

quote:

Originally posted by tanks:

quote:

Originally posted by GunsCore:
Good thing I have my tuskless already booked!...

I think they count skins as trophies as well, so don't think you will be able to bring that back either.

***Yep, he's screwed too because the edict says elephants, not ivory. That means anything taken over there in those two countries will not be allowed from now on. Bummer all the way around and not much you can do but go and take pictures to bring them home or cancel the hunt.

My hunt was in 2013 and I just have the skins to bring back so as long as my paperwork is in order it should still get here. However, I can live without the leather, it is the damage from all the cancelled trophy bull elephant hunts that is going to hurt a lot of people. I can understand the rationale of the USFW, but it will just make poaching worse. I hope SCI is screaming these facts at the right people to get this decision immediately reversed.

I'm just now taking a deep breath. Gunny, I appreciate the kind thought, and the guys will do whatever they can to sort this out with me. As of now, I'm planning on going hunting and enjoying myself. Other than the tuskless, we haven't yet "made a plan."
It's my vacation, but how many lives will be turned upside-down by this?

The government in Zim better start howling long and hard as there goes 90% of the income for the bastards
Now there is nothing to stop the f"ing Chinese from slaughtering the rest of the Zimbabwe big animals
The outfitters better start making alternate plans - no one is going to Zim to hunt plains game. I think hunting as we know it has just changed forever - unless DSC and SCI can consolidate forces and get this overturned quickly

I may not be able to import the ivory, but I am damn sure going to kill one, maybe several because of this stupid decision. Might as well be me as the Chinese

I'm going to be pissed about this all night

quote:

Originally posted by Full Roar:
The outfitters better start making alternate plans - no one is going to Zim to hunt plains game. I think hunting as we know it has just changed forever - unless DSC and SCI can consolidate forces and get this overturned quickly

I am not trying to minimize the impact of this disaster but that may be a little too doom and gloom. We all know that elephant hunts are in high demand. I presume that is true for hunters not just from the US. So undoubtedly some of the slack will be picked up by non-US hunters (assuming of course that other countries do not follow the US lead). And Zim will remain a great destination for lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, croc . . . and tuskless. Again, I am not trying to minimize the effect of this action on outfitters in Zim, but the reality is that it only applies to exportable elephant bulls and not any of the other dangerous and non-dangerous game species in Zim. Unwelcome news for sure but not the end of hunting in Zim by any means in my view.

Guys:

I wrote Gavin, the guy mentioned in Kathi's email, and he replied within a few hours:

Thank you for your email detailing your concerns about our recent announcement regarding sport-hunted trophy import from Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

I fear you have confused this announcement with our previous announcement of a pending commercial ivory ban. These are two separate issues.

In fact, you are quite correct in your assessment of the present-day threat to elephants – poaching for the ivory market, predominantly (though by no means exclusively) in Asia.

When we announced a couple of weeks back our intent to ban commercial ivory trade, we emphasized that we would still allow the import of sport-hunted trophies (with a reasonable annual limit of two per hunter). This is because, as you so rightly state, a well-managed hunting program can actually benefit the species.

The key, of course, is the phrase “well-managed hunting program”. Today’s announcement has come about because we have determined that Tanzania and Zimbabwe are failing to manage their hunts and their elephant herds acceptably.

This ban only applies to Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Hunters can still bring in trophies from other countries that allow hunting, such as South Africa, as long as those countries’ programs meet our criteria for benefiting the species.

And today’s decision is only for 2014. If the two nations make appropriate changes, 2015 could see us reinstate the import allowance.

I think you’ll agree that while hunting and conservation can be compatible, we must all endeavor to ensure that they are compatible through effective management.

I’m glad you decided to write to me so I could set the record straight.

