Sage grouse column is more material for Timmy's library...

Dear Editor,

More material for Timmy’s library she used to say while reading the paper. That would have been my great grandmother’s remarks after reading an article like Parker Heinlen’s column on sage grouse.

Timmy was a poodle mix that refused to do his business outside. Granny would put newspapers on the floor next to the toilet for Timmy’s use. Can’t you just see Timmy circling his paper looking for just the right spot for deposit, almost as if he were actually reading.

I’m not sure what incentive for busting sod you are referring to, to my knowledge the only one would be financial. Financial incentives that would mean gaining income for paying property taxes, supporting local economies, creating jobs for Phillips County residents. But then, Parker, you know that. The only reason you are in Phillips County is financial. The cost of living in this county is by far less expensive than many counties.

As for climate change you’re not qualified to comment on that anymore than I am.

To the sage grouse who lays claim that he needs sagebrush to live there’s plenty left for him. He could even choose to evolve and go without it. I had several that summered in a field of millet and looked quite content.

Interesting that the Federal Fish, Wildlife are killing barn owls in Idaho because they are encroaching on spotted owl habitat. The barn owl has evolved, the spotted owl has not. Man used to drag his knuckles on the ground now he doesn’t.

I believe it may have been 2009 we had a spring hail storm go through that mowed Bowdoin Wildlife Refuge flat. In the process killing many seagulls and smashing most of their eggs. Since then we seen our pastures alive with sage grouse and their young.

The burrowing owl is supposed to be scarce but we see them often especially in the chemical fallow where there are old gopher holes. I say old because a badger killed all the gophers creating housing for the owl. Only thing is the badger came back for chicken dinner and ate all the owls. Packer and the FWP better kill all the badgers.

We often see many rattlesnakes and bull snakes on cool mornings taking advantage of the sage grouse nest sites by curling up in those southern exposed nests to catch the sun’s warming affects, only thing is, I see one snake, one next, no eggs.

At ease Parker, I’ll kill all the snakes you just stick to stalking sage grouse which are about as stealthy as an old lady in a wheel chair.

By the year 2050 the world’s population will double. Governments know from the past that hungry people are angry people. Without sod busting , people will get hungry. Lead by example Parker. It is said a person can live on one quart of water and a yam per day.

Watch our Parker you are face up in Timmy’s library.

Shane Lammerding - Saco