Lock-out used for wolf plan protest
Oregon cattlemen take lead
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
August 1, 2007
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is supporting a statewide private land-use-lock-out launched by its Wolf Task Force Committee who is inviting all property owners, livestock producers, hunters, and agriculture and natural resource organizations to sign up and join in with the Oregon Ranch Rescue project.
The association has been active in the wolf issue for nearly a decade, but finds the wolf management plan adopted by the state unacceptable.
According to the association, “We spoke out very clearly against the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan because it violated property rights and offered no reasonable control of wolves.”
The association noted: “As wolves come into Oregon, and property owners exercise their right to protect their property, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Wildlife Commission will make criminals out of law-abiding citizens who refuse to stand back and watch their livestock be torn apart by wolves and other predators.”
“Who will stand up for our property rights? We will and we must.”
Thus, the Oregon Ranch Rescue project is a proactive campaign to close private land to any public entry with the intent being:
1. A protest of the agency for not following its own polices, mission, and goals.
2. Protecting the wolf’s wild prey base in anticipation of their arrival in Oregon.
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