Rep. Pat Connell (February 22) apparently misunderstood the FWP Commission’s action ending the season’s wolf hunt. First of all, he doesn’t understand the commission’s reasons to not allow hunting during the wolf “breeding season.” Connell compared it to early season elk hunts for archery and rifle hunters, but these are not comparable. The commissioners wanted to avoid hunting wolves not when they breed, but when they are denning and having their pups. They felt it would be unethical to kill adult wolves leaving pups to starve, and would give hunters a “black eye.” Something I firmly agree with. The elk hunting Connell refers to is during the breeding season, but not when elk have new-born young that are helpless without the parent. Clearly, he is not bothered by such ethical concerns and feels FWP should use, “any means necessary,” to kill more wolves.
Rep. Connell prefers heresay over scientific research, and for good reason. The more that is known about the local elk herds, the more we find that over-hunting of cows, land development, and other predators are major factors reducing elk numbers. Perhaps this knowledge disturbs Connell, since it conflicts with a cherished belief he has regarding wolves. Rather than adding fuel to the fire, he should be advocating high ethical standards and moderation.
Finally, I would beg to differ with Connell’s statement that, “Perhaps with a new administration, and the appointments that would follow, things may improve.” What we really need are some new legislators in Helena, then perhaps we won’t experience the nonsense that occurred during the last session. Then things really will “improve.”
Mike Koeppen
Florence