>OK, so it's not about birds (INAB). I recently noticed that there is a bag
>limit on bullfrogs. At the same time bullfrogs, which were introduced
>into Washington state, are alleged to be at least partially responsible for
>the demise of other frog species as well as native turtles. I was thinking
>of writing the Fish & Wildlife Commission to request that they remove, a)
>the bag limit and, b) the need for a hunting license. However, I have no
>data to support my position (not always a severe deterrent ). Does anyone
>have documentation, references, etc. that can quantify the problem? I
>think the bullfrog question may have been brought up earlier on the list
>but I wasn't paying attention. (Always a severe deterrent.) The Commission
>meets on 8-9 December and now is the time to submit proposals.
>
>Herb Curl

There seems to be abundant evidence that bullfrogs have a negative effect
on native frog populations in the west, although I think the evidence is
stronger in the SW, where frog populations are severely limited by aridity,
than in the NW. As the bullfrog (a) is not native here, and (b) may
represent an important negative effect on some other amphibians and the
endangered western pond turtle, then (c) its elimination should be
encouraged. HOWEVER, (D) it is a huntable edible species, thus a wildlife
"resource," thus the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife would of course want to
maintain it in the state and thus must have hunting regulations. Am I
wrong, Kelly or Scott or Jon?

So by all means make your proposal to the commission. At the very least
you will be able to establish definitively which lobby is largest, the
frog-lovers or the frog-eaters. The gourmet ranivores should move to
Louisiana, where frogs are abundant and diverse and bullfrogs are native,
and let the ranophiles prevail in this land of relative froglessness.
(Lest I mislead, I admit to a real liking for frog legs).

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416