Our Weeks Endeavors 

Obviously, Mark Roth (DMG 2/27/14) is unaware of the realities of coyote "control". Predator hunts and trapping are sure ways to increase the coyote population. Increase, not decrease. Sounds nuts, I know, but it's true. Do a Google search on "coyote control" and do some reading.

For example: "Research suggests that when aggressively controlled, coyotes can increase their reproductive rate by breeding at an earlier age and having larger litters, with a higher survival rate among young. This allows coyote populations to quickly bounce back, even when as much as 70 percent of their numbers are removed. ... Despite bounties and large-scale efforts to kill coyotes over the last 100 years, coyotes have in fact expanded their range throughout the U.S. and Canada tremendously. One study even found that killing 75 percent of a coyote population every year for 50 years would still not exterminate the population."

I raise goats surrounded by coyote packs, wolves, black bear, the occasional cougar, and the ever-present roaming domestic dogs. I keep my goats safe by using livestock guardian dogs. I make the dogs' job easier by using good fencing. The local predators know the goats are here but also know that the dogs are with them. They'd like to have a taste of the goats but are too smart to risk injury by confronting the dogs. The youngsters sometimes look longingly through the fences but then move on to hunt elsewhere. But when some zealous (and ill-informed) neighbor decides to shoot a bunch of coyotes or have them trapped, my dogs and I have to train a whole new bunch of four-legged neighbors

So please don't try to tell me that predator hunts are being conducted for my benefit.

Judy Steffel

Houghton,  Michigan 

Chris Albert      White Mountain Independent    

The state of Arizona has allocated a quarter-of-a-million dollars for litigation fees to promote legislation that is clearly unconstitutional.

SB 1211 attempts to exempt Arizona from federal law by allowing the killing without restraint of Mexican gray wolves, currently the most highly-endangered mammal in the U.S. This despite the fact that the animal is recognized federally as an endangered species.

Not only is SB1211 illegal, it's not even the expressed will of most Arizonans. According to a Tulchin Research Poll, 87 percent of voters in New Mexico and Arizona agree that wolves are a vital part of their natural heritage. Three-quarters feel that they should be reintroduced into areas with suitable habitat.

Ranchers and sportsmen have legitimate concerns about the presence of wolves, but some legislators consistently resort to fear mongering, ignoring the will of wildlife-watching constituents and not making any headway with those concerns.

It seems that a better way to spend $250,000 would be to address the concerns of all Arizonans by working hard at implementing nonlethal protections for livestock and finding ways for wolves and ranchers and sportsmen to coexist.

Chris Albert, Lebanon Junction, Ky.

Irene Sette     Union Bulletin

I'm responding Don Jackson's letter, "Reintroducing wolves ...," that replies to my letter applauding the Oregon wolf plan.

Mr. Jackson's statement, "I have to assume these special-interest groups she refers to are sportsmen who provide most of the funding for all wildlife or ranchers and farmers who provide most of the habitat and food for our wildlife, including wolves".

Mr. Jackson must not know that tourist spend millions of dollars to see, and photograph live wolves. Tourism has a major economic impact on local and state business. Where wolves live, tourism flourishes.

Scientists have examined remains from wolf prey, what appeared as healthy was in fact sick or elderly, proving wolves take the sick or weak, so herds are stronger.

Wolves kill only to survive, unlike man who kills for pleasure. If elk and deer populations are declining, look at those killers who murder the 18-point buck so they can brag and hang the head on a wall!

Yes, I've seen wolves kill an elk, and yes they spill blood, but it's for survival - they use their teeth. The prey has a chance, what chance does any creature have at hundreds of yards away from a gun?

Unlike man who inflicts pain and suffering with traps, snares, bait with hooks or poison. Wolves don't commit gut and spine shooting, then boast about days the creature suffered before it died. The web is full of forums bragging about wolf torturing. Wolves cower when trapped, knowing man enjoys the infliction of suffering to boost self-esteem.

Therefore, in reply to Mr. Jackson's statement, "I believe anyone who thinks this is a good way for an animal to die has the porch light on but there's nobody home," perhaps he needs to turn on the lights and see reality.

Wolves don't commit hounding and denning, where babies are suffocated, appeasing ranchers who lack the intelligence to use deterrents or not graze livestock in known wolf territory!

Ranchers are supposed to protect livestock, not entice wolves with carcasses in fields drawing wolves toward livestock.

Wolves are essential in the wild maintaining equilibrium. Yellowstone National Park is a prime example.

Man doesn't provide wolves with their habit, man took it from them! Man relocates into the wilderness, than complains about the habitants, and slaughters them.

It's man's responsibility to adjust to wildlife, using his "superior" intelligence, slaughtering is not expectable!

Irene Setter

New Milford, N.J.

Janet Hoben    Mountain Express

Idaho needs to stop killing wildlife

    Thank you for your article "No wolves found yet in colt-killing incident." Idaho seems to love its partnership with Wildlife Services, an agency whose only service to wildlife is to kill them-an agency that is currently under an investigation by some members of Congress due to its inhumane practices.

    There are plenty of nonlethal methods of deferral available-methods that have been proven effective. Yet Idaho wants only to kill. Under one proposal, hunters would be allowed to bait wolves in to be killed, thereby training them to approach human scent and livestock-the exact opposite of using nonlethal methods. In another proposal, Governor Butch Otter has tried to set up a $2 million dollar fund for a wolf control board. This fund is notable in that it is only for wolf killing, and there are no monies allocated for non-lethal deterrence. Recently, Idaho carried out a "secret mission" to exterminate 23 wolves in the Lolo area by aerial gunning from helicopters.

    Idaho needs to stop the killing mentality and choose life.

Janet Hoben

Burbank, Calif.

Janet Hoben     Magic Valley

Thank you for your article, "Idaho Fish and Game Kills 23 Wolves in Lolo Area."

Contrary to what some may think, wolves are not killing off all of the elk. Wolves and other predators tend to kill the old, weak and sick, thereby leaving healthier herds. Wolves eat elk, moose, deer and other ungulates. That is their normal food source. To kill an animal simply for following the natural circle of life is preposterous.

This "secret" mission is deplorable. And someone in authority in Idaho knows that to be true or the public would not have heard about it after the fact. Yet Idaho wants only to kill.

Under one proposal, hunters would be allowed to bait wolves in to be killed, thereby training them to approach human scent and livestock. The exact opposite of using nonlethal methods. In another proposal, Gov. Otter has tried to set up a $2 million fund for a wolf control board. This fund is notable in that it is only for wolf killing, and there are no monies allocated for non-lethal deterrence.

Idaho needs to stop the killing mentality and choose life.

JANET HOBEN

Burbank, Calif.