Photograph is of a young wolf killed by a hunter that used dogs in the Wisconsin wolf hunt 2014.
I wrote the following opinion editorial in September of 2014 just before the third Wisconsin wolf trophy hunt was about to commence. Nothing is more shocking than using dogs to hunt down wolves. Wisconsin is the only state that allows this barbaric sport; Throws dogs to wolves. Wisconsin’s wolf is currently on the Endangered Species List, but for how long? Politicians are working to delist wolves in The Great Lakes region, essentially giving back management of an imperiled species to states, such as Wisconsin, that have a track record of mismanagement. As delisting threats are looming in congress the following opinion editorial is a reminder of things to come. Read on :
Column: Still plenty of problems with the wolf hunt by Rachel Tilseth, September 29, 2014 in Wausau Daily Herald
It is about time states are held accountable for their cruel treatments of wolves, a recently endangered species. Delisting wolves federally put them in the hands of states that haven’t learned from past mistakes. This surely is the beginning of the end for wolf hating state agencies in charge of wolf management.
Wisconsin’s DNR is in the same category as Wyoming’s by demonstrating the same, ‘hostile and extreme anti-wolf policies.’ This is all because DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp’s handpicked Wolf Advisory Committee (WAC) is stacked with wolf haters.
Several scientists wrote a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services cautioning that vital information is missing from DNR wolf slaughter statistics.
Stepp booted several important scientists from her WAC that could have prevented vital information from being left out of DNR wolf slaughter Statistics in the first place.
Oh, but wait there’s more.
Now Stepp wants the DNR to find out if dogs are really killing wolves in the woods. So listen to this, Stepp’s solution is (to paraphrase) to ask wolf hunters to let federal wildlife officials watch them skin their wolf.
This latest blow for the health of Wisconsin wolf population makes it apparent Stepp’s leadership skills are below standards, to the point of a complete loss of ethics. The Oxford dictionary defines ‘ethics’ as ‘A branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.’
The western schools of ethics break it down into three concepts or codes. The first being virtues such as justice for one. Then the second is duty such as morality. Thirdly that the principle of conduct for the benefit of the greatest number.
We now have a DNR administration completely unable to monitor or enforce if dogs are killing wolves. It is illegal for hunting dogs to engage and kill wildlife. Remember that US Fish and Wildlife Services are supposedly monitoring how well DNR can manage its wolves. After all, wolves were extinct or extirpated from our woods a few short decades ago and certainly could happen again if not managed wisely.
Stepp’s WAC committee is run by citizen pro-wolf hunters that lack a moral compass. It is important to know that these fringe hunters are crafting this wolf hunt to suit their own agendas. Asking the wolf hunters to voluntarily submit to an inspection is outrageous and almost comical. Do you really think any hunter whose dogs just killed a wolf will volunteer for this sham?
This can be compared to asking a serial killer to volunteer to present his human kill to a medical examiner. Where is the professional conduct in this? Where is the justice for the illegally killed wolf/wolves?
The public perception is that dogs are killing wolves and that’s illegal. And rules to monitor this controversial method of hunting should have been in place for the first wolf hunt. We are now approaching the third wolf hunt season.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Stepp must resign for dereliction of duty, because she willfully refuses to carry out her duties as DNR Secretary.
Citizens want wolves in Wisconsin and do not approve of the use of dogs in the wolf hunt. Public input must be respected.
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It’s very crystal clear to me that the States as long as they are ran by irresponsible politicians who’s only agendas are power and money for their back pockets will never speak up for the people who genuinely care for the welfare of our wild life. Education and and co existent will work why not get behind that…
Perhaps it is past time for the public to follow these hunters and take matters into their own hands and stop the wolf hunts.
WODCW is not aligned or affiliated with any groups taking the law into their own hands. WODCW works to make changes through informational education and awareness so that the public can make informed decisions: Written letter, legislative actions.