Kind regards,

Gavin

Gavin G. Shire
Acting Deputy Chief of Public Affairs
Office of Communication
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr. Rm 323
Arlington, VA 22203

He even gave me his cell phone number.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Full Roar:
The outfitters better start making alternate plans - no one is going to Zim to hunt plains game. I think hunting as we know it has just changed forever - unless DSC and SCI can consolidate forces and get this 8

I am not trying to minimize the impact of this disaster but that may be a little too doom and gloom. We all know that elephant hunts are in high demand. I presume that is true for hunters not just from the US. So undoubtedly some of the slack will be picked up by non-US hunters (assuming of course that other countries do not follow the US lead). And Zim will remain a great destination for lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, croc . . . and tuskless. Again, I am not trying to minimize the effect of this action on outfitters in Zim, but the reality is that it only applies to exportable elephant bulls and not any of the other dangerous and non-dangerous game species in Zim. Unwelcome news for sure but not the end of hunting in Zim by any means in my view.

Hopefully Lion will not be added to the import ban. The main reason I booked my hunt in Zim was because I wanted to hunt both Bull Ele and Lion. There are other good options for leopard and buff.

Good idea, writing mr. Shire. This is what I just sent him:

Sir-
I am writing to voice my extreme displeasure with the USF&W decision to immediately ban importation of elephant trophies from Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
I understand the governance and poaching issues. I have, it is true, a vested interest, as I am to leave in a week’s time for an elephant bull hunt that was booked and paid for last year.
One must question the sudden nature of this implementation. There has been no opportunity for discussion, for other voices to be heard.
When sport hunting dollars vanish, the last protection these creatures have will be removed. I have been proud to see what ethical operators have done with my hunting dollars to combat poaching and promote conservation of these beasts. I have also seen what elephant in conflict with African populations can do. Sport hunting dollars are the only thing standing between the elephant and extermination.
Since the 2014 hunting season is already underway, might it not have been more appropriate to give a few months’ notification to allow discussion, and for the clearance of trophies already taken, or in my case, soon to be taken?
This decision will take bread (and meat) from the mouths of rural African populations. Some of these people will find employment, poaching elephant for the Chinese.
This is a bad idea, even though it is well intentioned, Elephant poaching is a scourge that must be eliminated. Discouraging sport hunting is not the approach.

Respectfully,



I have also sent emails to my congress critters. I'm not optimistic, but I have to do something.

Very well said, Marty.

IMHO, this will blow over. Zim will do what it has to do to comply with the US demands and regain that market. However, the Europeans will pick up some of the slack. At any rate, if I wanted to shoot another Elephant in Zim I would and just park the tusks at Collettes in Bulawayo until they lifted the ban---or win the lotto and send it to my house in Belize. Obviously there is risk in my approach but who wants to quit hunting elephant?

Interesting reply from Mr. Shire. No question in my mind that Zimbabwe is not managing their elephants or any other animal for that manner.

Hunting in Parks alone should have got Zim shunned by hunters long before USFW got around to looking at it. I don't know if this move against Americans will force a change in Zim, but I do know that it wasn't getting better after years of talk by us safari hunters.

I also meant to mention, that in the meantime this will have a very unfortunate negative affect on the honest hard working folks in the safari industry. I wish them well.
In the long run this could be very beneficial to Elephant management and in turn hunting Elephant in Zim and Tanzania.

quote:

Originally posted by BEGNO:
...---or win the lotto and send it to my house in Belize. ...

Instead of Belize, if you want a villa in Northern Cyprus send me a PM. I have several units available already built, or you can have an estate built on some prime land as well. Projects are already approved, and permitted on several tracts.

