The Howl Across America rally held in Bozeman on Sunday, organized by Jenny Hane, was a success. It garnered a lot of media attention and brought much-needed focus to the brutal, ongoing wolf hunts in Montana and Idaho.
Here’s Jenny’s summary of Sunday’s events.
“Hi folks, so I’m sure you all want to know how the rally went.
Even though the event was fairly small, it created something of a media storm. I got interviewed by three different reporters, and I will probably end up on TV (and someone from the other side probably will too). There was also a photographer — I think he said he was with the New York Times (no, seriously, I can hardly believe it but that’s what I think he said!) who followed us all the way to the courthouse and took a ton of pictures. The counter-protest didn’t follow us when we marched; we left them behind in the park, and they were all gone by the time we got back. So while they had greater numbers, I suspect that we ended up being more visible. Some of them came over and argued with us when we were in the park, but nobody got nasty. We had a couple of people (not associated with the counter-protest, just random Bozemanites) yell and swear at us in passing while we were marching, but no worse issues than that. I congratulate all my attendees on their good behavior. When we got back Billy set his equipment up in the band shell and gave us a nice little concert, and since we basically had the park to ourselves we got some time to relax. Two of our attendees came all the way from Utah to be there, which was pretty cool. (They want a healthy wolf population in the NRM so that wolves can disperse into Utah — once they get their own politicians to allow wolves in the state, that is.) And, um, those are the highlights, I guess. For every person who “booed” us when we were marching, it seemed like there was another one who honked and waved or said a friendly word when we passed them on the sidewalk. I suppose only time will tell the effects of this. And now, I’m going to spend the next week sleeping and catching up on other work and sleeping some more. Thank you for all your support and encouragement.”
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Howl Across America is planning more rallies in the upcoming months to protest the slaughter of wolves in Montana and Idaho. We cannot forget Wyoming is pushing forward with their plan to have unregulated killing of wolves in most of the state, which could happen as soon as next year. Wolves in Wyoming would then be at the mercy of a horrific plan to shoot-them-on-site, or they could be run over by a snowmobile. Yes it’s that bad.
I want to thank Jenny for her hard work and dedication to wolves. She did a wonderful job planning and organizing the Bozeman rally!!
For the wolves,
Nabeki
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Dueling wolf rallies held in Bozeman
Posted: Sep 18, 2011 8:58 PM by Dennis Carlson (KBZK Bozeman)
Updated: Sep 19, 2011 6:48 AM
http://www.kpax.com/news/dueling-wolf-rallies-held-in-bozeman/
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Strong opinions shared at opposing wolf rallies
Posted: Monday, September 19, 2011 12:15 am
JOLENE KELLER, Chronicle Staff Writer
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/city/article_11289946-e26d-11e0-bba0-001cc4c002e0.html
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Photo: Courtesy Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Posted in: Wolf Wars, Howl Across America
Tags: Howl Across America Rally, Bozeman, Mt., Jennifer Hane, wolf advocate, protest brutal wolf hunts
Boulder White Clouds Council
Exposing The Big Game
Footloose Montana
Friends of the Clearwater
Lockwood Animal Rescue Center
Louise du Toit
LUPUSLAETUS
Mercy For Animals
Northern Idaho Wolf Alliance (NIWA)
Predator Friendly®- Because Wildlife Matters
Project Coyote
Project: Wolf
The Nature Conservancy
The Ravensong Group
WildEarth Guardians
Wisconsin Wildlife Ethic-Vote Our Wildlife
Wolf And Wildlife Studies: Jay Mallonee (Independent Wolf Biologist)
Wolf Song of Alaska
Wolves in english ! Les loups en anglais !
WWP's Gray Wolf Page
Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation Initiative
Howling For Justice 
Thank you,Jenny,and all that attended the march.
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Congratulations on a great success Jenny. I am proud to know you, and blessed to call you my friend. Thank you for your heart and spirit. Sleep well, Wolf Warrior, the wolves are singing you a lullaby.
Heart Hugs & Howls……
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Jenny’s effort was great and we’re hoping it energizes others to call for rallies to keep the boycott MT, ID and WY messages loud and clear.
Details soon on an October 14th Howl-In Rally in Helena, MT outside the governor’s office. Friends of Animals is flying staff to MT to assist.
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I am so dang proud of all of you that were able to attend and protest against the wolf hunts! I KNEW it would be a success!! Yes Jenny only time will tell, bu the more people realize we are not going away and will continue protecting the wondrous wolves, and to know that wolves are not big and bad like wolf haters want people to think, I believe wolves will have a greater chance to co exist through out the ecosystems that they are meant to be part of.
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Thank God. Keep up the good work.
