Evolution of My Ethic

Before taking any wildlife classes here at Clemson University I never really took my ethic into consideration. To completely honest I don’t think I even had an ethic that I can think of. From the time I was old enough to shoot a gun I would take backyard “hunting” trips and shoot at anything that moved with no regard to seasons or regulations. I knew the wildlife was important and I grew to appreciate my surrounds a little more every year older. Before I knew it was a serious problem I would probably have fallen into my hunting partners’ point of view, that ever famous whack’em and stack’em. I would have been all for pouring pounds of corn by the hundreds to take down a deer with little effort or fair chase in the laziest fashion, or pile corn for turkeys in April to assure a tom for that season. I hated fishing regulations (number and size limits). I saw nothing wrong with baiting a dove field or blasting them out of the skies by with 20+ per day and hiding a bag of my kill in the woods so not to get caught by DNR. I took no account of my actions. Looking back at my “ethic” I have to say that I was in a pretty crummy condition before here at Clemson. The new me and my new ethic is now ashamed of what I used to be. I whole heartedly believe in fair chase and equal opportunity for the hunt. I respect the wildlife and the land unlike ever before. I am willing to voice my ethic and put to shame anyone who thinks they can contest against any regulation or are above any law with the knowledge I have gained from the lectures of some of the best professors in this field.

Invasive Invasion

Armored Catfish

This article is an example of a reoccurring problem that many places face. This species of catfish is one that out grew it aquarium in a suburban home and instead of disposing of it properly it was dumped into a local river. Now this non-native and invasive species is causing severe damage to local water basins in Florida. Much like the pythons in Florida this is all because someone grew tired of their "exotic" pet. I feel that there needs to be policy in affect to prevent such things from happening. I realize it would be hard to enforce restrictions of buying or selling of these invasive species but I think that anyone who buys such an animal should be put on a list that keeps track of their use of that animal and that they do not improperly dispose of the animal and introduce them into our water systems. Non-native species are a huge threat to our environment and our native species. 

World Wide Energy Crisis

India Struggles to Deliver Electricity for Growth
In this article the author discusses how India is finding hardships in keeping up with the population explosion it is facing in this day and time. This is a common issue that many developing countries are facing due to a rapid growth in human population and very limited resources. As human beings we need to be more aware of our impact on the earth as a whole. What goes on in India will also impact people in America. Our constant strain on the planet's ability to renew its resources is putting a toll on the earth that it will not be able to tolerate for very long. While the point of this article is on India's attempt to keep up with it's growth I take this as a more global issue because we are putting too much stress on the planet. I know that is easy for me to say while I sit in my air conditioned house in summer or heated in winter watching my favorite tv show after a days work and other countries are struggling to even get a decent meal everyday or week, but what I take from this is the planet as a whole needs to come together on this matter and make a unified effort to solve these issues.

If Not Science then What?

