National Wolfwatcher Coalition
Letter Writing Committee

CALL TO ACTION

PLEASE WRITE FOR WOLVES

Letters Published During the week of January 19, 2014

WHAT A WEEK!

Newspapers across the country heard you howling for wolves!

http://www.idahopress.com/members/letters-on-wolves/article_a2a569c8-7d64-11e3-add2-0019bb2963f4.html

Thank You Idaho Press for your article, Idaho hunters form wolf trapping group.

It's disgraceful that government would endorse and promote animal abuse. Trapping and intentional infliction of pain and torture to any animal, wild or domestic is barbaric. Those persons that perform trapping have no respect for life, and are cruel, vermin.

For centuries, tales of monstrous wolves attacking man, and evil demons hunting man by moonlight have plagued wolves. Wolves have been the subject of torturous acts by man with his lust for spilling blood, and pleasure from inflicting pain & suffering has proving that man is indeed evil. Wolves, hunted for bounty have resulted in the near extinction of them, until the protection of the ESA.

Man has matured beyond these fables and has realized that the wolf has a place in the wild. Wolves maintain equilibrium in nature as they were meant to, maintaining a strong herd by removing the weak, so man can kill more big bucks for their trophy walls.

Ranchers are responsible for most livestock loss, herding in known wolf areas; leaving carcasses in fields and lacking the use of deterrents have enticed the wolves towards livestock. Instead of using intelligent and adapting to wolves, ranchers would rather blame wolves for their own ignorance.

As taxpayers we cannot allow the 7 percent of the populations to deprive the rest of the world of these majestic creatures for the pleasures of trophies hunters and special interest. We cannot accept the political ploys blaming wolves for loss of livestock, when the total number Predator attacks to livestock are insufficient compared to the livestock lost from diseases, illness, and weather conditions.

Americans must speak out against the horrific actions in Idaho, demanding that ALL wolves remain protected. Trapping nationwide must be abolished, as all torture is intolerable.

* Irene Settle, New Milford, NJ

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Thank you for your article rancher-senator backs Otter's wolf control board. Between the hunters forming a trapping group, and Gov. Otter proposing $2 million to be spent on wolf "control," it seems obviously that Idaho is determined to wipe out every last wolf in the state. We all know that the words "control" and "management" actually mean "kill." It seems to me that the state's legal wolf hunt should be enough to satisfy anyone who thinks there are too many wolves in Idaho.

Gov. Otter has made his hatred of wolves well known since they were first introduced to the state. So has State Senator Siddoway. Apparently, no one is interested in the wildlife lovers like me who come to, or through, Idaho to see wolves. Idaho is a state full of breathtaking beauty. But part of that beauty is the state's magnificent wildlife, which includes wolves.

Are we really going to try to kill every last wolf so that hunters have the opportunity to kill more elk, and don't have to work hard to do it? Or should they have to hunt in a normal setting, with animal predators competing for the same prey, as nature intended?

*Janet Hoben, Burbank, Calif.

I am shocked at what appears to be Idaho's mission to eradicate wolves. Especially hiring hunters/trappers to go into the heart of wilderness where wolves and elk seem to know how to live in balance.

A biologist at IFG stated on November 15, 2013 that "We actually had some great numbers of animals ( hunted elk) coming through," "Some of our best numbers in recent years and so that was exciting to see." The wolf population in Idaho was 856 in 2009 (Source Idaho fish and Game) and has fallen to 683.

The wolf population is NOT growing. Idaho appears to cater only to hunters and highly taxpayer subsidized ranchers, not to other users/owners of public land. In the two years since federal protections have been stripped from wolves in six states, more than 2,000 have been slaughtered.

Hopefully Idaho officials have not been able to avoid the widely published Science article by Bob Ripple reporting on the destruction of carnivores, their value to humans and successful coexistence in other livestock raising countries. How long can Idaho officials keep their heads in the sand before joining the 21st Century and stopping their war on wolves?