here's mine, I was not as polite. Hasn't been a good day


Mr. Shire


Please allow this email to voice my extreme displeasure with the USFWS decision to immediately ban importation of elephant trophies from Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
I understand the poaching issues, mostly surrounding the Chinese and other Asian markets. US Sportsmen should not have to suffer because US Fish and Wild Life cannot control the insatiable demand by the Asians for not only Ivory but also Rhino Horn. My opinion is the USFWS is attacking the wrong entity, as US Sportsmen using US Dollars are the only barrier between total extinction of free roaming species such as Elephant, Lion and Rhino.
To admit, I have a vested interest, as I am to leave in a month's time for an elephant bull hunt that has been booked and paid for, prior to this irrational immediate decision by the USFWS. However, it does not detract from my disdain over the USFWS inappropriate decision, without council or input from the two nations impacted, the Sport Hunting Society, SCI or any other entity. If I may add, my vested interest is going to assist the communities and the elephant, and the banning of importation will do nothing to stop me from hunting and killing a bull elephant, which will be utilized by the indigenous communities in the area. So much for your ban saving elephant lives.
I question the sudden nature and implementation of this total ban. There has been no opportunity for discussion, for other voices to be heard or alternate plans or considerations to be made. This appears to be just the latest attempt by our current executive branch of the government to strip away more of hunters rights in a purposeful political agenda. This is nothing more than politicking, and certainly has no conservationist basis.
When sport hunting dollars vanish, the last protection these animals have will be removed. I have been to Africa and I have seen the disastrous results when sport hunting is removed and the money sport hunting generates does not permeate into the indigenous society. The natives, without means to otherwise support themselves KILL EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! to survive. And the current demand by Asians will only strip the living resources faster.
Rather than condemn American Sportsmen would it not be better to go after the real problem, the Asian market? Or does the USFWS not have the back bone for that?
I am proud to see what ethical operators have done with my hunting dollars to combat poaching and promote conservation of huntable species. I have also seen what elephant in conflict with African populations has done, Botswana is becoming a wasteland due to the closure. Sport hunting dollars are the only thing standing between the elephant and extermination. Wildlife without value is soon eliminated. Botswana with its recent closure is all about money - money from a different resource, Natural Gas. Another political maneuver for money, and to hell with the animals and the indigenous populations. Has the USFWS concerned themselves with this? Or is it a mute point as "Sport Hunting" has been banned for elephant in Botswana and no sense in attending to the reasoning. These elephants will still die, and in far greater numbers and the communities will not prosper from their deaths.

Since the 2014 hunting season is already underway, might it not have been more appropriate to give a few months’ notification to allow discussion, and for the clearance of trophies already taken, or in my case, soon to be taken? Is the USFWS prepared to refund sportsman's dollars? Have you even considered the consequences and lawsuits that are sure to follow? I am sure you and the other "Voters" for this ban have no care in the matter as it is not your money involved. Once again the US Taxpayer gets to absorb the government's poor decisions.

This decision will take money and food from the mouths of the indigenous African populations in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. The operators will leave, as there is no monetary reason for them to continue to shepherd the land and control the poaching and sustain the wildlife. Some of the indigenous people will find employment, poaching elephant for the Asians, while the population of elephants exist. Some of the people will starve. All will eventually suffer. How do you like that on your conscience, or have you distanced yourself so far that it never entered your mind?

This is a terrible concept, hastily decided upon, not thought thru and certainly not implemented for conservation. Politics should not decide what lives and what dies. Poaching is a scourge that must be eliminated and this decision will do nothing but hasten the extinction of the animal species outside of protected national parks, and that is even in question. For a brief understudy of this please look at the amount of poached Rhino in Kruger National Park in the last few years. Discouraging sport hunting is not the approach. Sport Hunters and the respective Outfitters in the field hold the line against rampant poaching. Without their money, efforts and involvement the elephant and all other wild animals are in a loosing battle. Sanctions against the Asians and encouraging sport hunting would be the right approach to solve the problem, and keeping politics out of it a close second.
Hopefully common sense prevails and the USFWS rescinds this horrific decision.

Sincerely

Rory T. Spellman

Sort of hard to imagine that USF&W is not aware of the major safari shows in January and February. In fact, it is impossible to imagine. We are less than two months after SCI and not much more removed from DSC and they make this announcement. Why wouldn't they make this announcement prior to the shows? Has then been some development since then that necessitates action now versus then? What was the timing consideration that drove announcing now? A cynic would say that the timing of the announcement was designed to inflict the maximum amount of pain on US hunters. I swear, this administration cannot end soon enough.

Can't believe you are that surprised. When will your guys get a grip on this?

The USFWS does not give a shit about how their decisions actually affect the animals they claim to care about, the country, local government and indigenous people who live with the on the ground reality every day.

It is a bureaucracy that worries about its self perpetuation and politics in the US. They profess one thing and then their actions support the opposite.

They could care less how they affect the local operator or……… as an after thought…….. how about the US hunter that is already committed or has already been there and spent the money and now cannot bring the trophy home.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fairgame:
And I thought that we were the only ones in shit?