               This Thursday I had the opportunity to witness policy in the making. It was truly one of the greatest experiences I have had the chance to be a part of despite the fact that I had the greatest fear I have ever felt at the end of my experiences. I have always been curious as to how policy is made and on Thursday March 29 2012 I saw exactly how it is made. It is made with a complete ignorance of the facts. Senator Knotts of Lexington county proved without a doubt that the people who get the final say the final vote do not care about the science that is researched by biologists to get facts on things like diseases and effects of overpopulation on the environment and that it is instead uneducated people that makes law. I was honestly furious at the lack of professionalism of the senators during the hearing as one was texting or on the internet on his phone most of the time and others were not paying attention unless the person speaking was in favor of the decision the senators had already made before stepping foot into the room. Dr. Lanham presented the senators with enough scientific evidence in a well organized and well thought out manor that I felt a rock could have been swayed into an educated decision to be for the passing of the bill which was to outlaw the baiting and the taking of deer over bait in the upstate of South Carolina game zones 1 & 2. Due to a rather suspiciously large loophole found in the current law allowed the taking of deer over bait just not the baiting, and yes the term bait does include protein pellets DNR since you never answered the question the  Senator from Charleston posed,  Senator Knotts continually showed his ignorance with statements like "Chronic Wasting Disease is all the way out in Missouri why should we be worried about it here", and "I have killed many wall-hangers over a corn pile in the day time those deer aren't going nocturnal." My question for the senator is how can a man that is so hard headed and so obviously ignorant honestly think that he knows better than the research that professional biologist have worked to obtain?
               The impression I got from this hearing is that the people who are making the laws for our wildlife vote in such a way that they will be able to do what they want when they want without limitations. This is a scary truth that was revealed to me in this experience. Something else that was revealed to me is that you can try an educate someone to the fullest of your ability but those who choose ignorance will never be taught. One issue that was brought up was how can the government tell a landowner they cannot put corn out on their land they pay taxes on. At a firs glance, a blind man's glance, this seems to be a real issue, but saying that would be the same as saying its legal to sell drugs or kill another human just as long as it is done on your property. It is ill thought out statements like these that power our policy. The words that made the most impact at this hearing were those of non-educated statements. They were of those that had no scientific evidence. Words that had no reason to have an influence, but because those words followed the decision the senator had already made practically nullified any scientific attempt that was made that morning.
               I am sorry to say that the system is not fair. I am disgusted to say that irrational decisions are made to supply the here and now. Most of all I am fearful for the future of wildlife management if things continue down the path I saw on this date. Do not be surprised if your great grandchildren have to go to a zoo or worse a museum to see the last white-tailed deer in North America. With the lack of scientific policies being made this is the exact direction our natural resources are headed.

Food for Thought

I do not have an article for this entry, this is just something I have thought about and I have had on my mind. I like to think of myself as a conservationist but in a way that benefits not just wildlife but mankind as well. I am all for saving a species from extinction or moving towards clean energy to prevent climate change, but I have often though "what if this species is supposed to die out?" What if by preventing the extinction of a species we are instead of helping the environment by restoring the numbers but are actually causing harm by not allowing a new species to come in or an evolutionary divergence to occur by keeping a small amount of genetic information around in an areas they harshly but honestly no longer should be in? Darwin and Wallace came to the conclusion of evolution and natural selection many years ago, before any type of conservation efforts were put into place and now it seems the main goal of any environmentalist is to maintain what we have now or go back to how it was at X time period. My thought is how can new genetic material be formed if we do not allow some to completely disappear. I am not saying go out and kill all the polar bears or death to endangered species, that is not at all what I am talking about, but I am posing the question for discussions sake what if the plan, the environment's push for new genetic material, the path nature has been on for millions of years is for these species we strive so hard to keep alive or restore are supposed to die out. As Aldo Leopold talks about in his encounter of a green fire in the eyes of a dying wolf, the species and the environment surrounding knows whats best not us. Like the title suggests, its just food for thought.

Deer Management Problems are Everywhere

In this article the problem with deer management in Wisconsin is addressed. The density of deer is too great in the majority of the state. Policies are in the process of being made for these over populated areas to reduce the numbers to healthy levels since the total population is estimated at 44% higher than the state's goal. Some of the states zones are below the projected population levels but I feel that the greater problem that has a greater need to be addressed is the over abundance of deer in the rest of the zones. Studies have shown that populations above healthy levels are detrimental to not only the species health but also to other species in the area the deer are in. The local DNR big-game ecologist suggests that they look at each zone individually and deal with them separately for management so the levels can be individually handled. I somewhat disagree with this idea. I feel the best way to deal with population problems is to look at land and environments as a whole. Deer do not see boundaries as we do. They do not have zones they do not have boarders. I say this as a South Carolina citizen which I know we have all sorts of problems with our populations with the lower state baiting, lazy in my opinion, and management "techniques" such as bag'em and tag'em and brown is down being practiced throughout the state. In order to bring populations to healthy levels I feel very strongly that one policy practiced by a state or environment as a whole needs to be put into place and be strictly enforced.

