April 17, 2009 in Letters

Send me your squirrels

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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.

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