State Wildlife Management Archives | Page 5 of 6

Op-Ed: It’s Time to Decouple Wildlife Conservation From the Gun Lobby’s Agenda

Jul 12, 2022 | Home Page, Pittman-Robertson, State Wildlife Management

Op-Ed in Truthout by Wildlife for All’s Executive Director, Kevin Bixby

It’s time to get guns out of wildlife conservation.

The firearms industry and state wildlife agencies have been joined at the hip since Congress passed the Pittman-Robertson (PR) Act in 1937. The law redirected an existing federal tax on firearms and ammunition to the states to help restore depleted game populations. The model worked as intended for years, but nonhunting gun buyers have far surpassed hunters as the main source of PR Act funds. At a time of rising gun violence, when there are more guns in the U.S. than people, does it make any sense to be using public funds to encourage more gun use?

Editorial: Why does NM give elk-hunt permits to private landowners, fire commissioners who question the status quo?

Jul 3, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board

This editorial looks at the current flawed system in which New Mexico Game and Fish Commissioners are appointed and removed by the Governor with little to no oversight. This year, two commissioners were dismissed because their positions clashed with those of the governor. All appointed commissioners are supposed to by confirmed by the state Senate, although that has not happened in recent years. “The system is stacked so the only qualification to serve is showing fealty to the governor rather than making independent decisions about a resource you’re entrusted to manage and protect on behalf of the residents of New Mexico. That has to change.”

WFA’s Kevin Bixby talks wildlife management reform on latest Rewinding Earth podcast

Jun 27, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

Wildlife for All’s Executive Director Kevin Bixby recently talked about wrestling wildlife governance reform from the tight grip of the hunting, fishing, and gun industries on Rewinding Earth’s podcast (Episode 92).

Three new Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board members with a love of hunting appointed without due process

Jun 14, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Emma Cotton

Gov. Phil Scott of Vermont recently appointed three new members to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Board. “All three cite a love of hunting that began during childhood.” Qualified candidates submitted applications – yet never received any reply. Appointments to commissions need to be transparent and follow due process.

Conserving – not killing – wildlife should drive Wisconsin’s natural resources strategy

Jun 14, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Fred Koontz & Adrian Treves

This op-ed examines Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources and its priorities (which are at odds with current human values and biodiversity needs). “Clarifying the DNR’s mandate around a top priority of conserving all wildlife for all people will provide a unifying direction for the floundering board and strengthen the department’s biodiversity mission. Changing the department’s purpose recognizes that government agencies require modifications as society’s needs and public values change.”

Lead ammo and fishing tackle is dangerous for wildlife health, yet legislators resist ban

Jun 10, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Michael Doyle

TUS Fish and Wildlife Service plans to open and expand hunting and fishing at 19 wildlife refuges which will open up 54,000 acres of land to hunting and fishing. While the federal agency will limit these opportunities to non-lead shells, ammo, and tackle, opposing senators have argued that “Policies or actions that reduce or limit sportsmen activities necessarily implicate wildlife conservation programs by affecting state agencies’ revenue.” These legislators are holding funding hostage in wildlife policymaking by urging the FWS Director not to ban lead.

Four California Bumblebee species newly listed as endangered

Jun 9, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Ashley Stimson

The California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) recently designated four species of bumble bee as endangered species after California’s Superior Court ruled they fell under a broad definition of what constitutes a “fish”.

Former U.S. senator: Time for changes on the N.J. Fish and Wildlife Council

May 21, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Robert Toricelli

In this op-ed, former U.S. senator Torricelli makes the case for reform of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Council, explaining that many of the state’s regulations are not based on legitimate science.

Whose values count most in determining Vermont’s fish and wildlife priorities, regulations and public policies?

Apr 13, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Walter Medwid

In this op-ed Medwid writes, “Vermonters should rethink the focus of the Fish & Wildlife Department. Threats to biodiversity and shifting human values challenge the underpinnings of the department and the Fish & Wildlife Board…Whose values count most in determining Vermont’s fish and wildlife priorities, regulations, and public policies?”

