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A pair of Montana state legislators have filed a lawsuit to force the State to manage wolves more aggressively than it is currently doing. The lawsuit is moving forward in the Montana court system and could force the State to raise wolf quotas in an attempt to mitigate impacts on deer and elk populations as well as livestock producer losses.
The question looming is two fold; does this need to happen and/or will it even make an impact on wolf depredation data?
My take is that wolves across the northern tier of the United States have been largely unmanaged, populations have expanded beyond socially acceptable levels, and it’s past time for more aggressive management protocols.
The modern fairy tale of wolves being a boon to ecosystems via a trophic cascade has been debunked by a study done by Utah State University and their obvious impact on ungulate populations through both direct predation and indirect disease introduction such as Hydatid Disease (Echinococcus granulosa).
There is a very real movement to end ALL hunting with the argument that the North American Model of Conservation is outdated and ungulates can be controlled by the introduction of apex predators such as wolves and grizzly bears. This movement is cloaked in pseudo-science propaganda painting wolves as a panacea for diseases like CWD and population control of game animals. The true aim of the organizations behind this hogwash is the 100% elimination of hunting, plain and simple.
Modern wildlife management must take a holistic approach to stewarding the ecosystems and animals it is our responsibility to manage. There is not one aspect that is more important than the other. We need to manage habitat and predators in order to ensure healthy balance.
Want examples? When left unmanaged ALL predators flourish and prey animals suffer. From the imbalanced wolf to deer ratios of the upper Great Lakes, struggling moose and caribou herds in Alaska due to over predation by wolves and bears, sage grouse around the West being suppressed by nest-raiding ravens, even birds of prey and sharks and their impacts on the environment, it all needs holistic management, not special protections because of a dynamic “persona”.
Sure apex predators are fascinating, engaging creatures that ignite a spark in the collective soul of humanity but carte blanche protections have led to an overcorrection that must be addressed. There are places where we have too many wolves and bears in the West and this must be fixed via regulated harvest. If quotas need to be raised because predation impacts are too high then a course correction must happen. The reality is that there are places wolves are socially acceptable and places they aren’t and there is nothing wrong with keeping them out of areas they’re not welcome. It’s right for both the wolves and more importantly, the humans living there. We do not live in an Edenic utopia, we inhabit a fractured world where hard truths need to be stared down and acted upon, and apex predator management is just that.
I don’t expect the fight over apex predators will ever end. I have personal beliefs about why, which I will spare you, but the simple fact is that apex predators are no more and no less important to balanced ecosystems than elk, mule deer and responsible livestock production. All need stewardship and it’s our responsibility to do so, whether we like it or not.
