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Sunday, May 25, 2008 2:07 AM MDT

DAVE PAULI
Perspective

On May 31, a Colorado group calling itself the Prairie Dog Posse will hold its fifth annual "There Goes the Neighborhood Prairie Dog Hunt." Since Colorado bans this type of contest kill and organized contest shoots are not permitted by the Bureau of Land Management on federal land, organizers will move across the border to Wyoming. On private property outside Medicine Bow, thousands of prairie dogs will be killed and horribly wounded by high-powered bullets in what is the lowest form of competition.

Macabre prairie dog contest kills are nothing more really than blood-stained frat parties n with tiny animals mowed down for the "fun" of it, ha-ha -- just look again at the name of this spectacle. Compounding the absurdity, Rambo wannabes will compete this year in a "sniper shoot" to see who can kill the most prairie dogs from the greatest distance.

The winners are those who can produce the most number of "tails." Real sportsmen, eh?

Prairie dogs are what biologists call a "keystone species," which means that they contribute to the ecosystem disproportionately to their numbers, and their removal causes greater environmental damage than may be apparent at first glance. Several environmentally important predator species depend on prairie dogs for food, including foxes, badgers, hawks, golden eagles, and endangered black footed ferrets. The burrows themselves, which can stretch for a hundred feet or more, play an important role in loosening and aerating the soil.

Surely by now, we all understand the intricacies of the natural web of life. And everyone except the most blindly callous can grasp that the prairie dog, although only 14-inches tall, suffers the same as a housecat or a toy poodle would if hit by a bullet.

For those who want to pay closer attention, they should consider that prairie dogs are vulnerable to a number of flea-borne diseases. When a large number of animals die suddenly, as in a killing contest, these insects leave the carcasses and migrate to surviving prairie dogs, increasing their flea load. In this way, prairie dog shoots increase the risk of wiping out entire communities of animals.

Boy, what fun!

Oh yes, and then there’s the collateral damage. A study conducted by Wyoming-based researchers and published in the 2007 issue of the Journal of Wildlife Management found that 87 percent of prairie dog carcasses shot with expanding bullets, the type used in contest kills, contained detectable levels of lead. These carcasses are typically left where they fall, to be devoured by scavengers, in whose bodies the lead builds up over time, potentially poisoning them. Beyond that, thousands of lead bullets are left lying on the ground after a prairie dog shoot to leach lead into the ground and poison the groundwater.

But even if killing prairie dogs in this contest format were not so obviously ecologically reckless, we as a culture know that how we treat animals -- yes, get ready for it, this goes for prairie dogs too -- is a measure of our humanity. Sitting on a bench all day, not even standing up, with the goal to vaporize animals into "red mist" reflects one of darker sides of human behavior, a side that should have exited a century ago when we banned competitive events like shooting of captive pigeons as an Olympic sport.

Rejecting these contests in which humans kill for a laugh, in which cowardly "snipers" collect tails for trophies does not even require anyone to decide whether they love or hate prairie dogs.

It just requires compassion. Or common sense. Or a commitment by states like Wyoming to join its neighbor Colorado and put an end to bloodsports that have no place in the 21st century.

Dave Pauli is the Northern Rockies regional director for the Humane Society of the United States.


		When you're rich, you can dream

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Comments to this story.

Chip wrote on May 27, 2008 10:21 PM:

" Dave, thank you for a very enlightening article. I can remember as a teenager, my brother and I used to go out and shoot, what we called digger squirrels back then. That was many years ago, but I still feel regret, because we didn't need them for food, and we were ignorant of the consequences within the natural world. We left the bodies, but there were some who disappeared into the hole, probably wounded, and died a slow death. That was 35 years ago.

Now, instead of more responsible attitudes toward the senseless killing of innocent animals, there are people making money off the "sport hunts", by selling and promoting guns, ammunition, permits, contests, prizes, etc. The glorification of such heartless and cowardly "hunts" is based on greed and ignorance. But there comes a point where greed and ignorance should not be tolorated. So, I hope the government agencies of WY. will take your very articulate and persuasive article under consideration. "

Tim wrote on May 28, 2008 4:13 PM:

