Wyoming Game and Fish Director Confused About Purpose of the Agency

[COEngineer]

A question of mission for Wyoming Game and Fish

 

[IDiot]

Good read. It's unfortunate but speaking the truth is the quickest way to get fired these days. Politicians don't want public servants that rock the boat.

 

[BuzzH]

Yeah, the GF needs to start caring more about wildlife, period.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Public agency for public good - that ship sailed long ago. WG&F anymore is at the command of the State’s feudal lords, and reps of ag groups outfitters.

 

[17remhunter]

Good read. It's unfortunate but speaking the truth is the quickest way to get fired these days. Politicians don't want public servants that rock the boat.

I totally agree. Rock any boat with the truth and you end up living in a tent

 

[17remhunter]

It seems that the people with the biggest Nads are women. Sarah Huckabee, Kristi Noem, and Sarah Palin

 

[COEngineer]

It seems that the people with the biggest Nads are women. Sarah Huckabee, Kristi Noem, and Sarah Palin

From far right field from someone who didn't read the article...

 

[shootbrownelk]

It seems that the people with the biggest Nads are women. Sarah Huckabee, Kristi Noem, and Sarah Palin

Angi Bruce hasn't got a set, that's for sure. Goes along to get along.

 

[SaskHunter]

Public agency for public good - that ship sailed long ago. WG&F anymore is at the command of the State’s feudal lords, and reps of ag groups outfitters.

Too many government agencies and departments have forgotten that they provide a service to the public and instead strive to run like private businesses.

A lot of people seem to have forgotten what "Public Service" stands for.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I remember sitting in a conference room in 2005 or so with the G&F, members of a petroleum association in Wyoming. We were discussing issues relative to the Pinedale Anticline and where the agency was going to come down on mule deer protections.

It was pretty clear from the get go that we were there as a perfunctory kindness. The deal was already cut by the Governor (a dem) and the industry. Mule deer got shellacked and WY got the Wildlife Trust out of it.

In 2002, I remember state employees getting put in closet for being too pro-wildlife when the original wolf-plan came out. Then, the a politically powerful group made the commission adopt a management plan that made a current congresswoman a ton of cash in dragging out delisting for another decade.

Chris' message hasn't wavered once in that time.

 

[Topoman]

I was at the public meeting last year in Lander when the WGFD commission, against the director's wishes, voted to include some additional segments into a recommendation to designate antelope migration corridors for the Sublette pronghorn herd. The room was chock full of people asking them to do so (minus a few industry folks)...probably 95% commented in favor of including those additional segments.

The director was against this, as was the livestock lobby that was present that day. She was livid when the vote came down. For anyone in the room that day it was really clear what she means when they talk about "serving people." Super disappointing.

Also of note were commissioners asking various commenters about what they thought the commission's role was between advocating for wildlife, considering economic growth, etc. There is clearly an opportunity for folks to engage with and educate appointed officials on what they're managing for the public, and what they aren't.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Imagine a stock trader or welder or doctor or electrician having every decision picked apart in public the way wildlife officials are. Short of entertainers (and they asked for it), what other profession has so much public exposure and scrutiny.

 

[mtmuley]

Imagine a stock trader or welder or doctor or electrician having every decision picked apart in public the way wildlife officials are. Short of entertainers (and they asked for it), what other profession has so much public exposure and scrutiny.

Agreed. Even from a Canadian. Sheesh. mtmuley

 

[BuzzH]

Imagine a stock trader or welder or doctor or electrician having every decision picked apart in public the way wildlife officials are. Short of entertainers (and they asked for it), what other profession has so much public exposure and scrutiny.

That's a pretty big statement that you don't think the WYGF should advocate for wildlife: "First — and most alarming — was her contention that Game and Fish should not “advocate or speak for wildlife.” She argued that the department’s real business was serving people, which makes me wonder whether she’s confused Game and Fish with the Public Service Commission."

I think statements like that probably deserve scrutiny, wouldn't you agree?

Picking apart quota's season dates, yeah, I agree that we often go a bit too far...I don't think that's what Madson was talking about.

 

[Gellar]

Imagine a stock trader or welder or doctor or electrician having every decision picked apart in public the way wildlife officials are. Short of entertainers (and they asked for it), what other profession has so much public exposure and scrutiny.

I was at a meeting on Thursday with about 40 local, state, and federal agencies and someone mentioned managing the people is often harder then the animals.

 

[Irrelevant]

I was at a meeting on Thursday with about 40 local, state, and federal agencies and someone mentioned managing the people is often harder then the animals.

Depends on which group of animals and which group of humans.

I think Madson's contention is that it's not easy, it wasn't meant to be easy, and it shouldn't be easy. You absolutely need to advocate for wildlife and also work with people. And that she's clearly taking the easy road, and just working with people, her people, the squeeky wheel people, the wink wink hint hint approve my development people...

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I was at a meeting on Thursday with about 40 local, state, and federal agencies and someone mentioned managing the people is often harder then the animals.

40 years ago, on day 1 of Forestry 101, Dr. James Kroll (aka Dr. Deer) told all of us that we were here to learn how to manage people, not wildlife. First 10 min. of class he said everyone who is here that thinks they are going to get away from people and spend all day in the woods, go ahead and pick up your books and head over to the business or engineering schools. LOL

Those opening remarks stuck with me. He was so right.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

That's a pretty big statement that you don't think the WYGF should advocate for wildlife

Looked back at my post several times, and couldn't tell where I said anything of the sort.

 

[Gellar]

40 years ago, on day 1 of Forestry 101, Dr. James Kroll (aka Dr. Deer) told all of us that we were here to learn how to manage people, not wildlife. First 10 min. of class he said everyone who is here that thinks they are going to get away from people and spend all day in the woods, go ahead and pick up your books and head over to the business or engineering schools. LOL

Those opening remarks stuck with me. He was so right.

And everyone knows how to manage the deer (or whatever plant or animal) better.

 

[BuzzH]

Looked back at my post several times, and couldn't tell where I said anything of the sort.

You're out of context, was referencing the "you" as Director Bruce...not Justabirdwatcher.

I'll clarify, so you aren't confused.

I think a GF Director making a statement that the Department they are in charge of should not be advocating for wildlife is going to receive deserved scrutiny.

That's not exactly concerned sportsmen/women and peers picking fly shit out of the pepper over a quota squabble...that's foundational policy putting wildlife down a few rungs on the importance ladder.