We're all in the shit Andrew , its just the depth that varies.
I sincerely hope this doesn't go through. Bad , bad , bad.

What a mess. Poaching will more epidemic than ever seen before!!

Oh my gosh....

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
And I thought that we were the only ones in shit?

Those toothless females will now be in much demand.

You are right Andrew! Also, I believe the "elephant" market for South Americans, Canadians, Europeans etc has just got more competitive??

Im sad to say that the Antis are a much stronger force than we are and it was only a matter of time before this happened. Lion and Leopard will be next. I reckon if you are American, you better get your lion and leopard hunts done soon!

quote:

Originally posted by Thierry Labat:

Im sad to say that the Antis are a much stronger force than we are and it was only a matter of time before this happened. Lion and Leopard will be next. I reckon if you are American, you better get your lion and leopard hunts done soon!

Yes they are. The media in Europe is so antihunting that I have little hopes for the future.
Hunters have missed it to built up a lobby that works in media&public. The antis have that and it's working against us every day......

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Sort of hard to imagine that USF&W is not aware of the major safari shows in January and February. In fact, it is impossible to imagine. We are less than two months after SCI and not much more removed from DSC and they make this announcement. Why wouldn't they make this announcement prior to the shows? Has then been some development since then that necessitates action now versus then? What was the timing consideration that drove announcing now? A cynic would say that the timing of the announcement was designed to inflict the maximum amount of pain on US hunters. I swear, this administration cannot end soon enough.

Mike,
You my friend...are correct. It's ALL about politics. The lion too. We now have the most liberal, "greenest" Secretary of Interior (USF&W under Department of Interior) ever (Sally Jewel...Google her). She is under the most crooked president ever. He needs his base more than ever. His base is anti hunting. Jewel is an outright anti hunter.

The lion petition has always been about politics as well. That was the reason Aaron and I took the route we did to combat the petition...much to our chagrin.

As my friend Chris Hudson told me once when I was giving him my assessment on the lion situation: "DC is a political town and NOTHING happens there with out a political undertone."

Hunters, especially US hunters, need to be empowered right now...not slapped down. They are the key to ele survival and the same with the lion. But the base of the Democratic Party of the USA is anti-hunting. Obama needs his base.

But even more so than the above...the American Small Businessman needs to be once again set free. Free to make and KEEP his/her own money. Free to flourish. Free to spend his money hunting Africa.

For if you look at it realistically, all the negative turns in Africa hunting (and African wildlife in general) began with the decline in US economy. And...of course...the politics of Obama.

quote:

Originally posted by Full Roar:
The government in Zim better start howling long and hard as there goes 90% of the income for the bastards
Now there is nothing to stop the f"ing Chinese from slaughtering the rest of the Zimbabwe big animals
The outfitters better start making alternate plans - no one is going to Zim to hunt plains game. I think hunting as we know it has just changed forever - unless DSC and SCI can consolidate forces and get this overturned quickly

I may not be able to import the ivory, but I am damn sure going to kill one, maybe several because of this stupid decision. Might as well be me as the Chinese

I'm going to be pissed about this all night

The depressing part is I think the Chinese do and will pay more than us sport hunters to these "bastards" for them to turn a blind eye while they rape and pillage Zim.

Blaming this all on the Obama administration is 100% pure unadulterated bullshit.

Hunters, and especially trophy hunters, have been under attack for at least half a century by the mainstream media.

This administration is not to blame in the least and the constant references to Obama are just another example of insecure little white boys who are afraid of black men.

The references to the Chinese, on the other hand, have considerably more merit.

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
This administration is not to blame in the least and the constant references to Obama are just another example of insecure little white boys who are afraid of black men.

How disingenuous. Obviously intended only to incite and detract from the conversation. If you are suggesting that this has nothing to do with the current administration's policies and political philosophy, black, white or whatever, you must be incredibly naive. I guess you would also believe that the same action would have been taken under a Republican administration? No chance and certainly not in an unexpected and unannounced manner such as this. This has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with politics.

EDITED: Actually the more I think about this, you should be ashamed for even suggesting that criticisms of this policy and the manner and timing of its announcement are in any way race based. That is so far off the mark to be completely disgusting. I am embarrassed for you even making that suggestion.

