Hey, been reading articles in the Standard Examiner concerning wolves and the need to control them, when and if they enter Utah. I read about the introduction of senate bill 36, by Republican Senator Allen Christensen. Senator Christensen has stated that wolves are evil creatures and kill other animals for fun. He does not want them to be a detriment to anyone or thing in Utah. I wonder if the Senator has thought of, or is able to make a comparison to the killing by man, of the buffalo during the manifest destiny period in the history of America. We killed many of these animals just for the " fun of it".
As a child of age 9-10 I was given a 22 caliber rifle for a Christmas present. I became skilled with it. I could "kill" in my mind, any rock, twig, can, or bottle. I soon could and did kill any small live animal that came into view, for the "fun of it'.
Researchers from Oregon State, Cal.Berkley, and New Mexico State Universities in collaboration, have determined, with the elimination of the wolf as the "top-dog" predator, the coyote; a mesopredator, (smaller) will become dominant in the ecosystem, with explosive proportions. Research has shown that where wolves have been reintroduced Re: Yellowstone ,coyotes have been reduced to what is felt to be normal levels.
Millions of dollars are spent yearly to try and control the coyote. Tens of thousands of sheep are killed annually by the coyote, in western states, Re, Bioscience Oct. 2009 issue.
I regret my lack of concern for the animals that I slaughtered, In the Army, I was awarded an Expert with the rifle, medal. Returning home, from the service, I removed, from my possession, all of my firearms. People ask Me why, and I say, "I grew up!"
What reliable information does Senator Christensen have to support wolfs removal, or not allowing them to enter the state?
There is mush research supporting wolf presence, in States where they once used to belong, and have reentered. Wolves as a pack will kill, healthy, Elk, Moose, Deer. Culling also the sick and the old, cows, calves. coyotes are also hunted by packs of wolves.
Man looks for and kills, the largest, strongest, the most fit, those that would be best to serve as breeding stock, when it comes to the trophy or food animals that we can hunt.
The research suggests, that with the failed attempts by Man to control the coyote ,perhaps,"more wolves,more sheep". Alas will politics trump science.
Kenneth Strong
Layton
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