For the first decade or so after their reintroduction to Yellowstone and central Idaho in 1996, the Federal Endangered Species Act safeguarded wolves from overzealous hunters and trappers, but as the director of the USFWS pointed out, the ESA is “not an animal protection act.” Blanket protection of any non-human animal goes against the grain of our political agencies, which are ultimately only answerable to the one species with the any hope of representation—Homo sapiens.
The right of an American species not to be hunted to extinction is a relatively new advancement. At present, it‘s about the only right extended to the nonhumans in this, the land of the free. Now that wolves are off the Endangered Species list in any state with even a minor population, the feds plan to remove them from the U.S. list completely, casting any pioneering individual or would-be wolf pack to the mercy (or lack thereof) of whichever state is fortunate enough to be graced by their presence.
An organized bunch of thugs, anti-wolf fanatics have been on point, lying in wait for the day wolves lose all protection and are deemed “fair game” for their killing pleasure. Lately a deceptively named hate-group calling itself “Big Game Forever” has been luring Utah state funds away from essentials such as schools and into their anti-wolf agenda. Just recently they leached $300,000 for their campaign against wolves in that currently wolf-less state.
Others, such as South Dakota, have hastily re-classified wolves from the status of protected to “varmint,” in the event that any lost wolf happens by. Even “progressive” Washington state jumped on the bandwagon, allowing people to kill wolves without permit and changing the wolf’s status to “big game,” ahead of their anticipated complete removal from federal ESA protection.
A classic example of what will happen the minute wolves lose federal protections was made clear yesterday as Washington state lawmakers approved “Emergency Rule WAC 232-36-05100B Killing wildlife causing private property damage” which includes the following provisions:
1) An owner of domestic animals, including livestock, the owner’s immediate family member, the agent of an owner, or the owner’s documented employee may kill one gray wolf (Canis lupus) without a permit issued by the director, regardless of its state classification, if the wolf is attacking their domestic animals.
(a) This section applies to the area of the state where the gray wolf is not listed as endangered or threatened under the federal endangered species act.
(b) Any wolf killed under this authority must be reported to the department within twenty-four hours.
(c) The wolf carcass must be surrendered to the department.
(d) The owner of the domestic animal must grant or assist the department in gaining access to the property where the wolf was killed for the purposes of data collection or incident investigation.
(2) If the department finds that a private citizen killed a gray wolf that was not attacking a domestic animal, or that the killing was not consistent with this rule, then that person may be prosecuted for unlawful taking of endangered wildlife under RCW 77.15.120.
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The “Emergency Rule” is bad enough as it stands, but if ESA wolf protections are lifted nationwide (as is currently planned), points (1a) and (2) will be moot—there won’t be any area of the state safe for wolves, nor any “endangered wildlife” designation to discourage poaching. This is why the wolves, though arguably “recovered” in some areas, need to remain under federal ESA protection nationwide.
We can’t let them lose what little protection they still have in this country. While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forge ahead with their plan for full removal of wolves from the ESA, we need to continue to press our new Interior Secretary Sally Jewell for both their continued protection as well as the re-listing of wolves in those states where out-of-control culling is driving them back to the brink of oblivion.
Washington’s “emergency” rule was crafted in response to a letter from ten state legislators urging their Fish and Wildlife Commission to act quickly “to maintain social tolerance for gray wolves in northeast Washington in the timeliest manner for residents.”
Hmm, killing wolves to “maintain tolerance,” where have I heard that before? Oh that’s right, it was from wildlife snuff film producer and wolf-hunter Randy Newberg who told NPR News that wolf hunts in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are easing the animosity many local people feel toward the predator. “Having these hunting seasons has provided a level of tolerance again,” Newberg told NPR.
Let me get this straight, in order to placate and appease good ol’ boys and get them to put up with the presence of one of North America’s most historically embattled endangered species, we have to let them kill some of them once in a while? Wolf hunting and trapping are just a salve—a bit of revenge-killing for them–why not let them have their fun? By this logic, they should also be entitled to shoot an Indian every so often (like their forefathers who tried to wipe them out), to help promote tolerance and social acceptance.
It’s time to remind our politicians that the wolf-killing Calvary is about as outnumbered by those of us who appreciate wolves as General Custer was at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
What’s happening now in Washington is just how it started out in other states whose wolf-killing policies are now completely out of control. Washington wolf proponents need to realize that their wildlife policy-makers will continue to up the ante each time we accept the new status quo.
The question is, how much of a wolf-kill massacre are we willing to tolerate before we go on the warpath?
Text and Wildlife Photography ©Jim Robertson, 2013. All Rights Reserved
Exposing the Big Game 
I ‘am ready now !!!
I am ready to let the wolves manage Washington’ D.C.! They couldn’t possibly do a worse job than our current politicians.
We need a bumper sticker “Save a wolf, buy a politician!”.
Why can’t I kill ranchers who are using OUR public lands to graze their cattle, destroying the earth with their “Roundup” to grow feed & putting the rest of the country into a drought by using absurd amounts of water. Really love wolves? STOP EATING MEAT!!!!!!! Supporting ranchers is directly opposing your own cause. Buffalo, I think, is wolf friendly but other than that…. I think a posse of us should hide out in areas where wolves have dens and shoot the ignorant self-righteous jerks who are “hunting” them. That’ll learn em.
Now, now… And, am I misreading you, or are you promoting bison meat? Wolf-friendly or not, bison ranching is certainly not bison-friendly.
