Send me your squirrels
Aaarrrg, what irony! I am attempting to rehabilitate former pasture on my property here in Pend Oreille County and return it to a meadow/grass/shrub condition. Columbian ground squirrels would help to maintain the meadow condition and prevent woody invasion, but the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has informed me that I cannot live-trap any to bring to my meadow.
I understand that this is not their arbitrary decision; it is from a well-meaning but broadly written law intended to protect many species. Yet there on the front page of the S-R is the Rodenator, which I’ll wager does not achieve 100 percent mortality without suffering.
What is wrong here? Anyone out there up for a little civil disobedience to smuggle a couple of undesired Columbian ground squirrels my way?
Heck, I’ll come and get them. Finch Arboretum, are you listening?
Jim Sayre
Newport, Wash.