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Is publishing names of those who kill the animals harassment or an attempt to foster a dialogue?
BY ROGER PHILLIPS - [email protected]
Copyright: ? 2009 Idaho Statesman
Is publishing names of those who kill the animals harassment or an attempt to foster a dialogue?
Rick Hobson, a Boise wolf advocate, used a public records request to get the names of hunters who reported wolf kills to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Hobson posted 122 names and bought a classified ad in the Idaho Statesman that directed people to a Web site.
He said harassment was not his intent.
"I certainly hope that doesn't happen," Hobson said.
But Robert Millage, Idaho's first successful wolf hunter, said he's been dealing with harassment since he killed a wolf on the opening day of the season in September.
The Kamiah man's name and a photo of him holding the wolf was published in newspapers, magazines and Web sites - some of which listed his home address, e-mail address and other personal information.
Millage countered with a Web site of his own to show some of the thousands of angry e-mails he's gotten. Some describe him as an "inbred hillbilly," a "sick killer" and "pure evil."
"I definitely went on the offensive and made it known to the media the dark side of the enviros," he said. "It helped back them off."
Hunters should be aware that by participating in hunts, they're entering into the wolf debate, Hobson said.
"They're paying for the privilege to use a resource that belongs to all of us," Hobson said. "They've made a conscious decision to do something that other people in this state disapprove of."
Idaho Fish and Game requires successful wolf hunters to report a kill within 24 hours. But the purpose of those harvest reports is to provide biological data to manage animals, not force hunters into a political debate, according to John Hendley, a hunter from McCall.
"I have some concerns over the safety of the individuals listed," said Hendley, who didn't harvest a wolf last year and isn't on the list.
"What (Hobson) is doing is legal on one hand, but immoral on the other."
Ed Mitchell, information supervisor for Idaho Fish and Game, said the agency has received a few complaints, but had no choice but to release the names.
"We understand the concerns, but under state law, and upon request, we have to give up the names," he said.
Fish and Game provides no other information about the hunters and plans to add a disclaimer in the next hunting rules booklet that warns people that their names may be released.
Hobson knows what it's like to have his private information in the public arena. Hunters retaliated by putting his name, address and other information on a pro-hunting Web site. It was later removed, and Hobson said no one has contacted him.
"I'm pretty sure the person who put (up) my contact information was doing so in the hopes that I would be harassed," said Hobson, who wasn't sure if he would continue to publish the list.
"The thing for me to do at this point is wait and see what happens and take actions accordingly," he said.
Millage, who bought a 2010 wolf tag, said his recent notoriety hasn't deterred him from hunting.
"They think if they put people's names out there and stop a few people from hunting, they feel like they've won," Millage said.
Hendley, who said he has contacted the governor and state legislators about changing the law to keep hunter harvest reports private, agrees.
"Hunting is a privilege I have earned," he said.
Roger Phillips: 373-6615
http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/1060333.html?storylink=omni_popular
Donnie
http://elk101.com/
BY ROGER PHILLIPS - [email protected]
Copyright: ? 2009 Idaho Statesman
Is publishing names of those who kill the animals harassment or an attempt to foster a dialogue?
Rick Hobson, a Boise wolf advocate, used a public records request to get the names of hunters who reported wolf kills to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Hobson posted 122 names and bought a classified ad in the Idaho Statesman that directed people to a Web site.
He said harassment was not his intent.
"I certainly hope that doesn't happen," Hobson said.
But Robert Millage, Idaho's first successful wolf hunter, said he's been dealing with harassment since he killed a wolf on the opening day of the season in September.
The Kamiah man's name and a photo of him holding the wolf was published in newspapers, magazines and Web sites - some of which listed his home address, e-mail address and other personal information.
Millage countered with a Web site of his own to show some of the thousands of angry e-mails he's gotten. Some describe him as an "inbred hillbilly," a "sick killer" and "pure evil."
"I definitely went on the offensive and made it known to the media the dark side of the enviros," he said. "It helped back them off."
Hunters should be aware that by participating in hunts, they're entering into the wolf debate, Hobson said.
"They're paying for the privilege to use a resource that belongs to all of us," Hobson said. "They've made a conscious decision to do something that other people in this state disapprove of."
Idaho Fish and Game requires successful wolf hunters to report a kill within 24 hours. But the purpose of those harvest reports is to provide biological data to manage animals, not force hunters into a political debate, according to John Hendley, a hunter from McCall.
"I have some concerns over the safety of the individuals listed," said Hendley, who didn't harvest a wolf last year and isn't on the list.
"What (Hobson) is doing is legal on one hand, but immoral on the other."
Ed Mitchell, information supervisor for Idaho Fish and Game, said the agency has received a few complaints, but had no choice but to release the names.
"We understand the concerns, but under state law, and upon request, we have to give up the names," he said.
Fish and Game provides no other information about the hunters and plans to add a disclaimer in the next hunting rules booklet that warns people that their names may be released.
Hobson knows what it's like to have his private information in the public arena. Hunters retaliated by putting his name, address and other information on a pro-hunting Web site. It was later removed, and Hobson said no one has contacted him.
"I'm pretty sure the person who put (up) my contact information was doing so in the hopes that I would be harassed," said Hobson, who wasn't sure if he would continue to publish the list.
"The thing for me to do at this point is wait and see what happens and take actions accordingly," he said.
Millage, who bought a 2010 wolf tag, said his recent notoriety hasn't deterred him from hunting.
"They think if they put people's names out there and stop a few people from hunting, they feel like they've won," Millage said.
Hendley, who said he has contacted the governor and state legislators about changing the law to keep hunter harvest reports private, agrees.
"Hunting is a privilege I have earned," he said.
Roger Phillips: 373-6615
http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/1060333.html?storylink=omni_popular
Donnie
http://elk101.com/
