LAST EDITED ON Nov-18-13 AT 09:31PM (MST)[p]O_S_O_K...et al.
Just to clear up a few things.
I've been involved with the wolf issue for a long, long time. I've also talked at length with and met with many of the key players in the wolf issue. I lived in the epicenter of where the wolf issue started.
I'm not forced to guess about whats happened with this issue, unlike the Toby Bridges types who are posting on this thread. I lived it.
While many are still hung up on the "need" for the wolf reintroduction...theres really only 2 facts that matter in that whole debate:
1. It happened and it cant be reversed.
2. It simply sped up the inevitable, and undeniable fact, that wolves were going to repopulate the lower-48 with or without reintroduction.
Prior to wolf reintroduction...by at least a decade, there were already established packs in the South Fork and North Forks of the Flathead, the Rocky Mountain Front, and Ninemile areas of Montana. Those wolves were under full federal protection of the ESA. They were expanding, and there were very management options for anyone, including the Feds.
When wolf reintroduction was in its early stages, there were more scoping meetings and comments received on it than any NEPA document in history. Nationally comments in favor of reintroduction were 90%, in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming comments received were 70% in favor.
My comments on the DEIS, and FEIS are part of the public record as I took the time to comment on both. Apparently, as is per always the case, issues like these that impact hunters the most were poorly attended by the hunting public. Again, I know, because I was THERE attending the meetings.
After the reintroduction, it was in vogue to listen to hunters pi$$ and moan that wolves were "shoved down our throats". Sorry, thats not true. Complacency and hand-wringing after the fact is not the USFWS shoving wolves down your throat. In particular when 70-90% of the comments receieved were in favor...you reap what you sow...or dont sow, in this case.
The EIS process worked in a couple ways.
1. It identified the reintroduced population as non-essential. For those with 2 firing brain cells, thats a HUGE deal. It gave State and Federal Managers a lot of Management options while the population made its way to delisting. That included lethal actions by the State and Federal wildlife services as well as the immediate issuing of kill permits to private landowners. Again, because I was there, I personaly saw kill permits issued as early as 1998 to private landowners.
Without reintroduction, and the language of the FEIS, when the established packs in Montana expanded, neither the agencies nor the private citizens would have been left with management options. Those wolves would have stayed on the ESL and would, for 100% fact, still be enjoying full federal protection.
2. The EIS also identified and ensured that the States would take control of wolves once the requirements of delisting happened.
Almost immediately after the FEIS and preferred alternative were accepted, MT, ID, and WY all began drafting state management plans. Again, the citizens of all those states were asked for input into those plans. Once again, as per always (still), meetings and comments were pitiful within the hunting community. But, thanks to the efforts of a handful of hunters, ranchers, etc. State Plans were drafted and adopted. Within those plans was the ability for the State to allow hunting, trapping, etc.
Throughout the process, nobody that I knew that was involved believed that this process was going to be perfect. Nobody denied that wolves would have an impact on livestock and big-game. It was stated, in crystal clear language, that there would be livestock predation and that big-game numbers would be impacted.
The process wasnt perfect. It was inevitable that the wolfhuggers were going to file some lawsuits. What nobody could have guessed is that Wyomings "plan" would hold up delisting for at least 3-5 years. Plenty of other bumps along the way as well.
The reason that threads like this are so ridiculous is that 99% of those commenting NOW...didnt do chit THEN. When the rubber was hitting the road, they werent even in the car...hell, they didnt even know there was a road...or a car! You had your chance to make changes, influence decisions...at least 4 times in the process...and you didnt do it. Tough chit now...and quit crying about it.
When the SSS crowd and those making ridiculous claims like a pack of wolves eat 2-4 elk per week, I cant find an elk to kill because the wolves at them all, the reintroduced wolves are canadian timber wolves etc. start in...its just ignorant ranting. Ignorant ranting that makes all hunters look like uniformed idiots. You can claim it drives wedges between hunters...but I WONT be lumped in with "hunters" of the type that blame wolves for every woe in game management. Wont do it.
I also wont allow the uninformed to make outlandish claims that simply arent true. The fools that make those claims can only harm the credibility of those that fought the hardest, and did all the heavy lifting, to get Wolf Management into the hands of the States.
Its now up to us how we proceed. Manage wolves the same way we manage elk, deer, pronghorn, sheep, bears, lions, we can continue to control the populations and have the biggest seat at the table. Kill wolves down to less than the minimum requirements with SSS bullchit...we're FRANKED. The wolves go back on the ESL and we never have control again...ever. That fact you take to the fuggin' bank.
Time to stop the Toby Bridges, Don Peay, Ryan Bensons, and mightyhunters of the world from continuing to cash in on the "wolf wars"... who do so both figuratively and literally. Time to stop the SSS redneck bullchit. Jump into reality, buy a wolf tag, and continue down the path of proper game management. Use your time, effort, and money on things that you can change...dont live in the past trying to change things you cant.
Act like sportsmen.
