AR-News: Western Gray Wolves Under Attack--Sample Letter Due May 10

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Subj:[AGA] LETTER--Due 5/10: Western Gray Wolves Under Attack 
Date:4/27/2004 8:51:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:bizshows at att.net
To:aga at lgal.org
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Please send in your comments before May 10, 2004

SAMPLE LETTER FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE
4/27/04--Due 5/10: Western Gray Wolves Under Attack
http://www.kinshipcircle.org
1 letter

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
HUMANElines---Issue 292---April 14, 2004
humanelines at hsus.org
http://www.hsus.org/ace/18434
USFWS proposed gray wolf rule: 
http://pacific.fws.gov/news/2004/Final_FR_wolf.pdf

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these letters is verified with the original 
source. I cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or 
for the consequences of its use.

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee the validity of email addresses. During a 
campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.

====================SAMPLE LETTER====================

USFWS, Western Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator
100 North Park, Number 320
Helena, MT 59601
fax: 406-449-5339
email: westerngraywolf at fws.gov 

RE: CASE NUMBER RIN 1018-AT61

Thank you for accepting public comments regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service's new regulation to diminish protection for "nonessential 
experimental" wolf populations under the Endangered Species Act. I understand the proposed 
rule will authorize private landowners and state employees in specific 
Western states to arbitrarily slaughter wolves--even those wolves not directly 
implicated in livestock damages.

I am concerned about a rule that assigns wolf management--ordinarily the 
USFWS' job--to state officials, empowering them to allow a sport hunt on wolves. 
These animals, along with other non-target animals, will inevitably fall prey 
to bullets, leghold traps, wire snares, poison, or aerial shooting programs. 

The rule's repercussions extend beyond Idaho and Montana, since they effect a 
critical portion of the few gray wolves presently located in the lower 48 
states. Please do not leave wolf control to the discretion of individual states, 
where a vocal minority of ranchers and trophy hunters admonish wolves for 
everything from livestock losses to declining deer and elk numbers.

In reality deer and elk populations are managed through availability of 
habitat and food/water. In fact, one Idaho study showed that in a single region, 
wolves killed fewer than 2% of the elk population whereas hunters slaughtered 
15-17% of elks.

The concept of wolves as a major threat is a myth invented to preserve 
livestock and hunting interests. Private landowners ought to responsibly employ 
non-lethal methods to deter wolf-livestock conflicts. Guard animals, fencing, 
carcass removal, non-lethal repellents or scare devices, in conjunction with 
modified animal husbandry techniques, have proven more capable than kill tactics in 
decreasing livestock damages.

I strongly encourage the USFWS to defend and preserve our nation's wolves. I 
look forward to your feedback about this serious matter.

Thank you, 
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