Letter from within the STrib... on wolves

[Mayfly]

This is from the "Readers write for April 1, 2010" section of the Star Tribune......



There is no scientific basis to justify leaving the door open for eventual hunting of wolves ("State is ready to manage gray wolves," editorial, March 25). Wolves occupy only 5 percent of their historical range and face ongoing threats to their long-term survival.

Just last year, the Obama administration allowed the delisting of the wolf in the Northern Rockies -- and a resumption of hunting. No endangered species has ever been delisted and then immediately hunted at such a low population level.

The result? Radio-collared wolves from a crucial Yellowstone reintroduction study were killed, and heavily concentrated wolf killings in other areas led Montana's lead wolf biologist to declare that the state had "missed the mark" in opening the first wolf hunt in years.

Let's not jump the gun and allow the same mistake to happen here in Minnesota. Only a lawsuit by the Humane Society of the United States and other wildlife conservation groups has so far prevented the wolf from being delisted and hunted here.

As keystone predators who are important to healthy ecosystems, and as iconic figures in American history and legend, wolves deserve continued protection.

HOWARD GOLDMAN, MINNESOTA state director, Humane Society of the United States

[thunderpout]

Wow.... Where is Howard's "scientific basis" for his stats?   Wolves only occupying 5% of their original range?  Im betting its at least 50%, and the other 50% are heavily populated areas... CITY'S! (probably not the best idea to have pack's of wolves running around Bloomington, Edina, Apple Valley etc... ;)though it would make the nightly news kind of interesting ) Delisting has nothing to do with an open hunting season, it really just enables land owners that have livestock, and others, to LEGALLY be able to protect themselves and their property.... Then its up to our DNR to decide where the wolf populations are ok, and where they are becomming a problem... thats their job, to manage wildlife populations... it shouldnt be decided by these "groups", and definatly not by (insert adjective of choice here...) people like Howard.

[22lex]

I'm sure the 5 % comes from their overall nationwide range. Regardless, feelings play too large of a factor in the "don't hunt wolfie" crowd when they are word grabbing stats that fall in line with trying to protect an obvious abundance of wolves.

Well, if we're stat grabbing, then how come bears (who used to populate all counties in MN) are still hunted with success every year even though they historically used to roam all over MN?

Predators are good for the ecosystem, but an over abundance are not. I am not in a position to say whether or not we have too many in the state because all of the numbers I have read are skewed one way or another.

There is no possible way the same mistake could happen in MN compared to whatever mistake was made out west. It has been proven that there are  wayyyyyy more wolves in MN, and our DNR is very much adequate to make the "real decisions" for the future wolf management hunts based on facts and reality, compared to the "groups" who like to cry and sue their way through situations knowing full well the ramifications of their costly litigation to us as taxpayers, and the federal government.

[HUNTER2]

They are so cute and fuzzy. How could anyone  one?

[dakids]

What is the differance if a federal trapper kills a wolf or a hunter does. The wolf is still DEAD. Maybe instead of using kill traps they should live trap them and release them on  HOWARD GOLDMAN,s doorstep.

The amount of money spent on trappers, lobbiests(sp), and lawyers could help balance the budget.

I signed the patition at the deer classic to open a season on wolves.  I hope it helped because I would buy a wolf lisence.  

[Mayfly]

I e-mailed this post to HOWARD GOLDMAN... think he'll join the conversation??


 

[Joe@deerhunters]

MDHA position on wolves:

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association supports the recovery objectives as outlined in the 1992 (revised) Eastern Timber Wolf Recovery Plan.  This plan includes population goals of 1251 - 1400 wolves in Minnesota by the year 2000, and a delisting of the species when “two viable populations within the 48 contiguous United States of America exist.” MDHA also believes that any objectives regarding population levels of the Eastern Timber Wolf must be considered in coordination with the traditions of deer hunting in the state.  This consideration includes the economic and social impacts on human populations, as well as the ecological considerations of wildlife.  Furthermore, MDHA believes it is in the best interest of both predator and prey to have their management directed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.”

In addition to the above approved position statement, considering that Minnesota’s wolves were estimated to number 1288 in 1978, and have been estimated to be at least 2500 since 1998, MDHA feels delisting of the wolf in MN is overdue and should be accomplished immediately. Furthermore, in accordance with federal delisting of the wolf in MN in 2007, and in accordance with the DNR Wolf Management plan that states “general taking of wolves will be postponed until 5 years after federal delisting,” MDHA advocates that a wolf hunting and trapping season should be initiated no later than the fall of 2012 (5 years after the initial 2007 delisting).