Looks like it is over,  Senator Murkowski conceded this evening. She didn’t get the votes from the southeast she had expected. This was probably as big a surprise as Miller taking the lead in the first place. This is the first hurdle now Miller has to face Scott McAdam’s in the general election this November. As Yogi Berra said “it ain’t over till it’s over” Lets hope the tea party carries over to a few more house and senate seats. You can read more about the race over on Camo Underground.

Speaking to reporters at her campaign headquarters in Anchorage, Murkowski said “based on where we are right now, I don’t see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor.“

Wolves have come to be the symbol of Gia the goddess of the earth and placed on their throne by the Walter Mitty’s of the animal right kingdom. You can’t read an outdoor news site without something about wolves. Last summer a pack killed at jogger in Alaska, they have destroyed the caribou herd on Unimak Island in Alaska, and in Northern Rockies something like 1600 to 1700 grey wolves have trashed the elk and deer herds. Yet the animal rights kingdom believes these cuddly little balls of fur need federal protection. Their numbers far exceed the original goals set by USFW. “The recovery goal for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs-successfully reproducing wolf packs and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years.” 1
Those numbers were reached in 2002 today there five times a many wolves as in 2002. So why does Earth Justice think the Northern Rockies wolf packs need the protection of the ESA? Because Wyoming was placed back on the endangered species list they feel all of the Northern Rocky manage as a single entity. At least that was their argument to Montana’s Judge Molloy last month. USFW believe grey wolves have recovered. “By every biological measure, the region’s gray wolf population is fully recovered,” an April U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report said. 2
Five state involved believe the grey wolf populations have recovered. It is only a few members of the animal rights kingdom that feel the benevolent and companionate wolves need protection from the evil hunter.

Horse hockey, let me spell something out here wolves are predators they kill to live. They kill to teach their young to kill to kill so they will live. They are opportunistic killers they will take what ever they can whenever they feel the need. The idea they only take the sick and lame is absolute garbage. They will take a newborn calf and is mother before she has recovered from calving. Wolves have no sense of fair chase, humane kill is not in their vocabulary, and most importantly wolves do not feed people. Ungulates feed people so why aren’t they the ones being protected? By definition most hunters hunt for sport, with a few exceptions, they hunt for food. Contrary to popular belief hunters do not kill because the opportunity presented itself. The few people who do kill just to kill are not hunters they are thieves stealing from the rest of us. I hope when Judge Molloy makes his decision  on the Northern Rocky wolves he chooses to protect the interest of the consumptive users. The idea that wildlife is there for a minority to look at is bull. Wildlife is a resource a renewable resource that should be managed to meet human needs. If Earth Justice wants to watch wolves they should go to Ted Turners ranch where wolves are protected. Maybe they will be able to watch a pack take down an elk and eat it alive.

1 The Clark Fork Chronicle
Wednesday, July 14 2010
2 By Bailey Schreiber, Jackson Hole, Wyo., and The Associated Press
June 16, 2010

This had me laughing my you know what off makes me want to go out and buy a dozer.

Fairbanks man accused of threatening Census worker with bulldozer
by Chris Freiberg / cfreiberg@newsminer.com
FAIRBANKS — A Fairbanks man has been accused of threatening a U.S. Census worker with a bulldozer.

On Wednesday, the Fairbanks District Attorney’s office filed one count of fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, against 50-year-old Carey William Bliss.

The Census worker, only identified by his initials in charging documents, went to Bliss’ Tall Spruce Road home June 2 looking for information from Bliss.

Bliss reportedly was uncooperative and grabbed Census forms from the worker, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.

Bliss then said, “I know how to get you off my property,” went to a bulldozer in his yard and started it, court documents allege.

The worker then got in his car and backed out of Bliss’ driveway as Bliss followed him in the bulldozer, stopping at the end of the driveway.

