The rural legislators (Cowboy Caucus) have taken a lot of heat from the press on our criticism of the Division of Wildlife Resources wildlife policies. But, the same press is now reporting 30-plus elk starving to death above Salt Lake City in just one small area - and between 44 and 100 head trampled to death in a stupid accident in Uintah County.
We, the rural legislators (Cowboy Caucus), have been called "amateur biologists," "insensitive," "knee-jerkers," etc. But, we told you so, and it is sad you didn't listen.The habitat for the elk above Salt Lake City has been gone for 15 years, but no one listened to us as civilians, ranchers, farmers or legislators. We just got criticized.
An animal starving to death is a terrible thing. It weighs heavy on Utah's conscience. It weighs heavy on our consciences as legislators, and it especially weighs heavy on the conscience of the Cowboy Caucus.
We should have been more forceful, more demanding and more direct. We are the ones who understand animals, their needs and the consequences of mismanagement.
We let the press bump us off course - but never again. There are lots of alternatives to this problem, but having poor animals starve to death isn't one of them.
Met Johnson
New Harmony