Mech, D. 2010. Considerations for Developing Wolf Harvesting Regulations in The Contiguous United States. Journal of Wildlife Management. 74:1421-1424.
Link to Article:
Mech (2010) discusses the likelihood of a permanent harvesting season of gray wolves (Canis Lupus) in the contiguous United States within the next few years. He comments that since being placed on the United States Endangered Species List since 1967 and Endangered Species Act in 1973 gray wolf populations have successfully recovered and continue to increase in population size. Harvesting wolves is a sensitive topic and Mech (2010) explains the species has been delisted twice and relisted due to technical legal issues.
The act of hunting, trapping, and harvesting of wolves is an extremely controversial topic with the general public in addition to ranchers, outfitters, sportsmen, animal welfare advocates amongst others. A large number of public citizens find it hard to believe and are dismayed that it may become legal to trap or kill wolves.
I understand Mech (2010) to be accurate in stating this “divided opinion” of taking wolves makes it crucial for each state to strategically develop proper fair-chase wolf harvesting regulations. Decision making must take into account the desired harvest objectives (for hunters as well as conservation goals) in addition to meeting public acceptance. Further, Mech (2010) explains the difficulties of harvesting many wolves and the challenges with fair-chase hunting. Tactics such as aerial shooting, tracking by snowmobile, and/or spotting by helicopter and landing to shoot are opposed by much of the public. Trapping and snaring are techniques accepted by some wolf advocates but is expensive, time-consuming, and difficult. There are also other means of control mentioned in the article.
Considering the continuously growing populations of gray wolves there is a strong probability of harvesting management being put forth in the United States. Although it is difficult to convince the public that wolf harvesting is necessary, it may be possible to decrease people’s opposition by setting restrictions such as not killing individuals readily identifiable as pups or gravid females.
This topic is exceedingly sensitive and as someone who is keen on wolves, understands biological conservation, and an open-minded individual I understand both ends of the problem. Essentially, the best case scenario for the wolf is that humans all disappeared – or at least stopped growing exponentially – and the rancher’s would probably prefer the wolves didn’t exist at all. I think Mech successfully achieved an unbiased standpoint and considered both sides of the issue and it appears he agrees that the regulated ‘culling’ of gray wolves in the near future is essential for successful management of the species. The question is: How does one convince the public that shooting a cute fluffy animal is the ‘right thing to do’?
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