It is common knowledge that wolves are among the most debatable issues in our state right now. I just want to start off by saying that I am not swayed completely for or against the animal, but I do believe it has a place in our ecosystem. This animal is a keystone predator, and the fact that it is now a part of our ecosystem is a sign that it is healthy. Seeing that humans have altered the landscape so dramatically, however, the animal does need to be kept under control. Although I personally wouldn’t want to harvest a wolf, I do believe that it is the most feasible way to keep them in check.
At one point I thought it was ridiculous to hunt the wolf, but I came to a realization that they, like deer, need to be controlled. I do respect the Humane Society and their view on this issue, but all they are doing is costing us money and postponing the inevitable. If they insist on not allowing control, they should have to pay for damages. Not only could our state generate money from the hunt, but it would also cause the wolves to fear humans. Although the fact remains that wolves have not killed a human in the U.S, they may if allowed to live in high numbers near human settlements. I have heard of many instances where wolves have gotten to close for human comfort, and I believe that hunting would be a simple solution to the problem.
I understand that there are many groups involved in this issue, including; farmers, hunters, everyday residents and animal rights activists. The high number of individuals with varying opinions makes the likelihood of a viable resolution less likely. One thing is for sure, and that is no matter what the resolution, one or more groups will be unhappy. I personally believe that a regulated hunting season is the best option, and I am sure that this is what will happen.
The main problem with this issue it that while people should be debating the issue in an educated manner, many people let their emotions blind them. I have discussed this issue with both extremes, and it remains a fact that people like that are set in their ways and unlikely to change. People really need to look at the broad picture and educate themselves before coming to concrete decisions.
1 comment:
I nearly completely agree with you, except on one point. I use to be an extremest on the front to protect the wolves, and now I am contemplating the benefits of having a regulated hunting season on wolves. There are people that can be reasoned with no matter how extreme they are on the issue, it just takes time and patience to change an idea. You touched on the idea that started to change my mind; just like deer, wolves need to be regulated too. I'm a rare kind of breed in central Wisconsin, especially for a male: I do not hunt. Although I don't hunt I understand the importance deer hunting has not only in our economy, but in our safety and the stability of our ecosystem in Wisconsin. Regulating the population size of wolves in Wisconsin is just as (if not more) important than regulating the population size of white-tailed deer. It has been proven several times that the top of the food chain regulates nearly every food chain link underneath it. I believe that if the extremists from both sides were shown that a hunting season on wolves would be highly regulated, the extremists would (maybe not completely) be less uneasy about the subject. Either way if we are to base policy on science, the proper course of action is to have a highly regulated hunting season on wolves.
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