" "Dave Pauli is the Northern Rockies regional director for the Humane Society of the United States." - Tells you everything you need to know right there. Why don't you (Dave Pauli) tell us what you think of hunting as a whole. Your not just against prairie dog shooting but want to do away with all hunting. Prairie dogs is just the first step and then they will go after our elk, deer and antelope hunting as well. He doesn't care how much the hunting revenue means to the state of Wyoming, as long as all that evil hunting is stopped. Prairie dogs, elk, deer and antelope hunting is all the same to him, EVIL.
Chip and Dave must want to see your taxes go up! As ranchers will want compensated for the lose of land and revenue if prairie dogs are allowed to go unchecked. For those of you that think stopping the shooting will save your precious rodents, you are really kidding yourselves. If ranchers can't have people come onto THEIR lands to keep the rodents in line, then most will take matters into their own hands and wipe out the colonies all together.
Hey dave, how's the new wolf season going? Why don't you tell us some more how good the wolves are for Wyoming. At least you made it so we can shoot them without leaving the state. Thanks man! "

claimbuster wrote on May 28, 2008 6:19 PM:

" Mr. Pauli is very careless in his citation of so-called facts. The reference to the article in the Journal of Wildlife Management (2007) is incorrectly quoted. The correct statement is "87% of prairie dogs shot with expanding bullets contained bullet fragments", NOT detectable amounts of lead.

With such obvious carelessness, how much of the rest of Mr. Pauli's letter is just plain wrong? Mr. Pauli, if you are going to make such broad statements at least do all of us a favor and get it right. "

Digger wrote on May 28, 2008 11:14 PM:

" Tim, why would you think the cessation of prairie dog shooting would automatically lead to the opposition of hunting elk, deer, and antelope? I have heard this ridiculous argument before. First of all, prairie dogs are not shot for food, they are shot for sensationalized "entertainment." Who really buys the "helping out the ranchers", argument. WE all know there is nothing altruistic about blowing small animals into bloody pieces.

Claimbuster, talk about grasping at straws to try and discredit a very knowledgeable and informed individual. Recently, there was a clip on the national news about golden eagles and other raptors, being treated for injuries after accidents, such as being hit by cars or landing on power lines. They found high traces of lead in their systems, which could have contributed to lose of balance, eyesight, etc. Since these raptors feed on smaller animals, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get the correlation. "

Tucker B. Casper WY wrote on May 29, 2008 1:05 AM:

" Dave Pauli speaks for many of us here in Casper. Compassion and common sense are not qualities you'll find in the good ole boys that participate in this so called "hunt". Note how many excuses they come up with to justify their mental disorder. Rabbit holes are far more dangerous to step in. Believe me, it's happened to me. Prairie dog mounds aren't designed the same way. They go in at an angle. What kind of human being can call this a good time? Not someone I want to live near. This is cruelty at its worst and it must be stopped. This is 2008, not 1908. Prairie dogs are really neat little animals and it really ticks me off to think we live in a society that condones this crap. Awareness of cruelty to animals including "precious rodents" is what this state needs. I've heard that prairie dogs are as loveable as cats, rabbits, dogs, ferrets, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters and any other animal companion all over the world and as far away as Japan. My family and friends embrace these precious rodents. We spend hours watching them and their little antics.

I was a bit miffed the other day when I read about how law enforcement could be found at these "hunts". WHAT?? Shooting ranges are for professional law enforcement "officials" , not prairie dog towns. My tax dollars pay their salary, and any law enforcement officials that participate in this activity need to be stripped of their badge immediately. Police are civil servants and I strongly urge government officials to look into this. Governor Freudenthal needs to ban this antiquated, sick past-time in our state NOW. I plan to bring this to his attention. "

Furhunter wrote on May 29, 2008 6:35 AM:

" I'll bet if they where diggin up Daves backyard, he'd want them gone. "

Buddy Wyo wrote on May 29, 2008 10:44 AM:

" Right on, Tucker B. I beleive Dave Pauli speaks for a lot of people. If you are not killing to put food on the table, than you are killing for personal satisfaction, and that is just sick, regardless of what designation the animal has in the chain of life.

Furhunter, there's a name for 'ya. Bet I know what you do in your spare time. Everyone understands that prairie dog colonies can encroach on private land. But there are humane solutions, like relocation as an option. The problem is, good ole bubba boys don't want a humane solution, they want the excuse to blast away. It's more fun to kill innocent living creatures and take the easy way out. Bunch of sickos. "

Tom T wrote on May 29, 2008 1:38 PM:

" Tucker B said, "any law enforcement officials that participate in this activity need to be stripped of their badge immediately."

