Montana Kaimin
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Ravalli Republic
Associated Press via Flathead Beacon
This time of year you see lots of writers reflecting on what happened during the year just ended, but how hard is it to look into the past and be a visionary? Being a forward-looking sort of guy, I prefer to look ahead and predict what will happen instead of looking back to predict what did happen.
As far as wildlife and outdoor issues in the New West, and in particular to the subjects I've covered in my column, I predict the following will be the biggest stories of 2007--and what will or will not happen in the coming year.
You've probably heard about people who never do today what they can put off to tomorrow. Well, I've been guilty of that of late. I’ve been putting it off for months, but I finally made myself go back and look at my new year’s resolutions, posted precisely a year ago, to see how I was progressing in my self-improvement efforts. And it seems like a good time to make a few more resolutions that really matter for 2007.
First, as promised a year ago, here are last year's New Year's Resolutions for Fun Hogs and my truly honest status report.
As I'm sure many of you have noticed, NewWest.net has engaged readers who take the time to make excellent comments that frequently add value to stories. This week, I read through the hundreds of comments I've received on my weekly columns this year and picked out some gems worth repeating.
The hard part was narrowing down the list of insightful, well-written comments to a manageable size. Even though there are obviously many more comments worth repeating, here, in chronological order, are some of my favorites from a whole year of Wild Bill columns. Enjoy.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall.
What is the most pro-wolf state of them all?
What state has done more for wolf recovery than any other? What state made it possible to have twice as many wolves than even avid wolf fans expected? What state wants the feds to keep the wolf on the endangered species list for years longer than expected. What state prevented state agencies from unleashing aerial gunners to kill more than half of the wolf population? And most of all, in a wolf lover’s dream-come-true, what state is making it possible for the wolf to expand its range into Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Utah where it will be considered endangered for many years into the future?
My answer might surprise you.
All the testing and re-testing has been done, finally, in the aftermath of the Great Elk Escape, and the Idaho Department of Agriculture, regulatory agency in charge of the investigation, has determined that one of Rex Rammell’s elk definitely carried red deer genes.
The State of Idaho has ordered that single elk, a live cow that did not escape, “destroyed, neutered or removed from the state,” according to Ag Department spokesman John Chatburn, and that order is “currently being accomplished.”
Last week, the old purple Congress did something unusual. They actually worked on Friday. December 8 was the last day of the 109th Congress, so I guess it seemed like they should actually do something. Our political leaders passed a tax extender bill with a load of riders and earmarks on it. One rider banned fossil fuel leasing on public land on the famed Rocky Mountain Front in west central Montana, which is great news for anybody who enjoys outdoor activities on the Front.
Immediately after passage, the main ball carrier, Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) had this to say: “We finally got it done,” Baucus proclaimed in an interview with the Associated Press. “We finally protected the Rocky Mountain Front forever. Thirty years from now, our kids and grandchildren will thank us."
Yes, Max, I’m sure our grandchildren appreciate what we will not do to the Rocky Mountain Front, but we still have a lot of work to do. We have not saved it forever. Not yet.
11/22/2008 - 9:00 AM - Venue: Christ The King Church
11/22/2008 - 11:00 AM - Venue: Chapter One Book Store
11/22/2008 - 11:00 AM - Venue: Missoula Children's Museum
11/22/2008 - 12:00 PM - Venue: Washington Grizzely Stadium
11/22/2008 - 12:00 PM - Venue: University of Montana
11/22/2008 - 12:00 PM - Venue: Zootown Arts Community Center
11/22/2008 - 2:00 PM - Venue: Montana Natural History Center
11/22/2008 - 6:30 PM - Venue: Cryder Home
11/22/2008 - 7:00 PM - Venue: Chapter One Book Store
11/22/2008 - 7:00 PM - Venue: Stensrud Building
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jedediah Redman said: "Wow! Ann, your intutive intellect is probably without parallel."
Dewey said: "I am of the opinion that Pine Beetle epidemics come, and PIne Beetle epidemics go , but they come a lot faster and further in…
Mike said: "Well said, Michael. It's a Montana trait to be generous and give people the benefit of the doubt. However, to grant that magnanimity to exploiting,…
Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! said: "Dear Rslug, you seem to be suggesting that PUKE (PERC) is an organization worthy of respect. Why? Methinks that you're clueless. Or, maybe it's rich…