Dan Richards, Fish and Game Chief, Wants Everyone to Shut Up About His Cougar Killing

casper

another clown trying to compensate for something. and crooked to the core to boot.

CC Simone

Fire him. He can go get a job in Idaho.

We also need to fire the politians who are supporting this man's actions. Clearly they cannot be trusted, because they are trying to protect someone who so blatantly and arrogantly snubbed his job. It is an example of the "Good Old Boy" system in action. This is a clear-cut example of a coflict between his job and his hobby. Those of who work for the Government must sign a conduct agreement stating that our actions and professional behavior extend beyond the work place. Further, the examples given (gambling or driving a rented car) do not compare to the act of killing wildlife when that is what you are getting paid, and very well at that, to protect. There is a big difference between killing and playing slots. How can we trust this man to be doing a good job when he obviously does not believe in what he is doing. Please, immediately remove him.

Get Real

Being sure that a mountain lion is trapped in a tree by a pack of dogs, then shooting it with an overpowered gun, is not sportsmanship. Daniel RIchards is a pathetic ego maniac who has clearly demonstrated his lack of skill, morals, judgement and intelligence at so many levels -- he is not qualified to hold public office in California. If he really wants to show that he is "brave hunter", he could just go hunting with Dick Cheney!

guest

what a whimp!!!! I'll do everything in my power to see he loses his position.

coolm

Coward. As in anyone who shows violence to a defenseless animal in order to compensate for the fear that they aren't "manly" enough is one. Can anyone describe what makes dogs or cats any better, any more worthy of protection than mountain lions? If this were a dog or cat this pansy would be in jail already. And don't give me the argument that just because it's a "tradition" that makes it morally justifiable; slavery was a tradition too. Cowards.

Bob Higgins

I would have paid good money to watch the lion eat him.

Saturn2189

Wherever you stand on this issue, a couple questions. Have you ever come face to face with a Mountain lion out in the back country in Ca. They're BIG. Scary BIG. They WILL stalk you. They WILL attack you. They WILL eat you. You might want to think about that the next time you send your kids down to the bus stop. Or go for a hike out in the country. Oh, and by the way, they don't live that far out either. A big stick is just not quite going to cut it, people. You may want to look at this as a public safety issue. Where was Ben on the issue of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper being released after serving only 5 years of a 40 year sentence? Or why was Chelsea King's killer still out on the street? Did Ben, Gavin, or their 40 plus buddies in the California State Assembly call for any action against, any changes to, or any resignation from within the State of California Parole Board? And to Ben, Gavin, and the 40 plus members of the California State Assembly who are calling for Dan Richard's resignation. You are paid public servants. Don't you have anything better to do? Oh I don't know, like maybe balance the budget? Help to protect us from killers, kidnappers, and predators? Cut you Per diem? Increase your hours? Take a pay cut like the rest of us? Or, on you own time, when you're not out driving around in your state car, talking on your free cell phone, and wasting the taxpayers money; You could teach a kid to fish. Or maybe safely shoot, and (legally,) huntgame. Or maybe even how to protect themselves from being eaten by a Mountain lion.

Prissykitty

LETTER TO CFGC, AS THEY GATHER TOMORROW (ALSO SENT TO GOV, MR HUFFMAN, MR GAVIN AND NUMEROUS MEDIA OUTLETS)To whom it may concern: I am attaching a list of over 1500 signatures and comments regarding the unethical position of Mr. Richards as President Commissioner. I am also forwarding this to all members of the commission, the news media, the Governor of California and other representatives such as Lt. Governor Newson, and as many parties I may involve. We would like Mr. Richards to resign, as a gentleman. This is a position not for him, so after all the criticism, it would be the honorable thing to do. If not, we will pursue Mr. Richards termination. Best regards

Jeff

Over 200 mountain lion depredation permits are issued every year in Californina to kill problem mountain lions of which approximately 100 lions are killed yearly. Most are killed by professionals who are paid with State taxes. Guess he should have gotten a permit and killed one here so it wouldn't have been an issue and he probably could have been paid to do it.

Julian B Duron

Dan Richards, Fish and Game Chief, Nice Shot! As for all the liberal panty waists calling for him to resign, not all states have elected officials in State Assembly that walk light in their loafers. Get a grip of reality.

Sparafucile

Let's see ... by city-dwelling Gavin's logic, any CHP officer or DMV official who drives above the maximum California speed limit on the "no daytime limits" roads in Montana should lose his/her job, right?

And any DFG employee or official who engages in a lawful night-time hunt of wild boar in Texas should lose his/her job, too? (FYI: it is unlawful to hunt at night in CA, even for invasive/vermin/nonnative species.)

And those Oakland cops and Palo Alto Cops who have shot trapped and frightened deer and big cats should be commended?

