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EDITOR:
Once again the California Department of Fish and Game has done its job within the guidelines of the law and using judgement as issued by certified wildlife biologists, and not the arm-chair, bleeding heart, no subject knowledge, judgemental finger pointers. Mountain lions are opportunistic hunters, but without discretion. Cougars will kill anything eatable, and first target the largest of choice regardless of condition. To state they only kill the weak or sick is totally incorrect. Nature is not a Disney movie. The life of a wild predator is simply kill or starve. Ask Barbra Showner; oh, that’s right we can’t, she was murdered by a Cougar while jogging in Auburn Lake Trails. She was found with hair from the Cougar imbedded in her knuckles from fighting for her life.
There will be no gap in the depredation population of Rescue because of the now missing cougars. All the other cougars, coyotes, and bears will gladly fill in.
The DFG does a very good job in protecting wildlife and humans from each other. Their management is based on case history of good results. I commend their action in the case of the marauding Cougars. Past generations culled back the populations of predators such as bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes for a very good reason, they and their livestock were being killed by them. I can remember when there was a bounty on cougars in California. Cougars kill a deer a week on average, and countless other wildlife. They are mainly responsable for the major deer population decrease in California since the passage of the idiotic moratorium on the killing of cougars.
The Gerkin family has every right to protect their lives and property. Animals are here for man’s use, and not to be placed on a higher importance level than people.
GARY MATSON
Placerville
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
Dave in KelseyOctober 26, 2012 - 1:00 pm
Gary, I am NOT a bleeding heart tree hugger. Given the pictures and video from the newscast, it didn't seem they were too concerned about protecting their livestock. A 4 foot fence and a hot wire that wasn't in use is not enough to protect your animals. A using a mule or donkey for coyotes might work, but a full sized lion? Good Luck with that. Given Gerkin's statements, behavior, and lack of protection, it was a very easy conclusion that he wanted revenege, not protection for the rest of his animals. If he wanted protection, maybe he'd be a little smarter. No one is saying mnt lions aren't dangerous. They are opportunests. If there is a goat behind a 8 foot fence and a real livestock guardian this present, do you think the lion will go for that goat or the one that the Gerkin's had? Oh that's right... it's the law. Thank God common sense isn't required these days. We'll just fall back on the law and excuses instead of personal responsibility.