Looks as though the anti-wolfers and DNR “let’s-add-more-to-our-license-income” bean counters are again attempting to de-list the grey wolf from federal protection. With property bounded on two sides by Superior National Forest land, I have not actually seen a wolf (or a bear) in the past three years.
Human effects on wildlife populations have certainly reduced the numbers of pheasants, ducks and geese that I had experienced in my youth. I now rarely see pine marten, fisher or bobcat. Last year was the first year in over 20 that we hadn’t seen a moose on our property at the salt block.
Rather than regulating wildlife populations, perhaps we should control our own numbers by encouraging more abortions, executing more prisoners and legalizing euthanasia in order to halt the arguably out-of-control human population and continued degradation of wildlife habitat. Sorry for that…but my cabin fever grumpiness is in full swing.
Our current mindset concerning wildlife control might need some adjustment. The solution to our interactions with wildlife could be related to our thinking. Rather than asking, “Why does the deer cross the road?” shouldn’t we instead ponder “Why does the road cross the forest?”
Wildlife population isn’t the problem, we are.
Bob LaMettry
Grand Marais
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