Field Reports: Microsoft riles hunters
Sportsmen’s groups are registering disapproval with Microsoft Corp. for linking one of its new programs with an anti-hunting organization.
The Humane Society of the United States is one of 10 organizations that will receive donations from the software giant through its “i’m” initiative in which computer users are asked to select a cause-related organization to benefit from donations generated from conversations on Windows Live Messenger.
Microsoft will donate a minimum $100,000 to each group.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance already has asked Microsoft to abandon its affiliation with the HSUS, which is a different animal than the Humane Society that funds local animal shelters.
Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said the company has no plans to change its partnerships.
Michael Markarina, HSUS executive vice president, said the organization does oppose trapping but that the only hunting the group objects to is unsporting types such as canned hunts inside fences.
However, HSUS helped orchestrate the 1995 Washington initiative that banned the use of hounds for bear and cougar hunting in Washington. Since then, the state has had to enact “emergency” rules that allow the use of hounds to capture and kill cougars threatening people, pets and livestock.
Staff and wire reports
WILDLIFE
Okanogan loon dead
A common loon that had been showing signs of nesting with a mate at an Okanogan County lake last summer was found dead in May, apparently from a small-caliber gunshot wound to the head.
The dead female loon had been partially consumed by predators when it was found by a Forest Service employee at Beth Lake near Bonaparte Lake on the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forests.
The male loon that was with the female disappeared, but one loon was reported back at the lake the next week.
“We had observed the loons in August and had high hopes they would nest this year and become our newest territorial pair in Washington,” said Ginger Gumm, a loon enthusiast from Loon Lake who keeps detailed records on Washington loons.
Only 12-14 pairs of loons are nesting in Washington, including four on the Colville National Forest, three in Okanogan and one on the Colville Indian Reservation. The rest are on the West Side.
Loons are protected by state and federal laws and fines for killing them can range into the thousands of dollars.
The Loon Lake Loon Association has announced a $500 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the case.
Washington’s poaching hotline phone number is (800) 477-6224.
Rich Landers
NATIONAL FORESTS
New supervisor
Becki J. Heath, supervisor of the Gallatin National Forest in Montana, has been named the new supervisor of the 4.1 million acre Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests.
The assignment to replace the retiring supervisor will be a homecoming for Heath, who served as Leavenworth District Ranger on the Wenatchee National Forest in the 1990’s.
Staff reports