“…in allowing the killing of Yellowstone wolves, MFWP is not just shooting wolves, but also itself in the foot, because this hunt is giving the entire tourism industry a black eye.”
“We are not opposed to Montana residents filling their freezers with elk, but the wolves were here first, and deserve protection from recreational killing.”
Sadly, Montana wolf hunt season underway and the controversy continues.
According to 9kxlh.com a group called the Yellowstone Wolf Patrol has entered into the Absoroka-Beartooth Wilderness directly adjacent to Yellowstone National Park to trail hunters in an effort to prevent the killing of the park’s wolves.
Unfortunately, while Montana’s Fish Wildlife and Parks has no issues of any kind with people monitoring the hunts, they do make it illegal to try and protect an animal targeted for a kill. Montana’s FWP game warden Sam Sheppard stated: “.. if any of the activists interfere with the hunt they will be violating Montana law. And that would include interfering such as getting in-between someone and the prey they are stalking, interfering with the natural movement of the animals whether it be wolves or elk or anything like that – or basically harassing hunters either verbally or by action.”
Yellowstone Wolf Patrol member Julie Henry said in the news release that, “…in allowing the killing of Yellowstone wolves, MFWP is not just shooting wolves, but also itself in the foot, because this hunt is giving the entire tourism industry a black eye.”
“We are not opposed to Montana residents filling their freezers with elk, but the wolves were here first, and deserve protection from recreational killing,” the press release continued.
[info credit: Living with Wolves and 9KXLH.com]