Reposted from *Iamidaho


Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (a national non profit organization) is hosting multiple predator derbies in Idaho. This organization has very strong ties with both Idaho Governor Butch Otter and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Earlier this year this organization was given the first wolf tag and auctioned it off to raise profits to keep the wolf off of the Endangered Species List.

IDFG recently voted to extend the wolf hunting season until March of next, which will allow wolves to be a part of this contest. Perhaps this is a coincidence; perhaps not.


What is a predator derby?

A predator derby is a killing spree of carnivorous animals. No consideration is taken for the care of the hide; high-powered rifles are used and after the tally is counted the carcasses are wasted. There are no tags, permits, or government oversight.

Contestants compete against each other on the clock to kill as many predators as possible. They use sophisticated electronic calls that mimic the natural sound of a predator and scents to impersonate foods or to imply a willing mate is nearby. They have exactly 24 hours to shoot as many animals as possible to be the winner.



- Bobcats are worth 2 points
- Foxes are worth 2 points
- Coyotes are worth 2 points
- Wolves are worth 3 points
- Ties are resolved by weight.


Predator Derbies are nothing new. They have been around for hundreds of years, but they are based on an archaic culture that understood little of ecosystems and cared nothing for the environment. Predators' importance in the ecosystem are ignored and they are senselessly slaughtered for a frenzied bloodlust of a competition. These contests arose from ranching and railroad interests to help them get rid of what they considered to be pests on the land. Offer cash prizes, invite your friends, and have them lower the population for you.

To make matters worse, all proceeds from this event support the Idaho Sportsmen Wolf litigation movement, an organization that has been against the reintroduction of the wolf from day one. They continue to fight with litigation for the highest hunting quota and the eventual re-eradication of wolves.

The effects of our war on predators are only beginning to be understood, but a term called "trophic cascade" is coming into play often. Explosions of rodent populations can occur, areas become overeaten, and the behavior of animals changes when you remove predators. All of these effects compound and can have a drastic negative effect on the health of an ecosystem [[link]

This journal is NOT anti hunting. I do not consider myself to be an anti-hunting individual; I personally avoid the sport because I find more thrill in photographing and allowing an animal to be seen another day. I support ethical hunting. Ethical sportsman follow ecological hunting practices and do not waste what they hunt.

It's true that even the management of predators often does need to occur, but it should be done with a sound basis in science, using non-lethal methods whenever possible, and with respect for the ecosystem - NOT as an adrenaline based sport of cash prizes.

This contest is a bloodthirsty slaughter. It is killing for thrill, it is senseless harm of living breathing animals.
It is Bingo for blood.
And it is happening on YOUR public lands.


What does a Predator Derby look like?

This.

[IMG][link]
[IMG][link]




These are taken from last year's hunt. The sign just outside of the photo on the left says "preserving wildlife” Really?


And Who is supporting this?
[link]

Nikon is one of several businesses listed as official sponsors. Shame on you Nikon!

What you can do.

Nikon is probably one of the sponsors that can be swayed, the others are very deeply rooted in the culture of this event.

Any sponsor we can remove from this competition is for the better. Nikon needs to know that the Wildlife and Nature photography sector of its market is very displeased with this event, further outraged that Nikon is sponsoring an event such as this.

Nikon does not have a very good way to contact them electronically you will have to register to be able to email them.

If you have contacts for regional Nikon representatives please let them know.
You can call, and file a complaint here: 631-547-4200 this is the corporate office.

The Sponsorship committee that makes decisions like this is found here:
Sponsorship Committee
1300 Walt Whitman Road
Melville, NY 11747-3064

For those who enjoy irony, here's Nikon's environmental policy:

“Nikon endeavors to consider the environment in every policy and action, operating in ways that best protect the Earth's resources and safeguard the beauty of our planet.”

We are not going to change Idaho overnight and we need the help of other orginizations. Here are some good options:

PLEASE contact the Natural Resources Defense Council let them know about this event and urge them to take action on this and other injustices against predators in the west. nrdcinfo@nrdc.org

Another excellent non profit for animals specializing in predators [[link]


Contacting the following contacts may be more akin to talking to a brick wall, they are the problem. But they need to hear until they understand the public will not tolerate this.

The organizers of the event can be contacted here:
Nate Helm (208-899-3122) or nate@sfwidaho.org
Sean Cluff (208-697-3167) or scluff@sfwidaho.org

Butch Otter Governor of Idaho [[link]
Idaho Fish and Game: [[link]
Salazar Secretary of the Interior [[link]

Feel free to utilize any of your social networking means to spread the news about this story!

BE HEARD!

As a huge nature nut, this story REALLY concerns me. It's long been known that Idaho is sort of the state that America forgot, but come on! This is a horrible act of violence done by ignorant, pigheaded bastards! I've always loved going to Idaho because it's a truly beautiful state, especially up here next to Washington. The Panhandle is truly an amazing area for photography and hiking and anything you could ever want to do outdoors. But this... This just ruins all of that for me.

A few months ago, I saw a seriously disturbing article in the Spokesman Review that detailed Idaho's fight to open up wolf hunting. At the time, they were going to allow up to 500 wolves to be taken during hunting season every year. This, mind you, is a species that has JUST been removed from the endangered list, and already Idaho wants to cut down the population.

I seriously just can NOT wrap my mind around the senseless violence of that state towards animals. It must be a republican, backwater hick thing. Get your shit together, Idaho! Even a lot of the hunters I know are disgusted with this story, and aren't sure they're going to return to Idaho to hunt.

Honestly, guys, repost this if you have any affection for nature. If too many predators are taken from an area, because of competitions like this, entire ecosystems can face the threat of complete collapse. Predators are a very important part of our lives, weither or not we realize it in our day to day lives. ESPECIALLY for those of us that live in or near Idaho, because ecosystems don't know state boundaries.

Animals don't have voices, and it's up to us to stand up for them. A world without them seems like a pretty bleak place to me...