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WOLVES: Federal protection needed

| June 27, 2021 1:00 AM

Dear Mr. President Biden:

Our wolves in Idaho are in deep trouble and so is our democracy. It is a sad day when we have politicians who override the people’s wishes.

Gov. Brad Little signed into law a bill that will allow professional hunters and trappers to use helicopters, snowmobiles, ATVs, night vision equipment, snares and other means to kill roughly 90% of the state’s wolves, knocking them down from an estimated 1,500 to 150. This will only appease the cattle and sheep industry. (Livestock losses only amount to 1% for cattle and 3% for sheep in Idaho).

This is an outrage. Not only did the U.S. Fish and Game and Wildlife Services oppose this legislation, but 59% of Idahoans voted against it. 90% of non-residents voted against it. This is putting management decisions into the hands of politicians.

The non-regulated and out-of-control trapping kills non-target wildlife and our pets when we recreate on Idaho lands. This has created a wolf-witch-hunt state of mind with bounty hunters whose only goal is to kill a wolf.

Last week someone in a campground shot someone’s Alaskan malamute, thinking it was a wolf. Two bullets to the head didn’t kill her, but beware if you own any dog that resembles a wolf.

The only way to stop this insanity is to put the wolf back on the endangered species list. This will stop small-minded people like Gov. Little to stop making decisions for the very people he should be representing. Not only has he pushed for the eradication of the wolf, but he has put us all at risk.

BONNIE BROWN

Benewah County