Pantheraman
Well-Known Member
Now this is a topic I've talked about before, and am a pretty big advocate for. And I also know that at first glance, it probably seems pointless to think about the idea of reintroducing cougars to the eastern US given all the damage the federal government has done to conservation already. For those who don't know, several US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service employees were unjustifiably laid off in the name of "removing waste". Not only that, but a rather controversial character, Brain Nesvik, has been nominated to be the director of the USFWS. And unfortunately, all of this is just the beginning of more conservation degradation.
However, there is a light here: Cougars aren't an endangered species, meaning they aren't under federal management, rather their management falls under the states. This in turn means that any cougar reintroduction effort in the east would be a state-driven process. Even better, it also means the states could do this without basically getting permission from the USFWS.
That being said, the obvious question will come up: "How will this be funded?"
Most of us here know how state wildlife agencies are funded, with the sales of hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and from Pittman-Roberts fund along with Dingell-Johnson funds. However, more funding won't hurt, and more importantly, state wildlife agencies are almost always underfunded and have become more dependent on state general funds which can lead to state politicians having more control over them. The wildlife agency of New Hampshire is facing a funding shortfall, and it also just happens to be a state a cougar habitat suitability study identified as having pretty suitable cougar habitat. : Fish and Game director warns budget cuts would carry ‘direct negative impacts’ on services • New Hampshire Bulletin
Along with New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont also seem to be the best states to reintroduce the big cats in, so how can we help fund the agencies for cougar conservation? Well, here are some ideas:
The states can create a specialty stamp and a specialty license plate to boost funds, and in the future, a cougar permit could be sold to houndsmen to chase cougars. The agencies could sell merchandise both online and in physical stores.
There is one idea I have that might be the last thing one would think of for boosting wildlife agency funds: running events.
Running events are hosted all across the country and are a great way to raise funds for certain causes, and I think the agencies could use these to raise funds for cougars.
But in the end, these are just my thoughts, what do you guys think could be used to fund cougar restoration in the eastern USA?
However, there is a light here: Cougars aren't an endangered species, meaning they aren't under federal management, rather their management falls under the states. This in turn means that any cougar reintroduction effort in the east would be a state-driven process. Even better, it also means the states could do this without basically getting permission from the USFWS.
That being said, the obvious question will come up: "How will this be funded?"
Most of us here know how state wildlife agencies are funded, with the sales of hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and from Pittman-Roberts fund along with Dingell-Johnson funds. However, more funding won't hurt, and more importantly, state wildlife agencies are almost always underfunded and have become more dependent on state general funds which can lead to state politicians having more control over them. The wildlife agency of New Hampshire is facing a funding shortfall, and it also just happens to be a state a cougar habitat suitability study identified as having pretty suitable cougar habitat. : Fish and Game director warns budget cuts would carry ‘direct negative impacts’ on services • New Hampshire Bulletin
Along with New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont also seem to be the best states to reintroduce the big cats in, so how can we help fund the agencies for cougar conservation? Well, here are some ideas:
The states can create a specialty stamp and a specialty license plate to boost funds, and in the future, a cougar permit could be sold to houndsmen to chase cougars. The agencies could sell merchandise both online and in physical stores.
There is one idea I have that might be the last thing one would think of for boosting wildlife agency funds: running events.
Running events are hosted all across the country and are a great way to raise funds for certain causes, and I think the agencies could use these to raise funds for cougars.
But in the end, these are just my thoughts, what do you guys think could be used to fund cougar restoration in the eastern USA?
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