The National Parks Service has complained that a new program under which state workers will shoot wolves from helicopters in the Upper Yukon/Tanana region."We’re concerned that it would be difficult and potentially not possible for us to follow our mandates based on the state’s action in the control area," Greg Dudgeon, the superintendent of hte Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, told me just now.
Federal officials are worried there are "fewer wolves than what [the state] believes," he said.
A Fish & Game Department spokeswoman told the local AP that the hunting is necessary to keep Caribou herds growing, and that there's no other way to keep the wolf population in check."It's a very large area and it's become apparent it's going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to reach those numbers with just [private hunting parties]," she said. "Helicopters are much more efficient."
I am definitely on the side of the Federal Government in this debate.
Those of us in Alaska are painfully aware that the the board of Fish and Game up here is completely controlled by hunters. And that what they call "predator control" is really just their attempt to keep wolves and bears from killing the animals that THEY want to kill. And if they can't kill moose, caribou, and Dall sheep like they want then they will just settle for getting a crack at killing more wolves and bears. Because it is not about feeding their families, it is about making them feel like men.
And when you have people with a blood lust deciding what should and should not die, well you get ideas like gassing wolf cubs in their dens, and using automatic weapons to kill entire wolf packs. And that is just fucking barbaric!
It is obvious that we need clearer heads to enter into this debate, and I hope the National Park Service will assume that role.
Can't wait to hear when the helicopter murderers, er..."hunters" kill their first sled dog or hiker. Not that the media will report it. But I'm sure it will get posted to one of the blogs. Please keep us informed on the slaughter should the Feds fail to stop it or some gun-happy psychos decide to go through with the plan anyway.
ReplyDeleteI'm betting those thrill killers don't let any National Park Service tree-huggers slow them down. Remember, they have Sarah Palin leading them, and we know there is no level to which she won't stoop and no court she won't sue in.
ReplyDeleteA few points I just have to address here even though I would like to go out and find a sport hunter and throttle him with my bare hands.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, of course it's sport with these people but you'll never get one of them to admit it. Nearly every damn one of them when challenged will try to claim that they hunt to feed their family or they hunt because they prefer the meat, blah, blah, blah. It's not true of course, it's as Gryphen has stated it, it makes them feel like real men. Or in the case of women, more like men which satisfies their penis envy.
I own border collies for farm use and I know that the border collie is the most intelligent dog simply because the breeders haven't been allowed to breed the brains right out of them. Sheep herders, both professional and hobbyists have protected the breed because they are the last of the domestic dog breeds to not be bred for looks and show. I kid you not folks, some of the things these dogs do makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck! But to my point: A few years ago I started to learn about wolves and I discovered that my border collies can't hold a candle to wolves in the intelligence department. Border collies can't turn doorknobs to open a door but a wolf understands exactly how to do it and he does. Then I started to learn more about wolves and how they live and how they are even more family oriented than humans and a whole lot of other mindbending things about them, and that's why I nearly puked when I saw this blog post. Some may know what I'm talking about here and most won't but anyone who wants a life enriching experience should take the time to find out about wolves.
In the history of bounties on wild animals, none have ever paid off. The best it's ever done is make work for starving natives in the north at the expense of upsetting the balance of nature. This is proof enough that those who support this kind of barbarity are sick fuckers at best. I would say that Sarah Palin at least has an excuse because she's too stupid to learn and then would be incapable of understanding anyway. Disgusting!
There, that's my rant for today.
Nature has a predesigned system of "predator control", Governor. You know "nature", right? Some call Him Allah, some think HE is a SHE, others just call IT "NATURE"! And it has a law all of its own. When man (or a stiletto slingin' woman) begin to interfere, the balance necessary for a healthy stock of wildlife is shifted in a dangerous direction.
ReplyDeleteLet's be clear, kids. Wolves seek out and eat the weakest in the herd...the laggers. AND the sick. The diseased. When these animals are not naturally selected out of their environment, there is a risk of further spread of disease and/or genetically mutated populations of moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. How safe is the food supply then, Governor?
This is truly the saddest image I've seen. They are dangerous. But these stealthly regal wolves are so very vital to sustaining the NATURAL balance of all wild beasts.
In an alternate universe...the wolves take to the sky.....
Amen! to your comments.
ReplyDeleteYes, beautifully expressed comments and much needed information. This is beyond sad & downright SICK. I also thought I read elsewhere that wolves mate for life. Hopefully the Feds & Natl Park Service can step in quickly. This is outrageous!
ReplyDeleteKath the Scrappy from Seattle
Horrific...
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right...it is not predator control, but rather massive murder to keep wolves and bears from killing the animals they want to kill for trophies, and hunting club charge up to $10,000 for a moose...yeah, seems like everything gets back to money.