* Judy Jarrett, Springfield, Ore.

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http://prescottaz.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=73&ArticleID=127238&TM=53752

Letter: Protecting wolves restores balance

EDITOR:

Thank you, Daily Courier, for printing the Dec. 31 Talk of the Town column by Dennis Duvall, "Delay means extinction for wolves." It's outrageous that anyone

would attempt deceiving the American people into believing that wolves, especially the Mexican gray wolf, are a threat!

Through the Endangered Species Act, the Mexican wolf was reintroduced in Arizona and New Mexico 15 years ago. Still, these intelligent creatures struggled to survive, remaining the most endangered animal in America, with 75 in the wild, two breeding pairs, and few offspring. The continued inbreeding weakens the genetic pool, resulting in survival difficulties. The immediate releasing of more pairs is crucial.

Wolves maintain a balance. Since they were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park, other wildlife, fish and birds have begun to return, rivers run clearer, overgrazing has been reduced, and herds are stronger.

Ranchers and hunters deceived the public with "tall tales," claiming dwindling numbers of deer and elk, justifying barbaric actions like trapping, baiting, denning and hounding for pleasure!

Wolves deserve our continued protection, and to live free from man's barbaric ways and fears.

Irene Sette New Milford, NJ

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http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/mailbag/idaho-using-management-as-euphemism-for-kill-when-it-comes/article_d83ed56e-7969-11e3-9843-001a4bcf887a.html

Idaho using 'management' as euphemism for 'kill' when it comes to wolves

January 16, 2014 6:15 am

Thank you for your (Jan. 6) article, "North Idaho elk hunters form co-op to pay wolf trappers for kills." Between the hunters forming a trapping group, and Gov. "Butch" Otter proposing $2 million to be spent on wolf "control," it seems obviously that Idaho is determined to wipe out every last wolf in the state.

We all know that the words "control" and "management" actually mean "kill." It seems to me that the state's legal wolf hunt should be enough to satisfy anyone who thinks there are too many wolves in Idaho.

Otter has made his hatred of wolves well known since they were first introduced to the state. So has state Sen. Jeff Siddoway. Apparently, no one is interested in the wildlife lovers like me who come to, or through, Idaho to see wolves. Idaho is a state full of breathtaking beauty. But part of that beauty is the state's magnificent wildlife, which includes wolves.

Janet Hoben,

Burbank, Calif.

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/mailbag/wolf-haters-drumming-up-hysteria-instead-of-doing-research/article_28391e14-73eb-11e3-ad61-0019bb2963f4.html

Wolf-haters drumming up hysteria instead of doing research

January 09, 2014 6:15 am

I too oppose the delisting of the wolf. I admit to being an animal lover and a wolf admirer but I try to read research and base my comments on facts and not the emotional hysteria I read from hunters and ranchers.

The wolf-haters seem to do whatever they can to boost their self-image and overcome their insecurities by scapegoating wolves and acting out warrior fantasies against demonic wolves, coastal elites and idiotic environmentalists. They do not read U.S. Department of Agriculture reports on predation and accept the fact that dogs and coyotes kill more livestock than wolves. Or the Montana report that wolves are not responsible for less elk but do move them along so they are harder to hunt.

You have only to read Time's Dec. 9, 2013 issue to see what the killing of predators does to upset nature's balance. Deer causing accidents and decimating lawns and parks, wild pigs rooting and destroying in 48 states and black bears roaming suburban smorgasbords (Dumpsters and bird feeders). Forty three percent of these areas are forested and are perfect wolf habitat. Will the city streets of these areas become killing fields or will these areas return predators where feasible?

Oregon, where I live, is not perfect but it has not succumbed to 1800s wild west mania yet and started paying hunters to kill wolves we have spent millions trying to restore, as Idaho has. I am 74 and hope to see us repair some of the damage we have done to our wildlife and our land.

