Dear Editor: It is unfortunate that Eric Koens, a Cattlemen's Association director, is on the Wolf Advisory Committee.
Recently Koens — on a panel to educate the public about wolves — stated specific numbers of animals killed by wolves from 2003 through early September 2013. Department of Natural Resources reports for this period indicated Koens provided inaccurate information.
Koens' numbers were closer to complete totals of the different animals killed since 1985. His number for poultry was even higher than its complete total and eight times greater than the true number. His captive deer number was double the actual amount. His number for cattle was exaggerated by almost 90 animals. The number for dogs killed was increased by almost 60.
Despite Koens' attempts to distort the wolf situation, this fact stands: Verified depredation by wolves is small. A fair-minded public supports farmers, but Koens misinforms with false data that are impossible for most citizens to confirm in a meeting and difficult to verify later.
Wisconsinites are being manipulated by people who intensely dislike wolves. Because a case for severely cutting down wolves cannot be made without deceit.
Shirley Clements
Fond du Lac
source
Recently Koens — on a panel to educate the public about wolves — stated specific numbers of animals killed by wolves from 2003 through early September 2013. Department of Natural Resources reports for this period indicated Koens provided inaccurate information.
Koens' numbers were closer to complete totals of the different animals killed since 1985. His number for poultry was even higher than its complete total and eight times greater than the true number. His captive deer number was double the actual amount. His number for cattle was exaggerated by almost 90 animals. The number for dogs killed was increased by almost 60.
Despite Koens' attempts to distort the wolf situation, this fact stands: Verified depredation by wolves is small. A fair-minded public supports farmers, but Koens misinforms with false data that are impossible for most citizens to confirm in a meeting and difficult to verify later.
Wisconsinites are being manipulated by people who intensely dislike wolves. Because a case for severely cutting down wolves cannot be made without deceit.
Shirley Clements
Fond du Lac
source
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