First Wolf Hunt in Decades Begins

Last week, the first legal wolf hunt in decades in the continental US began in Idaho.  Next week, it will begin in Montana.  Before November is over 295 wolves could be killed between the two states.  In April, the Obama administration chose to uphold a Bush administration delisting of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List.  That decision did not apply to Wyoming, however, because their state management plan for the wolf was deemed unacceptable.  But management of the species has reverted to the states in the case of Idaho and Montana despite the fact the wolf population across the northern Rockies is slightly less than 1600 individuals, not yet a sustainable population.

Since the gray wolf's reintroduction to the region in the mid-90s, they have thrived as a species and begun to reestablish their ecological niche as a top predator.  To begin hunting them now, before their population has reach a sustainable level, is premature and detrimental to years of hard work.

Although a judge denied our request for an injunction that would have halted the hunting, we are encouraged by his ruling.  It hinted that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may have violated the Endangered Species Act when removing protections for wolves in the northern Rockies.  The Sierra Club, and several other environmental groups, are continuing to fight the wolf delisting decision in court.

Comments

[Boat Captains License]

I agree with James. As someone who loves wildlife (I don't even keep the fish I catch) I am glad to see that others feel the same way.

[IowaHuntingLands]

Iowa will be your place to visit since it has four state forests which offer the public for fishing and hunting as well. However, before participating in the activity of this place, you have to buy the valid hunting/fishing license.
If you are the resident, you could buy hunting license at the lower price than nonresidents.However, the hunting session only takes place during winter, fall, and spring. And, the fishing session is open all the year round.
If you are interested in buying a hunting land in iowa you may visit this website: Iowa and Missouri Whitetails

[johnston]

Who cares if we shoot seventyfive wolves in Montana, out of 1600, is it really that dentramental to their survival?

[Michal Mudd- a 25+yr member who is continually dismayed by the Club's Demo-groveling]

OK fellow Sierrans,
I was appalled when Carl Pope actually applauded the naming of Ken Salazar at Interior. What a poor choice and one that doomed many conservation efforts nationwide, wolves for starters. And now comes the news from another organization that:
"Yellowstone National Park’s famous Cottonwood Pack has just been destroyed -- all the adult wolves have been killed, and the surviving pups will likely die without the rest of their wolf family.
The Cottonwoods are just some of the latest victims of the federal government’s likely illegal decision to eliminate vital protections for our wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the northern Rockies. Unless we are successful in urging Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to reverse this bad decision, hundreds more wolves will be killed.

The Cottonwood wolves are not alone. They’re among the more than 60 wolves already killed in the region-- a disturbingly high number for a hunting season only weeks old."- from a Defenders of Wildlife email I just received.

Next time I hope the Sierra Club can remain more independent and not the handmaiden of the Democratic Party, can speak up against poor cabinet choices not try to always curry favour, and will be more staunch about its approach to opposing bad policy.

[James More]

I am glad that conservation minded people are working with the game hunters and preserving wildlife.