From The Comments: February 2022 - Volume I, Episode 1
A monthly series gathering and sharing the most valuable takeaways from the comments sections of IdahoWildlife.Org and our various social media channels
It won’t be news to anyone when we say the modern digital world - especially social media - can be a double-edge sword.
The way we see it, enhancing hunting and angling opportunities, influencing public land management, strengthening fish and wildlife populations, expanding public access and conserving habitat isn’t enough.
We’re committed to supporting, enabling, educating, engaging and often inspiring our supporters with timely, informative and often fun content for our supporters.
Nine times out of ten a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer is a superior way to sort through respectful disagreements or brainstorm potential solutions than across the world wide web.
But, Idaho’s a big, wild place and face-to-face interactions can be tough sometimes.
Great conversations, connections and educational moments can and do occur in that deep, dark hole otherwise known as the comments section.
That’s why in our new series, ‘From The Comments’ we’re cherry picking the most valuable questions, and IWF’s candid responses from the last month.
You know, just in case you missed it the first time. “One more time, for anyone in the back,” as the kids say.
Here’s February, 2022, ‘From The Comments.”
NOTE: Out of respect for the original authors, the following comments, and responses, have been edited ONLY for grammar, punctuation and clarity. All original questions and responses can be seen in their entirety and within the entire context of the conversation with the links included directly below.
Muddy Waters - LSRD dam removal logistics
Comment: “They (dam removal advocates) won't have to live with the floods and big messy mud hole it would leave. Remember the drawdowns? What a muddy mess. Contaminated mud doesn't grow anything, no nutrients. Or they are going to leave the sticky mess behind. there are many miles from Lewiston to the coast all a muddy mess.”
IWF Response: These are not flood control dams and the “muddy mess” can be dealt with quickly. Engineers disagree. With a robust project it wouldn’t take long at all. It’s worth it to keep Idaho’s fish from extinction. We can do hard things. It’s less complicated than putting a man on the moon.
From: https://www.facebook.com/IDWildlife/posts/4875025779240738
“You Need To Focus On the Predators….” - salmon/steelhead predation
Comment: Really need to focus on the predators that have been introduced into the system. I mean, seriously, no other river that had the dams removed has had any change in returning fish runs. Can anyone answer why not??? Don't get me wrong, I am all about salmon and steelhead, I fought to keep the walleye out of the Columbia River but nobody wanted to hear it.
IWF’s Response: IWF successfully lobbied for an amendment to the Marine Mammals Protection Act, allowing for the lethal culling of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). However, other tributary's fish, like the Yakima, John Day, Deschutes, all enjoy sustainable smolt to adult return ratios above 2% (which is needed to sustain a population), while only Snake River stocks are below 1%, a path to extinction. Those other rivers go through the same gauntlet of predators as Idaho's fish, which is how we know they are not causing extinction elsewhere, however we do support culling those populations.
From: https://www.facebook.com/IDWildlife/posts/4843508069059176
“Life is about significantly more than salmon” - fish and dam services
Comment: Life is about significantly more than salmon. If people think breaching the dams is a good idea without considering all the other problems that breaching will cause, we will all pay the price. Before there is enough fish recovery to matter, the effects of overpopulation/climate change will negate the short lived gain. Meanwhile, all the others dependent on the dams, from grain farmers to people using electricity will suffer. In the Klamath basin fish populations have plummeted due to decreased water flows and warmer waters. Wells are running dry there. If you Goggle "effects of climate change on the Columbia River", you will see that all predictions are scary for people as well as fish. Man is destroying his home and most natural life with it. It's almost too late. Just like the movie "Don't Look Up".
IWF’s Response: We understand the issue. We are paying the price now, literally. The Lower Snake Rivers Dams are losing money and shipping through them has declined 80% never to return. The free market has abandoned them and taxpayers are left holding the bags and a system that’s only good for killing fish. Replacing the 4% power they supply for Bonneville Power Administration is relatively easy and replacing grain transport is even easier. We can do hard things worth doing.
From: https://www.facebook.com/IDWildlife/posts/4843508069059176
Why An Independent Commission, Anyway? - IDFG Commission vs. legislation
Comment: “If you talk to Commissioners and Commissioner candidates, you will learn the selections can be incredibly political and not always made with the intent of the Commissioner system. I also believe that, for the most part, the system works as it is supposed to. Sometimes certain individuals and responsiveness to sportsmen are very frustrating.
IWF Response: “It can be frustrating. But when I hear some people say they'd rather elect commissioners... Well, then we get money for campaigns involved, and monied interests want VERY different things done with wildlife and hunting opportunities compared to the average sportsperson. I personally think the last thing we want is a political, partisan, industry/money backed commission.
From : https://www.facebook.com/IDWildlife/posts/4834452059964777
“Why the Thumbs Down? If…” - nuance if support vs. opposition of legislation
Comment: Why is it a thumbs down on the archery equipment bill if “IWF does not hold an official stance” on the issue?
IWF Response: it’s a thumbs down because the issue of lighted nocks and mechanicals - like all similar regulations setting - should go through the commission and negotiated rulemaking, which provides a yearlong, robust public participation process. That way many more sportsmen can weigh in and we can get some official data on support/non-support. It’s more of a technical opposition: we just support more public input.
From: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Caas7-MArZK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Commenting On: https://idahowildlife.org/news/with-hb-507-politics-are-creeping-further-into-hunting-regs
That’s all for this month. Please be sure to follow IWF on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to get the news Idaho sportsmen need to know.
Public comment not for you? If you have a question, comment, or concern you’d like to share directly and/or privately with the Idaho Wildlife Federation, we encourage you to contact Communications and Outreach Coordinator Daniel Ritz at DRitz@IdahoWIldlife.Org .
NOTE: The comments and the responses listed above and within ALL of Idaho Wildlife Federation’s platforms are taken seriously and offered for the purpose of engagement and education. We intend this series to showcase the best opportunities for enhancing the sporting opportunities and the health of the sporting community.