North American Wildlife Conservation Model (cont’d)

In the last blog we looked at the first two principles of the model. Today we will continue with the next five principles of the model.

3 Democratic Rule of Law

Today all users of our wild resources are governed by the democratic rule of law. All stakeholders in our wild resources have access to those resources within a framework of laws, rules, and ethics. Imagine how things would look today if the decision had been made to follow the European model where a select and elite few made the rules; often to the detriment of the public at large.

4 Hunting Opportunity For All

One option available to our forefathers was to ban hunting on any scale to allow wildlife to re-establish naturally. That tact would have ensured the endangerment of many species that we all enjoy today. Without the billions of dollars pumped into conservation efforts by hunters and fishermen wildlife conservation in North America would collapse.

Indeed it is this tenant that has encourages wholesale participation and financial contributions to wildlife management throughout North America.

5 Non-frivolous Use

Although somewhat subjectively interpreted in was the intent of the model to define non-frivolous use of wildlife as anything other than harvesting for food or fur, or for self-defense or protection of property. This ensured that wild animals could not be harvested on a speculative, for-profit basis by market hunters and that migratory birds could not be killed for a handful of feathers to festoon women’s hats.

6 International Resources

Wildlife doesn’t recognize borders: state, provincial, or national borders simply don’t exist in the world of wildlife. Those that developed the model realized that developing conservation concepts and practices in one region or country would have little impact once wildlife crossed a border into another jurisdiction. This understanding formed the basis of legislation like the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 1916. Without this international legislation many species of waterfowl would likely now be extinct.

7 Scientific Management

Fish and wildlife ministries throughout North America follow a methodology for wildlife and habitat management based on scientific research. This eliminates the potential for resources to be guided (or misguided) by emotion, rhetoric, and private agenda. Management of resources is, for the most part, objective and decisions made based on scientific study and evaluation.

This series will be continued and is proudly brought to you by www.distinctnorthernart.com . Visit us and browse our wide variety of original wildlife art and etched glass wildlife mirrors.

North American Wildlife Conservation Model (cont’d)

The model is built around seven guiding principles:

1. Public Trust
2. Prohibition on Commerce of Dead Wildlife (market hunting).
3. Democratic Rule of Law.
4. Hunting Opportunity for All.
5. Non-frivolous Use.
6. International Resources.
7. Scientific Management.

These seven principles conceived over 100 years ago underpin all of our modern day wildlife management and conservation laws, and guide the conservation ethics of all users of our wildlife resources. As we dig deeper you will see how these principles provide for the unbiased use and conservation of all North American wildlife and their habitat.

Shane http://www.conservationforce.org/directorsmahoney.html speaks eloquently and passionately as he discusses the “Seven Sisters (or Pillars)” of the wildlife model. So let’s examine each principle in more detail.

1 Public Trust

Because ownership of wildlife in North America is for the most part vested in various levels of government – who were elected as the direct representatives of you and me (the public) – all residents have a right to unfettered access to, and enjoyment of, wildlife.

The principle of “public trust” was adopted to ensure that wildlife on the North American continent did not fall into private ownership as was the tradition in most of Europe. In Europe most of the land and wildlife was (and often still is) owned by the aristocracy or very affluent. The average person was denied the right to hunt, fish, or even to enjoy the presence of wildlife.

I guess this denial of access to the public did serve as a form of conservation, but our forefathers were determined to establish a model that would ensure access to all.

2 Prohibition on Commerce of Dead Wildlife

Uncontrolled market hunting fueled by an insatiable public appetite for wild game is what, more than any other single factor, nearly led to the eradication of many wildlife species on the North American continent.

The adoption of stringent conservation laws, including the banning of “market hunting” ensured survival of the many wildlife species we enjoy today.

This series will be continued and is proudly brought to you by www.distinctnorthernart.com . Visit us and browse our wide variety of original wildlife art and etched glass wildlife mirrors.

What do you know about the North American Wildlife Conservation Model?

I attended a gathering of outdoor writers on the weekend and was privileged to have a chance to listen to a lecture given by Shane Mahoney; wildlife biologist; and crusader for sustainable wildlife management and conservation throughout North America http://www.conservationforce.org/directorsmahoney.html .

Early in his talk Shane mentioned the North American Wildlife Conservation Model and asked who was familiar with the model or the associated story. Now I tend to consider myself well studied in the field of sustainable wildlife and habitat management, but few, including me, had much knowledge of the topic at hand.

