RMEF and Wolves

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has been accused of conducting an all out war on wolves. I called their President David Allen and asked for his side of the story. What we are very supportive of wolf hunting seasons. We think it is one of the primary tools in the toolbox for state game agencies but we also know that sport hunting or regulated hunting seasons for wolves especially are not going to be the primary way to manage and control the population. The reason we know this is that there is a great deal of evidence and science from places like the State of Alaska and Western Canada where there are maybe 60,000 wolves that have to be managed in a much more aggressive manner. The state of Alaska wildlife officials tell me that sport hunting of wolves is only good to manage about 10 to 15% of the population. We very much support regulated hunting seasons for wolves but we also urge state agencies to employ other tactics to manage wolves such as regulated trapping and also wildlife services.