WDNR Wolf Advisory Committee Recommends Training for Wolf Hounding

Wisconsin DNR Wolf Advisory Committee recommended dog training times of the year. I offer this editorial on the WAC.

The majority voted to recommend training dogs to hunt wolves beginning after deer gun hunt season closes through February. One biologist advised against chasing wolves with dogs during breeding season because wolves are very territorial and protective at that time. It’s certain that conflicts between dogs and wolves will occur.

But 3 pro wolf hunt committee members insisted this will not happen. I wonder what fairy tale these 3 “extremist fringe wolf killing” committee members believe in? Because since 1985 almost HALF MiLLION DOLLARS has been paid out for hounds lost to wolves.

The other recommendation was to start the dog training after deer gun hunt season closes sometime in November through January 15 but only three committee members voted for this one and they are pro wolf.

These two recommendations will now go to the Natural Resources Board for final decisions.

WODCW will be working to ban this barbaric practice.

I attended this meeting as a spectator. I saw first hand how Cathy Stepp’s admittedly pro hunter stacked wolf advisory meeting was over run by 3 pro hunt committee members. I cannot decide which of these two examples to compare their behavior to: the housewives of NYC or a class of 6th graders out of control?

I will give a round of applause to whomever had the idea to bring in a meeting facilities moderator with a background as a teacher. This new moderator had her hands full making sure that everyone had a chance to speak up. As in the past this meeting has been dominated by these three pro wolf hunt members.

I am of the opinion that we need to call for Cathy Stepp’s resignation for not effectively carrying out her duties as head of the WDNR. Whether working for the WDNR or not, because no one should ever be treated with such disrespect witnessed at last Tuesdays Wolf Advisory Committee meeting. To Cathy Stepp I ask this question: where are your leadership skills?

Hats off to those Wolf Advisory Committee Members who acted with professional standards through-out this whole process: doing their best to fight for science!
Rachel
#wolfhunt #banwolfhounding
http://www.facebook.com/WolvesOfDouglasCountyWisconsin

Photo credit belongs to WI state Rep Brett Hulsey making an appearance at the meeting and is concerned about this state-sponsored sanctioned dog fighting.