Judy Jarrett,

Springfield, Ore.

http://mtstandard.com/news/opinion/ourreadersspeak-reader-wants-idaho-to-stop-war-on-wolves/article_597988d2-79b4-11e3-8b6c-0019bb2963f4.html

Our Readers Speak: Reader wants Idaho to stop 'war on wolves'

Thank you for this forum. I am shocked at what appears to be Idaho's mission to eradicate wolves. And especially hiring hunters/trappers to go into the heart of wilderness where wolves and elk seem to know how to live in balance.

A biologist at Idaho Fish and Game stated on Nov. 15, 2013, that "We actually had some great numbers of animals (hunted elk) coming through. Some of our best numbers in recent years and so that was exciting to see."

The wolf population in Idaho was 856 in 2009 (source Idaho Fish and Game) and has fallen to 683 (source U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) - a decline of 21 percent.

The wolf population is NOT growing. Idaho appears to cater only to hunters and highly subsidized ranchers, not to other users/owners of public land. The wolf contributes to the ecological system that unravels when it is pulled apart by removing predators. (see Zion National Park) Please stop your war on wolves.

- Judy Jarrett, 6755 Opaca Court, Springfield, Ore.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jan/15/letter-wolf-numbers-reflect-rapid-decline/

Letter: Wolf numbers reflect rapid decline

Published: January 15, 2014, 6:00 AM

I am shocked at what appears to be Idaho's mission to eradicate wolves, and especially hiring hunters/trappers to go into the heart of wilderness where wolves and elk seem to know how to live in balance.

A biologist with Idaho Fish and Game stated on Nov. 15 that, "We actually had some great numbers of animals (hunted elk) coming through ... Some of our best numbers in recent years and so that was exciting to see." The wolf population in Idaho was 856 in 2009 (source: Idaho Fish and Game) and has fallen to 683 (source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife). That's a decline of 21 percent.

The wolf population is not growing. Idaho appears to cater only to hunters and highly subsidized ranchers, not to other users/owners of public land. The wolf contributes to the ecological system that unravels when it is pulled apart by removing predators (see Zion National Park).

Please stop this war on wolves.

Judy Jarrett

Springfield, Ore.

http://magicvalley.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letter-to-the-editor-wolf-war-wrong-headed/article_765f25ad-dda3-5bfb-9c4d-e8d77cd75ceb.html

Letter To The Editor: Wolf War Wrong-headed

January 17, 2014 1:30 am

I am shocked at what appears to be Idaho's mission to eradicate wolves. And especially hiring hunters/trappers to go into the heart of wilderness where wolves and elk seem to know how to live in balance.

A biologist at IFG stated on Nov. 15, 2013, that "We actually had some great numbers of animals (hunted elk) coming through," White said. "Some of our best numbers in recent years and so that was exciting to see."

The wolf population in Idaho was 856 in 2009 (Source: Idaho Fish and Game) and has fallen to 683 (Source: US Fish and Wildlife service) - a decline of 21 percent. The wolf population is not growing. Idaho appears to cater only to hunters and highly subsidized ranchers, not to other users/owners of public land. The wolf contributes to the ecological system that unravels when it is pulled apart by removing predators (see Zion National Park).

Please stop your war on wolves.

JUDY JARRETT

Springfield, Ore.

TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR LETTER

Be concise, make one or two points. Don't attempt to make too many points, this gets confusing. The shorter your letter, the better chance of getting published.

Adhere to the word limit for the newspaper.

Where you can, personalize the letter; tell a story. i.e. "Wolves are important to me because...." Include something about yourself and why you care about wolves.

Thank the paper for publishing the letter to the editor. Praising the paper helps your letter get published.

Make sure your statements are accurate and do not embellish or overstate the facts.

If you feel uncertain about your letter, we are happy to review it, make suggestions. Send your draft to lte@wolfwatcher.org

Submit your letter as soon as possible. This increases your chances of getting published.

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