What's your opinion on wolf hunting in Montana?

I fully support the proposed Montana Grey Wolf hunt. I’m a wildlife biologist/writer and there is no doubt whatsoever that the current woldf population MUST be kept at a controlled level or we will start to see an extreme drop in other wildlife populations. Did you know that the coyote population in the areas where the wolves now reside has nearly vanished? Yes, wolves kill coyotes routinely. Mule deer populations have dropped 17% since last year, in the study area that I just finished working in. With each new litter of pups, the amount of prey needed increases by 3s or 4s. It doesn’t require much of an education to understand that we simply must control the numbers and having hunting season makes the very best sense, as the licensing fees will go towards further wildlife management needs (wolves included).

I’m too, don’t like the idea of “hunting” wolves…Since they started debating about it, something about it seems wrong…I’m not a hunter…but I was born, raised, and still live in Montana…every male I know hunts, and what they take down gets eaten…and THAT is probably what doesn’t sit right in my head…Wolf hunting is solid sport, a wolf killed in a hunt, dies for nothing except the “fun” of the sportster. In our family, hunting has always carried a humbler sense with it.

Also, it feels extreme to jump from wolves being “listed” to hunting them…perhaps, letting the ranchers protect their livelihoods for a while, without having to get pulled backwards thru the knothole of governemental red tape, might be a better second step.

I’m not a wolf “lover”…at least in the fanatical sense…they’re beautiful, they DO have a place in the wild, and I’m glad they’re back…but to me, “if ya ain’t going to eat it, then leave it”…

phrannie

I am torn on this issue. on one side I love wolves and all other animals. on the other side I am a very prolific hunter. there has to be a balance. hunting is a very effective tool for conservation, nature has been set aside - more or less, so hunters have become the “great predator” of the world. obviously the decision has been made to thin the wolf population down a bit. several factors go into that decision. it is not that someone just decides one day that they hate wolves and they should be shot. I am a responsible hunter, and as such- a responsible conservationist. I take the animals I hunt in a humane manner for food, those animals fill a need. I do not do it solely for the sport of it. nature has dictated that all animal populations need to be kept in check. natures way is far more cruel, disease, starvation, all slow and painful. so I guess that ( as hard as it is to say) YES, there must be an obvious need for this hunt. and I would support it. as for not seeing the wolf population, if you were seeing them on a regular basis there would be a definate PROBLEM. they are predators, and if it was easy to see them, they would starve. chances are- you have been close to predators without even knowing it. usually when I am hunting is when I see my other fellow predators doing the same thing. hunting brings you in line with the natural environment, and all my animal brothers and sisters. please, support us hunters - we have a place within the natural scheme of things. ( there are some idiots, but that is true of any other human demographic you choose to look at). HUNTING HAS ITS PLACE, I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

Hunting period is cruel! If you need it for food to survive then I can understand it, but if you’re just doing it because you like to kill for fun then you’re just plain evil!

ilovher I only wish everyone had felt the same

                                 thank you

Broadwaystar…wolves have a firm understand of what’s “easy” prey, and what they have to work for…cattle and sheep are “easy”…and plentiful…and meaty…Elk are tough to catch…they are part of OUR food chain, and afterall…Human beings are the top preditor in the chain.

p

Yes, I agree. Wolf hunting is bad. I am not even sure I would say that they are bad when they threaten livestock either because there is a food chain, and if the livestock are there only source of food, getting rid of them is almost as bad as hunting them.

I believe wolf populations should be kept in check, of course.

If wolves became over populated, they would resort to killing domesticated animals - Rover and Miss Kitty for example.

If wolves began threatening family pets, people would create an uproar and take “justice” in to their own hands. We’d have a massacre.

Based on population surveys, animal control should kill a specified number of wolves.

This way, ranchers will be happy their livestocks aren’t threatened and the wolf population can continue to thrive.

I think you should kill any animal unless your going to eat it or its personaly threatoning you if your killing it for neather of those reasons then dont kill it couse then your wasting its life

I totally agree with baldwinwolf. Couldn’t have said it better myself

This brings up the question, what’s more valuable, human life or animal life?

allycat 89 you know you can have one also look on the I-net under wolf hybred good luck

I am against the Wolf hunt too I love animals and I would love to have a Wolf of my own.

Just like to say thank’s to everyone for your love for the wolf

                                  PEACE

wolf hunting should be banned and anyone cought doing it should be hung! if I could be anything it would be a wolf. I love them.