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Great job Jenny & to everyone of the folks who showed up to howl across America for the Wolves!
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And really, how alarming that Montana has such idiots in public office that a gubernatorial candidate, Bob Fanning joined the wolf-haters in a counter rally — occupying the microphone after Jenny’s group left — and declared that ~people who value animals over people~ (or some such dumb thign) are “sociopaths.” A state with an overpopulation of fools in public office. It’s so important that folks attend the October 14th Howl-In in Helena. Stand for something.
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Yes this is what passes for politics in Montana Priscilla, a sad state of affairs. BUT the Howl Across America Rally garnered lots of local media. I was told there was a NYT reporter there as well. So we are making headway. Fanning, Rockholm, Bridges, etc. it’s the same few names over and over again. Stirring up trouble.
For the wolves,
Nabeki
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Nabeki, I had read of Mr. Fanning’s pending “whatever” on Earth Island’s web site, article “Cry Wolf” as announced by the infamous Mr. B. back in June. Actually, more a gloat than an announcement.
I make it a practice of not believing everything I hear, especially when you consider the source. This would be laughable if it weren’t such a dangerous prospect. The only thing this crowd has going for them are lies, rumors and intimidation. They are high on the waft of their own arrogance, still believing that a seemingly successful deceit has given them carte blanche….indefinitely.
Well…it is time for a reality check and a paradigm shift.
Jenny, there simply are no words to express just how I feel. I am especially impressed by your calm and guiding presence when countering attacks. You have shown unwavering grace amidst oppression and are an eloquent spokeswoman for the wolves.
Sometimes it feels as though we are trying to break through an iceberg with a tooth pick. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single HOWL, and with Sunday’s success, we know there will be many many more.
Let’s hear it for canine revelry! ArroOoooOoo…my heart smiles to join in and celebrate another milestone to victory!
I am elated and so very proud of everyone who attended while helping to break through the media’s fortress. You stood your ground, and did it well. Please know that through the miles that seperate….those who could not be there were with you in spirit. Thank you to all…each and every one of you. From my heart to yours…
Love & Blessings
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I don’t think he’s a serious contender. For a while he didn’t even have a campaign website. I finally found it today, but it’s pretty weak … I’m not even sure he has a platform on anything but wildlife management issues.
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I totally agree captain sakonna.
N.
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Strong opinions shared at opposing wolf rallies
JOLENE KELLER, Chronicle Staff Writer | Posted: Monday, September 19, 2011 12:15 am
Everyone was crying “wolf” at the Howl Across America Rally for Wolves held Sunday afternoon in Bogert Park.
Opinions were stated, points were made, and a few wolf-hunting supporters let their tempers get the best of them, arguing with the anti-hunting crowd that they “needed to get their facts straight.”
So far, 288 wolves have been killed since the U.S. Secretary of the Interior issued the wolf-delisting rule in May 2009. As many as 220 of the animals can be killed in Montana this hunting season, which started Sept. 3 for archers and ends Dec. 31.
Neither the Howl Across America rally nor the pro-hunting counter rally drew as many people as some in the small crowd expected. However, the pro-hunting rally did have more attendees, holding signs like “Thank you US FW&P, for non-native Canadian wolves” and “Save an elk herd, kill a wolf.”
The anti-hunting supporters who mingled near the park’s band shell included Bozeman resident Sandy Slater, a self-proclaimed dog lover. She was wearing silver, wolf-shaped earrings, a blue, wolf-themed T-shirt and held a sign that said, “Love your dog?? Thank a wolf.”
“I came to the rally out of respect for a species,” Slater said. “I enjoy going to Yellowstone to look at the wolves, and I feel like I can’t do that without showing support where it is needed.”
The Howl Across America rally was organized by Montana State University graduate student Jennifer Hane. An electrical engineering student, Hane seems an unlikely person to hold a wolf rally, but she said the wolf has always been her favorite animal. While researching pro-hunting opinions, she stumbled upon the Howl Across America website, which inspired her to hold an event in Bozeman.
“I wanted to hold this rally because of the fact that wolves are being hunted for seemingly no reason,” said Hane. “After doing my research, I still think there is no good reason for the hunt. Sport hunting just doesn’t seem justified.”
In a speech, Hane stated that, “Contrary to what one man said, I didn’t come here to destroy anyone’s livelihood or take away anyone’s freedom.”
“Bitterness and hatred against the other side needs to go,” Hane said, responding to the bickering between the two groups. “I know it’s tempting to get angry, and maybe anger is justified, but we can’t let our anger control us.”
After Hane’s speech, gubernatorial candidate Bob Fanning addressed the crowd with a different message.
