OCR Text |
Show Tuesday, July 4, 1995 Emery County Progress 7A Why wildlife management? By Brent Stettler writer Mother Nature managed DWR wildlife just fine before we got here. So why do we need wildlife management agencies... and fish cops. . . and the govern- ment meddling in our affairs? For an answer to that, let's step back into history to post-Civ- il War America. Mostofthe west remained unsettled and a man was free to do what he wanted and when he wanted. Wildlife was viewed as an inexhaustible resource, hunted by settlers and Indians for meat and hides. Since the early 1800s, wildlife was also harvested for its commercial value, namely for pelts, plumes and other animal products. Restrictions and controls on business and industry were practically unknown. After all, this was America-- - land of free enterprise. A man had the right to make a living. But man is only human, and rarely satisfied with mere, subsistence. Market hunters soon devised ingenious ways to maximize their return. Tragically, our forbearers learned that wildlife was not inexhaustible. As the United States headed for the 20th Century, populations of many species plummeted dramatically as a result of widespread settlement and large scale market hunting. In fact, many game species teetered on the brink of extinction. Bison, which originally ranged from coast to coast with a population of 0 million, 60-10- were slaughtered by the tens of millions, beginning in the 1870s. By 1885, the endless sea of buffalo had shrunk to a puddle of 250, confined to Yellowstone Park. Elk, at one time the most widely distributed member of the deer family in North America, had vanished from the eastern United States by the early 1800s. By 1990, western herds had likewise disappeared. A scant 40,000 remained in the vicinity ofY Park. About 10 million mule deer were thought to roam North America when the white man arrived. By 1908, only half a million were left. The pronghorn population was estimated at 0 million. By the 1920s," only 13,000 survived. The imminent demise of our wildlife gave birth to federal and state wildlife management agencies, national parks and wildlife refuges. Hunting was regulated for the first time and game wardens were hired to enforce the new laws. The rest is history. Modest herds of bison have been restored throughout the west. Well over a million elk occupy 10 western states. By 1965, the U.S. Forest Service estimated 3 million mule deer on western national forests. Pronghorn antelope range somewhere between a half million and one million animals. North Americas conservation success story has been brought about in large measure by hunter dollars. Across the United States, license and permit sales have funded state , nt 30-4- fish and game operations. Congressional acts, such as the Lacey Act, Pittman-Robertso- n Act and Act, Dingel-Johnso- n others have provided additional means for wildlife protection and funding. In addition to government-sponsore- d wildlife restoration efforts, landmark conservation work has also been accomplished by private organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and others. Without the dedicated support of hunters, private organizations and government agencies, our burgeoning wildlife heritage would have been nothing more than a collection of relics and faded photographs. - The Ferron Mariners recently took first place in the Emery South Babe Ruth Bambino League with a 13-- 1 record. Members of the team are front, left to right, Kristine Behling, bat girl, Eric Behling, Daniel Larsen, Alex Crawford, D.J. Card, Tyler Thomas and bat girl Nicole Van Sickle. Next are Erik Pyper, Bryan Van Sickle, Ben Larsen, Garrett Barton, Steven Ewell and Ryan Nelson.The team is coached by Brent Van Sickle, Jeff Thomas, Jon Crawford and Blake Behling. Golf report The Mens Golf Association held an 18 hole Individual Point Par June 24 at Millsite Golf Course with the following results. Points: 50- - Marvin White. Nathan Johansen. Kent Larsen. 43- - Ray Petersen. 42- Gary Denhalter. 39- - Paul Snow. 48- - 43- - Kimble Larsen. Mark Leavitt. 37- Ryan Winn. 34- - Rich Riggle. 39- - Held at Millsite Golf Course also on June 24 was a nine hole Mixed Fours Scramble. 34- - Kent Larsen, Laurie Larsen, Clyde Stephenson and Carla Stephenson. 35- - Marvin Garrett, Elaine Garrett, Paul Snow and Emily Snow. 36-Ma- rv White, Linda White, Ernie Taylor and JoAnn Taylor. im-d- is Duane Merrell, Jackie Sparks, Mike Huntsman and Linda Braun. 36- - 37- - Here are just a few of the networks now available on PRIMESTAR. Wildlife report (Continued from Page 6) RAC meetings or privately to Their RAC representative. any names and addresses are available by calling any DWR office. If the problem is local in nature, a letter to one of the five regional supervisors would be helpful. Regional supervisors manage the affairs and personnel in their respective offices and regions and are accountable to the director. They represent the most important local authority for effecting change. A final plea. We ask for patience from our critics. One person's pleasure is sometimes another person's pain. Your solution may negatively impact the hunting, fishing or wildlife enjoyment of another person or special interest group. Decision makers strive for balance and fairness in establishing rules and regulations. That's one reason why the wheels of government appear to move so slowly. Keep in mind too, that we can't be all things to all people. There are limits to what we can do. Over the years, we've come to grips with the fact that we can't please everyone. In fact, sometimes we end up not pleasing anybody. But we're still plugging away. Thats why we ask for and value your input. ST encore Wine maxi m i iti fc H (Sisa 3 MJITTV- - trim "THE" WEATHER CHANNEL Volunteer. American Heart Association Come to East Carbon Community DAZE, July 8th at Sunnyside Park ATTENTION Persons with Allergies & Asthma Brent R. Burdett, M D Board Certified Allergist From Intermountain Allergy & Asthma Clinic and see a Live demonstration of PRIMESTAR. Get a free ticket to win PRIMESTAR Prizes. Don't miss Community DAZE or PRIMESTAR. DISTRIBUTED Comes to Price, Utah By TCI Cablevision of Utah, Inc. on a regular basis for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. He sees patients at Were taking television into tomorrow. 590 E. 1st No., 5, Price, Ut. 84501 For an appointment or further information call If K need to see a specialist, you have questions regarding your own physician. consult your please PRIMESi J R WE BRING SATELLITE TELEVISION DOWN TO EARTH. |