Invasive Species Rant
I’m at a boat launch near home this weekend, and here comes the DNR’s Milfoil Boy. Nothing against this guy, he was polite and just doing his job, and I answered all his questions like I have many times before. When we were done with the mandatory back-and-forth, he told how this year there would even be boat wash down stations at some popular boat launches on the Croix and Mississippi. “Good”, I thought, “another reason for me to be late getting home”. I can already hear the phone conversation…..”Really, Hon’, I pulled the boat out over an hour ago, but I’m still waiting for my turn to do the mandatory BOAT WASH!” I can’t stop wondering how many tax dollars are going to this endeavor? What is an invasive specie? A better question is “What isn’t an invasive specie?” Every critter, fish, plant, and person in the world could be considered “Invasive” if it is in the wrong place. Milfoil, Zebra Mussels, and Asian Carp get most of the press now. You aren’t likely to hear many complain about Brown Trout or Ring Neck Pheasants, but some might put them into the invasive category–after all both come from lands far away. If Whitetail Deer, Ruffed Grouse, Black Capped Chickadees, or Walleyes were introduced and later became overly abundant somewhere in Argentina, someone there would probably put laws into affect that would involve a firing squad for...
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