Positive Move for Bears

Bear Conservation

Recent studies are showing that the population of black bears in Florida is on the increase and getting back to stable numbers due to management plans enforced by The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This group has put their policy on bears in place with the help of the locals and in my opinion can attribute a lot of the success of the program to the help of the locals. The bear population has increased in from just about 300 bears total to now around 3,000 bears. I think this shows the importance or rather the impact local peoples make on the formation and the success on policies. Without the support of the people the bear population may be completely wiped out in Florida by now considering the total population in Florida has increased from 750,000 people in 1914 and is now roughly 17 million and the bear population is the same estimate of 3,000 bears due to the management and protection policies established for the bears. The commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated that the focus on management of species along with the massive increase of human population. So as the human population increases the risk to the wildlife in the area also increases but it is our responsibility to take this into account and make sure we do not push our wildlife into extinction and the human population pushes to develop and industrialize the animal habitat.

The "Jumanji Effect"

Warm weather wreaking havoc
This year has been one of the most unusually warm winters on record. While the spring like weather has been a nice treat for most people this warm break posses a problem for the surrounding wildlife. The warmer temperatures have brought many hibernating species out of their winter retreats too early and they are paying visits to the local homes and towns. These animals who typically do not wake until there is a source of food available are now having to venture out in search of something to eat. This frequent sightings are causing a panic and an uprising for a solution. The animals are responding to the warm climate expecting it to be spring because after all they are unaware of a time frame that we as humans establish and are only respond to the climate. I feel like it is the responsibility of the local natural officials to educate the the general public on why these animals are out and about this time of year and what they are in search of instead of letting their imaginations run wild. The weather has effected everyone in some way but the more dangerous aspect is the lack of food either now or later when the food has been consumed because the animals have been eating for a longer time period than normal. I would hope that people will be willing to get involved and be more aware of the increasing stress these animals are facing and not add to the stress.

Speed up the Endangered Species Act

Adding to the Endangered Species Act.
When I first started reading this article the first thing that came to mind was that is was a great thing to be happening for the protection of these three species. They were recently listed as endangered species which directly puts them under the protection of the ESA and only makes sense for them to be more closely monitored and more heavily restricted from non-permitted use. However, thinking about it more in depth I kinda got a sinking feeling that it is good news covering some disturbing news. These animals were put on the endangered species list in 2005 and were not and will not be fully protected until, as the article states, 90 days after the new rule's publication which is not until April 4, 2012. Now I am all for the regulation and management of endangered species by local farmers and ranchers, I mean after all it is their property, and the captive breeding of zoos, but if an animal is placed on the endangered species list and therefore protected by the ESA I would like to think the protection and regulation of permits, laws, restrictions, and other legalities should take place a heck of a lot sooner than seven years. I for one as I said fully support all farm/ranch conservation and by no means wish for these people to have their land taken from them or to be told what they can and cannot do with their land now that a species is under the ESA. The Endangered Species Act is in place for a reason and that reason is to protect and to help bring the species on the list up to a healthy population and in turn get them off the list and I do think that sometimes it can be over used like in the case of a tiny useless fish halting the construction of a dam but it is in place for a reason. I would like to see the ESA and the species newly added to it to be enforced more rapidly because when a species is listed that means it is in danger and seven years is a long time when it comes to the well being of whats left of an entire population. I guess I am petitioning/advocating, which I know I shouldn't be doing, for a more fair for enforcement of the ESA for both the animals and the potential human interaction that will take place like in the case of these three African antelope that way as Gifford Pinchot would say, the greatest good for the greatest number for the longest amount of time.