You're wrong , it has everything to do with Osama.
USFW , they know they can do this and Osama won't say a peep
Can't believe you brought the race card in here

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
Blaming this all on the Obama administration is 100% pure unadulterated bullshit.

Hunters, and especially trophy hunters, have been under attack for at least half a century by the mainstream media.

This administration is not to blame in the least and the constant references to Obama are just another example of insecure little white boys who are afraid of black men.

The references to the Chinese, on the other hand, have considerably more merit.

You are better than this.

I'm in same dilemma
Ele bull hunt this year
Thinking going still, but now what about the trophy fees?
I'm having hard time to pay big trophy fee if I cant take my trophy home
Any ideas out there?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
This administration is not to blame in the least and the constant references to Obama are just another example of insecure little white boys who are afraid of black men.

How disingenuous. Obviously intended only to incite and detract from the conversation. If you are suggesting that this has nothing to do with the current administration's policies and political philosophy, black, white or whatever, you must be incredibly naive. I guess you would also believe that the same action would have been taken under a Republican administration? No chance and certainly not in an unexpected and unannounced manner such as this. This has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with politics.

EDITED: Actually the more I think about this, you should be ashamed for even suggesting that criticisms of this policy and the manner and timing of its announcement are in any way race based. That is so far off the mark to be completely disgusting. I am embarrassed for you even making that suggestion.

Well said Mr. Jines. I view this along the lines of Crimea. If the admin is not complicit then at the least USFWS senses weakness. Ala Mr. Putin.

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:
Blaming this all on the Obama administration is 100% pure unadulterated bullshit.

Hunters, and especially trophy hunters, have been under attack for at least half a century by the mainstream media.

This administration is not to blame in the least and the constant references to Obama are just another example of insecure little white boys who are afraid of black men.

The references to the Chinese, on the other hand, have considerably more merit.

You are better than this.

No he's not. That was very a predictable comment from SteveGI.

I switched from a double cat hunt to an ele bull for this coming August after the DSC convention with CMS as I expected something like this in the next couple of years but not this soon. It appeared that the heat was off of the African lion for a bit and it looked like the pressure was gaining on elephants. No disagreement on the comments that overall ele populations have declined due to heavy poaching by international syndicates fueled by the Asian markets. However, the USFWS ban is not going to make a dent and will remove a critcal tool and incentive for community based hunting and anti-poaching programs. Where the US should be applying pressure is on China, Vietnam,etc. to crack down on the illegal markets in those countries fueling the poaching. But rather USFWS focuses on a small number of US hunters on regulated hunts/quotas which pay for community based conservation and anti-poaching programs. Hopefully Mike Jines is right and international hunters will take up the US slack but there will be consequnences to the safari companies this year who have clients in the field or who will cancel or modify their upcoming hunts. This could not come at a worse time in terms of keeping funds flowing over to Zim and Tanzania. I saw first hand the awesome work that CMS has done with its Dande Anti-Poaching Unit in 2012. The numbers of game, including elephants, and other wildlife near the Moz border was phenomenal and unexpected by even CMS. Prior to DAPU, poaching was rampant and game scarce. How will all this be impacted? While I am disappointed, the real tragedy is for the elephants.

On the overall comments on USFWS, I agree with that this is not an Obama admintration phenom. Unbfortuantely, the Bush adminsitration did little to check the USFWS' unfettered discretion and enforcement on sport-hunted trophies. Many decisions coming out of USFWS are driven by public sentiment and influenced by animal rights groups and are not science-based. Case in point is the polar bear. When the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora(CITES) met in Thailand in March 2013 (CoP16), the US submitted a proposal (Prop 3) to up-list the polar bear from Appendix II to Appendix I. The US, in response to Canada's CoP16 information document on polar bears which strongly refuted the US postion,submitted a rebuttal at the request of the Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Natural Resources Defense Council. The CITES secretariat urged member nations not to back the US proposal and it was defeated.

So this is where things are headed unless we double down on Conservation Force's, DSC's and SCI's efforts to stop and turn the tide.

From what I was recently told France has this year closed import of ivory from Cameroon (maybe other countries as well), probably applied to other EU countries as well! So Europeans are not that much better off at the moment!!!

