This is just getting out of hand, but here’s what I’ve been able to gather so far.

First of all, despite the fact that there’s no real good evidence or rationale for it, Tejon Ranch will close to ALL firearm hunting from June 9 through July 9 (at least).  In fact, no one will be permitted to even bring guns onto the ranch, whether members, guests, or guided hunters during this period.

The Ranch is also taking some pretty extraordinary steps to appease the environmentalists as well as the US Fish and WIldlife Service.  Despite the fact that the ranch voluntarily banned all lead ammo at the beginning of the year, that doesn’t seem to have been good enough for the pro-condor folks.  During the hunt last week (Memorial Day weekend), we were requested to bury the carcasses and gut piles of our hogs, even though we were hunting with non-lead ammunition.  That seemed pretty extreme, since we were hunting with lead-free ammunition (inspected at check-in). 

Since the news broke yesterday, the ranch has taken even more measures that seem to be little more than window-dressing and reconciliation.  

What the heck is going on?  Why the focus on Tejon Ranch, and why is Tejon Ranch going to such extremes to placate their accusers? 

The whole situation, the responses to it, and the total lack of logic or rational thought behind various reactions simply leave me no alternative but to suspect dirty pool.  The thing is, I can’t figure out what the heck the stakes are in the game. 

The first suspect would be money, but what is the financial reward for sliming the reputation of the Tejon Ranch? 

Is someone trying to upset the development plans?  That’s doubtful, since no one has pointed fingers at development as a culprit here. 

Is someone trying to put a stop to hunting on the Ranch?  That’s possible, I suppose, but really, there’s hunting all around Tejon Ranch.  What would shutting down the Ranch’s hunting program achieve beyond costing a handful of jobs (all good people, but relatively small potatoes in the big picture of Tejon Ranch Corporation)?  It sure wouldn’t protect the condors, as they don’t recognize property lines or boundaries. 

It’s hard to think the condors are anything more than pawns in some kind of power play.  The whole thing is hard to make any sense of. 

I’ll share info as I get it.  In the meantime, ask your own questions, and if you get answers that I don’t have, please share them. 

 

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