Conservationists focused on wolf recovery know it can be one of the state’s most controversial topics, and dueling wolf bills now show the divide between politics east and west of the Cascades.
The first bill was proposed by Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Bainbridge Island. It reads, “The department may not authorize the killing of gray wolves”. HB 1045 would make it illegal for the state to kill wolves for attacking livestock and instead force their relocation.
Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, lives in wolf territory and filed a bill in response. HB 1639 would create a wolf sanctuary on Bainbridge Island so problem wolves can live there instead and locals can benefit from “the largely untapped wolf tourism industry.”
“It’s a response to a really insulting bill,” Kretz said.
Kretz says his constituents are constantly plagued with the challenges of wolf recovery and a bill that would ban killing wolves could ruin their rural economy.
“The big impact is the stress on the cattle. I had a rancher sell 200 of his best cows a summer ago because they had been harassed all summer long. They came in, I have pictures, they were two for 300 pounds on your way. They are skin and bones. They don’t have a calf by their side. And they’re not pregnant. They are crazy for being run all summer long,” he said.
Exposing the Big Game 
Reblogged this on Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting Blog.
This kind of thing happens every little while. Some call their bluff, and say bring ’em in, but alas, it never happens. *shrugs*
Joel is one of the few legislators that can get his tongue between his cheeks. If his constituents had to pay some of the bills associated with keeping the state legislature operating, and dealing with his single-cheeked bills, they might find less humour. Perhaps, the 7th LD should start asking what jobs Kretz has brought to the area. Do they have more places to fuel their vehicles? Joel was big on that a decade back. Probably, wolves have brought more revenue into the NE counties with all the range riders and cost-sharing programs. Perhaps, it’s time for the ranchers that have hundreds of head of cattle coming in at half weight to start ranching in defensible areas, or hiring cowboys to tend the herds.