Utah off-road group vows to fight closure of government land.

Here is the AP article.

The article says the “president of Americans with Disabilities Access Alliance, is looking for a crowd of off-roaders to drive . . . “

The idea is to get some tickets and challenge them in court, but I want to comment on another aspect of this.

For years, off-road vehicle activists have tried to use the disabilities laws, which in my opinion are good and important laws, to bootstrap their way out of regulations to protect the land, the wildlife and other users.

The point needs to be made clearly that being lazy, unfit, outdoors incompetent and fat is not, and should not be a disability for these purposes.

They should waddle their way up to Factory Butte on their own two legs. If you need a wheelchair, fine, but not wheelchair that is really an ATV.

Added on Oct. 16. I’ve found no news about their protest. Maybe it fizzled. RM

Guest post on Freudenthal to Idaho: Ban game farms

“Buffaloed” asked if I would post this. Buffaoled puts two issues together in way that makes sense to me.

Ralph Maughan
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Freudenthal to Idaho: Ban Game Farms

While I agree with Wyoming Governor Freudenthal’s call for closing of game farms in Idaho it reminds me of this article from back in January of 2005. When Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana called for Wyoming to close elk feed grounds Freudenthal’s spokeswoman, Lara Azar, responded this way: “While the governor appreciates the advice, he thinks that Gov. Schweitzer should concentrate on Montana.”

Bison plan draws mixed reviews

Maybe Freudenthal, before asking Idaho to close its game farms, should take a hard look at how Wyoming’s feed grounds have affected surrounding states, and will likely affect surrounding states when Chronic Wasting Disease infects those very same feed grounds where it would likely go on to infect the many ungulates that call Yellowstone National Park home. He should also realize that elk infected with brucellosis, from the high concentrations caused by Wyoming feed grounds, have also infected Idaho cattle resulting in Idaho losing its brucellosis free status.

Researchers Detect CWD in Heart Muscle of Elk and White-tailed Deer

This is from a news release today from the University of Wyoming. It is interesting that the rouge prions don’t show up in in the hearts of mule deer.

There is of yet little evidence that CWD can jump from cervids to humans like mad cow did from cattle to humans. Nevertheless, I would be reluctant to eat venison from Wyoming or Colorado.

News release