Valid arguments may abound for limited hunting of wolves. However, Dennis Anderson's Aug. 20 column failed to consider alternatives. As a hunter and environmentalist, I understand the valuable role hunters can have in managing animal populations (e.g., deer). However, wolves are a great deal more complex than most hunted animals in Minnesota. Hunters would inevitably and understandably seek out the largest and healthiest wolves as trophies. Unfortunately, these wolves are instrumental to pack leadership and cohesion. Population control through hunting may have a far more harmful effect on wolf packs than does natural selection, under which weak, old and sick wolves are the most likely to die. If the experts deem population control necessary, controlled DNR hunts may be a more effective alternative. Wolves and other animals may cause some (but it is unclear from the article how much) danger to outdoor enthusiasts, pets and livestock. However, this risk is inherent in nature. If you take the wild out of the wild outdoors, then Minnesota might just as well be a zoo. SEAN FAHNHORST, BLOOMINGTON
Letter of the day: Consider possible alternatives before hunting fragile wolves
August 22, 2010 at 11:12PM
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