Ruben Del Valle, a spokesman for the Census Bureau in Alaska, said that while there have been reports of violence toward Census workers in other parts of the country, it was the first such incident he had heard about in Alaska, home to Noorvik, the first U.S. city to be counted in this year’s Census.

Census workers receive training on how to deal with such situations, which they then report to supervisors, he said.

While Bliss marked his property with “No trespassing” signs, according to charging documents, Del Valle said courts repeatedly have found that Census workers are not violating any laws if they are only going to a door seeking information.

Bliss has no prior criminal record and was not arrested in connection in the case. Court records do not list a lawyer for him or any upcoming court dates.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner – Fairbanks man accused of threatening Census worker with bulldozer

This one would make Bill & Jimmy proud. Like they don’t already have enough,  the federal land managers can’t manage what they have. Their idea of resource management is lock it from the public but make them, the public,  pay the feds to be the  guardian so they can  protect the land from us. I wonder what the reaction would be if a few million acres of New York or Massachusetts was locked up. I rate the  1906 Antiquities Act about the same as the ESA they both accomplish absolutely nothing  but a way to control more land.

House Committee Wants to See Full “Monument Memo”

6/23/10

A key U.S. House Committee that oversees natural resource issues voted for a resolution calling for the disclosure of all pages from an Obama Administration memo that examined the setting aside of millions of acres of federal lands as new “National Monuments.” Parts of the memo were circulated earlier in the year and raised concerns among many sportsmen groups that hunting, currently allowed on these areas, could be prohibited on any lands receiving the designations.

On June 16, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee passed House Resolution 1406, sponsored by Representative Doc Hastings (WA), the ranking Republican on the committee. The resolution calls on the Secretary of the Interior to release all documents related to the memo in question within 14 days of the legislation’s passage.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) previously reported on this memo in March.  The memo identifies approximately 13 million acres in nine western states for “National Monument” designation under the 1906 Antiquities Act.  The Act allows the President to make these designations without Congressional approval or local input.

A Monument designation does not automatically limit hunting or other uses.  However, experience has shown that this designation can have a negative impact on access and conservation efforts.  For example, President Carter created millions of acres of National Park Service Monuments in Alaska which immediately closed the areas to sport hunting.  It took a subsequent act of Congress to undo many of these hunting closures.

The memo caused a firestorm of controversy, leading numerous Representatives to seek additional documents from the Obama Administration despite repeated statements from Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar that the piece was only intended for planning purposes and that a public process would take place before any designations.

Though the resolution cleared a committee, it remains unclear if the full House will take the issue up for vote.

The USSA continues to maintain that any change in public land use should only occur after open discussion with stakeholders allowing them to voice their concerns.

Here is my original source: http://www.ussportsmen.org/Page.aspx?pid=2470&frcrld=1

I don’t know how many if any of you are trappers but this is what happens to those who are conned into compromising with those who want to destroy their way of life. In Canada it is called the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards Association or (AIHTS). Here in the US it is pawned of as Best Management Practice, garbage by any other name is still garbage. The whole thing was started by animal rights nut cases going through the  EU with the “standards” to be set by the International Standards Organization. The idea was to standardize traps to the EU’s and ISO cookie cutter idea of “humane”.  A  move that would cost the average trapper more than his line produce.These are people who have never set a trap in their life and want to tell someone who makes a living doing it how they think it should be done. Any country that didn’t comply would be banned from selling furs in all EU countries.  Millions of dollars have been and are being pumped into all the state fish & game  agency’s as well as those in the Canadian Province’s. Most of the US and Canadian F&G’s were more than willing to belly up to the trough more jobs for them, more money for them.  Why should they care about cost to trappers?    There is a paper put out by the Eurogroup for Animal Welfare titled Trapped by Bad Science this is a must read for everyone who traps. Or for that matter anyone who wants to know the animal rights crowds real agenda.  The paper shows what they are really after and it has little to do with humane trap standards. Their agenda is to put trappers out of business by setting standards that would require all North American trappers to  completely replace their traps with new ones that meet the ISO cookie cutter specifications. These are people who have never set a trap in their life yet  feel qualified to tell someone who makes a living trapping  how it want it done.  As if that is not enough they use the EU to bully country’s that won’t comply by controlling a large part of the fur ie;  banning sales to  EU countries  from buying from non-compliant countries.  Millions of dollars were and are being pumped into US state fish & wildlife  agency’s as well as their counter parts in Canada. Most of the US and Canadian F&W’s  agencies are more than willing to belly up to the trough, more jobs, more money.  Why should they care about cost to trappers, after they trap by choice they could always get another job.

