The Cougar Fund
  • Our Work
    • Education
      • The Cougar Fund has educational resources for a wide variety of ages and groups.

      • Wild Lives
      • Overview
      • Programs & Resources
      • Books & Videos
    • Science & Conservation
      • The Cougar Fund was founded to help ensure the conservation and protection of cougars.

      • Overview
      • The Cougar Fund & B-Wild Mexico
      • Protecting Females & Kittens
      • Conservation Research
      • Cougar Researcher Bios
    • Advocacy
      • Learn what is happening in your state and how you can help protect these incredible animals.

      • Overview
      • State by State
      • How to Help
      • Donate
  • About the Cougar
    • Overview
    • Family Life
    • Living with Cougars
    • Conflict Prevention & Coexistence
    • Cougar News
    • Historical Timeline
    • Books & Videos
  • About Us
    • Our Mission & History
    • Our Team
    • Programs
    • Policy Comments
    • Partners
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Gift & Estate Planning
  • News + Media
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Caring without Despairing

January 12, 2021/in Blog

Oh dear, you just received another ‘call to action’ in your mail. You want to help, you really do. You have written letters in the past, you have even gone to meetings where decisions are made, but does your voice ever get heard?

Honestly, it is hard to say, categorically, that the public comment system in most of the states where regulations are adjudicated, serves the fair hearing of diverse viewpoints.

Going to the meetings is so very important, but your preparation for the meeting is even more important, and that is the purpose of this blog.

When a decision is to be made about a wildlife regulation before an agency commission, usually appointed by the state’s governor, the options that are presented to them are the result of many weeks of departmental investigation, analysis, recommendation, and sifting through of written public comments. The general disposition of those comments, although all are kept on file, is that the main points are mined and tabulated and presented. We must always remember that this is NOT A VOTE. In state comments are prioritized, while out-of-staters, unless from bordering habitat, are usually viewed as ‘outsiders’. It does not matter how many people are passionate about a particular subject, be it for, or against something, the numbers, unless coming from the traditional constituency that funds wildlife agencies, rarely have an effect. In fact, any form letters that an organization sends you, that you simply sign, will only be counted as ONE public comment, no matter how many are turned in. Commissioners are probably not going to overturn departmental recommendations at a meeting, even if it is packed to the gills with advocates, especially if the regulation comes up once every three years and that is the only time they will see you. It is still important to be there.

Is there a better path forward? Well, let’s look at why there is such lopsided willingness to listen to citizens about what happens with wildlife, afterall, it is held in the Public Trust for all of us. It’s all about the money.

The system of funding of wildlife management agencies is based on three main sources of income. Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, federal excise tax dollars from the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts and a lesser amount from grants.

(It should be noted here, that while Pittman-Robertson money is raised through a tax on firearms and archery equipment, only 20% is the purchase of guns and bows used for hunting, the other 80% is hobby shooting/archery and/or personal or home security. However it is distributed according to the number of hunters in each state.)

There are a few states that have bountiful resources of wildlife and they have seen a definite uptick in interest in hunting, although there has been resistance from within the states to an increase in out of state hunting! Other states are seeing measureable drops in interest in hunting.

Knowing all this, where the money comes from, who gets heard, who doesn’t, we understand that it isn’t always easy to step up and speak out for the animals you care about. The Cougar Fund would like to help! If you would like to know more about being prepared, understanding state policies and procedures, gaining confidence to testify or write letters without relying on a form, please email us info@cougarfund.org. When there is a deadline for comment or a meeting looming, it can be intimidating, so let us help you get prepared ahead of time. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. We are happy to chat or zoom, or help in any way. You are important and together, the only limits are those of vision.

https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png 0 0 Penny https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png Penny2021-01-12 12:30:182022-10-03 21:39:09Caring without Despairing

Stay Connected

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 13
  • Shares: 2
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Wow! A high five to Wyoming Game and Fish for helping this young disperser quickly learn where NOT to hang out. The lion, that Mike Boyce our very experienced carnivore biologist, identified from size and behavior was taking cover in a well utilized public park, which is getting more and more use with longer evenings and melting snow. The lion was shooed from his hiding place into an area of wonderful habitat-riparian, cover, and food. We also have to commend the comments in the interview that highlight, not feeding deer, leashing pets when walking in the area, the rarity of attacks, the shyness of lions and their constant presence with no problems, their unpredictable birth and dispersal cycle, and the diversity of their diet, from deer to coyotes to porcupines. Strobe light deterrents were placed in potential future hiding places and Mike found no further evidence that the lion had returned. Thank you for your efforts to keep things WILD! ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Lion hazed from R Park

jhdaily-wy.newsmemory.com

By Billy ArnoldJACKSON HOLE DAILY A big, wild cat was hiding under a f
1 month ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

How cool is this? How long did it take you to find the mountain lion in this photo? Another example of animals co-thriving on the landscape. Food is central to survival, reproduction is central to continuation of the strongest of the species. Some eat vegetation, some eat meat, some eat a variety, but ALL are necessary to maintain the perfect structure of the natural world.

How cool is this? How long did it take you to find the mountain lion in this photo? Another example of animals co-thriving on the landscape. Food is central to survival, reproduction is central to continuation of the strongest of the species. Some eat vegetation, some eat meat, some eat a variety, but ALL are necessary to maintain the perfect structure of the natural world.Very Close Encounter...

In 15-years of living year-round in Montana, I had yet to spot a mountain lion. So, to capture images of one the past 2-days was very rewarding. To also spot a large bull elk within 5 feet of the cat was a special wildlife encounter I'll never forget! Strange thing is though, the elk didn't seem too concerned. It stood there for 10-minutes grazing, even occasionally making eye contact with the resting cat, then casually wandered off. Now the lion had just devoured most of a Bighorn sheep it'd killed this week a half-mile away, so it had a full belly, but the bull couldn't know this. Instead, I suspect the elk felt confident he could defend itself with its sharp antlers. The cat probably realized this too. Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range. Nikon D7200, Sigma 600mm, 1.4X teleconverter, tripod.
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 72
  • Shares: 7
  • Comments: 7

Comment on Facebook

Very easy!!

Under five seconds. I'm sure hes smart enough to find a smaller meal, one that won't kill him :p

Josh Ellis

2 seconds to find the cougar

About five seconds, if that!

It took less than 10 seconds to find themountain lion.

I love these posts but here's a real challenge. It's such a rush when you finally see the cat. m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=442895464547722&id=100064818157608&set=a.222353563268581&eav=Afbq65...

View more comments

Video image

Interesting, we've all seen our dogs chug on grass and waited for the inevitable vomit! Now (in spite of the dramatic music😁)we see a Florida panther doing the same. Dedicated panther biologist, Mark Lotz says "I have found plenty of scats with grass in them. More than what seems typical from just eating off the ground. I've also found vomited grass several times. Why do they eat grass? to aid in digestion, rid themselves of intestinal parasites, gain some nutrients" ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

EXPLORE

Our Mission & History
Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT THE COUGAR

Overview
Cougar News
Living with Cougars

CONNECT

Sign-Up for E-News
Contact Us
Volunteer
Employment

GIVE

Donate Now
Shop – Coming Soon

The Cougar Fund is 501(c)3 non-profit
EIN: 31-1796418
P.O. Box 122
Jackson, WY 83001

Signup for our Newsletter!

Photography & Video by Thomas D. Mangelsen and Wild Nature Media.
© The Cougar Fund. All rights reserved.

Enjoying without DestroyingFinding a home
Scroll to top