Reply - "So now your little Socialist Party wants to dictate what LEO's do during their personal time? And here I was, thinking all the Commies were down in the Peoples Republik of Boulder!" "

GaryD wrote on May 30, 2008 7:54 AM:

" Tucker B
WA-WA-WA. You are not to smart are you??? "

iriq wrote on May 30, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Oh my gosh ! Thats right , it is on the 31st. I would have missed it for SURE !. Thanks Dave. "

Sheldon wrote on May 30, 2008 8:48 AM:

" Tom T, this has nothing to do with socialism or politics of any kind. All you do is alienate people with those childish labels. I have voted Republican every year for the last thirty years. And I find this sort of juvenile slaughter spectacle a disgrace to human decency. Are you saying that anyone who finds this sort of activity morally repugnant is a leftist or a socialist? Go to hell, kid. You fringe camo dress-up people need to grow up and join the real world. "

Flo wrote on May 30, 2008 2:56 PM:

" Why is anyone reading a piece written by anyone representing the anti-human society? More subjective values being shoved down out throats...but only if you open your mouth to accept them in, in the first place. "

ray wrote on May 30, 2008 10:29 PM:

" i want to see this guys article about how manny rats New York City kills every day?? They use many more of MY TAX DOLLARS then wyoming does!! maybe ill write the Gov of new york asking to ban all future rat killing. then ill sue in a federal court out of arizona After all My friend has a pet rat and he's disease free so all the rest must be plus he's sooooooo cute!!! anybody with me ???? "

Ron wrote on May 30, 2008 10:48 PM:

" I notice the Humane Society of the United States continues to employ former "ALF" terrorist group spokesman, JP Goodwin.

Tell us, Dave, when is the HSUS going to stop employing animal rights extremists like Goodwin?

Simply ending the use of Goodwin's initials isn't going to be enough to cloak his continued involvement with your extremist group, Dave.

For a look at what type of hateful, arrogant extremists HSUS employs these days, see these very enlightening articles:

www.activistcash.com/biography.cfm/bid/3364

www.furcommission.com/news/newsF03i.htm "

Kathy wrote on May 31, 2008 5:47 AM:

" Hard to believe we still have so many Neanderthals running around these days. Only difference is they now have guns instead of clubs and they kill because it gives them a false sense of superiority, instead of killing to survive. For these idiots I'd like an island of T-rexs. If they survived at least it was more of a fair fight. For pity sakes how much intelligence does it take to murder defenseless animals:( "

TomT wrote on May 31, 2008 9:24 PM:

" Just to set the record straight, I am the original TomT. I'm not sure who the other "Tom T" is. We're two separate personalities, but we do share some of the same sentiments about radical anti-hunting, anti-gun animal preservationists. I've never met a preservationist who truly understands conservation. They want to save anything furry or fuzzy and dont' care for the ecological implications. Mis-stating facts is stilly lying, no matter how deeply you feel for your cause. As for sport shooters, they know they are slaughtering little furry critters, but i've never met a hunter or sport shooter who actually enjoyed hurting them IE inflicting lingering pain. They enjoy watching them flip explode, but also try to make the death human and instantaneous so pain is kept to a minimum. This type killing is quite natural, since we are the more evolved species and they are simply little rats or rodents who live in dirt holes. While all this is going on, the radical preservationists maintain their blogs where they wish a horrible fiery lingering death upon any hunter or sportsman who kills the little furballs. So tell me, who is the most humane?? "

buzz wrote on Jun 1, 2008 6:09 PM:

" Dave pauli is the reason the wind always blows in Wyoming, Does he think that live prairie dogs don't carry and deposit ill fleas to other critters, this guy is your typical blowhard who knows very little but has his hand in the cookie jar all the time like his boss wayne paccele, they know it all!. where is all the money you raise go to ?, how about 1.5 million in pacellis pocket !.chew on that a while !, three of the top hsus crooks were paid more than 3.5 milllion dollars for there wages just a couple of years ago. . "

Priorities wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:46 AM:

" Who will put an end to over development and over population across the environmentally sensative west? This perminant destruction of open space is far more dangerous to man and animals alike than shooting rodents is. "

Allen J wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:05 PM:

" Want to see a real tradgedy? How many tons of trash are produced by the giant urban centers daily? How about the millions of gallons of sewage they spew and the vast quantities of green house gases? Perspective nutters, perspective! "

c wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:21 AM:

" First, for those of you who do not understand, MURDER is for people.

Second, prairie dogs are a nuisance. They damage grasslands and reduce the amount of grass available for cattle production. Either the ranchers will poison the towns until there are no more or they'll use them for recreational hunting and target practice. Choose...because SOME life is better then NO life.

Finally, why do you people insist upon characterizing hunters as "stupid bumpkins" and "billy-bobs"? Do you even know any? So much for "tolerance" and "acceptance"...you're preaching the hate you say you're working to eradicate. "

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