California wildlife official in hot water over mountain lion hunt

:laughing:

where ya'll get off on killin cats. My grandpa ate a lion once said it tasted bad

I feel that even though the cat hunt was legal (and I proudly pose for pics with my dead fish), he should have thought twice before letting his picture be taken/published given his position. Especially because he works for our illustrious state of California, home of the knee-jerk environmental reaction. If i'm correct wasn't Sutton a swing vote in favor of the stricter MLPA's? This is not good.

Quote from granitedive

I feel that even though the cat hunt was legal (and I proudly pose for pics with my dead fish), he should have thought twice before letting his picture be taken/published given his position. Especially because he works for our illustrious state of California, home of the knee-jerk environmental reaction. If i'm correct wasn't Sutton a swing vote in favor of the stricter MLPA's? This is not good.

But for all you know the same people would have the same reaction over your WSB pic.... Or say, Yellow Eye Rock fish....a fish rare in some places, but abundant in my freezer.:)
It is simply dumbfounding to me that people would hide, act ashamed, cover-up, white -wash, or feel the slightest hint of doing something wrong when -pursuing legal game animals, in a legal way, as so instituted by the governing authority (no matter their ability or inability to do so ). Anything other than the true reality of the renewable natural resources is a blasphemous whitewash of the wildness I love. My 2 cents. Have fun with your cat problem.:laughing:

Stickem, I totally understand your perspective and I share it as well. As you can see from my Avatar, I'm not shy about showing off MY prize catch. However, when I opened my San Mateo Times (before this thread was started) and saw that photo and article, MY knee-jerk reaction was "dude, what were you thinking?" (Meaning, why did you let them take/publish this photo). Being in a political office, appointed or elected, puts you under a public microscope that doesn't apply to regular folks. It's too bad, but it's the reality. The letter writers to the SM Times are debating it now, but the decision whether or not to terminate him won't take place there.
I suspect the outlook toward this type of thing is a bit different in Montana, even though we had a mountain lion spotted walking up the San Pedro Creek here in Pacifica, San Mateo county a couple of years ago (the creek doesn't border open space, it is completely in the middle of a neighborhood). Shooting that cat to protect your kids or pets would have been illegal.

dan and stickem, i respect you opinions. i'm not saying that we should not post pics of fish we're proud to show, on the contrary, i love seeing harry posts one of his cuberas or a kid posting his first prized catch. what i am opposed to are pics of decks full of dead fish or more fish than people need.

even though it's perfectly legal here in california for example to shoot three wsb (normally a 20-50# fish) after the beginning of the season should we? and if we do decide that we should, should we post pics?

a little common sense goes a long way, after all the enviros that oppose us are not alone in their opposition of what we do. the environmental movement has many, many layers, yes there are the "tree huggers" on the surface that make most of the noise but there are also lots of wealthy people looking to leave a legacy by supporting a cause, there are corporate interest looking to control a resource, there are politicians that want to score points by latching on to a popular topic. most of these people are very discreet, preferring to provide funds and organization to the front line groups.

this is a high stakes poker game and they are playing it close to the vest looking to exploit every opportunity we provide them and in a country where only half of us vote and of the half that does, most spend little time looking at the facts it's not hard to see why we are loosing the fight.

yes, some in california are commies, liberals or whatever else you want to call them but this is also the state that gave us ronald reagan and dare i say it, richard nixon and most recently arnold who some say could have made a run at the white house even though he wasn't born here if only he kept it in his pants. most of all, california is a trend setter, auto emission laws go back to the 70's here and if you think that it was a bad idea you should have seen los angeles on a summer afternoon in the mid 70's and 80's. sure montana is always going to be different but what happens there effects us here.

