Dear Guardian,
Thank Ron Moody for being the voice of reason on the Montana
Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Last week, Commissioner Moody stood up for wolves and bison.
He bucked the establishment by voting “no” on proposals that would again extend the state’s hunting season
on wolves, and allow hunters to snipe bison that wander outside Yellowstone
National Park in search of winter forage.
While WildEarth Guardians adamantly opposes any wolf hunting
or exploitation of America’s last “pure” bison herd, we acknowledge a good deed
when we see one. Please join us in thanking Commissioner Moody for his courageous stand.
As with other western state wildlife commissions, the
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission often elevates the interests of
hunters above those of other constituencies. So it was especially refreshing to
hear Commissioner Moody explain that the tenants of ethical hunting are “not
infinitely elastic” and that that hunters should “treat animals with respect”
and not as “living targets” or a “commodity.”
Extending the wolf hunting season violates an unwritten
code of sportsmen’s ethics, according to Commissioner Moody.
The commission voted to extend wolf hunting in the West Fork of the Bitterroot District for a second time this year. A spring-time
wolf hunt would affect wolf packs that have new pups. Commissioner Moody
explained that hunting ethics prevent hunters from harming “mothers of young
animals” and such hunts are not “fair chase.”
The commission wants to kill more wolves based on a mistaken
belief that it will restore elk populations. Commissioner Moody correctly stated
that eradicating wolves would not resolve that problem.
The bison shooting proposal is proposed on behalf of
agribusiness in southwest Montana, where ranchers irrationally fear that bison can
transmit disease to cattle.
Again, Commissioner Moody thoughtfully notes that tourism is
Montana’s second largest industry and that many tourists come to view Montana’s
wolves, bison, and bears. These wildlife are worth more alive than dead.
Please thank Commissioner Ron Moody for opposing Montana’s misguided
policies.
For the wild,
Wendy Keefover
Carnivore Protection Director
WildEarth Guardians
wendy@wildearthguardians.org
