SANTA ROSA ISLAND HUNT

Tinknocker · May-01-2009, 11:30 AM

Just got back from a 4 day trip to SRI. This was a cull hunt as the Government/US Parks Dept. has demanded all Elk and Mule Deer be removed/killed by 12-31-2011. The Government basically stole the Island from the private owners in 1986 through the condemnation process. Their families had owned it since Walter Vail purchased it in 1901. While they were compensated, they fought the land grab as hard as they could but could not keep up with the attorney fees and bureaucracy. Ranch life remained unchanged until this nightmare started in 1979 when Congress decided to expand the Channel Islands National Park to include Santa Rosa. The park had been created with the support of the Carter Administration and the urging of many environmental groups, who were concerned about rare plants and animals. The first corrupt democrat to start screwing the descendants was Alan Cranston. (He was reprimanded by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics for "improper conduct" on November 20, 1991 after he accepted $1 million in campaign contributions from the Lincoln Savings head, Charles Keating. Keating had wanted federal regulators to stop "hounding" his savings and loan association. The committee deemed Cranston's misconduct the worst among the Keating Five.) The others that followed in his footsteps are Capps, Boxer and Feinstein. They all threw them under the bus. Now they can squander many more millions of taxpayer dollars on the island with no chance of a return on investment.
My guide on this hunt was Will Wooley a fourth generation rancher, cowboy and hunter on the island and direct descendant of Walter Vail (Vail & Vickers). He was awesome and the history of his family and the island is amazing. After the last deer and elk are killed 12-31-2011, this story is over. Very, very sad tale.
The condition of the island is incredible. The natural feed, springs in every canyon, and condition of the flora and fauna are excellent. I feel very fortunate to have been able to hike and travel much of the 54,000 acres. Yes I did kill an elk and the meat off the island is the best I have ever had. Hope to get back once more before it’s over.