Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in March affirmed the constitutionality of Congress’ removal of wolves from the federal endangered species list. The deadline to appeal that decision passed quietly this week with no action from plaintiff animal rights and anti-hunting groups. Read more
Montana officials want more wolves taken out of the gene pool and have a plan to loosen restrictions on hunting and trapping. The public is invited to chime in on the use of electronic calls, bag limits, etc. More here…
An extra $51,000 will fund federal wolf collaring and killing in Montana, thanks to a contribution by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
“The payment is made to (U.S.) Wildlife Services,” said Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim. “We’re just involved in the direction of how it’s used. We’re charged with managing wolves, and that’s what they’ve offered – to provide money that’s in line with what we’re currently doing.” More here…
The Oregon Department of Agriculture, working with Governor Kitzhaber’s office, has approved $82,970 in funding appropriated by the 2011 State Legislature for county-level work to implement the Oregon Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program. Funds have been distributed to eight counties east of the Cascade Mountains for actual livestock losses caused by wolves and for proactive efforts to prevent wolf impacts on livestock. Read more
In an ongoing study by Mississippi State University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, much has been learned about whitetail fawn mortality. Yes, weather is a factor, and so are wolves, but the number one killer of fawns is here…
Cougars and wolves are like present in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, says Dennis Fijalkowski, executive director for Bath-based Michigan Wildlife Conservancy. However, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says there’s no real evidence. Tell that to Bob and Nancy Dalley, who claimed to have seen a wolf on their property near Manton. No pics or tracks yet, but the debate is here…
“We are not utilizing anywhere near to the fullest of what the wolf management plan authorizes,” RMEF president David Allen said on Monday. “The go-slow, take-it-easy approach is not working.” So, it’s time to listen to the money talk here…
With only one female remaining on the network of islands, Isle Royale’s wolf population is threatened with extinction. Details here…
“Personally, I’m very saddened by this ruling,” said Michael Robinson, of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’ve already lost hundreds of wolves before the job of recovery is anywhere complete. And the ecosystem has taken a hit, as well as these wolves are killed.”
If it’s bad for the whackos, it’s good for normal people. The scoop is here…
The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Game Commission, which represents 11 tribes of the Ojibwe (also known as the Chippewa, or Anishinaabe) in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, opposes the hunting of wolves because of religious beliefs and tradition.
They are taught that Ma’iingan (wolf) is a brother to Original man. The rub is here…
Interestingly, native Indians find it acceptable to kill bald eagles and the story is here…