Warning: Graphic Image
I’ve been away from the blog for a few days. This picture broke my heart, it was sent to me by another wolf advocate.
I don’t want to upset you but you have to see what’s happening to our wolves. The death toll rises daily. For every fallen wolf a light is extinguished.
I brush the tears from my cheek and go on.
DEATH TOLL
November 7, 2011
161 Wolves
(Idaho 107/Montana 54)
Top Photo: Unknown
Bottom Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Video: Louise du Toit – Ode to the Wolves – Wolf Paintings by Vincent A Kennard
Posted in: Wolf Wars, gray wolf
Tags: dead black wolf, brutal wolf hunt, 152 wolves dead, the face of wolf hunting
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 
I like to much your blog and I think you have a wonderful work for defend wolves,excuse me my english isn’t so good
Hugs
Norma Laborie
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You’re very welcome normaluz.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Just horrible. I can’t believe the wolf is being tortured like this. I hope something is done to rectify this in the near future. Thanks for all you do. I am thinking about the wolves always.
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Eileen, I think about the wolves every day, as you do. I’m daring to hope the Ninth Circuit will grant the appeal.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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it is so upsetting that there is no media coverage about the wolf slaughter what so ever !!! if photos like this would be presented to the general public on a daily basis there would be a lot more outcry on behalf of the wolves.I think since this is all happening in the northern Rockies far away from most Americans it is easy for everybody to turn a blind eye on the situation.
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This is so true!!They just do not care or listen to our defense of the Wolf and other wildlife!!They have no hearts!!!!
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I totally agree tanja. There is almost a total media black out on what is really happening in the Northern Rockies. We are working hard to change this but everyone needs to do their part to spread the word. Occupy Wall Street is showing us what networking and passion can do.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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These mass killings of wolves are so wrong. These magnificent animals should left alone to run wild & free
as God intended*****
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I completely agree Sharon. What is happening to the wolves is a repeat of their first Western extermination.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Yes, it is very upsetting. What can we do? We need to keep up the pressure on the Governors and Politicians of each of the states who are promoting this evil.
FGWS are to blame too.
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I made some new suggestions of maybe getting more coverage of this bloody slaughter – with these kind of pictures included – I did not get one reply – so I guess it was a worthless idea – but it was no worse than trying to get Newspapers and TV Stations interested – with all of us signing petitions and things – we might have made the whole thing more public. Apparently nobody agreed – we just get to look at another dead Wolf so we can cry – and boycott those States which could care less – I am sure they have not lost that much business because of boycotts – and the rallies did not work – very little of it got on TV. So – to get petitions to CNN or the bigger Stations was my idea – not one person writing but 100 of us – or 200 – but my post disappeared – and I will not even comment on that awful photo – because I already KNOW what is going on out there – and who else reads this? only those that belong to the Group –
I am sorry that apparently my suggestions were so ignored – and totally disappeared –
How can you fight anything if you can’t gather your Troops together and fight as one???
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We can’t give up. I know it’s discouraging to ask for help and not get much response. Groups advocating for wolves are all over the map – some saying that killing hundreds is fine and just the way it is. Before you donate, call up DOW, NRDC, GYC, etc and ask them what their stand is on the wolf hunt. If they support it and if they support trapping and snaring – please don’t support these groups. This is a long battle and the images like the one of this black wolf atop some houndsman’s pickup truck, will make an impact to the public at large. People are learning that it’s not safe to go to rural areas with any type of pro-wolf decal, nor do they want to subject their children to the butchery that the rednecks are parading around towns (like the photo). Eventually this is going to hurt the businesses in rural areas of ID, MT, WY, most who are barely making it to start with. Write, call Chamber of Commerces. Make reservations in WY, MT & ID, and then cancel them and say why.
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Excellent advice Spangle Lakes. It was a hard decision on whether to post this pic or not but in the end I believe people MUST see the reality of wolf hunting, not the cleaned up bloodless pictures the killers like to post, with them lording over their victims, all traces of blood removed.
As you said we have to keep moving forward, showing the American people what is really going on in the Northern Rockies. Most Americans have no stomach for this kind of brutality and won’t have their children exposed to it. The wolf states think they have the upper hand now but they aren’t counting on the tenacity of wolf advocates to press on.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Morrigan,
You are so right!
There are many wolf groups out there and more sites appearing everyday. If we all work together to be heard and seen and to stop this slaughter, our presence will be more noticeable and we will more effectively make a change.
