Tell Minnesota: Stop Wolf Killings for Sport
When Great Lakes wolves lost their Endangered Species Act protection earlier this year, livestock producers and other special interest groups -- dead set on using this change to kill wolves for sport -- pushed through laws authorizing sport hunting and trapping of Minnesota wolves. Now Minnesota's wolves urgently need your help.
In response to these laws, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit, but Minnesota state courts refused to stop the killing. In less than two weeks, hunters shot and killed more than 120 of Minnesota's wolves. The state's goal is to kill 400 by the end of the season.
Hunting season is already open, and wolf trapping season begins Saturday, Nov. 24. Hundreds more of these beautiful and intelligent animals will suffer and die in gruesome leghold traps and snares.
Don't let wolves continue to be killed for sport in Minnesota.
Join our allies, Howling for Wolves, and tell Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to stop sport hunting and trapping of wolves.
As you are aware, almost 80% of DNR survey respondents, including both wildlife enthusiasts and hunters, made it clear they do not want a wolf hunting and trapping season in Minnesota. I am aware the DNR is not under any legal obligation to proceed with a wolf hunt and that you have the authority to stop it. There is no biological reason to hunt wolves. The wolf population has been stable since 1998 without hunting and trapping. Depredating wolves are being trapped by USDA and DNR certified trappers. This is a sport season, pure and simple. Recreational killing.
[Your comment will be added here]
Wolves are more valuable to us all alive. Minnesotans value wolves and want to embrace a sustainable wolf management plan that favors the use of effective non-lethal means to manage conflicts, using lethal methods only as a last resort. With the largest population of biologically diverse wolves in the lower 48, we have a responsibility to manage our wolves in accordance with the high social and sustainable economic value they represent to all of our residents.
An open season on wolves is not in the interest of wolves, nor of Minnesota. I strongly urge you to use your authority to cancel the wolf hunting and trapping season immediately. We must err on the side of caution; too much is at stake to do anything less.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