Rjophd

It's rather unfair to Richards but I have trouble feeling sorry for someone who enjoys killing things so much.

raintoday

Hey, whithak30 (and others who think DR should follow CA laws in any and all states and countries he/she happens to go to) - do you follow all the laws that you don't agree with ?? or, worse yet, do you follow all laws without thinking, just because "it's the law" ?? As a citizen of CA, does that mean I follow CA laws when in other states (and ignore theirs when they conflict?) Come on - get a grip !! No, I don't like what he did - but it's HIS BUSINESS - if he demonstrates that he is not enforcing the laws of CA when he is here - then we have a problem - until then - he is doing nothing wrong (legally). Again - I'm a Democrat, mostly liberal (except when dealing with 'stupid') tree-hugger ....long list of 'sins' ... but too old to live in a (thought) box ....

Bill simmons

• It is absolutely appalling to call for the resignation of Commissioner Dan Richards off the CA Fish & Game Commission for exercising his rights as an American citizen What are the - 40 Democratic state Assembly member and the Lt. Governor thinking?I say shame on them for supporting such an outrageous attack on a fundamental right. As a former Yuba County Supervisor I was not aware I abdicate my ...Constitutional rights when I took public office. This issue is not about disrespecting California laws, its people or a disservice to responsible ethical hunters; it’s about another attempt to erode our Constitutional rights and free enterprise. I urge all of you to stand up for Commissioner Richards and let your State representatives know how wrong this attack Bill Simmons

krisfehr13

I'm not sure why anyone would want to hunt a cat. You can't eat it.

Seaside90245

people do eat them - have been for hundreds and thousands of years.

This is just the brazen, careless attitude I don't want on our Fish and Game Commission.

Seaside90245

so you don't want law abiding citizens on the commission?

madness

You left out his jab about thousands of Californians who go to gamble in Nevada. Do we damand our state legislators resign for that? I mean its illegal here right?

Waterman1234

Way to lead by Example Mr.

Waterman1234

I hope he gets fired for setting a poor example for kids. His job is to protect animals and not kill them with a gun. That is just chicken $hit. Plus to post this picture of himself on Facebook, like he did, is his own fault. If he wasn't such a bragger he wouldn't be in this sticky situation.

I hope they get rid of him ASAP. No wonder needs to be trophy hunting these days. These cougars are amazing animals and it's no fair fight against a gun. He probably shot this thing from his truck, lazzy A$$

Alfred

You know what is Chick S*&T is you F U K I N G Liberals Protecting an animal that instictively kills human beings... You people would not know the difference between right and wrong it is bit you on the A S S ! ! !

Jeff

His job is not to only protect animals, it's to manage them. Manage means to protect the ones which require it, reduce the population when needed, and whatever else is needed to help maintain a balance. Research the central flyway lesser snow goose as a prime example wildlife management issues. Under California mountain lion management approximately 100 problem mountain lions are killed yearly by professionals paid with your tax money. Emotion stopped hunters from killing mountain lions in California through prop. 117, yet it is still required. Most other States use science to manage mountain lion populations, allowing hunters to buy permits to kill the problem lions and adding revenue to the State.

.308

If he gets fired for being a poor example can we shitcan the NBA, NFL, congress, and state legislators?

Janet Weeks

I'd like nothing better than to see this idiot mountain lion murderer ousted and fast. He has no business representing the people of California with his unjustifiably cruel actions.

Jeff

What do we do with the professional hunters and others who were legally issued depredation permits and have killed over 2,000 problem mountain lions in California since 1990? Wildife management needs to be based on science and not emotion. It's reality, not fantasy.

Jack Hunter

I think hunters should unite and pay for him to have the opportunity to get another one.

Jeff

Let's just put him in charge of the California mountain lion depredation permit program. Ha!

Blackbart

I've labored long and hard for bread,For honor, and for riches,But on my corns too long you've tread,You fine-haired sons of b****es.

Fzepeda1

good job Richars...kill more and send them a plate...

Seaside90245

Stop the militant un informed "animal rights" people from BULLYING law abiding citizens. Animal rights groups are little more than HATE organizations. In addition they are hurting wildlife conservation because they do not base their decisions on Biology or science. Yes, I am a Biologist - we care about the population of animals, not a single animal.

MrEricSir

Can you explain then how what he did was good for the environment?

Jeff

If your typing here then I imagine your fully capable of researching wildlife managment and conservation yourself. Don't rely just on what others type here or say, the facts are out there. Read enough from multiple angles so you can develop a true, educated opinion, not based on personal emotion. A prime example is the central flyway snow goose, an easy starter for understanding the importance of wildlife management.

Seaside90245

yes - because the Cougar population has exploded since the hunting ban was started. Cougars are eating impacting the bighorn sheep negatively. MORE cougars are being KILLED by professional unters SINCE the ban than before. YES - cougars killing peoples pets, private stock and impacting people HAVE to be removed.so in reality - MORE cougars are being killed since the ban.

It COST A LOT OF $$$$$ to do this.

INSTEAD of raising $$$$ from legal permits to hunt them and have hunters do it.

