Color me confused...

[nobleplatypus]

So now that the wolf population in Minnesota has recovered sufficiently to warrant them losing federal protection, it's time to start shooting them again, right?

I find this genuinely baffling. If the wolf population/distribution has been stable for the past ten years (controlling itself nicely, it seems), why do we need a wolf season? Or are we playing a new game in which we push a species to the point of needing federal protection, let it recover, and then drive it to the brink again, repeat ad nauseum? SOUNDS FUN.

/sarcasm


[appropriate icon is appropriate]

Comments

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Livestock protection.

So, basically - yes, to answer you.

[nobleplatypus]

Speaking as someone who has lost livestock to predation (less than a foot from my face, no less)... shit happens. And if you don't want it to happen again, you don't shoot the predator--you build a better fence.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I'm just citing the ostensible reason. But similar things happen with deer - they're hunted or left alone depending on density. Something about balancing nature out, I think.