Problems with Pythons
The Burmese Python has become a huge problem in the Florida everglades. This is a non-native species that has been brought to the everglades by people who thought this would make a great pet for their home not realizing that the python grows to up to 26 feet and a massive 200 pounds. These "pets" are cast out by their owners long before they reach these sizes because they can no longer house the massive size of the snake. Once they are thrown to the side they flourish in the hot humid climate the Florida everglades has to offer them increasing in size on the occasional snake of the family cat or dog, even alligators and some reports of children. In my opinion the government needs to step in on this growing problem with the population estimated to about 1,900 pythons as counted by the National Park Service. Regulations need to be set for restricting the sales of the python to anyone not accredited with the proper licensing like a zoo. Without government control and policies set in stone I feel like the problem will continue to grow into an uncontrollable level that is on the brink of throwing the ecosystem of the everglades into a downward spiral. These snakes are single handedly decimating the population of many small and even medium sized mammals. As stated in the article linked above this entry the populations of the opossum, raccoon, and deer have dropped off to more than 90% of the typical sightings and bobcats are down below 80% typical sightings. This obvious threat to the delicate ecosystem that is the everglades needs immediate attention and it all starts with government stepping in and putting a stop to the import of the python. Only once people stop abandoning their pet pythons in the everglades can they then be managed and hopefully permanently removed from the everglades and the natural balance be restored.

Halt to Conservation Efforts
In an article posted by CBS news the attempt of restoring a lost Atlantic flyway of the Whooping crane has been stopped because FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) says it is an illegal payment or employment of the pilots to guide to cranes to their wintering destination. The rule stats that only commercially licensed pilots can be paid to fly any form of aircraft and the pilots being used to fly the sport aircraft have the license to fly just such an aircraft. That is the rule placed by the FAA to prevent businesses and charities from flying clients on risky planes as the article puts it which does make sense, but having said that I think it is a sad day when a conservation effort is halted because of some rule implied to prevent passenger transport on risky planes. There are no passengers on this flight the only person on the aircraft is the pilot who is guiding the young cranes down the path of the flyway to be established. This to me shows the big business' attitude towards wildlife and conservation efforts. They show little importance to the efforts to restore this species to healthy levels. The group responsible for the attempt to restore the flyway (Operation Migration) has put in for  a waiver allowing them to pay the pilots for their time to continue the journey but the FAA has stated that it will more than likely not be examined or considered until after spring which will delay if not completely miss the time they cranes need to leave for their journey back north. The FAA has once again shown us how little they care about the world of wildlife conservation in their lax approach to looking at a simple waiver that will in no way delay them in their other tasks. I think this is a reflection of what the majority of the world's out look on wildlife conservation is at this time. Unless someone has a background or interest in the subject it usually gets passed up as not important. I think that this shows us what people think about the efforts to restore species populations as it only matters to "tree hugers" or naturalists and they have little to no importance to the economy and is therefore not important. The fact that efforts to restore a population of an endangered species and an extinct flyway have been stopped because of a regulation that really does not apply to the situation and could easily be back on track by simply passing a waiver is very disappointing as well as disturbing.

Wolves in Yellowstone

CNN:Brad Lendon, Wolves in Yellowstone

Brad Lendon from CNN news wrote about the contribution to the ecosystem of Yellowstone that the wolf brings with its return. With the reintroduction of the Gray Wolf to the Yellowstone area they brought with them a balance to the ecosystem that was once lost. I think this is a good example of how past unregulated hunting or extracting still affects our world to this day. The idea that the wolf was a nuisance to livestock and killed off the grounds for this reason shows the great need for management or conservation efforts. This relationship between wolf and environment reminds me of what we have in the southeast with the coyote. Sure it attacks and kills the white tail deer which angers pretty much any and all deer hunters and has lead to a kill on site management plan, but what if the coyote is the only thing keeping the deer population at a healthy level. Too many deer lead to over grazing and the starvation of not only the deer but other species that eat the same things or that live in the cover that is under the browse line. Growing up on a farm and being a hunter I can see how coyotes can be a nuisance but at the same time I can look at the coyote on a conservationist level and see that maybe they are doing more good than bad on a larger more long term scale just like the benefit found with the presence of the wolf in Yellowstone.