WALLER LETTER: Blame Forest Service and Fish and Game

The problem that she has is with the lumber companies is that they are taking the timber and not replanting. Every sale has a hold back bond that requires that the sale has been replanted. The USFS and other agencies inspect to see that it was done to their requirements. If not complied with, the bond is forfeited. The lumber companies are not the bad guys in your letter. The blame should be with the U.S. Forest Service and Fish and Game since they are the ones that put up the Forest Service units for sale. The saw mills just bid on the timber that has been chosen to be sold by the USFS. The replant will take 10 years to have canopy to go along with the timber that was left from the sale. The new trees planted also helps the smaller wildlife with their habitat.

Your argument about double hunters has always taken place. The Fish and Game has always sold tags to out-of-state hunters who join the Idaho folks. These numbers may go up and down, but it still happens.

The saw mills are not the bad guys in your information. They all work very hard to do the best for all involved. If things were as bad as you make it, how do you explain the moose population doing so well in everyone’s back yard? I have seen a bull moose trotting from the city park toward the Y. Good hunting!

JIM ALEXANDER

Cape Coral, Fla.

40-year Idaho resident