It went well, the first Governor's Wildlife Forum '94.
Gov. Mike Leavitt did a fine job. He was, to his credit, a perfect politician. He smiled, shook hands, told personal stories, joked, seemed interested and, above all, listened and responded in kind.The audience, a mix of different interests, asked a variety of questions, none too critical, most simply showing their concern for the future of wildlife in Utah.
They thanked him for having them, he thanked them for coming.
He opened by telling them that he had been advised that managing wildlife would be like riding a buckin' bronc . . . "and they were right."
And that he's found that government can only do so much, and that there's a difference in the perception people have of wildlife and all have placed different values on wildlife. And, he said, that what's needed is a good balance . . . "Not everyone will be happy," but that if everyone is just a little unhappy then that's good because is shows some compromise by all groups.
And, as he said, concerns from the audience showed this difference in values.
For the most part they centered on funding and the future.
Byron Gunderson, a fisherman and retailer, asked when wildlife was going to get its due respect, and when elected officials would stop putting the interests of other areas of far lesser importance over those of wildlife.
Kohn Smith, fishing shop owner from Logan, talked about the quality of fishing and suggested developing a fee to fish on quality rivers where fishermen could catch big fish.
Dick Carter, with the Utah Wilderness Association, asked that wildlife stop being looked at as a commodity to be killed or harvested, and stop "hook and bullet" wildlife management, but to care for wildlife for wildlife's sake.
Hal Black, a biologist, asked for a return of a Utah wildlife magazine to let people know what happening with wildlife.
Darrell Johnson, representing cattle interests, said the better he made his land, the more wildlife liked it, which meant more and more of his feed was going to support wildlife . . . which was a contribution many sportsmen failed to consider.
Towards funding, suggestions ranged from putting a wildlife tax on film, to a similar tax on all sporting equipment, to simply increase money from the general fund.
Non-hunters took offense at the suggestion they weren't paying their way.
Ted Stewart, executive director of the Department of Natural Resources, told them that until they did they shouldn't expect "an equal voice."
In all, about a dozen people got to stand before the governor and ask questions, along with a few live phone calls. Gov. Leavitt stayed an hour after the show closed and took a dozen or so more questions. Viewers were also asked to call DWR offices and offer views and suggestions, which they did, well into the wee hours. Calls continued to flow in Wednesday morning. In all, more than 800 calls were logged.
So now what?
From here the information is to be compiled, then condensed and presented in a report form to the governor. He then hopes to have a day-long summit with key wildlife types to review and plan strategy before the next legislative session.
All of this won't be easy, he told the group, and again said, no one will likely be completely happy when this "optimal" balance is reached.
The word "unprecedented" has been used by some to described this governor's forum. The only way this can ever be called "unprecedented" is if something good ever comes of it.
In nothing does, then call it a good old political rally, nothing more, where the governor, the good politician he is, picked up a few votes.