A Deadly Thanksgiving Weekend Planned For Wolves And Other Predators In Idaho
Posted November 25, 2009 in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Grab your distressed prey call and serve yourself an extra helping of manliness at your Thanksgiving feast, it's Idaho Predatory Derby time, baby!
Yeah, that's right, the 5th Annual Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Idaho Predator Derby is set to kick off in two days.
So forget about football, leftovers, and full-contact shopping, it's time to slaughter some wolves, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats.
This event so greatly exceeds the bounds of ridiculousness, it's tough to write about it with a straight face (my face, which you can't see, is filled with both fury and hilarity).
I love to hunt, and I can't wait to spend my Thanksgiving morning on an island in Montana's Madison River hunting ducks. But as a hunter, this Predator Derby is unrecognizable to me.
The Predator Derby is about organized competitive killing, not hunting. And the sponsors, organizers and participants will do a great job of trashing the name of hunting along the way.
The rules are quite simple: each team tries to kill as many predators as possible in one day. Points are awarded as follows: 2 points for each coyote, 2 points for each fox, 2 points for each bobcat, and 3 points for each evil, Satan-loving wolf. The team with the most points wins (with heaviest weight breaking any ties).
The entire impetus for the Derby stems from a hatred of predators (even though, ironically, predators such as wolves greatly benefit the ecosystems they inhabit).
And, speaking of the Predator Derby's sponsors, please check them out here.
Are you as shocked as I am to learn that Cabela's is a sponsor? Cabela's is the "largest mail-order, retail and Internet outdoor outfitter in the world." It should know better than to sponsor a wretched event like the Predator Derby. On the Conservation Partners section of its website, Cabela's states:
Like Cabela's, these organizations are dedicated to conserving the fish, game and wild places that are our heritage.
Really? Does a dedication to conserving fish, game and wild places translate to sponsoring a full-fledged predator slaughter?
As a national leader in outdoor sports, Cabela's should be ashamed of itself, and it should revoke its sponsorship.
An event like the Idaho Predator Derby is a jarring reminder of why NRDC's work on behalf of Northern Rockies wolves is so vitally important.
Tomorrow, somewhere between my morning duck hunt and my third slice of pumpkin pie, I'll give thanks for the return of wolves to the Northern Rockies in the past fifteen years.
And then, thinking about the Predator Derby, I'll give thanks for America's legal system and our lawsuit that seeks to restore Endangered Species Act protections for Northern Rockies wolves.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoy the cranberry sauce, and let loose a little howl for Northern Rockies wolves tomorrow.
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Comments
Jezika Johnson — Nov 28 2009 02:44 AM
I agree with you completely. Not only is it hurting what they call their conservation efforts, but when it comes down to it, all this derby is is pure slaughter for sport.
It's outrageous the ignorance these people possess. I think you pretty much covered most of it, and well at that. We need the northern rockie wolves back on that list before history repeats itself...
dave guttormson — Dec 9 2009 06:33 PM
wow, that sounds like a pile of fun. wish i could make it but its to far for me to go. guess i'll have to pile the fur up here near home
Chris Lyon — Dec 10 2009 07:41 AM
These thigs you call predators are hurting the farmers and land more than you know. You say you like to duck hunt, well what do you think raids ducks nests and takes the eggs? Who knows maybe you live in a perfect world. You should also ask some of the livestock farmers on how they feel about the tournament. I bet 9.9 out of 10 will tell you that if this tournament wasn't around they would have a lot less success during the calving season. Pull your head out of your ass and take a good look at what this tournament is really doing for the group/communiuty. Who spends money when they come to the town? The hunters do! Who supports the local buisnesses and charities in the area that are selling things? The hunters do! So until you take your blinders off and go hunt it for yourself, only then you can ridicoul something that has brought far more money in one weekend to an area than you and your buddies ever will in a lifetime!!
Jerry Hunsley — Dec 10 2009 09:01 AM
You just don't get it do you? The first time one of your children gets attacked by a wolf or coyote, I'm betting the shoe will be on the other foot. Look what just happen in Canada. Wake up you Moron.