Archive for the ‘Defenders of Wildlife’ Category

The Idaho SFW FTL!

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

wolves I’m getting a little tried of this anti-wolf business. The Idaho Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (see how they are trying to sound all official with their name resembling Idaho Fish and Wildlife) is having an animal killing derby featuring, you guessed it, wolves.

This deceptive group of ultra-rich cattle ranchers is primarily based/funded out of state, and is the very same group that Idaho Governor Butch Otter supports… remember his epic FAIL anti-wolf speech? Say, isn’t that Butch Otter a cattleman?

The Idaho SFW wants your money because (they say) they represent hunters, and that to be pro-wolf is the same as anti-hunting. The problem is, educated hunters know that wolves keep their game healthy and mobile (less wasting disease and environmental impact).

Why Idaho SFW is FTL (for the lose):

  • There’s this thing called … an ECOSYSTEM. Wolves need to be a part of it. Idaho SFW support anti-science, anti-environment, anti-wildlife and ultimately anti-hunting agendas.
  • The Idaho SFW is composed of a bunch of ultra-rich cattle ranchers that provide disinformation in order to rally support for their hidden, true cause. Most of these guys don’t even live in Idaho.
  • The Idaho SFW, instead of being straightforward about wanting to protect their cattle the cheapest way possible, mislead hunters into thinking that wolves are killing all of the deer and elk, when in fact, their return has increased deer and elk populations.

While we can continue to voice our opposition against the wolf hunt and support agencies like Defenders of Wildlife (which also compensate ranchers for cattle loss from wolves, which is much less than the number of cattle lost to disease every year), we can completely put an end to this Idaho SFW madness by not supporting them. Period.

| Posted in activism, Defenders of Wildlife, environment, idaho, wildlife | 2 Comments »

Idaho Wolf Hunt is Unfortunately a Go

Friday, September 11th, 2009

The Idaho wolf hunt officially started on September 1st, 2009. I’ve blogged about Idaho’s misguided, misunderstood and uneducated views about wolves a few times in the past.

Essentially the state is issuing a ton of wolf tags in order to reach the kill threshold of 220 wolves. If just a portion of the tags are used, Idaho’s entire population of approx. 1,000 wolves could all be slaughtered. There are no stipulations regarding wolf pups and mothers nursing pups in addition to alpha male and female wolves. If too many of the wolves are killed, the grey wolves will return to the endangered species list and reintroduction efforts will begin anew… costing taxpayers a ton of money for reintroduction – again.

Here’s a couple quotes I pulled from a Defenders of Wildlife statement:

“No other endangered species has ever been delisted at such a low population level and then immediately hunted to even lower unsustainable levels. This clearly is not responsible wolf management.”

“Idaho’s wildlife agency has stated that its intent is to reduce the population to only 518 wolves, while the Idaho state legislature’s official policy is that all wolves be removed ‘by whatever means necessary.’”

- Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife

Send a Message to President Obama Asking Him to Take Action to Stop the Idaho Wolf Hunt!

Politico FAIL

The Idaho wolf hunt sparked off the “Obama Tags” controversy with yet another example of stellar political representation of Idaho. Honestly, it is getting more and more difficult to tell people I live in Idaho. Read this NYT Opinion piece : Hunting Wolves, and Men for more.

The Bottom Line

Wolves are a natural part of a thriving, healthy ecosystem. Since their reintroduction to Idaho deer and elk numbers have actually increased. Many hunters mistakenly blame the devil wolves for killing off the deer and elk (and on occasion stealing their women and whiskey) available for hunting when in fact, their numbers are rising. Fear and lack of education is a dangerous mix.

Many of the anti-wolf crowd think wolves are going to eat their children – seriously. All things considered, one has a greater chance of being struck by lightning. Yes. Lightning.

My personal experience with wolves have all been positive. I’ve backpacked, hiked and camped all over Idaho in areas with wolves and have never once experienced a problem. Wolves do not like people – at all. Wolf encounters typically occur in areas where human habitation has overtaken wolf habitation. Meaning, they’ve got no place to go.

Bad News, Good News

Environmental groups were recently told by a federal judge that wolf delisting from endangered species act protections was likely illegal. Despite this, the judge won’t grant an injunction against the hunt, however, a future lawsuit may restore the wolves to protected status. As of this writing 8 wolves have already been killed.

Learn more about how to help wolves, visit SaveWolves.org!

Ask Obama to Stop the Idaho Wolf Hunt!

| Posted in activism, Defenders of Wildlife, endangered species, savewolves, wildlife | 3 Comments »

Idaho Grizzly Bear Killers Sentenced & Fined: Justice for Bear 346 and Cub

Thursday, May 11th, 2006

Two grizzly bears in a meadow in the Yellowsto...Image via WikipediaAfter initially challenging the charges against them, the killers later plead guilty to their crimes. The judge in the case ruled that the bear cub was not killed in self-defense as the defendants claimed. Both men will serve prison time and pay fines and restitution. The nearly $20,000 in restitution will go to the Yellowstone Association to fund grizzly bear management in the region. Hopefully, this will send a clear message that killing grizzly bears will not be tolerated. (Source: Defenders of Wildlife)

Full details about the hunters and bear 346 and her cub…

Personally, I think they got off easy. The fines are chump change to these guys who have elitist ties among the likes of Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills.

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| Posted in activism, breaking news, Defenders of Wildlife, Grizzly Bear, idaho, Jim Kelly, special interest, Yellowstone National Park | No Comments »