Dan the Mountain Lion Killer

It would appear that Dan Richards, president of the California Department of Fish and Game Commision, has a new job skill. A photo going viral on the Internet shows Richards with the biggest smile on his face that he probably ever had, holding a dead mountain lion that he had just shot.

Apparently he believed the advertising of the company that portrays killing of this protected animal as a "peak hunting experience." I guess if I was going to make $7000 like the Flying B Ranch in Idaho that provide the dogs and 4WD vehicles needed to run the lions down so Dan can shoot them with his 45 caliber Remington rifle, I'd try to lure people from California with wild claims as well.

Dan wins my vote for the best example of two-faced hypocrite in the state. By the way, he became president of the Commision as a result of voting himself into office. When asked about California’s Proposition 117 that make’s it illegal to shoot lions, his comment was “ I’m glad it’s legal in Idaho,” thumbing his nose at the people of California.

Perhaps Dan should use his new hunting expertise to apply for a job in pest control or as a bounty hunter here in the state that pays his wages. There must be a few lions left somewhere to make money off of instead of as a state official. Or maybe he could move to the Rockies to be closer to his prey.

-- Robert Coutts