Conservation: How To Create A Valid Point On Wolf Issues

In the fight to protect wolves we are up against some formidable opponents. Here are some suggestions to help you plan a valid argument on wolf issues.

Know What You're Up Against Politically

The anti-wolf movement speaks with passion about their beliefs, even if those beliefs are based on opinions rather than science or statistics.

On the other hand, I read many pro-wolf comments that are also passionate based on feelings rather than science or facts.

Sure feelings are valid but the anti-wolf rants go for the jugular ...aka the wallet.

Politicians in Washington are more concerned with assuring the citizens (who voted them in office) that their livelihoods will not be put in jeopardy. Protecting a majestic beautiful creature is of little concern.

It’s important to keep in mind when commenting on petitions that the beautiful and majestic argument for wolves is weak by political standards.

And that even if claims of depredation of livestock and game are blown out of proportion by the anti-wolf movement their comments are heard and given priority consideration over matters of the heart.

Create A Script

Take the time to sit down, review the facts, and write from there. Save it, then just cut and paste it into comments, including the FWS Regulations Document. Found here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0073.

BUT WAIT… keep reading before you write!

I posted some good sources for pro-wolf facts vs. fiction in that section below.

Go For The Jugular

An Endangered Species Act consultation by the USFWS on listed species harmed by public lands grazing found that 22 percent of all species on the endangered species list have livestock grazing as a factor in their decline.

I’m pretty angry that the estimated cost of the federal grazing program to taxpayers is approximately $500 million annually. Many (not all) ranchers with grazing rights want to kill our wolves on public lands that we as US citizens pay taxes to maintain.

Seeing that ranchers only pay a pocketful of change per month to graze their cattle, it’s logical we should have the lion’s share of a voice in its management.

If ranchers don’t like it, they can pay up to even the cost or put up with our wolves.

Read about the issue of grazing on Federal Lands. It will fire you up!


Grazing Public Lands (costs)

Petition Denied to Raise Grazing Fees

Know Your Facts From Fiction

There is a lot of scientific literature out there that most people don’t have access to without cost, but when you do read something look for works cited. Make sure the author has done his homework and try to follow up on links to studies.

Please review this awesome clear and concise letter to Department of Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director, Dan Ashes.

Letter of concern from many of the scientists responsible for the research referenced in the draft rule.

Two of the best fact vs. fiction articles I know of:

Scroll down to read Norman A. Bishop’s input

Oregon Life's article: Bringing wolves back

Don’t Humanize Wolves … but do pull heartstrings

Believe it or not, humanizing wolves doesn’t really help. Wolves don’t vote, pay taxes or contribute to political campaigns, and politicians are in the people business not animal welfare.

Instead of statements like wolves love their families too, they are sweet and not killers … find a story or a picture about just one wolf, its life, its suffering, its death. Get inside that animal’s head and speak for it. There are unfortunately too many of these stories out there.

I can’t tell you how much empathy I feel for this guy who was caught in an illegal trap. He tries to disappear when rescuers try to help him.

Most of all, I wanted to make sure we all keep a well-constructed script.

Planned arguments are way more effective than the average spontaneous pro-wolf comment on petitions.