Thank you Gov. Dayton

[Ufatz]

I realize many people here are not supporters of Gov. Dayton or his party, BUT you really owe him your thanks for a couple recent actions. One you already know about: his rejection of a legislators plan that would side-step the sportsmens legacy funding.

This week he backed his DNR by denying an appeal from the man who had been running a bear "research" program and wildlife viewing program from which he made money. The DNR folks had pulled the mans permit. The man and his supporters secured an audience with the Governor to seek a reversal of the Department. That would have been a serious slap in the face of the agency charged with managing and sustaining this states fish and game resources. The governor denied-thus backing his agency.

From my perspective the mans program provided no bear research that is not well accepted and well known and peer reviewed. He was learning nothing new scientifically and simply providing "entertainment" for some people. Worse, he was turning wild animals into pets and that inevitably leads to nothing but BAD things for the animals.

The Gov. backed YOUR department and you should thank him, regardless whether you have quarrels from time to time with DNR. Send a note to the Governors office.

[ozzie]

Yep Gov. Dayton stood behind the DNR...if you read the Star Trib artcle on this today I had to laugh at the researchers comments on that this is a terrible time for them to pull the permit as he is short on time and has alot of research to write books and that data is just now starting to flow on his research...what a nut!!!

[LindellProStaf]

Yup Kudos to Dayton. Also I feel Rogers is not only screwing up bears but is taking advantage of the people that think he is doing good for the bears. His misguided followers think it is cute to see him with the bears. I think they are some of the same people that want to "Save the Wolves". It is all to make him more money... Too bad.

[jerkbait]

Yep, I agree. This is the 2nd time I can give the Gov. kudos. I am glad he stood by the DNR on the issue. Now to see what a judge says. I suppose a judge will say that the DNR does have the right to tell Rogers what to do with wild bears. That would take the cake.

[Ufatz]

Based on my own past experience I am betting the judge will find the DNR has the constitutional and statutory authority to "manage, protect and propagate.....natural resources including bears." I would be surprised if a judge would find any reason to issue a temporary restraining order but it is always possible.

By the way, I don't necessarily throw the wolf protecting people into the same pot as the folks trying to protect this guys operation.

[thatoneguy]

Good job for sure.

[TylerS]

Good job, but such a shame that the DNR is now forced to pay to fight this battle. Dollars that could have been better spent elsewhere...like creating habitat for bears.

Obviously, Rogers would realize this if his intentions weren't completely self fulfilling and ACTUALLY for conservation...

[jerkbait]

Ditto!

[jarod duane]

So how would create habitat for bear? A Mature boar can have an very large home range 20-40 sometimes up to 60 square miles. Sows with cubs half that. deer I understand one can create habitat an hold deer on properties food plots, clear cuts ect..I guess its possible, Land set aside an so on but that's been done, state an fed. wildlife sanctuaries. The best thing that ever happened to the no quota region was the introduction of CRP in the late 70's early 80's hundreds of thousands of acres set side created a food chain effect with bear following an find adequate breeding an foraging potential. areas that were once void of bear are now teeming with a pretty dense population, an being so the DNR has reduce the 2 tag limit down to 1 this year, an I've no doubt some areas of no qouta will soon be come lottery. All in all its still a great victory. I hear what your saying thou, the money spent fight this should have been spent in other areas. maybe trying to undo the damage he did by influencing people with the teddy bear approach, getting into our education system an influence our young to for his own goals. I hope this stays done but I doubt it.