Hunters: The State of Idaho needs your HELP!
by Bobby Cupp, Dec 12, 2004
[Note: this dated letter was sent to us recently. We post it out of a spirit of inclusion, but generally we prefer new work. The same could be said for the previous post as well.]
We are faced with a problem in our country that most Hunters, Ranchers and Politicians don’t know how to approach or solve.
For example Hound Hunters have the right to hunt and run their hounds on public or private land, but some are scared to release their hounds because of the threat that wolves may kill them. Therefore this takes away their right to hunt. There have been sightings of wolves in our area, but authorities seem to cover it up for some reason or another.
This affects our rights to pursue Bear, Mtn. Lions, etc. Hunting those predators is legal in our state.
This problem also affects other hunters as a whole. The wolf population is increasing yearly with no attempt to control them. Wolves are affecting our Deer, Elk, Sheep and Moose populations.
No matter what other groups or activists say or print, the public is being misled in so many ways. The activists provide only false and inaccurate numbers that lead people to believe there are fewer wolves so they stay on the endangered species lists.
In September 2003, in the Payette National Forrest, near Burgdorf, Idaho a pack of wolves attacked a heard of sheep and killed at least 55 of them and another 30 went missing.
I also have read that the private conservation fund that had been compensating Ranchers was now running out of funds. Who will pay these Ranchers for their losses. The Federal Government and Environmentalists have brought in the Canadian Gray Wolves and the State of Idaho suffering for it.
Our state thrives on our outdoors and wildlife. We are letting a group of people that do not live in this state tell us what we can and can not do. We hunters must stand together and fight for our wildlife.
The Alaskan Dept. Of Fish and Game have had to engage in aerial hunting to control the wolves in their state. The was done to keep the wolves from killing off the Moose and Caribou herds. This makes me wonder about our Moose, Elk and Deer herds. Are we going to drag our feet until we have the same problem?
It seems our local Fish and Game Dept., federal government, and extreme “environmentalists” are willing to sacrifice Idaho’s game herds to wolves. This is a shame and tragedy.
Can we not learn from the mistakes of other states? Or is there a law that says we must repeat the mistakes of others. It seems clear to me that this is just a backdoor approach to get hunting stopped across this nation.
If deer and elk are put on the endangered species list due to wolf predation then there will be no hunting of them. Why protect killing machines like wolves when humans have managed game herds for thousands of years?
And furthermore, when did the opinions of so few start dictating policy to the many.
I am asking for your help locally and nationwide to discuss this to your local representatives and congressman because all of our states will be affected by this conflict.
I know there are all kinds of hunters out there, even our President, who would like to hunt with their grandchildren one day.
I am sending this letter to hunting groups across America. Government Officials, Friends and relatives, please get INVOLVED! Also, I thank you for all of the letters and opinions that I have received on this matter.
Bobby Cupp, 2004