the point is we have to be realistic, over harvesting of anything does exist but with a little common sense protection things come back. the wsb is a prime example, years of gill netting did deplete them but since the practice was abolished here in california we are getting more and bigger fish. the mt lion and bobcat population is exploding here, i've recently seen a bobcat on a bike path within the ventura city limits (not to mention the loss of pets and live stock) we need to control the population but we can only do it if we work within a system that allows for a "win-win" situation, both sides have to feel like they got something as well as give up something, doth sides have to feel good about it. unfortunately, extremism is ruling the day on both sides.

in closing, last week i had breakfast with mike gould and terry maas (don't mean to drop names but...), both live here in ventura and both are in the forefront of the mlpa fight. mike told us about the pic in question and both he and terry agreed that it was not a bad thing, i disagreed. i saw mike again yesterday and we talked about the article, again the though it was not a bad thing, i hope he's right, we'll see.

Quote from granitedive

Shooting that cat to protect your kids or pets would have been illegal.

I would act on a direct threat to my family if it was in my yard, they could put be in front of a jury of my peers.

Cheers, Don

Damn I love Florida!!!! That being said I probably have a slightly different opinion because of it. I Personally dont have a problem with anyone posting pictures of their catches as long as they are legal. I dont think its necessary to go out and shoot your limit every day but if I went out with some friends and the fish were just everywhere I would probably take a few but I would certainly take more care in which ones I shot.

I dont think its right how they are trying to ruin this guys career over a perfectly legal hunt. Granted it probably wasnt the smartest thing to let be published but I dont think he should be ashamed for enjoying a legal pursuit. I think its unfortunate how people feel they need to hide some of their catches and other achievements because of unfair persecution.

I have seen some of the trouble you CA guys run into with the seal activists and I think its ridiculous how the activist place the rights of animals above those of humans. I know Im preaching to the choir but I dont understand why you avoid posting pics to "appease" them? About the only thing theyll be happy with is no capture and nobody here would stand for that.

Photos of Illegal catches and wonton slaughter should be removed and persocuted but legal and sporting pictures should be encouraged. I personally have never wasted an ounce of good fish. I may not eat it all but my neighbors love me.

As for a big cat in my back yard I would give it 2 strikes. First time just scare it off next time its over. Ive seen pictures of what they can do and if I had a child I would do everything in my power to protect them. I think Don has it right and I remember the quote " I would rather be judged by twelve than carried by six" fits perfectly.

Anyway just my .02

BTW I love how we can all discuss this and argue similar points without it getting out of hand or nasty. This is something I havent seen on any other forum regardless of its subject. Its hard to find a place on the internet where people act mature.

Here is a link to the Keep America Fishing website with a simple way to send a letter to your State representatives and Governor Brown protesting the attempt to remove Dan Richards from the Fish and Game Commission. Please follow the link and send the email; it takes literally 2 minutes. I'm going start a separate thread for this also so that everyone sees it. This is REALLY important to fishing/hunting/spearing rights in California. Thanks!

California Conservationist Unfairly Attacked for Legal Hunting Activities

At least Bill Gaines called them out on getting their feelings hurt. Is the assembly that is mentioned elected or appointed? I am amazed that the voters of California can influence/judge what another man does legally in another state. Who do they think they are? If the same guy went to Vegas and made a bet that would be illegal in CA, would the CA gaming commission go after him as well? Just silly.
Some great thoughts presented by people who obviously care in this thread.

I plan on attending the March 7 meeting in Riverside and speak in support of Richards. I urge everyone else to attend. If they remove richards it will only further the enviro's cause.

Quote from Bamz

I plan on attending the March 7 meeting in Riverside and speak in support of Richards. I urge everyone else to attend. If they remove richards it will only further the enviro's cause.

Agree. WE have an uphill battle here in CA and it blows. I hope some stuff starts going our way.

Great.

This quote shows the mindset of the person writing the article, it's a subtle emotional appeal.

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..showing him holding up a mountain lion he'd killed after it sought refuge from hunting dogs in a tree.

We need to support men like Richards, his words

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My 100 percent legal activity outside California ... is none of your business,
I will continue to hunt and fish wherever I please.