Wolf De-Listing - MDHA Call to Action

[Rick]

From the MDHA:

Critical wolf delisting bill being reveiwed right now!

Currently, USFWS is reviewing public input regarding proposed delisting of the wolf in the Great Lakes Region. Wolves of the northern Rocky Mountains were delisted previously this year thanks to Congressional legislation that dictated delisting and insulated against more frivolous lawsuits. Currently, language in from the US House of Representatives is attached to the House version of the Interior Appropriations bill providing the same delisting provision and protection for the Great Lakes Region. But, reportedly some Senators are fighting to remove the provision from Interior Appropriations Conference Committee compromise language. They will succeed in killing this delisting effort unless our US Senators and Representative act on our behalf to stop them.

In 1989 Minnesota had 1500-1750 wolves and they have expanded ever since. In 1992 the federal population criteria for delisting wolves in MN was 1251-1400 wolves by the year 2000. Minnesota has been patient, perhaps too patient, but no more. The endangered species act was enacted to return endangered species to recovered status. The wolf has recovered, but the "antis" will keep mounting legal challenges to keep it listed unless we convince Congress to act.

It is time to speak out, today! Contact your US Congresspersons and Senators today and direct them to contact Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Jack Reed and lobby for the Senate to accept the House wolf delisting language in the Interior Appropriations bill.

This is our time to act!

Mark Wm. Johnson

Executive Director

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association

Click HERE FOR LEGISLATOR EMAIL CONTACT INFORMATION

Better yet, pick up the phone and call. Make your voice the voice of 10,000 voters.

Senator Amy Klobuchar: (612) 727-5220/ (202) 224-3244

Senator Al Franken: (651) 221-1016/ (202) 224-5641

Rep. Tim Waltz: (507) 388-2149/ (202) 225-2472

Rep. Erik Paulsen: (952) 405-8510/ (202) 225-2871

Rep. Betty McCollum: (651) 224-9191/ (202) 225-6631

Rep. Keith Ellison: (612) 522-1212/ (202) 225-4755

Rep. Michele Bachmann: (651) 731-5400/ (202) 225-2331

Rep. Collin Peterson: (218) 847-5056/ (202) 225-2165

Rep. Chip Cravaack: (651) 237-8220/ (202) 225-6211

Please take a moment to make the difference that only your effort can! It's easy to help!

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

[Please keep comments on topic. Thanks ]

[lungdeflator]

Thanks for the post and the contact information

[Archerysniper]

Thank You for that post Rick

[Wensel]

Emails sent

Thanks Rick!!

[fishuhalik]

+1, emails sent! hopefully this goes through...

[Reilley]

Wolves in the Great Lakes Region have been delisted as of today!

[NoWiser]

Great news!!! With any luck, I'll be in possession of a wolf tag next fall!

[nofishfisherman]

Just read an article on the Star Trib site. DNR is already looking at hunting/trapping options but it could happen as soon as this fall.

Its likely to be a lottery type thing with strict managment but the state can finally manage the population with all other wildlife in mind.

I'm not one of the wolf haters that have posted so much over the past few months as I don't believe the wolf is the cause of all the poor hunting they get blamed for but I do support this decision.

Its nice that the state can finally manage the population that we have here. You can't manage a species on a national level as there are far too many variables from state to state and even from region to region within a state.

I don't ever see myself out on a wolf hunt but I wish good luck to anyone who is able to draw a license. I'm sure it will be a fun challenging hunt.

[TRZ II]

If you hunted in wolf country you would! The last weekend of Muzzy season I had 3 different packs I could hear and never seen a deer track that weekend but seen countless wolf tracks. THis is in Carlton County, it is worse elsewhere. I just heard it is a done deal!!!! I will be applying-I just need to learn how to trap them now.......

