In our state, and amongst fishermen and hunters, the term "invasive species" is just like saying "activist judges" if you're into politics.

An "activist judge" is someone who writes a legal opinion you don't agree with.

An "invasive species" is an animal that disrupts your ability to kill as many animals as you want, or catch as many fish as you want.

A largemouth bass is an invasive species. It is not native here, and shouldn't be here, but you don't hear a lot of anglers yelling to have them eradicated.

Replace "largemouth bass" with wild turkey, tiger musky, or American shad and you'll see what I mean.

A pikeminnow, on the other hand, is a native species...but since it eats salmon and steelhead smolts (and has been for tens of thousands of years), it is an invasive species that must be eradicated at all costs.

Replace "pikeminnow" with wolf, sea lion, harbor seal, and you'll start to get the idea.

It's only an "invasive" species when it eats something that you, another non-native species, think you should get to eat instead.

Fish on...

Todd