Wolf Weekly Wrap-Up

03 January 2014

Posted by: Melanie Gade

     

No Wolves Killed In Idaho Hunting Derby: Despite outcry from the environmental community and Defenders’ best efforts – which resulted in over 43,000 members writing Idaho’s government officials —  a wolf killing competition organized by Idaho for Wildlife took place on Saturday and Sunday in Salmon, Idaho.

While wolf supporters were unable to stop the derby, if there is a silver lining in this egregious event, it is that no wolves were killed during the 48 hour competition. This weekend’s zero kill count only demonstrates the persistent misinformation circulating in Idaho about gray wolf populations.  Derby participants did manage to kill 21 coyotes, however.

In the wake of the event, Defenders is concerned that anti-wolf organizers will only leverage the fact that no wolves were killed to advocate for more extreme methods like aerial hunting and traps to kill wolves. Now more than ever, it is critical we demonstrate just the opposite is needed. Stay tuned for more news on this topic….

Defenders Takes Action Against U.S. Forest Service for Allowing Wolf Eradication: Idaho Department of Fish and Game has hired a hunter/trapper to kill two entire wolf packs in the massive, remote and livestock-free Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area. The state wants these wolf packs killed by a hired hunter/trapper simply because an outfitter complained to an Idaho Department of Fish and Game commissioner. The U.S. Forest Service administers this wilderness area and has policies to restrict predator control in wilderness.  Yet the agency gave permission to Idaho to use its facilities for this killing effort and did nothing to stop Idaho from implementing its anti-wolf agenda in this federal wilderness area.

Defenders is working hard to counteract these harmful policies and we need your help. Tell Idaho Department of Fish and Game to immediately prohibit the use of national forest lands and facilities in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area for the state’s hostel and misguided wolf eradication program.

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