Dec. 11–Managing wolves
I feel compelled to respond to recent Safety Valve letters condemning Tracy Warner’s editorial “Too many wolves to list” (Nov. 20). All letters appear to be modified versions of a form letter sent to members of an organization. I do not know if the authors are wolf experts, but I doubt they are. I would like to point out a few inaccuracies common to these letters.
State conducted wolf hunts are carefully monitored local events, designed to reduce wolf populations to carrying capacities of individual biological communities, not statewide wanton slaughter.
Mismanagement of animals in Yellowstone Park, leading to overpopulation of elk and bison, is a local problem inherent in national park management, not an indication that wolves are needed everywhere to keep ungulates from destroying floral communities.
“Wolf kills feed small mammals, birds and beetles” is pure propaganda. Carrion feeds these animals. All wild animals eventually become carrion, regardless of what causes their demise.
The statement that wolves are not game animals and trophy hunting is barbaric, is common jargon of anti-hunting organizations. These organizations ignore the contribution hunters make to conservation.
Without funds generated from hunting that support wildlife management, there would be very few large mammals roaming our wild lands.
“Delisting harms wolves and weakens the integrity of the endangered Species Act …” is more false information. All states have agencies that manage wildlife. In Washington, a civilian Wildlife Commission, representing varied interests of our population, advises the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This agency is implementing a detailed plan to insure the gray wolf’s existence throughout Washington’s suitable habitat. Other states have similar plans. Delisting of recovered species is essential to allowing ESA to do as intended. Imposing regulations of this act where they are no longer needed has, in the past, depressed important industries and local economies.
Everett Burts
Wenatchee
Reach Tracy Warner at 509-665-1163 or [email protected].