Sunday, March 18, 2012

Food For Thought From The Kleefisch Cookbook

For your political edification: the most revealing news release of the year was offered by the State Assembly's self-appointed lead hunter, Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, who also wants a hunting season for the Sandhill crane - - also known, he says, as "the rib-eye of the sky."

I bold-faced the key line.

March 7, 2012    Rep. Joel Kleefisch (608) 266-8551
Kleefisch Co-Authored Wolf Hunt Passes Senate
24-9 vote sends bill to Assembly for approval

MADISON – The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill calling for the Department of Natural Resources to establish a wolf hunting season.

The bill passed by a 24-9 vote. The bill will be taken up in the Assembly next week. If it passes there it will go to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Wisconsin wolves came off the Federal Endangered Species List in 2011 and management of wolves was turned over to the state. The bill calls for a hunting and trapping season to run from October 15 through the end of February.

“Since being introduced back into the Wisconsin wildlife, wolves have thrived and grown to the point that their population must be managed,” said Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc). “They’re decimating deer and other game species in northern Wisconsin, and threatening house pets and even humans. A hunting season will allow for reasonable control of the population, while marinating viable and sustainable pack numbers for this majestic animal.”

According to a DNR report, wolves attacked or killed livestock on 47 farms in 2010, up from 28 in 2009 and 32 in 2008. Wolves also killed 14 pet dogs and 20 hunting dogs in 2010. An estimated 700 wolves lived in Wisconsin in 2010, and the population was projected to increase by 10 percent before the next reporting period.

“Wolves are beautiful animals,” Kleefisch said. “But the damage they can and will do cannot be ignored. A hunting and trapping season will help keep the wolf population in check, and the DNR permitting process will also make sure that the wolf population remains at healthy levels.”
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3 comments:

Say What? said...

Guess what Chef Kleefisch- the marinating was being done a long time ago. Hunters or farmers just didn't invite you to the dinner table. The unwritten law was shoot to kill wolves but keep your mouth shut and don't take pictures.

The truth is, deer hunters hate wolves and now more wolves will be slaughtered because they hunt deer better than man with big guns and fancy bows.

What can we do to protect these wolves from their biggest enemy?

James Rowen said...

The legislature turned down amendments barring leg traps and protecting pregnant females.

Gareth said...

Wolves will prove almost impossible to hunt once they realize that morons, reeking of alcohol, are out in the woods shooting at them. Baited traps will be the preferred method of wolf-haters. Sportsmanship at it's finest.

By the way, it's been proven in recent years that black bears take a lot more deer than people thought. Killing wolves may create more deer...for bears, and reducing the wolf population creates more room for coyotes who are especially fond of fawns. Damn, wildlife management for tourism is a difficult business.

Using dogs in the hunt also seems a bit cruel when you realize that wolves love nothing better than a little dog snack. Wolf hunters should be wary of becoming emotionally attached to their animals. Consider them disposable.
How many of your dogs are you willing to lose to shoot a wolf?