WRONG policy all the way around - The ANTI hunting lobbies -- sold a bill of goods to the public about the VOTING of the law anyway.

mo mo mokie

The lions are coming to get you - city slicker who is clueless about biology and nature. Your ignorance is astounding!

mo mo mokie

Unsubstantiated BS.

Jeff

Since mountain lions in CA are protected, then obviously if there is enough food for them then the population will increase. Mountain lions require a large area to live and as they multiply they expand their range, eventually infringing on humans. If they aren't managed then they will evenually kill most of their main prey, deer and bighorn sheep, which will force the exteme cycle of self balance by enough lions dying of starvation until the few sheep and deer that are left can reproduce enough to support the reduced lion population. Through wildlife and game management we try to dampen these extreme cycles by trying to keep a healthy balance of all animals. By having a healthy and balanced population of prey and lions then we are also keeping most lions from eventually coming to look for food from us by eating our sheep, calves, or even ourselves. A similar example is how the population of wolves is finally decreasing at Yellowstone after decimating the elk at the park.

MrEricSir

Because I'm pointing out that your ideas about "conserving" nature were considered obsolete before you were born?

Seaside90245

now you sound like the Church arguing against Darwin

MrEricSir

It was considered science 150 years ago. Then again, so was phrenology.

Seaside90245

It is science, it is real, saying it isn't doesn't make it invalid or disappear.

It is as real as gravity and a round earth. Go ahead you can believe it, be brave.

again - science, let's all breathe it in together. namaste.

MrEricSir

Yeah, stupid autocorrect.

Pretending nature is like a zoo that humans need to "manage" is ridiculous. Nature takes care of itself. The idea that we need to go out and kill animals is a 19th century concept that hunters like to pretend is still relevant in order to justify their actions.

Seaside90245

why do you keep saying saying conversation?

Do you mean Conservation?

You are WRONG - Wildlife CAN be managed and pretty well with specific goals

of course nothing is perfect - but as far as using hunting for controlling populations and carrying capacity - it is the BEST method and very effective.

please take some wildlife management classes - like at say UC DAVIS.

Be aware - we are talking about Mtn Lions and hunting {killing} them or not hunting {killing} them. Under current California rules hunting is not ALLOWED by ethical hunters.

INSTEAD we { the taxpayers} are PAYING professional hunters $$$$money to KILL them.

it is a total waste and poor management

I don't know what else to tell you.

If you are just ANTI - hunting as a philosophy - that is your right. If you care about wildlife conservation and sustainability - then you are "pro-hunting" and just don't know it.

MrEricSir

I'm not changing the question, you just haven't answered it.

Here's the deal: wildlife cannot, by definition, be "managed" by humans. That's what makes it wild. Once you start bringing in 19th century ideas about conversation, your credibility goes out the window.

Seaside90245

All I can do is help you seek knowledge. why do you keep changing the question.

learn about wildlife Biology, diversity and the management.

If you are just against hunting - then that can be your opinion.

MrEricSir

So you admit you cannot answer my question?

Again, why do you reply if you are unable to say anything even remotely related to my post?

Seaside90245

Why do you resist being knowledgeable about Wildlife management, and the current Mt lion situation.

If you want to be an anti-hunter then just say that

Otherwise learn about wildlife management

by the way - being anti - hunter doesn't solve anything, at least if you eat, and live in our society

cars kill about 1,000,000 deer alone a year - oh yeah, no one wants to stop driving....

same old story

MrEricSir

You completely ignored my question. Why did you even bother to reply?

Seaside90245

because they are feasting on other species that we are trying to build populations of.

why not let science and hunters control the populations instead of professional snipers.

first of all no one is wanting to get rid of the cougars. allowing hunting ensures their numbers. But also we want more game species for hunters to hunt and eat. Free range, organic, sustainable, food.

WE ARE STILL KILLING cougars - just let the hunters do it.

MrEricSir

So then take a step back: why are there more cougars now than before? To put it another way, what -- before humans entered the equation -- were keeping the cougars in check? Why is letting nature self-balance not being considered?

____

In certain situations, as part of wider population control measure, animal culling would be considered beneficial to the balance of the various species and the environment.

MrEricSir

I'm arguing for neither because I actually give a shit about nature.

Seaside90245

you are arguing FOR killing cougars with professional hunters

& AGAINST ethical hunting by hunters

you choose buddy

MrEricSir

In other words, you can't explain how I'm wrong so you've resorted to calling me "dillusional" (sic). Great work buddy.

Seaside90245

so are completely wrong about this

what do you eatwhat is your entire existence based on

I now see you are completely dillusional

MrEricSir

The concept that killing is "conversation" was made up by hunters in the late 19th century. It's complete nonsense, they just wanted an excuse to kill.

Seaside90245

It is not morally wrong - it is morally correct if one is interested in sustainability and wildlife conservation.

MrEricSir

Who said anything about laws or science? We're talking about the fact that what he did was morally wrong and completely inexcusable, especially for someone in his position.