“This is an after-the-fact demonstration,” said Fanning, founder and chairman of the Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd. “These people are saying they know more than the government agencies who worked for 15 years to create a viable wolf management plan.”
“In your ignorance, march wherever you want to,” Fanning said. “But remember that you are disrespecting the people who created these plans. Only sociopaths would put animals over people.”
Fanning’s words provoked a few outcries, but Hane ushered her supporters to follow her on a planned march to picket at the Gallatin County Courthouse. Around 10 people left with her.
Pro-hunting ralliers remained at the park, including Gallatin Gateway rancher Ray Vail, who was attending his first wolf-related rally. Vail said Montana would be better off if all the wolves in the state were eradicated.
“I came because I want to protect our wildlife. I don’t care what the pro-wolf people say, these wolves were never here before they reintroduced them in 1995,” Vail said. “They came fresh out of Canada when Fish, Wildlife and Parks imported them illegally into the park.”
Vail said during his years tending to a nearby ranch he has seen his fair share of wolf-kill gore. He said he has seen cow elk with fetuses ripped out, left to bleed to death. Three years ago he said he saw the remnants of eight elk cows, killed by wolves in the course of one spring.
Vail said he plans on getting his wolf hunting tags next year. He had a tag in 2009, but was unable to fill it before the short season ended.
If there was a middle ground at Sunday’s rallies, it might well have been embodied by Republican state Rep. Ted Washburn of Bozeman.
During the last legislative session, Washburn was a member of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, where the laws were made governing the hunting of wolves in Montana.
“These laws allowed us as Montanans to manage the wolf population like other wildlife species, instead of like a predator, like they will in Wyoming,” said Washburn. “Our approach is one that allows us to have a sustainable wolf population that we won’t wipe out but instead remains functioning within the ecosystem.”
Species classified as predators can be shot on-sight without tags and can be lured in with electronic calls, whereas wildlife can only be hunted with specific tags and cannot be attracted with electronic calls. In Montana, coyotes are the only species classified as a predator.
“Mountain lions are a vicious predator too, and we have managed that species as wildlife as well,” said Washburn. “We will not go for downgrading wolves to a predator classification.”
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I wish we could have gotten more people to outnumber the anti-wolf people but I am very proud of Jenny and the others who made it to the rally. It got media attention which will hopefully make us even stronger.
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Justin…We got good media coverage…this is just the beginning.
N.
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If you google “Bozeman wolf rally,” you can see that news stations in Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls picked up the story … this has turned into a much bigger deal than I was expecting!
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I know I’ve already posted several times, but I am excited!
Jenny to everyone who attended or who will attend a rally
these words are dedicated to you:
Cowardice asks the question – is it safe?
Expediency asks the question – is it politic?
Vanity asks the question – is it popular?
But conscience asks the question – is it right?
And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.
~~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Heart Hugs & Howls!!!!
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Great quote Spirit Wolf.
N.
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I am very much proud of Jenny for doing that so I could join with her on the marching! ^_^ It was really very experience for me as it was my first time to be posters! lol But yet I love it and want to fight for our cause of our beloved wolves!!!! SAVE WOLVES!!! ArroOoooOoo
By the way, in that pix above behind Jenny is me! Yes with cap and blue “jacket” with white top tank: Howl Across America” ^_^
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ArroOoooOooo,too,Angel Wolves-Holly and for all those who attended the rally.Thank you and take care.
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Great job Angel, I saw your picture, thanks for pointing it out. So many thanks to everyone who attended. Jenny was truly amazing, calm but very grounded and wasnt’ about to be pushed around. I loved how she dismissed Fanning and turned and walked away, priceless. We will continue to Howl Across America.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Jenny, it’s a real treat to meet you and Angel Wolves-Holly in person.
(((mmmmuah))) ❤ ❤ ❤
Despite being heckled by a few square-brained haters,
our rally is a success and I hope we have more rallies like
this in the not-too-distant future.
The dorky squares from the anti-wolf side
have had their say and they should've stayed home,
watching old reruns of "Hee Haw" and
guzzling down their moonshine,
instead of hogging up the spotlight.
The more they push our buttons,
the more power they're giving us to save our pooches…
(in other words, they're shooting themselves in the foot….LOL)
I think, in future rallies, I'll take along a boombox with some psychedelic
rock-n-roll for us to listen to
(while tormenting the antis 'cause they hate "hippie music"…LOL) ;)))))
AroooOOOooOOOOOooOo
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ROFL Wizard….that was great!!!
N.
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Great job and thanks for taking a stand!
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I am so happy to hear the Bozeman rally went well.
It is hard, but well spoken that we cannot let our anger about what is happening control us. We can be strong, brave and not respond to the negativity that comes at us…
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That is exactly what we need to do brigid67!
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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