[reinhard1]

i am for population control as set by the state. i personaly will not take part in the shooting of wolves. that is just my feeling about it. however if it is a lottery method and a controled method by the state i wish the hunters luck who get chosen. i have hunted around wolves most of my life. i hunt in northern Minnesota and have had good years and slim years. i dont blame everything on wolves. that's just my opinion and i respect those who think otherwise. to those who own property in wolf country and have to protect your family, domestic animals and pets, i would be supportive of killing a wolf if it presents a danger. good luck.

[TRZ II]

Man is the wolves only predator. Man has been hunting them in this region for 1000's of years until recently. Without hunting wolves numbers will go unchecked and make an unbalanced ecosystem. Of course that is VERY simplified but basically the jist of it.

[reinhard1]

well in the end that is true. however lack of food probably plays a bigger role in population the way i see it. bad winters, less deer. less deer, less wolves. populations of deer have been on the upswing lately, thus more wolves. guess that's simple also, especialy since i am no expert on wolves or much anything else.

i can understand other peoples viewpoints real well. i dont live up there, just hunt [used to live there for years]. i may have a different viewpoint if i have a home up in the arrowhead and have young kids or pets and knew of wolves around my property. i would be concerned for sure. i can grasp that aspect of the issue, and cant blame people who want to control the population. i'm not a tree hugger, and i think most of you know that.

wolves are just something special to me, so as far as a lottery if needed, i'm sure there will be takers. i just wont be part of it and will not condem those who do. good luck.

[nofishfisherman]

If you hunted in wolf country you would! The last weekend of Muzzy season I had 3 different packs I could hear and never seen a deer track that weekend but seen countless wolf tracks. THis is in Carlton County, it is worse elsewhere. I just heard it is a done deal!!!! I will be applying-I just need to learn how to trap them now.......

I do hunt in wolf country but haven't known them to be a major issue in the areas I have hunted. I've seen them in the area and will hear them in the winter but I haven't known them to destroy a season of hunting. Like I said in my previous post the wolf population is very regional and needs to be managed as such. What I see in my area isn't going to be the same as what you see in your area.

While I don't believe wolves are the only cause of poor hunting I don't discredit them as at least a contributor. However, I have no problem sharing our deer population with the wolves at least to a point. After all they were here first.

Just glad to see that we can bring some balance to the population. I wonder if they'll create zones like deer hunting to help manage regional populations. So areas like you describe in Carlton County can maybe be hunted a little harder than an area with a lesser population.

[ClownColor]

i am for population control as set by the state. i personaly will not take part in the shooting of wolves. that is just my feeling about it. however if it is a lottery method and a controled method by the state i wish the hunters luck who get chosen. i have hunted around wolves most of my life. i hunt in northern Minnesota and have had good years and slim years. i dont blame everything on wolves. that's just my opinion and i respect those who think otherwise. to those who own property in wolf country and have to protect your family, domestic animals and pets, i would be supportive of killing a wolf if it presents a danger. good luck.

Great logical thinking reinhard1. I'd agree...I too won't participate in wolf hunting but I wish all of you good luck and a successful season if open but remember to be respectful Of ALL wildlife even if you don't care for them...meaning don't disgrace these wonderfull creatures if only to enhance your deer hunting! GOOD LUCK

[laker1]

Good posts above in that most see there is a place for wolves in our woods yet there is a place for a managed control hunt. Wow-nowadays most peoples opinion is one extreme or the other.

[MUSKY18]

Having a wolf hunt is no different than having a whitetail hunt. Both are designed for controlling the population to a manageable amount set by the DNR. One just happens to be a predator and one the prey, but still the same principle. I too will not be shooting any wolves unless they are posing a direct form of danger to myself, but can't wait to see the results of a hunt next year!

[tracker x-2]

I cant wait for the first Thread titled "Just shot a wolf"

I wonder where it will belong under what sub forum?

[NoWiser]

I cant wait for the first Thread titled "Just shot a wolf"

I wonder where it will belong under what sub forum?

Or the "Party Hunting for Wolves?" thread!