Refocus Fish and Wildlife mandate on conservation

Apr 8, 2022 | Carnivores, Coexistence, Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Fred Koontz.

In this op-ed by former Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission member Fred Koontz, he describes the current state of the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife as a ‘political quagmire.’ “States are obligated to protect wildlife for current and future generations. The sad truth is that we are failing.”

New Mexico and wildlife — still more work to do

Apr 1, 2022 | Carnivores, Coexistence, Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Chris Smith.

On April 1st, Roxy’s Law, which bans traps, snares, and poisons on public lands, went into effect in New Mexico. Despite this progress, New Mexico isn’t the beacon of wildlife management that it should be.

Roxy’s Law a win, but wildlife governance needs reform

Mar 29, 2022 | Carnivores, Coexistence, Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Charles Fox.

Last year, NM passed Roxy’s Law, which will ban traps, snares, and poisons on public lands. The state Legislature also recently banned coyote-killing contests. However, the Department of Game and Fish allowed these cruel practices to continue for years despite massive opposition. “The Game Department’s backward policies are badly out of step with mainstream society and show little sign of improving. There is no excuse for repeating the mistakes and abuses of the past, no matter how longstanding.”

Stop the slaughter of predators: Reform wildlife management

Mar 16, 2022 | Carnivores, Coexistence, Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By David Stalling.

In the most recent post from his blog “From The Wild Side: Wild Thoughts from an Untamed Heart,” David discusses the immediate need for wildlife governance reform, citing the specific atrocities happening right now in the state of Montana.

Opinion: Wildlife running for their lives

Feb 22, 2022 | Carnivores, Coexistence, Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Deborah Slicer. Originally published in the Missoulian.

This article examines Montana’s Fish, Wildlife, and Parks commission and the dysfunctionality of the state’s current wildlife management system.

Latest dismissal reveals need to reform Game Commission

Feb 17, 2022 | Carnivores, Coexistence, Home Page, State Wildlife Management

By Kevin Bixby and Jesse Deubel. Originally published in The Albuquerque Journal.

Following the governor’s latest dismissal of one of her appointed members, there are currently three empty seats on the 7-member New Mexico State Game Commission. This op-ed explores the need to either abolish or reform the commission.

Experts propose new methods for managing Wisconsin wildlife

Feb 14, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

This radio story from Public News Service features Wildlife for All Executive Director Kevin Bixby and Board member Adrian Treves. This story covering the gray wolf relisting decision looks beyond the immediate ruling to the systemic problems with wildlife management today.

Press Release: Gov. Inslee Listens to Wildlife Advocates, Fills Commission Seats with Individuals Who Take Their Public Trust Duties Seriously

Jan 25, 2022 | Home Page, Press Releases, State Wildlife Commissions, State Wildlife Management

Wildlife for All commends Governor Jay Inslee for appointing three qualified Commissioners with substantial professional expertise in wildlife science and policy to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Commission sets wildlife policy for the state.

WA State Senate introduces several bills that aim to reform Fish and Wildlife Commission

Jan 14, 2022 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

Members of the Washington State Senate introduced several bills that would make changes to how and who selects the members who serve on the state Fish and Wildlife Commission. One bill would give authority to the Legislature to fill empty commission seats if the Gov doesn’t act within 12 months. The other bill would take away the power of the fish and wildlife commission to hire the Department director and give it to the elected State Lands Commissioner. It would also take away the power of the governor to appoint commissioners, and give it to the State Lands commissioner.

NM Department of Game and Fish considers stocking nonnative hybrid bass

Dec 15, 2021 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management

Less than half of New Mexico’s native fish species are protected by law, yet the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish wants to introduce another nonnative fish species into the state. A department spokesperson could not point to any conservation benefits when questioned about the introduction of this species.

Earth Matters Radio Interview with Kevin Bixby

Dec 15, 2021 | Home Page, State Wildlife Management, Uncategorized

Wildlife for All’s Executive Director Kevin Bixby and Donna Stevens of the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance recently had an in-depth conversation about the status of wildlife protection in New Mexico.