Whooping cranes mean more than people.

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

The majority IS private dollars,

If the majority of support for restoring the WC is private dollars, then stopping the flow of tax dollars shouldn't hurt too much...

This does not need to be an expensive government program.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

If the majority of support for restoring the WC is private dollars, then stopping the flow of tax dollars shouldn't hurt too much...

This does not need to be an expensive government program.

LDWF budget is derived from the Pittman-Roberston Act, not general sales tax, and the pot of money is a designated pot of money. I also think some people read the previous comment about $1-2 million per bird and believed it

"The LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is working cooperatively with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Geological Survey, the International Crane Foundation and the LA Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to restore the whooping crane within Louisiana. Project funding is derived from LDWF species restoration dedicated funds, federal grants and private/corporate donations. LDWF’s budget for the initial year of the project is $400,000. The project costs escalate in year two and beyond as the project expands. LDWF estimates that it will be necessary to raise $3 to 4 million private dollars to help fund a portion of this 15-year project."

Not everything LDWF does involves things you can shoot or catch on a rod and reel. There is a whole division (Natural Heritage Program) that deals with the non-game critters. They have a herpetologist, a zoologist, a botanist, etc.

[Smalls]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

If the majority of support for restoring the WC is private dollars, then stopping the flow of tax dollars shouldn't hurt too much...

This does not need to be an expensive government program.

Neither does welfare, but it is.

There are already way too many cuts to conservation programs as it is. Are we only supposed to save species that are economically valuable? No. I'm not saying it should be the other way, either. Just because it doesn't have an obvious value, doesn't mean it isn't worth saving.

The whooping crane could do wonders for our ecotourism. It's just another piece to the puzzle. It's a species that can't be seen everywhere, just like many of our species down here.

DB already pointed out the finances of the program. If people don't like where money from taxes that are for the PURPOSE OF WILDLIFE RESTORATION are going, then don't buy a hunting license. This is wildlife restoration.

WHOA!!! Is that chick in the cage.....NAKED!?!?!?!