Gentlemen, no doubt about it, this sucks. It sucks for the American hunters who have already shot an elephant this year, for those who have a hunt booked, the outfitters and PH’s, and ultimately if the import ban persists the elephant as well as the local communities. I appreciate what the ban in spirit is meant to accomplish, to apply pressure to Tanzania and Zimbabwe governments to get their acts together when it comes to organized poaching and other questionable practices (such as hunting in National Parks). Perhaps it will succeed and the import ban will be lifted in 2015 (or sooner), or perhaps it will be the beginning of the end of dangerous game hunting. None of us really know.

The guys I am thinking about right now are my friends and acquaintances involved in the industry, who may not be able to survive this devastating blow to their business, as well as the hunters booked to hunt elephant. In any prior year, this could have been me. What to do...

Here’s my take, an opinion which has been formed after being privileged to hunt and shoot a dozen or so elephant including multiple trophy bulls. I would go. Unless one has the “collector gene”, or is looking to impress friends/family (not judging here as at times this has been me), the tusks that result from a successful elephant bull hunt are reminders of the adventure and effort and danger which is the essence of elephant hunting. They are trophies, albeit perhaps the most satisfying of any that we as hunters can bring home, but they are objects. And one day these trophies that we covet will be the burden of our kids and family. It is the memory of the hunt that I cherish, not the trophies that adorn my walls.

I would be angry at the suddenness of this, and toil over the direct impact that it was going to have on me. But I would go, and shoot the oldest elephant bull that I could find, ideally the last bull I saw on my 12 or 14 day hunt. I would savor every minute on track, and if successful, take hundreds of pictures and be intimately involved in the recovery and distribution of meat. Perhaps even take measurements for replica tusks. I would feel no guilt in leaving the ivory behind, especially if it was in good hands, as I would know that to the elephant this matters not, and my hands-on conservation was going to have a significant impact on all involved, directly and otherwise. Regarding the trophy fee cost, I would treat this as an integral component of the total hunt cost, and note there is no post-hunt shipping or taxidermy costs (these are the “hidden costs” of a trophy hunt of any type).

Good luck to everybody effected by this.

Well said Bill C

Bill, I appreciate your comments and agree with almost all of it. But the tusks (or any other horns, skins or antlers for that matter) are more than a mere trophy to me. It is symbol of the hunt to remember it by and to bring back the memories of that day. If and when I make it to old age, I would like to have a pair of tusks to look at and bring back those memories. Sentimental, nostalgic?? Abosultely.

If this ban is permanent, I would look to see if a PAC or ration ele without the price tag is viable.

Bill, you have summed it up well. At this moment, having had a night to sleep on it, I am leaning toward soldiering on and hoping for the best regarding ever getting my trophies.
Perhaps the one set of tusks I have will have to stand in to symbolize more than that particular hunt. In a way, they already do.

This means - if I understand this correctly - that USA hunters cannot import elephant trophies from Botswana (hunting banned), Mozambique (will not comply with CITES policies), Zimbabwe (will not manage their herds properly), and Tanzania (will not manage their herds properly).

Not many places left!!

Mike: The USFWS was indeed there at the SCI Convention. One of their top dogs made a presentation at the Wildlife Seminar (continuing legal education ) on Friday. He had three of his underlings with him, including one fully dressed in his USFWS enforcement uniform and they sat around observing all of us. To say that he totally failed to endear himself and his subordinates to any of us during his presentation is an understatement. The tension was as thick as butter as he lectured to us hunters and lawyers about what we needed to do about poaching. He was a total turnoff. He also kept hinting at major decisions that the USFWS would be making in the near future, but when asked what they were, refused to reveal any of them. He was a condescending, pompous, asshole. His whole attitude was typical of what I have seen with them: You are all criminal suspects because you are hunters. This folks, is what we are dealing with at the top echelons of the Service. Believe me when I say that they are, for the most part, anti-hunting and do not care whether or not you've booked a hunt and paid a deposit for 2014, already shot a trophy bull this year and had no inkling of what they were going to do to all of us, or whether you will suffer a loss due to their "announcement".