From the Lansing State Journal
Louth: Government fails nature
State wildlife panel is tool of the hunters
Jodi Louth is director of the Saline-based Citizens for Fair Natural Resources Representation.
Since its inception in 1921, the seven-member Natural Resources Commission has lacked - even shunned - a balance of viewpoints on its board. This has left the vast majority of Michigan citizens without representation in regard to how wildlife management issues are dealt.
In 1996, Michigan voters passed Proposal G, which promised that the NRC would utilize "principles of sound scientific management" when making wildlife decisions. Since then, however, the NRC has continually made decisions that are neither "sound" nor "scientific."
Take, for example, the commission's June 2003 decision to overturn an "early season grain ban" by allowing bear hunters to use bait known also to attract deer and elk. This increased the risk of serious disease transmission known to occur over bait piles. The reason for the change? According to a published quote by NRC member Bob Garner, "People are doing it anyhow."
The NRC also has allowed the continued hunting and trapping of wildlife species whose breeding populations are known to be in serious decline. Such species include the Sora and Virginia Rails, Woodcock and Bluebill and Mallard ducks. Also, the trapping of Badgers, Martens, Fishers and River Otters continues - species rarely seen by the public.
The list goes on and on. But probably the worst offense in the face of "sound science" - one that predates Proposal G, but continues to be an issue - is the way our deer herd is managed.
Deer numbers are deliberately maintained at their current high levels because the NRC views white-tailed deer as a "cash crop." After all, hunters must pay a fee to kill them.
The NRC perpetually claims it wants to reduce deer numbers, yet each year reports that the deer population is just under "2 million."
One of the culprits, the Deer Range Improvement Program, is responsible for clear-cutting millions of acres of old growth forests, which in turn stimulates deer fertility by providing more undergrowth food.
The NRC also caters to the hunters' desire to take bucks over does by giving hunters a choice, virtually guaranteeing that a large percentage of fawn-bearing does are left to reproduce and replenish - or even increase - the herd the following year.
This occurs despite the rising risks and insurance costs for the rest of us due to deer vehicle collisions, crop damage, etc.
Ninety-six percent of Michigan citizens do not partake in consumptive wildlife activities, including 2.7 million wildlife watchers who outnumber and outspend all of their consumptive counterparts. While these figures should garner most people consideration in wildlife decisions, the NRC continues to act instead as if wildlife is a commodity that exists primarily for those who choose to buy a license to kill it.
By law, wildlife is held in trust for all people. Isn't it time, then, that all people are equally represented in the decisions affecting it?
The result would undoubtedly be an improvement for all, including wildlife.
