Opinions & Editorials

The opinions expressed on MyOutdoorBuddy are those of the author and do not represent the opinion of MyOutdoorBuddy or that of the author's employer unless otherwise stated.

Trump Administration Dumps on Ca Salmon
by John McManus, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Sacramento Delta

Today, the Trump administration released a new proposal aimed at increasing water diversions from the Bay-Delta at the expense of salmon and the tens of thousands of industry jobs that depend on them. In spite of years of declining salmon runs and industry losses, the administration is saying the water diversion system that moves billions of gallons of Central Valley...
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The Blessings of the Wild Horse
by Marybeth Devlin, AUGUST 26, 2018
OPINION

Horses Are Native — Horses originated and co-evolved with their habitat in North America. Kirkpatrick and Fazio (2008) and MacPhee (2011) have shown that horses meet the criteria of a "native species." The word "feral" actually means "wild." However, "feral" is typically weaponized as an epithet. Approachability v. Domestication — Conflating terms that are not identical, such as "feral" with "non-native"...
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In Response to: "Feral Horses and Burrows: When to Say When"
by Marybeth Devlin, DECEMBER 6, 2017
OPINION

Arbitrary Management Level (AML): The number of wild horses "thought by BLM to achieve ecological balance" — 26,715 — is a political construct. BLM uses the AML to concoct the perception of a crisis. BLM must have a crisis. Why? Politically, agencies have to justify their existence. They must show they are needed. Nothing works better than a "crisis" to secure continued and even...
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Feral Horses and Burros; When to Say When
by Ben B. Hollingsworth Jr., NOVEMBER 30, 2017
OPINION

I was catching up on some news at my local coffee shop the other day. When it was time for a refill of my coffee, the server asked me to say "when" my cup was full enough. At the time, I was reading about how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Advisory Council was recommending new strategies for the reduction in the...
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The Forensic* Wolf
by Jim Beers, MAY 26, 2017
OPINION

*fo-ren-sic, adj. 1.pertaining to, connected with, or used in courts of law or public discussion and debate. 2. Adapted or suited to argumentation; argumentative. Seventeen years ago I was a whistleblower concerning the theft (or “diversion” for those that believe in bureaucrats and tooth fairies) of $45 to 60 Million in two years (1995 & 1996) by US Fish and Wildlife Service bureaucrats...
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Hold On To Your Wallet
by Jim Beers, APRIL 17, 2017
OPINION

The Headline says it all; “DNR wants increased fees”. Our “perpetual tax and spend” Governor and his DNR Commissioner “need” hunting and fishing license fee increases of 10 to 15% “to keep up with inflation”. Haven’t our federal politicians claimed there is no inflation, or is that just to keep us retirees from asking questions? So, “without the hike, the DNR will...
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