Farm Bureau speaks out on wolves
Montana Farm Bureau
SueAnn Streufert
Montana Farm Bureau applauds the U.S. Department of the Interior’s recent announcement proposing more control of wolf management for Montana and Idaho.
“It’s rewarding to see that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes Montana’s wolf management plan as a viable one,” said Montana Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Jake Cummins.
Under the proposal, landowners on private land would be able to protect their livestock and pets without a permit.
“We are particularly pleased to see that landowners have the authority to eliminate a wolf attacking livestock, livestock herding animals and guard animals on their own land,” Cummins said. States could also take wolves determined to be causing unacceptable impact to elk and deer populations.
Cummins did express several reservations about the proposal. “We are still concerned that the federal government remains in control of this program under the Endangered Species Act,” he said. According to the USFWS, the proposed changes would only affect the experimental population areas established in Montana and Idaho when the wolves were reintroduced in 1995.
“Our question is – how can someone tell the difference between an experimental wolf and an endangered wolf? Can livestock producers confidently defend their livestock and livelihood against these predators without the risk of excessive penalties being imposed on them by federal agents?” Cummins asked.
Another concern of the state’s largest agricultural organization is who will pay for the program if the wolves aren’t de-listed. MFBF feels strongly that the government should pick up the tab.
“The federal government should retain funding for this program if they stay in control of it,” Cummins said.