Those who commented on Wyoming’s wolf plan didn’t like it.
The analysis of the comments has been released. Whether they lived in Wyoming or elsewhere, a majority was against it. Inside Wyoming, those inside and outside Teton County (Jackson) opposed it.
Opposition was greater from those who did not live in Wyoming. Inside Wyoming, opposition was the greatest from Teton County; but even those in Fremont, Hot Springs, Lincoln, Park and Sublette counties expressed majority opposition.
Here is the story. Wyoming’s wolf plan draws negative comments. Associated Press in the Billings Gazette.
Here is the link to Wyoming Game and Fish’s page on the matter. It is a detailed analysis. You can read the individual comments, and I found doing so was quite informative.
Comments
I’m glad to see that Wyoming GF publishes the public comments on their website.
Recently in Montana, MFWP held a hearing on continued trapping of wolverines. Montana is the only state outside Alaska where trapping for wolverines is legal. There are less than 1000 of these animals left in the lower 48 and less than 200 in Montana.
I requested a copy of all public comments. Some mysteriously disappeared and were not made part of the public record including mine and others that I know submitted them.
I was sent the remainder, about 135 comments. Only ONE of those was in favor of continuing to trap wolverines and that was from a rep of the trappers association. Most of these comments were not form letters, but letters from some very well informed citizens, biologists, etc.
The result was almost nothing was done except a token adjustment of the numbers allowed to be trapped in one area.
Consequently, this example, plus others has left me wondering if this whole “public comment” period is nothing but a sham and how do these agencies justify to the public, the decisions they make?
I’ve asked our MFWP this question and am awaiting a response.
I’ve never had ANY faith in this comment program. “Let ’em think they have a voice and they’ll shut up”………………
I dream of seeing a Wolverine in the wild one day. Anyone here had that opportunity?
No, I have not, but ther is a reintroduction effort going on in Colorado now. It seems to stand a better chance than wolf reintroduction so maybe I’ll will be fortunate enough to see one soon. I live in a target reintroduction area.
Cathy
My wife spied one crossing the road in the dark on Rabbit Ears Pass East of Steamboat Springs, CO
Catbestland – Not to dispute you but I thought that the wolverine reintroduction in Colorado was put on hold. Great news if it wasn’t but I haven’t read or heard any recent news on the reintroduction effort.
I wanted to let you and your readers know that Cal Groen, the director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, will be on Dialogue this week (Thursday, February 7 at 8:30 PM MT.) He will take questions from viewers at 1-800-973-9800 during the program, which ends at 9. Thanks!