California Commissioner

[Arroyo]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 0.DTL&ao=2

[outlaw13]

Yeah this is some crazy stuff. I think there is already 2 other posts about the same thing.

[JCK]

You would think living in California, I would not be shocked but I read that in a paper couple days ago and was so ticked. How do we get the wackos out? How can we show our support for the commissioner?

[outlaw13]

I borrowed this from the other post. I hope that you don't mind Dale T. If you do let me know and ill remove it.

COHA's response

California Fish & Game Commission President Unfairly Attacked



The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) believes that Fish and Game Commission (Commission) President Dan Richards should serve the remainder of his appointed term even in light of the recent public outcry. Mr. Richard's legal hunting activities, while in Idaho, have no bearing on the execution of his duties in the protection of California's wildlife. The California Fish and Game Commission is tasked with the oversight of regulations which govern the hunting of game species in our state. We believe it is important that Commissioners who serve on this important body have a thorough understanding of the critical role of hunting in science-based wildlife management and the conservation of the wildlife in our state.

Mountain lion hunting is highly regulated and managed with the best available scientific data in many western states. Because of sound management practices, mountain lion populations are healthy and expanding and are in no way threatened. Though the outcry by animal-rights organizations to having Mr. Richards serve on the Commission is not surprising, COHA believes that he will continue to vigorously fight to protect California's wildlife, habitat and natural resources. Those looking to remove Mr. Richards from the Commission should focus more time and energy on helping California's wildlife not attacking a law abiding hunter and Commissioner.

Contact Us


California Outdoor Heritage Alliance
1600 Sacramento Inn Way, #232
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone 916-643-4607
Fax 916-643-4682
actionteam@outdoorheritage.org
www.outdoorheritage.org

[bowtech36]

nice good info borrowed outlaw.

[DirtAddict]

There's a call to action on this topic, on COHA's site. They provide a sample letter you can use to send to your assembly member. They also have the letter that several assembly members signed that requested his resignation. I am sorry to say (although I am not surprised) my assembly member signed this letter. His name is Jim Beall.

I think it is worthwhile sending a letter (or email) to your representative showing your support of the commissioner. You can use the sample letter COHA provided to make it easy.

Here's the link to the post. The links to the letters are after the text:

http://www.outdoorheritage.org/legislative.php#232

------------------------
Here's the letter I wrote:

Dear Assembly Member Beall:

I am writing to say that I am disappointed to see that you signed a letter urging California Fish and Game Commission President Dan Richards to resign. I ask that you to reconsider your position.

Mr. Richards’ legal hunting activities, while in Idaho, have no bearing on the execution of his duties as a Commissioner to act in the best interest of California's fish and wildlife resources.

Mountain lion hunting is highly regulated and managed with the best available scientific data in most western states. Because of sound management practices, mountain lion populations in these states are healthy and in no way threatened. In light of all of the very serious issues that currently confront California; I believe it is a misuse of time for the Legislature to expend resources on the removal of a Commissioner based upon a legal activity elsewhere.

I trust you can see that your original position was an emotional response, not based on sound science and policy. As your constituent, I ask you to please oppose the effort to remove Commissioner Richards from his seat on the Fish and Game Commission. Rather, I request that you spend your time focused on the many real problems currently facing California’s public.

[Dale T]

Glad to see it posted as much as we can outlaw13.

[Liz ODell]

I still can't get over how they are so quick to judge him for insulting the 'will' of the 'voters' but seem to have forgotten voters also voted to ban gay marriage and marijuana. So if the pots calling the kettle black then shouldn't any Assembly members in favor of either of those also step down? Just sayin'...................I have been trying to point that out but then people are so quick to think you're a bigot, I'm pretty far from ever being that, my problem is that I just can't eff'ing stand hypocrites. ESPECIALLY those in positons of power.

[outlaw13]

run for office liz. you seem to have more sense and know how than most anyways.

[Liz ODell]

shoulda went to more college...maybe if I'd spent my childhood wishing I was a politician instead of a horse...ha!

[Dale T]

This came from the Mountain Lion Foundation Review

UPDATE: California DFG Commissioner Richards


During the past few weeks, thousands of Californians and wildlife enthusiasts from around the country have told the state legislature to fire California Fish and Game Commission President Dan Richards. In January, Richards traveled to Idaho where it's legal to trophy hunt mountain lions, had a guide tree a cat for him to shoot, then shared photos online and bragged about his thrilling experience killing a lion (read more on the take action page).

This blatant disrespect for the people and environmental priorities of California proved once and for all this man has no business leading the state's wildlife agency. More, it shed light on a serious problem with the structure of the Commission.

What's Happened Since?

At the March 7th Commission meeting in Riverside, 4 of the 5 commissioners agreed Richards should not be their president... Richards was the only one who disagreed, go figure! Current policy says the presidency is given to the commissioner who has served on the board the longest. Richards stunt proved time-served does not equate to knowledge or identify the best person for the job, and this "presidency by default" setup is not working out as planned.

To rectify this problem, the Commissioners approved a new ongoing policy that will allow them to vote in their president and it will take effect at the next meeting (May 23rd in Monterey). Though this will not remove Richards from the commission entirely as many had hoped, his authority over wildlife management (and hopefully some of his ego) will be greatly reduced. This change to the presidency structure is a wonderful improvement and it will continue to help California's wildlife long after Richards disappears.

What About Getting Richards Fired?

The power to remove Richards from the Commission resides at the state capitol with the Assemblymembers and State Senators. It would take a majority vote from both entities to oust him. Assemblymember Ben Hueso was leading the push, but it soon became clear the time and effort would be better spent, not on this one individual, but authoring a legislative bill that would clean up the entire Commission and prevent unqualified folks from ever being appointed in the first place.

In his letter notifying Governor Brown of the upcoming legislation, Assemblymember Hueso notes the bill "will improve the standards and practices of the California Fish and Game Commission" including "a strengthened conflict of interest code" and urges the Governor to appoint only those "who will truly respect the principles of our great state's wildlife laws."

The Commission is a powerful entity. Appointing those who respect current laws and want to further California's environmental protections is a much-needed and welcomed change!

In a Nutshell...

While many may be disappointed not to see Richards booted from the Commission, these resulting policy changes will help protect California's wildlife and natural resources for many, many generations to come. This is more than we foresaw when that disgraceful photo hit the internet; but thanks to Richards' stunt, he will likely be the last California Commissioner with an itch to shoot a mountain lion.

MLF members and wildlife activists like you have been instrumental the past few weeks in sparking these Commission changes. Every single day our office receives phone calls, electronic comments, and is cc'd on letters to legislators demanding California's wildlife officials be held to a higher standard, and - in the words of Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg - this "jackass" Richards be the last of his kind on the Commission. None of this would have happened without your support and outrage, so please keep it up! Let us know your thoughts and comments, and keep MLF in the loop on your local mountain lion issues. We love working with you to protect the American lion.

[BOSS HOG]

god i hate reading that shit , ruins my whole dam day.....

[Dale T]

O it's not that one sided, only about 90% BS

[outlaw13]

Really makes you wonder what is in store for the future and it sure seems bleak to me.

[Yaak attack]

You CA. Residents need to write some letters. Get your local sportsmans associations to do the same. We must fight fire with fire, or overcome evil with good.