New Plan for Wolf Management
The dilemma regarding wolves in Wisconsin has created an abundance of conflict with their population, and finding a solution has been a treacherous ongoing event. The hunting of grey wolves, while originally endorsed in many states, has become a controversial issue in many states. Although, as of now, the grey wolf is federally protected as it is on the Endangered Species List, this may not be the case for long. This is due to the fact that a bill is making its way through Congress, which aims to lift that protection in Wisconsin, as well as throughout the lower 48 states. The two states that are not included are Alaska and Hawaii. With the removal of the wolves from the endangered species list states, as well as Indian tribes, would regain control over wolf management. In simpler words, wolves would not be federally protected, and therefore, people have the ability to hunt wolves, as long as they abide by the rules.
Key Players
Within the wolf controversy debate there are major key players, who work to influence the overall decision, in terms of whether or not wolves should remain federally protected, as well as if there should be a wolf hunt in Wisconsin. The main source of objection to wolves being hunted comes from the Ojibwe tribe. The Ojibwe remain on four modern-day reservations in Wisconsin: Bad River, Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau, and Lac Courte Oreilles. The Ojibwe are highly supportive of protective policies and are strongly opposed to the hunting of gray wolves. In the new plan to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List, which will allow for a wolf hunt, the Ojibwe tribe will rejected their quota of wolves, as they have made it known that they do not intend to hunt wolves on their reservation. This can be attributed to the fact that wolves play a dominant role in their tribe, as wolves are a symbol of their culture and tradition.
Kurt Perron, the president of the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, states that, “as we see the wolf returning, or gaining strength, just like we, as Ojibwe Anishinaabe people have, we see that relationship. So that’s what concerns us with the hunt, it’s almost like you’re hunting our brothers.”
On the other hand, there are two main key players, who are behind the notion of removing wolves from the Endangered Species List. Farmers, when it comes to wolves, have one overarching reason for wanting to the ability to kill wolves: financial loss. This is because when a wolf kills a farmers livestock, the farmer loses money, but by having the ability to kill wolves this can prevent potential killing of livestock. This is beneficial to the farmer, as they are at less of a risk to lose their money. As for hunters, they want the ability to hunt wolves for sport and/or for their fur.
The Positives and Negatives Impacts of Hunting Wolves?
Information provided by the coordinator of the Timber Wolf Alliance: Adrian Wydeven
The dilemma regarding wolves in Wisconsin has created an abundance of conflict with their population, and finding a solution has been a treacherous ongoing event. The hunting of grey wolves, while originally endorsed in many states, has become a controversial issue in many states. Although, as of now, the grey wolf is federally protected as it is on the Endangered Species List, this may not be the case for long. This is due to the fact that a bill is making its way through Congress, which aims to lift that protection in Wisconsin, as well as throughout the lower 48 states. The two states that are not included are Alaska and Hawaii. With the removal of the wolves from the endangered species list states, as well as Indian tribes, would regain control over wolf management. In simpler words, wolves would not be federally protected, and therefore, people have the ability to hunt wolves, as long as they abide by the rules.
Key Players
Within the wolf controversy debate there are major key players, who work to influence the overall decision, in terms of whether or not wolves should remain federally protected, as well as if there should be a wolf hunt in Wisconsin. The main source of objection to wolves being hunted comes from the Ojibwe tribe. The Ojibwe remain on four modern-day reservations in Wisconsin: Bad River, Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau, and Lac Courte Oreilles. The Ojibwe are highly supportive of protective policies and are strongly opposed to the hunting of gray wolves. In the new plan to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List, which will allow for a wolf hunt, the Ojibwe tribe will rejected their quota of wolves, as they have made it known that they do not intend to hunt wolves on their reservation. This can be attributed to the fact that wolves play a dominant role in their tribe, as wolves are a symbol of their culture and tradition.
Kurt Perron, the president of the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, states that, “as we see the wolf returning, or gaining strength, just like we, as Ojibwe Anishinaabe people have, we see that relationship. So that’s what concerns us with the hunt, it’s almost like you’re hunting our brothers.”
On the other hand, there are two main key players, who are behind the notion of removing wolves from the Endangered Species List. Farmers, when it comes to wolves, have one overarching reason for wanting to the ability to kill wolves: financial loss. This is because when a wolf kills a farmers livestock, the farmer loses money, but by having the ability to kill wolves this can prevent potential killing of livestock. This is beneficial to the farmer, as they are at less of a risk to lose their money. As for hunters, they want the ability to hunt wolves for sport and/or for their fur.
The Positives and Negatives Impacts of Hunting Wolves?
Information provided by the coordinator of the Timber Wolf Alliance: Adrian Wydeven
Solutions
One possible solution moving forward would be to shift the focus from the current regulations for hunting wolves, to the population goals set for the population. The current goal for the wolf population in Wisconsin is 350 wolves. And yet, there are almost 1,000 wolves in Wisconsin. This means that the DNR would eventually have to reduce the population by nearly two-thirds. This highlights the fact that reaching the set goal of 350 wolves would require intense reductions of the wolf population. The plan and management goals needs to be updated, and that way even if the wolves are removed from the Endangered Species List, their chances of becoming Endangered again, would be lessened.
One possible solution moving forward would be to shift the focus from the current regulations for hunting wolves, to the population goals set for the population. The current goal for the wolf population in Wisconsin is 350 wolves. And yet, there are almost 1,000 wolves in Wisconsin. This means that the DNR would eventually have to reduce the population by nearly two-thirds. This highlights the fact that reaching the set goal of 350 wolves would require intense reductions of the wolf population. The plan and management goals needs to be updated, and that way even if the wolves are removed from the Endangered Species List, their chances of becoming Endangered again, would be lessened.