Panel debates ethics of wolf hunt
October 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
A panel discussion on the looming Minnesota wolf hunt filled an auditorium Friday night at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
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Panel debates ethics of wolf hunt
20 Comments
“What is the rush to have another hunt?” Goldman asked.
This is in now way a wolf extermination hunt but when wolves lose their fear of humans, as some of them near town have, its time to open a hunt. I’ve not personally heard of anyone attacked by a wolf but over the past five years I’ve heard personal stories of runners being followed by a wolf, hunters tree’d by a wolf, and a woman runner surrounded by 3 wolves on a walk. They are losing their fear and their population is steady so let the experts (the DNR) do their job. Shooting a wolf in the wild is a lot harder than shooting a buffalo on the plains so I think the wolves will do just fine.
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You have to wonder about those who wouldn`t want a pack or three in the area they live [like say anywhere near the twin cities or the southern part of this state], but want to insure the wolves survival by eliminating them from their entire natural range which includes the entire state. Reintruducing the wolves into their neighbor hoods is a better idea than tell one part of the state only it has to deal with what you discribe. Besides, the overpopulation of derr in the twin cities and surrounding areas could use a little “natural thinning out”….that would incude personal pets to of course. But that shouldn`t be an issure for them…..A natural balance means returning them to their natural range of habitat also. Why isn`t “Howling For Wolves” aiming for THAT goal?
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Sorry about the spellingFox3, I was going to fast on the keyboard for this old guy….LOL
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It’s the use of foot traps and snares as part of this wolf management plan that I object to. While the law requires checking a foot trap daily, this will not happen and certainly the DNR is not staffed to enforce this requirement.
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Pelt prices have risen. People need money- I have talked to a few- not many, guys who got permits and they plan to sell the pelt- if you sell in the right places you can get aroun $450- that will go a long way to add to the coffers of a family needing money-
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Dude, you’re high if you think a wolf hide can bring that much money. Even the highest quality pelt with no damaging bullet holes won’t bring that much.
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When people move into areas where wolves exist or build roads and trails into a wolves territory its just common sense that sooner or later you will come into contact with wolves. But is it that the wolf has lost fear of people, i dont think so. The wolf is the most victimized predator around being portrayed as a vicious random killer that needs to be eliminated. When people become rational about the role wolves play in our ecosystem then just maybe they will realize that it has a place and not be moved by their fears of a predator they do not understand but just want to victimize.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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OK… fine with that statement, as long as you admit that the wolf`s orininal territory covered EVERY part of the complete state [and that includes the twin cities]. What these “howing for wolves” nut cases should be doing, is trying to restore the animal into it`s natural range…wouldn`t that be a better way to keep their population and range restored? Or is it just us in northern Minnesota that upset them? They are all phonies, and you have no clue.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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How about when the ever increasing population of wolves move into areas that have been inhabited by European Americans for over a hundred years?? I don’t want to see them exterminated, but having them in my front yard showing no fear of humans makes me feel damn uncomfortable. Last summer they attacked a neighbors dog on his front patio. We live in the country, just a few miles inland from the shore of the big lake, with lots of homes nearby. I support the hunt (and the DNR’s ability to manage the population), even though I’ve no intention of participating in the hunt. It’s time these animals get some fear of humans again. Time for folks who live in the land of dreams (Twin Cities Metro) to quit trying to regulate the area we live in, and take care of quite well, thank you. The Arrowhead/Northshore area isn’t your personal playground, it’s our home.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Mark please don’t put words in the DNR’s mouth because no one is calling for the elimination of wolves. Calm down and think objectively.
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Mark spoke the truth. Why is it such a problem for those that support protecting the wolves, that thet refuse to look at the best option, which is restoring the wolf into it`s natural range? Those that give thumbs down on the idea, want the wolf out of their backyard and into someone elses backyard instead…that`s why. No, Mark spoke the truth.
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Personally I do not hunt because the idea of killing something that has done no harm to me is repellent. I also question the character of people that find killing animals fun or as some sort of proof of their man/womanhood. That being said many hunters and trappers have done more for conservation than any bleeding heart non-hunting but leather shoe wearing, cow eating protester. The decline in hunting and trapping I believe has contributed to the decline in conservation and respect for the earth and wildlife. And, the fact of the matter is that people have changed the balance of nature. We are the top of the food chain and some animal population control is necessary. Having a wolf hunt or trapping season isn’t going harm the overall wolf population. It would be nice to see these protesters do some actual good as others who have commented have suggested or invest in the resources to counteract the demonization of wolves.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I live in the woods, we’ve got wolves around, and I’ve come to peace with the ethics of killing animals so I can eat meat. But the concept of killing a wolf or any other creature for little more than recreational sport is just plain wrong. I’ll look forward to the time when our society matures and killing stuff for fun is no longer considered OK.
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Good point. So then you should be in favor of reintruducing wolf packs to their original territory then. Of course, keep in mind that includes the entire state, and it also includes the twin cities metro area, which could use some “deer thining” by natural means.
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I’m not sure how much good wolf habitat is left in southern Minn and 612 land, but if suitable spots exist for re-introduction then I say go for it. I don’t see having wolves around as some kind of burden to bear, actually, quite the opposite. Folks who don’t get to see a timber wolf from time to time are poorer for it.
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wacootah – ever ask a southern MN farmer the same question? I doubt he’d agree with you.
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LOL, your right Fox3. They want then out of their ecosystem and into yours, and protected besides. Of course the “Howling for Wolves” group will never go against keeping the packs just in northern Minnesota, and restoring them into their natural range throughout the entire state…because then they`d be having to answer to their own neighbors, and they sure are afraid of THAT!
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Hunting without eating is a trophy hunt. Unless the wolves are clearly overpopulating the area, it couldn’t be anything else.
The article states that the hunt will not affect the population, so it is not a hunt to control the population.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Why has the wolf population been stuck at 3000 for the last 5 years, they using birth-control??
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I talked to a farmer friend of mine a week ago. Since I talked to him two weeks ago he has had two calves killed outright by wolves. Another died from being chased and overheated and two others were chewed up bad enough where there is no certainty they will make it. The state of Minnesota will pay for the two that the wolves killed outright, how much I don’t know, but it will probably not be more than 30 % of a potential $4000.00 loss. This isn’t an isolated incident. There are too many wolves. I’m not in favor of killing them all but some sense needs to be used in checking the large increase in wolf populations. I don’t care if it’s a fur or trophy hunt, some of them need to go.
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