Quote:
Originally Posted by MathGeek
Many of the points made above could be used to support ANY restoration program for ANY species at ANY cost.
Questioning how much a given restoration program costs is not the same as wholesale opposition to conservation and restoration programs.
Another way to frame the question might be to ask, "What fraction of LDWF expenditures should go to programs for species that do not generate any revenue and that no other species (including humans) depends on?"
I don't think many sportsman would have a problem with 5-10% of the total LDWF budget going toward programs for these species. However, most sportsmen would agree that most of the proceeds from license sales and taxes on sporting equipment should go to programs that have more tangible benefits for the species that are more commercially and recreationally important, including habitat protection and restoration efforts from which commercially and recreationally important species benefit.
Figuring out to protect all marine species (incl. red snapper) from explosive well removals seems like a higher priority than spending $15,000 for a reward for a dead Whooping Crane.
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I guess its too bad that the Louisiand Department of WILDLIFE and FISHERIES doesn't just cater to hunters and fishermen.
These numbers are old, but wildlife-watching related expenditures were $517 million in 2006. I'm sure those numbers have gone up since we have seen an uptick in the number of OOS people wanting to go on Alligator tours and ecotours in general in the last 5 years. Hunting expenditures were around $975 million, and recreational fishing around $1.7 billion. Like I said, these are old numbers. I can't find anything more recent.
But that doesn't change the fact that they are not just a game agency, but Wildlife and Fisheries as a whole. $517 million is not chump change.
Also, I believe license sales go into the general fund (pretty sure I heard that once), which is not where these funds came from.
Again, the taxes on fishing and hunting gear from pittman-robertson are for Wildlife Restoration. The Act is called the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.
What the heck do you want them to use P-R Funds on? This is what they are meant for! And from the sounds of things, its not even a large portion of, since some of the funding has come from Private Interests as well.
By the way, who
actually depends on ducks or deer? And don't tell me guides do, because they are a very small segment of the working population and could probably easily find work somewhere else. I know a few guides that don't even do it full time.
Here's a great question for all you nay sayers: Did anyone read where that $15,000 came from?
"Organizations and individuals contributing to the reward fund include the Humane Society of the U.S., the Louisiana Operation Game Thief Program, Dr. Ben Burton, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, the Animal Welfare Institute, Operation Migration, the International Crane Foundation, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Audubon Nature Institute, Lowry Park Zoo, Zoo New England, King White and anonymous donors."
"LDWF’s Operation Game Thief program is offering up to a $1,000 reward for any information about this illegal shooting that leads to an arrest."
Only $1000 of that is being offered by LDWF. A little fact checking goes a long way!