If all wolf supporters attended the Montana wolf rallies, we would have had hundreds of participants and I am sure that there would have been even more awareness.
For our very precious wolves, we need to show solidarity.
Toni Stark
Truth About Wolves
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Morrigan, I see your post about this on the other thread … I don’t know why it disappeared for you, but it is still there when I look. Anyway, I think it is a good idea, but it may need some coordination, either through one of our FB pages or something like a Care2 petition. If we could get several hundred people signed up to request coverage from the TV stations, that would be excellent, especially if they all wrote personalized letters. Be patient with us … I think some of us are feeling discouraged and exhausted right now, after trying so many things and having none of them work — or I should say, *appear* to work. Our efforts may have long-term effects that we don’t see evidence of at the moment, which is another reason not to lose heart.
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I did not like your post – because like you I thought that those things would work. Unfortunately it is a much bigger problem than I imagined.
Last night I received news that there are people in some of those States, who blame anything that goes wrong, on the reintroduction of the wolves. When you go against that kind of mind set, you just cannot win.Try and explain Climate Change to them!
Reuben Blades was right when he said;
“I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of ignorance.”
I wish I had the answer to your last question, but I don’t. I can say that I will be with you in spirit, but that is not going to stop the bullets!! I think that we are long past saving the wolves, all the creatures who are supposed to live with us, or our planet for that matter. Mankind has become a plague – 7 billion strong and counting.
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Morrigan we are all working as hard as we can for wolves. Notice the time? People are waking up and I haven’t been to bed. Wolves are an all consuming passion. Please do not think we’re not exploring every avenue, every idea that could bring relief. Wolf advocates are tired, burned out and very sad. We’ve had nothing but bad news for almost three years since Obama delisted wolves and it only gets worse every day.
Still, we will not give up no matter what. Not sure about your post but sometimes things get lost, doesn’t mean you’re being ignored.. Please try and stay as positive as you can. I posted the wolf picture to wake people up so they will be motivated to work even harder for wolves. It’s not easy being a wolf advocate but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We’ve built a real community here and it’s growing every day. We out number the haters and that is in our favor. We do need to get better organized and put egos aside but today I am going allow myself to hope that the US Circuit Court will hear the pleas of wolves and grant the injunction so this god-awful killing will stop.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Barbara…even though it may seem we are helpless, we are not. Every wolf advocate has something to contribute. The problem with the pro wolf movement is we are not organized. There are so many groups, everyone doing something different. If we focused on unity a little more, we could be a force to be reckoned with. I personally believe protests and boycotts are our best weapons. That’s why we have to get our message out to the American people. Do you think the average citizen wants to bring their kids to a state like Wyoming who will allow unregulated killing of wolves in most of the state? I think not.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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The sad part is, there are a lot more dead wolves than the numbers given. Hunters kill 2-3 and only report one. Ranchers from an anti-wolf group told me (at a rally in Bozeman) that they routinely shoot any wolf that steps on their property. Federal Wildlife Services kills at least 140 wolves a year in each state (Montana & Idaho). When the Alpha Male or Female of a pack gets killed and the other wolves scatter, the chances for the survival of the remaining pack members is very slim. For political and economic reasons an entire specie is being destroyed and none of the other predators are being singled out and treated this way.
Toni Stark
Truth About Wolves
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You are absolutely right Toni. Wolf killing is under-reported and their numbers are over reported. It was bad enough that hundreds of wolves were shot every year by WS for agribusiness., now they have to dodge bullets from the hunters and WS. Trapping will start in just a few days in Idaho and that will lay the wolves low. They can’t run from the traps.
Somehow we have to get our message out to the rest of the country and we can’t rely on the media because they are biased and repeat myths and half truths about wolves.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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saddens and sickens me everyday. that people can do this and live with themselves breaks my heart and scares me, there is no humanity or compassion, much less truth, facts or science in the brutalization of wolves at all. and to say it is based in fear or misunderstanding is NOT the truth, we have all the facts and the science and people do this or similar everyday to dogs and cats that they leave, dump at shelters or torture and abuse. i truly believe HUMANS (for the most part) have become the most inhumane species and kills and tortures because they like it…there is no other reason, for the monsterous things that go on.
