I agree somewhat with my friend Bill Witt.  I sometimes send a note to 
this web site  in defense of hunting.  I think that if I were out 
hunting deer and saw a mountain lion (which I know is legal game in 
Iowa) I would likely shoot it.  Partly it would be my trophy.  Partly 
because I really don't think we need them established in Iowa.  A few 
years ago I recall the Sierra Club was promotion legal protection for 
mountain lions in the statbe.  I said then and I would say now, keep 
your verbal and written power dry and save them for something 
important.  The public is afraid of mountain lions, with at least a bit 
of reason  since we see attacks on human in other states.  The public 
also knows that mountain lions do kill pets and livestock.   But mainly, 
people are emotionally afraid of them.  This is a situation where the 
public will think, what the H... is that wacko Sierra Club doing trying 
to protect mountain lions.  S.C. defense of mountain lions will cost the 
club a lot of public goodwill.  I agree with Bill that the DNR is too 
mysterious about mountain lions in the state.

But then, if I were in charge of things I don't think I would have 
introduced the wolves into Yellowstone.  It has controlled the elk in 
the park and helped restore the natural habitat.  But it has cost money 
by the 10's of millions and it has cost so much to the cause of 
conservation.  If people are emotional about mt. lions, that pales in 
comparison to their emotions about wolves--it borders on superstitions.  
You ought to read people's irrational comments about wolves in hunting 
magazines such as Outdoor Life.   Again if I were in charge, I likely 
would have controlled the elk in Yellowstone by allowing hunters to 
harvest the surplus.  It would have had the same outcome and raised 
money for the parks. 

OK mountain lion lovers, commence firing.
Lanny Schwartz

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