The Good Green Earth

[4est_4est_Gump]

Oh those wacky Gaians!

The 20th anniversary of a government program to bring gray wolves to Yellowstone Park marks two decades of debate over the Federal government’s role in forcing wolves on individuals, communities and states that may, or may not, want them....

Wolves were removed from most settled areas in the lower 48 states nearly a century ago for a reason – they are a very difficult predator to manage. This is an apex predator that multiplies quickly and must kill more animals to survive than any other species in North America. It is also a species that is a threat to humans, as evidenced in the recent death of a teacher in Alaska who was killed by wolves while jogging.

The Greater Yellowstone Area is not what it was 20 years ago. Elk and moose populations have been decimated. One of the most scenic drives in Montana is the route from West Yellowstone to Bozeman on Highway 191. Twenty years ago, this 90 mile stretch of road that follows the Gallatin River, offered a chance to view herds of elk along with moose and other wildlife. Today it is rare to cross paths with an elk or moose. Large herds of elk that once wintered in the Gallatin Canyon are gone. The northern Yellowstone elk herd numbered over 20,000 in 1995. Today less than 4,000 elk remain. Wolves effectively changed the wildlife paradigm.

Wolf predation has been touted as a necessary ingredient for a healthy eco-system. Environmentalists claim an apex predator is necessary to control and improve wildlife populations, but those who make this argument ignore the contribution of the most effective apex predator, mankind. State hunting programs, including late season hunts, are a far more effective way to control wildlife populations. A thriving hunting industry equates to more revenue for state budgets and more revenue for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks programs through the sale of hunting licenses. More opportunity to hunt elk also means more families are able to put a great source of protein on their tables with little expense.

http://townhall.com/columnists/davi...ars-of-wolves-in-government-clothing-n1945086

Hey there little green riding hood...