From another list:

http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/publicComments/2013_14proposedWolfSeason.html

We all know that it doesn’t seem to make a difference when it comes to our public comments making a difference when it comes to MFWP idiotic and reprehensible

wolf management, but it will be on public record, and will show support for seeing wolves alive rather than dead and, it will show the rest of the world that more people value wolves and but a few want to eliminate them. These new regulations are being supported by the livestock industry, Rocky Mtn Elk Foundation, and other hunting groups and have nothing to do with science.

PLEASE comment and here’s some talking points from WOTR and Kim Bean

Wolves that are coexisting with humans and livestock will be killed for no other reason than bigotry and extreme mismanagement. Critical habitat for wolves near Yellowstone (Gardiner Basin) has been excluded from the quota areas. This is a deliberate attempt to kill as many YNP wolves as possible. With less than 25 wolves in the entire northern range of YNP, this will certainly prove an end to wolf packs of Yellowstone.

Some of our concerns are as follows: Hunters & trappers will be able to hunt over baited traps, as well as use electronic calls to pull wolves from safety into their line of fire. Because of the extended season September 15, 2013 – March 31, 2014 hunters will be able to hunt wolves in the advanced stages of pregnancy. If a hunter kills an alpha female he/she has killed the future survival of the pack. Disruption of the pack structure will lead to increased depredation and smaller pack sizes, yet more packs on the land. A Visions of Walt Disney’s Fantasia “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” comes to mind. A Wolf’s fur does not become full until late November; wolves killed prior to this are killed simply for the sake of killing.

Issues of Concern or Talking Points

1. Extended Season (15 Sept 2013 – 31 March 2014)

• Hunting Pregnant Wolves

• Pelt is Substandard

• Unethical & Immoral

• Disruption of the Pack Structure

• Killing to Hunt or Hunting to Kill

• Bitterroot Elk Study Research states Very Low Wolf Predation

2. Bag Limit of 5

• Annihilate Entire Pack

• Disrupt Pack Social Structure

• Increased Depredation

• Leads to Smaller Packs = Increase in Packs on the landscape

• Decrease in Recruitment

• Killing Pregnant Wolves ½ way through gestation

• Black Science

• In Contrast with North American Wildlife Conservation Model

3. Baiting Traps

• Not Fair Chase & Unethical

• Unenforceable

• Drastic Departure from Montana Wolf Management Plan

Yellowstone Wolves

Gardiner Basin MUST be included in the quota unit of 313

Revenue producing value of 35.5 + million sustainable dollars to the communities surrounding YNP

Research value utilized world-wide

Number 1 tourist attraction in YNP

These are not just Montana’s wolves, but the Nations wolves

Miscellaneous Talking Points

Could help slow or contain CWD Chronic Wasting Disease

Livestock Depredation continue to decline – In 2012 2.6 million cattle in MT, depredation by wolves 67

Huge deviation from the Montana Gray Wolf Management Plan

Under Public Trust Doctrine Wildlife belong to all Montanans

Elk Populations are virtually at or above objectives in Montana 55% above objective

More elk now in Montana then when wolves were reintroduced

Approximately 73 wolves in Yellowstone

Less than 25 in the Northern Range of YNP – only 18 in Lamar Valley