Wolf Etiquette Clayton I PAA

Clayton Improta

Writing 101

Personal Academic Argument

                                                            Wolf Etiquette

            We all know the classic image of the beat up seventies ford pick-up driving off road with the fresh deer kill strapped to the hood. This rig is often driven by several men of various age, they wear several shades of camouflage and orange rowdily firing their high-powered rifles at any living creature. Unfortunately this image is conveyed more often than you would like to think. Although many hunters like to think of their sport as a commonality with wildlife and a form of co-existence, many do not. Through poor judgment, neglect and even cruelty a few hunters can tarnish the reputation of many.

            Many officials in Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) say that it is saddening when someone mistreats an animal before it is killed, but there are no laws to prosecute an individual. This only fuels the flames of the animal rights debate even more. The abuse or neglect of animals disgraces the sport and only creates controversy.

Etiquette in hunting means that there is a rule of conduct. I did appreciate that in hunters education when I was twelve in Montana, gave out a book titled Beyond Fair Chase by Jim Posewitz and the United Conservation Alliance. This book specifies the wildlife and hunter relationship and defines the meaning of ethical hunter. It defines the ethical hunter as:

A person who knows and respects the animals hunted, follows the law, and behaves in a way that will satisfy what society expects of him or her as a hunter.

This is a respectful, law-abiding ethic exercised by most hunters. They view wildlife and themselves as the same community.

            Debates between animal rights activists and hunters, is nothing new to Montana. This debate has seen more controversy than ever since MFWP delisted wolfs as an endangered species and allowed the Grey Wolf to be registered for hunting. This is a hot issue for both sides of the debate because so many have personal stake in the formerly endangered species.

For the activists the wolf has been a successful endangered species recovery. Wolves were hunted to near extinction and until very recently were on the endangered species list. Activists see the hunting as a threat to the once fragile species and they could perhaps be over-hunted again. Activists often already see hunting as abuse and hunters as callous because of their “sport.” Tensions are already high in the wolf debate and those against hunting will fan flames at whatever chance.

This means it is up to the hunter not to create a fire. Hunters are often seen as “wolf haters” and many do not deny it. Wolves can kill livestock, horses, sheep and pets, creating instant hatred from any rancher. Many hunters see wolves as vermin or as an elk-killer. Elk hunting is a very popular sport and many believe that wolves will soon over-harvest the elk. These are harsh ends of the spectrum but most hunters agree that the wolves are sustaining their population well enough to be hunted and hunters are apart of the ecosystem.

 Trapping is another heavy issue. It fall under the same guidelines as hunting and is legal, but there are many who do not conduct themselves ethically under given circumstances. Recently a man in Idaho (also has legal wolf hunting) pictured himself smiling next to a trapped grey wolf. The wolf is seen limping behind the man in circles of its blood. If a picture like that wouldn’t make you feel sorry for the wolf, then you need to give some serious thought to hunting ethics.

Hunting like this is so saddening because it is the act of an individual. While most hunters take a serious and studied approach. Someone has to be a bad apple and literally photograph themselves with a dying animal laughing at the camera like his buddy just told a joke.

Who wants to allow wolf hunting after that story? Would you? Most people find themselves on the boundary. There are extreme opposites and a vast moderate group. Many are uninformed on the subject or simply do not relate to hunting or conservation. This is why many minds will change on an issue when something like animal abuse is brought up. Hunters that display themselves in a way that does not satisfy public interest hurt their image. They make all hunters look bad to the moderate public. The trapper guidelines on MFWP’s website states:

You are your brother's keeper. Your actions reflect either credit or discredit on the thousands of others who run traplines in Montana and across the nation.

This years’ season harvest of wolves was 166 with an estimated natural death 104 and a birth increase of 300 leaving wolves with an estimated overall increase in population during hunting season. Many wildlife biologists in Montana agree that wolf hunting can actually be beneficial in maintaining populations. Furthermore biologists have seen a decrease in the numbers of cow and calf elk, a red-flag in a species when it is over-predated.

These facts are generally unknown to the public because of the moral issues surrounding the wolf. Hunters need to start making themselves known as knowledgable and formal diplomats of their culture. The reputations of few should not skew the facts or further the debate any longer. Hunters should study their surroundings not only in nature but in society. They should know that they are representing all hunters when they call themselves a hunter and present themselves formidably. If everyone hunts the fair and right way we can repair our image and create a better future for hunters.