This petition was put out by some Canadian trappers, this is just the beginning. It is only a matter of time before more money rolls in to help the trapper finance the purchase of new compliant traps. I have no doubt this will happen, but at what cost? Back to the days of the  of Hudson Bay Co. or J. J. Astor and the company trappers who works all season to pay off last seasons grub stake? No thanks that’s not the life for me.

To: Ontario Government

To: Ontario Government

To: Government of Ontario

To: The Government of Ontario

And to: The Minister of Natural Resources

And to: The Minister of Transportation

And to: The Ontario Fur Managers Federation

WHEREAS the harvesting of wild fur is part of Canada’s heritage dating back to the beginning of Canada;

AND WHEREAS the fur industry market has been at an all time low;

AND WHEREAS Costs to trappers to upgrade their traps in order to meet the standards put in place by the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards Association (AIHTS), Purchase, maintain, license and insure snow mobiles and off road vehicles is at an all time high

AND WHEREAS Many trappers depend on the fur industry as their primary source of income;

AND WHERE AS Trappers are the unofficial guardians of the crown regarding their respective registered trap lines, who’s efforts assist with keeping our forests clean, providing members of the public with accessible trails and access to hunting and fishing locations;

AND WHEREAS many Traplines are littered with public access Snowmobile and ATV trails provided by such organizations as the Ontario Federation of Snow Mobile Clubs and various ATV clubs. Trails for which trappers often provide maintenance at no cost recovery;

NOW THEREFORE the undersigned hereby request that the recipients of this petition establish the necessary changes to the laws of Ontario and or Policies in place with the Ontario Fur Managers Federation to allow for the following benefits to trappers in Ontario:

1. A snow mobile, ATV or other off road vehicle be deemed to be an implement of husbandry while it is in use for trapping related purpose by a licensed trapper on his or her registered trap line;

2. As such any snow mobile, ATV or other off road vehicle used by the licensed trapper for trapping related purposes on his or her registered trap line be exempt from any annual registration renewal;

3. That the Ontario Fur Managers Federation amend the membership liability insurance policy to include Public Liability and Property damage for any and all snow mobiles, ATV’s or other off road vehicles used for trapping related purpose, by a licensed trapper on his or her registered trap line;

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

View Current Signatures

It is looking like the people of Unimak Island need to take care of Unimaks wolves themselves. If they are becoming a threat it’s time for the locals to take control, they still have 19 days left in the extended season. It is only a matter of time before there is a repeat of the jogger at Chignik who was killed by habituated wolves or Icy Bay where a child was attacked by wolves in the logging camp. Predators are just  that, predators not cutesy little puppies. When one food source is gone they will hunt out another if they can’t find a new one they starve. The people of Unimak can’t wait for the feds and state to punch it out in court, the ball is in their court.

False Pass residents worried about bold, hungry wolves

Published: June 9th, 2010 01:01 PM
Last Modified: June 10th, 2010 11:17 AM

Residents of False Pass, on the same island as the federal wildlife refuge in which the state wants to shoot wolves it says are depleting a caribou herd, say they’re unnerved by the numbers and boldness of wolves in the area, according to an Alaska Newspapers Inc. story in The Dutch Harbor Fisherman.