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Kathleen if we harness our sadness and grief and turn it into action we can make a difference. Every one of us has the power to create change, we just have to have the will to do it. That’s why we created Howl Across America, to give advocates a place to exchange ideas about protests and rallies. Education is power and its our job to carry the wolves’ message. We can do this if we all work together.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Such a majestic & beautiful animal – to die such a horrific,painful death.
Shame, shame on the hunter/hunters who are doing this to all creatures that belong here on Mother Earth. “THEIR” time will come. Whether it is in this life or the after.
When I was @ the protest in Helena, MT. the folks who had showed up for the rally went up to Gov. Schweitzer office to give him a little talking to, he has a postcard on the front desk with him & his dog on it.
I found that to be very weird. Since he is the one who has signed off on the killing of the wolves. He does have a part in this. His dog after all has lineage from the majestic wolf. It was just plain weird. I wish I could find that photo & post it – so you all could see it & see how fake he is.
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ramses there is a total disconnect concerning dogs and wolves among the anti wolf crowd. They could love their dogs but see nothing wrong with shooting an animal their dogs are descended from. It makes no sense. Wolves have become the ultimate scapegoats and the hatred directed at them is without reason.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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That picture is disturbing – in the fact that I’m sure that wolf is raising pups somewhere. That to me is very disturbing. Mother F_ckers.
I’m sorry for my language @ times here on the blog. But I just get so god damn pissed off.
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These hunters have no heart, no brains and no soul. If they cannot see the beauty they are destroying then they have no place sharing the same earth.
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Jules I don’t see anyway to reach them. It’s a “them against us” mentality. The wolf has become the symbol of everything bad in their lives and now they’re getting the opportunity to kill them for fun. It’s very sick and sordid. And yet our own President and Congress made this happen, they are to blame.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Interesting comment about Governor Schweitzer and his dog. I have heard a Montana rancher say, among other things, that dogs are not descended from wolves. I am desperate to do something besides write poetry and letters to politicians, sign petitions. Education is the key – what to do and how?
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Monica,
Research has found that there is a genetic link between dogs and wolves. The dog with the strongest genetic marker and that shows wolf characteristics is the German Shepherd. I had 6 dogs that were part German Shepherd and they had the same markings across the shoulders and on their back as found on gray wolves. They also had that same tuff of hair that stands up on the back of their necks. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent animals and that is why they are used as police dogs. Wolves are even more superior in intelligence.
Toni Stark
Truth About Wolves
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Monica…I believe the way to change things is through boycotts and protests. There has to be a reaction from the pro wolf community to all this killing. Are we to sit quietly writing on FB and blogs about how sad it is that wolves are dying? Or do we get up and organize a protest, advertise a boycott. If everyone worked together on this we could make a difference.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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ANY VOICE…ANY WORDS….ONLY SILENCE….TEARS ARE ROLLING DOWN OVER MY FACE….YOU WAS AMAZING,BLACK WOLF!
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So sorry Agnes, I know it’s hurtful but people have to see the face of a wolf hunt. It breaks my heart too. But we’re not going to just sit here and do nothing. We’re going to fight back.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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How very, very sad. He looks like a grand old guy who only had a short while left to grace the earth with his presence…May his soul rest in peace, and may his pack live on forever. I hope his fur, his head, and the rest of his body no longer make any contributions, especially NOT to his murderer.
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tears…
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Big hugs.
The world is losing its wonders at the hands of tyrants.
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We need to hold you in our arms. Dear Wolves please know that you all are in our prayers and thoughts.
Take heart wolves, you who have died, you will see your Creator. Hopefully HE will take revenge for your deaths.
Dear GOD, please do what You can to stop this evil killing of the wolves. In JESUS’ name I pray. AMEN!!!!!!!!
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I know we are all frustrated but we CANNOT give up; we must stand together or the wolves will be gone forever. This blog is one of the places we can unite and fight this, as one. If we perservere, we will eventually make progress. Only if we give up, that is when the wolves will be lost. They need us to fight for them; we are their voice.
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i hate to say it but unless we do something other then blogging and posting pics NOTHING will change!
