HUNTERS & FISHERMEN PAY - BUT NO PLAY
by Jim Foster
A known fact that has been around for quite a while is that hunters and fishermen were the first conservationists and remains so today.
Millions of hunter’s and fishermen’s self imposed tax dollars have been used to purchase and operate the National Wildlife Refuge System. These taxes were not forced on sportsmen but were taken on gladly in order to provide for the collective good.
It is a shame the people charged with the management of these “public lands” have a hard time grasping the facts of who paid for what. Of course we know the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has become a “politically correct” bureaucratic agency having within their ranks the anti-hunting crowd. Maybe, just plain lazy might be a better nomenclature.
Now, I don’t want to be excessively hard on these people but a glaring example might be the small number of hunting days and hunters allowed on the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR). And, there is no fishing on the refuge proper.
Saying there is fishing on the refuge because the USFWS “leases” a strip of land to a county park does not mean there is fishing “on” the refuge. It is at best this is misleading information at worst a downright untruth.
A bit about fishing. The LANWR has mile after mile of bay waters that would be excellent wadefishing water. However, the refuge management has refused to listen to suggestions on how this water could be used for additional recreation. One reason given is that anglers would trash the shoreline. I walked this area last March and the whole are is littered with trash – who did this? With no fishing allowed the answer is NOT fishermen.
Bad excuse, so where are their clean up crews?
A few parking areas and entry points would provide fishing to hundreds of people and maybe justify the taxes they paid on their fishing equipment. I have offered to show the refuge how this could be done at very little cost but have hit a stonewall, excuses and more excuses. Being a bird watcher as well as an angler I can’t see the conflict.
The hunting year in the state of Texas begins September 1 and closes near the end of February with only a few exceptions that adds up to approximately 181 days Texas hunters may hunt and fish for a combo license fee of $60.00.
On the LANWR, the total numbers of days hunters may hunt is a whopping 22 days – that’s total. Wow, and that includes the two bow season held in December and January. Many hunts last only 2 days and the cost for any portion of these 22 days, is $60.00.
These minimal hunts take place on over 50,000 acres of the refuge that would support many more hunters and a larger number of animals killed. It would seem there is no actual management been done here.
Throughout the NWR System, excellent opportunities exist for sportsmen to pursue waterfowl, big game and much more.
Hunting is a popular public activity on refuge land and a practical means of maintaining optimal wildlife populations. This has led the USFWS to manage land to produce and maintain wildlife populations that will support the sport – or so they say.
It is also nationally recognized by the USFWS, that hunting is an important wildlife management tool on refuge lands. It is a real stretch to think 22 days of “low results” hunting opportunities will accomplish anything.
Now, as I have said not all refuge management exhibits this type of negative refuge use. I experienced a positive attitude when I visited the Brazoria NWR, near Houston and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah where waterfowl hunting is not only allowed but also promoted.
The federal taxes are being paid daily but the rewards in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas are almost a moot point. It’s time for a change.
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