Its all in the Lobbyist’s who run our country for the stinky Ranchers. Can the Wolves have Lobbyist’s
as well
Bison are headed in the direction of a genetic monocultured animal just like feedlot cattle. If you are in need of a little meat, such as people on highly restricted diets that need a little protein, not just because you have meat lust… try to eat as low down the food chain as you can or some organic eggs, excess to the farmer’s needs. A goose egg makes a nice meal fried up with a bunch of veggies and homefries! Ducks lay lots of eggs, way too many to grow out, and they are good eatin’! These things do not threaten wolves. Also, ….sorry , Jim, I think this is gross, too, many people will grow out a pig over the Summer and Fall, they pay someone to butcher it but usually do not want the organ meats. Ask around and you can probably get some free? I am told that pig livers taste good. Totally not my thing. But if you love wolves and you have friends that get a couple of piglets in the spring, if you like organ meats and they don’t, you could be in luck? Red meat will cause inflamation if you eat it. It may trigger a pain response? Like the next morning when your feet hit the floor? Best to eat as local and low on the food chain as you can to be healthy. 🙂 And one more point…buy from responsible, organic, non-GMO farmers who understand that they should have wolf and coyote proof fencing with overhead fence for bird and raccoon prevention. It is expensive but if they don’t want escapees from their flocks or to have to kill wildlife, it is the way to go. One family keeps birds under an old truck cap they put wheels on and push it for organic tick control with fresh eggs as a bonus!
The problem with most Wolf advocates is they refuse to stand up to the Anti’s or get off their T.V.’s and I phones long enough to go out and fight or make a difference for the Wolf! They make up excuses to not help but they cry and bitch about it and say “Someone needs to stop this horrible tragedy!” I have been doing Wolf Advocacy for over 25 years. I have tried to get people fired up to help in rallies and walks, tried to get them to call into Radio programs to support the Wolf, Tried to get them to write letters or e-mail their local congressmen/women and Senators, As well as to the President. Almost all the time I get nothing but excuses as to why they can’t do it. I can understand if you are like me as far as being able to go to walks and rallies, broke, no car or a car that is in very bad condition, like mine but when you have nothing better to do, just don’t feel like going or doing it, can’t miss an episode of Bridezillas or some other B.S. like that then don’t bother to call yourself a Wolf Advocate or any kind of animal advocate. It’s a lie! If you truly cared you would leave your stupid mind numbing reality t.v. shows behind! I am tired of the excuses! Because Wolf Advocates won’t stand up and fight or can’t stop fighting among themselves the Wolf is doomed to extinction now. You need to grow up and realize this isn’t about US! it’s about saving a Species I thought we all loved and cared for! As far as I am concerned if you’re one of them that has continually made up excuses not to help fight for Wolves you’re no better than the ones pulling the triggers!
Melissa, that was the point behind “Save a Wolf, buy a politician”! Bumper Sticker. You can make your own bumper stickers almost free and use up old spray paint cans, too. Go to any politician’s campaign office and ask for a bunch of bumper stickers. Repaint them plain. Make a stencil out of a cardstock file folder. Say what you want. Gift to like-minded friends. 🙂 How about ” I’m pro-wolf and I vote!”.
Angela, I tell people to do what they do best. Also, I agree about in-fighting has to stop. There are those who have the people skills to get out in public and those that don’t. There are the home bound who are great at organizing online. Not everyone has to parade around, just the ones who are good at it, have great people skills. And there are those of us who are home with no wheels, miles from a bus. I have 5 wolves in my care, who can’t be left alone more than a few minutes. Rescued animals who would get the needle if they landed in a shelter! Everyone just needs to do something, preferably what they do best! You are right that laying around watching tv is useless. Being useless is not the same as pulling the trigger. The useless ones can’t say they are wolf supporters. If they want to watch tv, ok but have a calling list and use it on the commercials!
Fish and Wlidlife in Washington is following the same agenda as Michigan’s senator Casperson and the Federal Fish and Wildlife, not to mention the US Congress on the gun control issue. They do what they want without any regard for the wishes of the majority of taxpayers. Fish and Wildlife here in WA ignored the legislature by giving ranchers the new wolf killing permissions–another perversion of democracy, by an non-elected group. Power grab. How do you have any effect on such “politics” with mere activism ?
We need our own power grab.
They have to know we are willing to vote on their records, not their promises. The money in politics is obscene. We could feed every hungry person with that money. We have to be willing to elect independent candidates who will work for us, not themselves. But if we are going to get something done, we have to have a set agenda and work together without all of the negativity.
tolerate no more, hunters and trappers are the lowest scum on the planet, and our politicians are the 2nd lowest. you watch the poaching start now – the flood gates are open once again – and if it isn’t stopped the wolves will disappear forever..
Enough is enough. All wolves must stay protected. Stop this before it’s too late now.
It’s great to see some passion, and yes, good ol’ anger, in these responses..There is no “wolf-friendly” anything, and certainly not other non-human animal flesh. Surely, the time has come for anyone, any group that purports to “care about wolves, coyotes, or other wild animals, to get off our compromising, “let’s all get along” butts, and Declare War Against the Livestock, Hunting/Trapping Industries–by the way, most of these folk are one in the same. The ranchers are all over the public lands, grazing the hell out of them, and demanding native wildlife be killed, to appease them.And, the wildlife agencies are in bed with them. This has been long-standing mania since the 1880’s, at least. And it has not changed today.
Why are coyotes, who are beautiful, intelligent, animals, still considered “Varmints” in all states, hunted at any time of year, for any reason? Because this “livestock ranching mentality” is so inbred in our species, it continues in this 21st century.
There is no way, for wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, or any other wonderful wild animal to “coexist” with these despicable industries. Any wildlife groups that are “working with” these killers is a traitor to remaining wildlife populations. So, that is the line in the sand. http://www.foranimals.org