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Daniel…you’re right and that’s why we are trying to get the message out to the American people,we need their support. We can do many things if we are united, boycotts, protests and posting pictures that may be unpleasant but will hopefully get the word out to the rest of the country, that a slaughter is taking place in the Northern Rockies.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Daniel – please consider that the photo is a reminder of why you, myself & others can do some work every day to try and change what is happening to wolves. We can speak on behalf of wolves & provide facts to our friends & neighbors, school kids, reporters, etc & take advantage of social media like the internet. We can also boycott beef & lamb – because it’s the livestock industry that is responsible for Wildlife Services, the federal agency that kills 100’s of wolves & other wildlife annually. We can boycott big game outfitters who guide wolf hunts, but who also do fishing, trail rides, etc. We can speak up for wolves via LTE’s & respond to articles via blogs. We can also support the attorneys and groups who are fighting for wolves in court. Just some thoughts to consider.
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so sad wy ppl do not know the truth and need to know i have seen a lot of bad press aimed at the wolfs and ppl beleave it ppl need to know the truth
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Stop this evil killing of the wolves!!!
They need us to fight for them; we are their voice….
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Poor wolf…may he (or she) rest in everlasting peace. I wish that I could do something to help the wolves, but all I can do is educate people about the issue. I made a Youtube video recently in the hopes of spreading awareness about the issue, but I don’t know if it’ll work…
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I write from across the pond and find this, like all of you, so so sad. As a member of care2,com, perhaps a petition there, also an fb page and a petition to the White house on this sad issue. Also may I suggest a peaceful (candle lit perhaps?) protest rally, but this must be well co-ordinated in advance to enable as many protestors as possible to participate. Fliers could be distributed to tourism agencies with that sad photo on it and the press & TV MUST be made to bring public awareness of the plight of wolves.
The Chinese say that a long journey starts with one small step; let’s do this one step at a time.
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Excellent Pami, that’s what I’m talking about. The other great quote is by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has…..Margaret Mead
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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I own a wolf husky since he’s been 4 weeks..he’s over 11 years old now he is the smartest gentlest animal I have ever known!!
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I despair of the human race, but then I remember all the good people here.. We have to keep on chipping away at the mindless cruelty and indifference. Don’t ever give up on the animals, however compassion fatigued we are, we are their voices.
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This is so WRONG. Someday we will meet our maker, I wonder what he will think of our actions. Tell everyone you know what is going on with the wolf slaughter. IT MUST STOP!
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I came to your blog through a tweet that was made at the Aspen Pack Female, Mexican wolf. So happy I found you. I am also sad and my heart breaks for what we are doing to wolves. I want to join in your efforts and do whatever I can to stop this madness. I am too far away from Idaho or Montana but my spirit is close to these beautiful beings and to all the persons that want to stop this cruelty. Please count me as one more person to stop this hatred. Beautiful wolf, my heart cries for you and and all others being massacred.
Can I post the picture on my Facebook page?
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So glad you found us mayasioux. Our pack is growing by leaps and bounds. We must get the message out to the rest of America because the MS media is ignoring this story. Please tell everyone you know and ask them to tell everyone they know. This story has to be told before the wolves are gone.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Oh it is gut wrenching to see this but you are right we musgt know. How can someone do this? Devastating
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They did it because the states of Idaho and Montana let them, not to mention the slaughter that’s on going in Alaska (1500 wolves a year). How you you help? Don’t buy anything that has fur on it. Stop eating beef and lamb, or at least insist it comes from predator friendly ranches. We can turn this around by speaking out and supporting organizations that work for wolves, and absolutely are against the hunting of wolves, and the trapping and snaring of wolves. You might be surprised to learn that Defenders of Wildlife doesn’t seem to have any problem at all with trapping. Don’t give them a dime.
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If you want to boycott cattle from the Pacific Northwest, buy the ground steak and beef from COSTCO as a lot of their meat is from Australia and New Zealand and it is of very high quality.
That is what we are doing.
Angela Stevens
Truth About Wolves
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Whoa. Wildlife in Australia or NZ suffers because of livestock. If you absolutely have to eat lamb or beef, then pay twice the price and buy it from a rancher who raises and sells predator friendly, organic, grass fed (never goes to a feedlot) lamb or beef close to where you live. It’s a contradiction to advocate for wolves and other wildlife and then eat beef or lamb – no matter what country it comes from. How about vegie burgers with all the trimmings?
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Yes. We also eat turkey burgers or Boca Soy Burgers. Six years ago I was in Sydney and Cairns, Australia and the Aussies appeared to care a lot about their wildlife and the preservation of endangered species. If that has changed, please let me know.
