Wisconsin’s wolf hunt was a slaughter. Here’s how to make it better
Last week, a Sun-Times contributing writer wrote about a Wisconsin wolf hunt that took place over several days in February. It was not a wolf hunt, as the writer David McGrath made clear. It was a slaughter. In addition to killing 83% more wolves than allowed, many participants boasted of “gut shooting” many wolves and claiming just one, or running them ragged with dogs and snowmobiles. Dogs were allowed to tear up the quarry. This is not a fair chase.
Wildlife is held in the public trust. Those of us who enjoy wildlife and wild places nonconsumptively number in the thousands. We deserve a voice.
State departments of natural resources originally were created to rein in the hunters, who were thought to be devastating wild animal populations. This is happening again.
Why does this minority of people get all the say-so as to how we treat wildlife?
Ideally, Wisconsin’s Act 169, which sets the rules for wolf hunting and trapping, should be repealed. Dogs, traps, snares and snowmobile-chasing should not be allowed. Before any wolf hunt happens again in Wisconsin, the state’s Department of Natural Resources needs to come up with proposals to:
◆ Make sure the number of wolves allowed to be killed is not exceeded.
◆ Ensure fair chase. This includes prohibiting the use of dogs to hunt wolves and prohibiting night hunting.
◆ Monitor actual wolf lives lost. The hunters are not self-regulating.
◆ Ensure that any wolf wounded counts as that person’s quota.
◆ Establish significant punishment and deterrents for poaching.
Chris Albert, doctor of veterinary medicine,
Lebanon Junction, Kentucky Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.