I don't mind hunting for deer around wolves. Seeing them in the wild is always a treat. I think a winter camping/snowshoeing/wolf hunting trip could be the ultimate adventure, though!

[TRZ II]

No Wiser, Your right on. I was thinking along the same lines. I think we both hunt the "bush" alot!

[dietdew]

Hmmmmmmmm I hope I can get one with a tracking collar!

[DonBo]

Here's the latest:

Minnesota hunters and trappers could have a new quarry next fall — the gray wolf.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday, Dec. 21 delisted the gray wolf as an endangered species in the western Great Lakes region, placing gray wolf management in Minnesota within a few weeks under control of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

With the federal delisting of the gray wolf as an endangered specie, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials are proposing a possible gray wolf hunting and trapping season for next autumn. (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service)

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr styled the recovery of the iconic predator as a “tremendous success for the (federal) Endangered Species Act,” speaking in teleconference today with state media.

Minnesota’s gray wolf population is estimated at about 3,000 animals and is the largest in the lower 48 states, according to the DNR.

Within Minnesota, the wolf range extends into southern Pine County — in general about 50 miles north of the metro area.

Minnesota has had a gray wolf management plan for a decade, though federal court challenges over the gray wolf’s legal status has seen state officials gain and lose control over the years, explained DNR Fish and Wildlife Director Ed Boggess.

DNR officials speak of a possible hunting and trapping season for gray wolves next fall.

Although indicating the details haven’t yet been settled, Boggess noted that a state law prohibiting a wolf season for five years after federal deslisting was recently removed by state lawmakers.

The DNR commissioner has the authority to set a gray wolf hunting and trapping season, Boggess said. But DNR officials plan to bring elements of their gray wolf hunting season proposal before state lawmakers next year, he explained.

“We will not implement a season without public comment,” said Boggess of providing a public comment period.

Gray wolf numbers have been stable in Minnesota for a decade, DNR officials said. They consider a minimum population to be 1,600 wolves.

Dave Mech, a senior research scientist U.S. Geological Survey and wolf expert, expressed no concern over the proposed gray wolf hunting season. “No. None,” he said.

A hunting season would impact the social structure of wolves, Mech explained.

But wolves, like all wild animals, die all the time and the specie lives on. Much of the wolf’s ability to hunt is innate — they’re born knowing, he explained.

So even wolf puppies who lose parents are capable of fending for themselves, Mech indicated.

Gray wolves are currently legally hunted in Alaska, Idaho and Montana, according to the DNR.

The issue of wolves in the past has been divisive in the Minnesota Legislature.

Lawmakers from northern Minnesota have spoken of pets allegedly being carried off by wolves, and ranchers have complained of wolves killing livestock. One Iron Range lawmaker once offered a mock amendment that would have directed the DNR to release wolves in the metro.

If the people in the metro so love wolves, they could live with them, he said tongue-in-cheek.

Minnesota will assume management for the current U.S. Department of Agriculture wolf depredation program which traps and kills gray wolves on farms were wolves are killing livestock — a DNR official said a wolf hunting season alone would not guarantee livestock predation wouldn’t occur in the future.

DNR officials expressed concern over adequate funding for assuming the new duty.

Under the federal program, as many as 200 Minnesota wolves a year causing livestock damaged were removed, according to the DNR.

Federal officials place the number of gray wolves in Wisconsin at 782 animals, with an estimated 687 wolves living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Federal officials will monitor Minnesota’s gray wolf management program for five years.

When asked if possible future legal challenges could again take away gray wolf management, DNR officials said there was no way of knowing.

[lungdeflator]

Cant regulate the prey and not the predator. This is awesome! I cant wait to drive through town with a wolf strapped to the top of the car!

[certified jumbo]

I can't wait to apply for a tag!!!!

A long time coming...........

[Boar]

Huh, interesting. gonna be interesting to seehow this unfolds.

[Boar]

How cool wouldA big timber look on the wall.