Read more here

or here

If he is nothing else Judge Holland is consistent, I can’t recall a single one of Judge Hollands decisions where he ruled  in favor of Alaskans than over predators. Now USFW can fiddle while Rome burns and the wolves of  Unimak feast on new born caribou calves.  The Unimak herd is crashing USFW doesn’t seem to give a damn about  people of Unimak.  The Unimak herd is the only island herd in Alaska and the people of Unimak’s only source of red meat. When will the desk jockeys get it through their heads, ungulates feed people not wolves. The Alaska Board of Game did extend the wolf hunting and trapping seasons so for now at least the locals can do what needs done.

Judge blocks state’s wolf kill on Unimak

UNIMAK ISLAND: Federal agency bound by environment regulations.By MARY PEMBERTONThe Associated PressPublished: June 7th, 2010 11:17 PMLast Modified: June 7th, 2010 11:18 PM

A federal judge on Monday denied the state’s request for a preliminary injunction that would let it kill wolves, a step it said was needed to protect a caribou herd on an Aleutian island that is a subsistence food source for Alaskans there.

U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland said that while sympathetic to the state’s argument, he had to abide by law when ruling against the state’s request to immediately conduct predator control in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on Unimak Island. “Somebody’s governmental pride will be bruised here and there is no avoiding that,” Holland said, before ruling in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”It is the federal agency’s prerogative to decide what they have decided.”

Read more here….

I you have an extra 50 buck’s burning a hole in your pocket you could put it to a good cause. USSA is raffling off a gun a week starting this month and going through May 2011. They are only issuing 1000 tickets so you better hurry if you want a shot at one of the prizes. I’m not a big on national organizations I favor those closer to home. I go more for the grassroots organizations with local control and people involved however this is one I do support USSA puts a lot into big game hunting and our hunting heritage. So if you have it spend this is going to a good cause.

2010-11 52-Gun Raffle

Sportsmen can now purchase tickets for a weekly drawing that could put brand new firearms or bows in their hands while protecting their hunting rights. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation’s 52-Gun Raffle sponsored by Vance’s Shooters Supplies and Buckeye Outdoors.  Click here to see their current ad.

Only 1,000 3-digit tickets (numbered 000-999) will be sold for $50 each. Winning numbers will be determined by the Ohio Lottery’s Pick 3 drawing on Monday nights. Ticket holders can win more than once.

The raffle will begin June 7, 2010.  To purchase tickets, click here to visit our online store or contact the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation at (614) 888-4868. Out of state participants may purchase tickets via the USSA online store only.

Learn more here

When I decided to start this blog I planned to do more lifestyle than politics. However there are so many hot ticket wildlife issues going on in Alaska right now it’s hard not to jump on my soapbox. The attached Anchorage Daily New article is about one more example of on group who are offering a caribou herd to the alter of gia. This really irritates me you have a food source that people depend on is being decimated by wolves yet it is the wolves that are being protected. In the video I posted yesterday Ashley Judd blabbed about managing wolves with scientific principals. She’s right they should be, but they are not they are being managed by a bunch of gia worshipers who treat them, wolves and other predators, like gods while ungulates become the blood sacrifice. It is the ungulate herds that traditionally feed people over the eons not wolves. In Alaska wildlife has and is the traditional mainstay for both rural and urban, courts have even ruled that all Alaskans are subsistence hunters. Alaska is unique among the states in that all resources are jointly own by the people. This includes wildlife, making the Alaska Department of Fish & Game the primary manager of all wildlife in Alaska including federal land. However in Katie John v Alaska the Ninth Circuit gave the federal land managers control of subsistence hunting & fishing on all federal lands and certain waters in Alaska. Title VIII of ANILCA set up the Federal Subsistence Board and Regional Advisory Councils. The regional Councils are made up of local users who meet twice a year to discuss local subsistence needs as well as other subsistence issues then advise the full Board whose job, among other duties, is to allocate fish & game for subsistence uses.