There in lays the problem. You see, every one of us benefits directly and indirectly from this model; in fact without it most indigenous wildlife species that we enjoy in Canada and the United States would have been obliterated before the start of the 20th century. That includes elk, pronghorn antelope, bison, deer, and many waterfowl species.

Of even greater concern is that it is very likely that our elected representatives in Canada – federal or provincial – also have no knowledge of the model, its ramifications, or the debt owed to all wildlife conservation organizations; particularly hunters and anglers. They must be educated! I only mention Canadian politicians because this is one place that the Americans are way ahead of us. In fact last August an Executive Order directly from President Bush for the facilitation of hunting heritage and wildlife conservation measures was given to federal agencies to review and enhance hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat: http://6fbd21e64bc817fd097aa54148bd3dab37bc10ee.gripelements.com/documents/whitehouseonhunting.pdf .

In short the model came about as a result of our forefathers concern over the rapid depletion of game throughout the North American continent. Like minded outdoorsmen – primarily hunters and anglers – became concerned over the wanton killing of animals (such as the decimation of buffalo herds on the prairies) and uncontrolled market hunting. At the forefront of this group was none other than Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier and President Theodore Roosevelt, who’s love of wild places ensured that wildlife conservation attained the prominence and importance that it deserved.

Prior to the development of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model there were virtually no laws governing the taking of game. There were no seasons, there were no penalties, there were no conservation officers, and there was an insatiable market for furs, feathers, and wild meat…certainly a bad combination for wild birds and animals.

Even though the model was and is driven by hunting and angling enthusiasts and organizations, every one of us reaps the benefits.

Stay tuned as over the next while I expand upon the model and the importance of drastically elevating the importance of wildlife conservation and sustainable management.

Sponsored by www.distinctnorthernart.com , where you will find unique original wildlife art that will enhance your outdoors lifestyle.

Ontario Family Fishing Weekend - February 23, 24

Ice fishing is a great way to get the whole family involved in an enjoyable outdoors activity. Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield has once again designated February 23 and 24 to be Family Fishing Weekend in Ontario.

The best thing of all is that for those two days no license is required allowing everyone to experience the thrill of hauling fish through the ice.

Sponsors of the Family Fishing Weekend include the Canadian Sportsfishing Industry Association, the Canadian National Sportsfishing Foundation, the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association, and Fisheries & Oceans Canada.

For more information about events that are taking place in your region check out the Family Fishing Weekend website at http://www.familyfishingweekend.com/ .

Stay warm and happy fishing.

Letters to Smed - The Ice Hut (conclusion)

Hey Smed,

Well I got the gear packed and just sipping a coffee waiting for Sam to show up. I promised him that he can check emails on the way up in return for leaving early...

"Sam arrived later that night and following the light of our lantern slipped his way across the ice to the hut. Being the perpetrator of the scheme to build the ice hut it was no surprise that he would not believe the evil that lurked within the thing and embraced it with open arms. There was an instant bond between man and hut as Sam gently caressed the dented roof.
All in all it was a good weekend although with the sudden drop in temperature the fishing activity followed suit. Memories of our trials and tribulations waned and, with lots of coaching from Sam, we even started to like the damn hut. That is until it came time to leave! You see, in his exuberance Smed had pushed wet slushy snow around the base of the hut when the temperature started to drop and the wind started to rise, to keep the wind out of the hut. Seemed like a good idea at the time but let’s see; -25 plus slush…hmmm…

You guessed it, Red-Green was frozen solid as a rock and refused to budge; again. Off we trundled to the cottage, returning a short time later manned with pry bars, ropes, and axes. The ice chips flew and the wood groaned but slowly the hut was extricated from the icy fingers that seemed determined to hold on until spring. Of course by now we were in the middle of a full-blown blizzard that rolled in suddenly off of Lake Huron. Man, we worked like dogs; pushing, pulling, prying, slipping, spinning our way back to shore. Finally with a final roar from the sled and one great shove Red-Green rested at the top of the slope, near the old outhouse. How appropriate!

The hut could give us no more grief now, yet if you looked closely I swear you could see the small windows narrow with a subtle demonic grin, and with one last puff of smoke we were left wondering what was in store for next year. Maybe we should leave well enough alone and turn it into a sauna."

Here he is now, guess we'll see you in a couple of hours. Is the hut out yet, or dare I ask?

Ed

copyright owned by Sleeping Dog Marketing

Visit http://www.distinctnorthernart.com/ for the most unique selection of original wildlife art anywhere.