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Just a note to say that the Pacific Northwest is Oregon and Washington. The Northern Rockies are Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The wolves that are being hunted are in ID & MT, not the NW. Signed – Oregon Native, now Idaho Resident.
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I am tired of these killers and wolf haters. They are killing creatures which are doing what they are suppose to do. Keeping the wildherds healthy. Our forests growing.
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save a wolf, eat a kangaroo burger (sarcasm)
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The 2011 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wolf Hunting Regulations clearly state that “It is unlawful to hunt wolves with dogs.” If the wolf pictured was killed in Montana, it was killed unlawfully and the hunter should pay a $1,000 fine and have his hunting privileges revoked. Idaho is much more sadistic in their killing and is allowing hunting by any means.
Toni Stark
Truth About Wolves
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Please share this with ALL wolf supporters!
On November 10th, Fish, Wildlife, and Game held a hearing (open to the general public) where hunters were requesting that the wolf hunting season be extended past December 31st or until all of the 220 wolves have been reported as killed. FW&P has not decided yet and they are leaving it open to public comment until December 6th.
I will have the talking points on our site as to why the season should not be extended and contact information for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Game where you can post your opinion on this issue.
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that all wolf supporters respond to this and let Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks know why this should not be allowed.
The wolves depend on US!
Toni Stark
Angela Stevens
Joseph DiStefano
Billy Angus
as
Truth About Wolves
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Yes, Toni, please leave all of the information so that we can leave our messages for the people making the decisions. We speak for the wolves.
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You can contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at:
fwpgen@mt.gov
(406) 444-2535 (M-F) (8-5)
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Gretchen,
The comment deadline is November 28, 2011, not December 5th. Please note.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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Toni…the comment deadline is November 28, 2011 not December 5th.
From Montana FWP:
Proposed Wolf Season Refinements
Please read the Interested Persons Letter (Interested Persons Letter 124 KB) for a full description of the proposed refinements.
Comment deadline is 5 PM on Monday, November 28, 2011
For the wolves,
Nabeki
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Thanks for explaining that!
I will make sure that everyone is aware that all comments must be received by the 28th!
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Thanks Toni!!
For the Wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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This is horrible…words cant express the anger, helplessness I feel. Saying this is wrong and somebody should put a stop to it is NOT enough!!!
Hence, hopeless.
My heart aches for what these poor animals are going through.
Their only crime is that they were born an animal.
How can this be possible????
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Sonia, you took the words right out of my mouth.
I, myself feel very, very hopeless ~
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ramses…I know we are all feeling shell shocked. I feel as though all I have to deliver is bad news. The attack on horses is one more bad thing that’s happening. Wolves are being trapped and snared in Idaho, causing untold suffering. The very thing that exterminated wolves in the West is being used on them and not a peep out of the media. BUT we are not helpless, when we decide to take a stand on this, when wolf advocates come together and speak out as one voice, when we say we won’t visit Yellowstone National Park until the killing of wolves stops, when we boycott the wolf states and mean it, then things will start to move. But we are running out of time. Idaho is rushing to kill as many wolves as possible before the Ninth Circuit rules. They want to take their wolf population down to 150 animals. That’s just wholesale slaughter.
I will continue to push for protests and boycotts. I think those two things would certainly get the attention of the press. One of our biggest problems is lack of support from many of the environmental groups who seem to have accepted the wolf hunts as the “new normal”. Except for groups like AWR, FOC, WEG, WWP, FOA and the Center, who are appealing Judge Molloy’s decision, there has been very little push back from environmental groups over the hunts. That leaves the grass roots movement standing alone while the anti-wolf crowd garners tremendous support from hunting and ranching interests and politicians. It’s definitely not a level playing field. But we fight on.
For the wolves, For the wild ones,
Nabeki
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We are included as a mammal. Dig deep in your Soul. I just spent a day with a local Conserve. Two Happy Wolf Pups ( the size if a small Golden Retriever) have a BEAUTIFUL Habitat and Staff that LOVES all Species. They have many Toys. It was nearly 90 degrees F. The Alpha Male was LOVING his block of ice. http://www2.montcopa.org/parks/cwp/view,a,1519,q,26447.asp
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I just emailed Montana Tourism. I am a Travel agent / Environmentalist. There WILL be repercussions 🙂
“How can you promote a State that is eradicating a Species. I am a Travel Agent.. Good luck with Tourism. The word is out. You WILL lose Revenue.”
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