Last spring Secretary of Interior Salazar met with the chairs of all ten of the regional council’s. One of the items discussed was predator control on federal land. The chairs urged the secretary to align federal predator control programs with those of the state. Too many federal land managers look at this as the state usurping their authority when they should be looking out for the interest of the people. Until federal and state managers come together on predator control predators will continue to win and gia will get his sacrificial caribou.

All that said the people of Unimak should not have waited for the wolves to destroy one of their primary sources of food before acting. They were the ones there they should have been hunting and trapping the wolves long before they got out of control. People have gone to long believing the government will fix all their problems when they had the means to take care of them before things got out of hand.

Anchorage Daily News
Legal action threatened over state predator control in refuge
By MARY PEMBERTON
The Associated Press
Published: May 24th, 2010 06:45 PM
Last Modified: May 24th, 2010 06:45 PM
A federal agency threatened legal action if Alaska moves ahead with plans to kill wolves.
In a letter Monday, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service cautioned the Alaska Department of Fish and Game about proceeding with plans to kill wolves on refuge land on Unimak Island without a federal special-use permit.
Doing so would be considered as a trespass on the refuge and such action would be referred to the U.S. attorney, according to a Fish & Wildlife Service news release.
The letter was in response to one that state wildlife officials sent last week to Rowan Gould, the Fish & Wildlife Service’s acting director.
In that letter, Corey Rossi, director of the state Division of Wildlife Conservation, said, “Immediate action is required to protect the herd, specifically this year’s calves.
“Waiting to take action places this year’s calves in too great a jeopardy,” wrote Rossi, a strong proponent of aerial predator control where wolves and bears are killed to increase moose and caribou numbers. Federal agency is required by law to follow a certain process — a process the state is well aware of but apparently doesn’t want to wait for, said Fish & Wildlife Service spokesman Bruce Woods.State Fish and Game Department officials declined Monday to answer questions or comment.
Wade Willis, a former state wildlife biologist and a vocal player on the conservation side of Alaska wildlife politics, supported Fish & Wildlife’s action.
“Fish and Wildlife cannot tolerate the state’s attempts to obliterate the last 30 wolves remaining on Unimak Island,” he said.
“Federal management authority always takes preference over state management mandates. The USFWS is mandated to protect natural diversity and abundance. Alaska prefers to manage for a game farm, where wolves and bears are decimated to allow unchecked commercial guiding and trophy hunting.”
Last week, the state Fish and Game Department announced that beginning about June 1 it will shoot some wolves on Unimak to protect caribou calving grounds under its aerial predator-control program.
The department plans to use two biologists and four pilots to kill wolves over three weeks on Unimak, which is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
It would be the first time in recent history that aerial predator control was used inside a national refuge in Alaska.
Caribou are a subsistence food for people living on the island, but their numbers have declined sharply. In 2002, there were more than 1,200 caribou. Last year, fewer than 300 were counted. The state has an unofficial estimate of up to 30 wolves.
In its letter, the Fish & Wildlife Service said it recognizes the urgency of the situation but is required to follow federal law when initiating new management programs on its refuges.
It also points out that the federal agency has been working with the state to better understand the biological factors in the herd’s decline since concerns were raised in December. To that end, it has issued permits to allow additional radio collaring and biological sampling of wolves and caribou, the letter says.
The federal agency hopes the jurisdictional issue can be resolved without going to court. If it can’t, maybe the court could resolve it “once and for all,” Woods said.

The arrogance of some people amaze me. You have to listen to Ashley Judd expel her vast knowledge on wolves and wildlife management. This woman is clueless to listen to her you would think the wolf is a helpless house dog I’ll never understand the mindset of gia worshipers . Wolves are far from helpless they are one of the most efficient predators on the planet earth. If Ashley and her cohorts up at the Defenders of Wildlife could only watch a pack of wolves take a moose down and eat it alive. Or watch a pack hamstring 10 or 12 caribou then eat 2 or 3 of them awhile the others are left to die. The second video is the Alaska answer to this nonsense.