Thanks, Gryphen, for getting the word out.
nailin' palin now has loads of links on how to take action:
ReplyDeletehttp://nailinpalinnow.blogspot.com/2009/03/take-direct-action-now-to-fight-palins.html
As an animal lover (and people lover) I have had my share of not liking hunting, not eating meat .. to eating meat and finding hunting for food better than eating something from an inhumane factory farm.. but
ReplyDeleteThis type of "sport" is just sick.. I am not keen on the ins and outs of the "wolf issue in Alaska" but this cannot be the answer
When I first read about this target on wolves all I could think of is what the wolf meant to Native Americans.. they revered them.. as teachers and for their wisdom.. they called the Wolf their "Brother"
Yeah yeah .. native american stuff is just malarky.. actually the last documented speeches from great leaders in the N. American world.. was very prophetic.. if the earth is not treated with respect (and all living things on it) .. nothing good can come of it
I am being spiritual here, which doesn't help the cause ..but I just wonder how many great spirits are turning in their graves over how Brother Wolf is being treated
For anyone who hasn't seen the documentary on wolves by Jim Dutcher, I highly recommend it. Some of it can be seen in parts on youtube:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qEwoCu9aMc
I was so moved by it I bought the DVD.
Gryphen, DonG, Jen, Regina, all of you great points! I am so sick about this I can hardly comment on it, it is so very depressing. I have read Jim Dutcher's book and have his beautiful picture book also. Yesterday DoW called me, and they are fighting GINO in court he said. Yesterday on HUFFPO I saw they are trying to get a immediately injunction on the wolf killing. Even if they get if for a few weeks, it will good b/c after that the snow melts and their(wolves) harder to spot. That's why their(BOG) in such a rush right now, to kill, baby, kill b/c there is still snow on the ground. I hope they can stall them. And don't forget the blk bear also...I guess their no fun the run down from a plane so they just snare trap them. This whole thing make me sick.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a good day when GINO and all her minions go down, every day I hate her more, vile,vile creature.
Gryphen, DonG, Jen Regina, Caligirl, yes you are all right! Please, please, please everyone contact the Parks Department, and Ken Salazar at Interior. Sarah Palin and her pals can be stopped but it is going constant, relentless efforts on our part to keep this going on the blogs and hopefully MSM. And if you can, please make a contribution to Defenders even if you have contributed before. For the first time in years, I do feel hopeful about stopping this slaughter.
ReplyDeleteThis subject is one that I am very passionate about. In the article on ADN it stated that if BFG sees they OVER ESTIMATED the count they would back off the culling.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't that just prove they have not done any type of census to see how many wolves they are in the area. Even though they said they approached this scientifically. They also agreed to not kill wolves from 3 of the 5 packs or with radio collars. My question is how in the hell do you know which wolves are in which pack from the air only those that are studying them will know the difference.
Now this point, the BFG says there is 400 WOLVES AND THEY WANT TO KILL 300 of those. Now that is not including all the pups they will gas or the ones they miss but they have killed the mothers and they will starve or for the trappers or poachers. Didn't we learn anything when the American Buffalo almost went extinct. Or the Jaguar that made its home in Arizona and New Mexico to which everyone thought was extinct until spotted and caught this year. Not only the wolves culling the sick and old of their pray, has anyone thought of what these animals are going to graze on. They are talking about bringing the numbers up to as high as 600,000 increase.
As Don G. says they are extremely intelligent. Now back to the the other article of the caribou slaughter, did you notice they said those carcasses laid on the ground forever even the young still trying to suckle. Must not be explosive numbers of predators around there not to cash in on all that dinner.
Can't remember were I read it but I read yesterday they had already killed 42 I believe the number was. It is so cowardly to kill these animals that way. But as I am starting to believe the only thing that matters in Alaska is the money. God forbid any animal that has to contend against money in a situation, the animal will always lose.
Tewise:"Now back to the the other article of the caribou slaughter, did you notice they said those carcasses laid on the ground forever even the young still trying to suckle. Must not be explosive numbers of predators around there not to cash in on all that dinner."
ReplyDeleteExactly! If there were so many wolves decimating the caribou, they would of been all over this, this is why their argument is complete Bullshit and I told DoW this story yesterday!!
Yes, with GINO its follow the $! The whole BOG is stack against the wolves and bears in favor of SPORT HUNTERS!And then they hunt by helicopter or airplane,That is not sport! It is the sickest, most vile practice they are doing up there. I pray DoW can stop the hunt ASAP!
people shouldn't be killing the wolves, what did they do to us I'm pretty sure if we put ourselves as the wolves and the wolves were us for one we wouldn't know what the hell to do, and second I'm pretty damn sure if someone goes after you with a gun you all would be fucking running too!!!
ReplyDeletewolves are beautiful animals killing them are pointless, because if you kill all the wolves them you all might as well wanna kill all the deer, because if you take out the wolves the deer population will grow higher then you can even count, and with out the predators, their preys numbers will be to high for the amount of vegetation, then the vegetation will die out;
ReplyDeleteit'll disrupt the order of the animal kingdom.
People that hurt or kill wolves are monster! what if someone shot you and left you there to die! Wolves are awesome animals my favorite so dont kill them and break my heart.
ReplyDelete