Wolves have gained priority over humans

To the Editor:

I support the letter to the editor published Dec. 13, 2014, from Joe Allen; unlike Nancy Warren, who stated in her letter (of Dec. 18, 2014), that 40 years of trapping and hunting does not qualify Joe as an expert in predator/prey relationships. I don’t feel that he would want to be considered an expert anyway. But the information and opinions of Joe and others like him that have spent more time in the outdoors than many of the people that make the “scientific” decisions about our wildlife should not be discounted.

Since our family house dog, Banjo, was killed and eaten in our yard by wolves on June 1, 2002, I have listened and learned a lot. I was interviewed shortly after. I heard comments such as, “you have apple trees, expect deer, therefore expect wolves,” “Shoot over their head; they’ll run.” Well, I like apples, and have shot over their heads and it didn’t work.

The part that really bothers me is the fact that some people think these animals should have more priority than humans. Just after Banjo was killed, a representative from the Natural Resources Commission came to document the kill. I was amazed of the expense of radio collars, aerial flights, medical shots and the number of people involved with these animals’ wellbeing. It’s a shame our society has had to cave to so many special interest groups and spend tax dollars so foolishly.

Wolves may have a place here. However, the residents also have their place here, as well. When opinions are needed to make decisions, I don’t understand why people who live here don’t have any effect on these decisions. There are many people like Joe that could be a huge help in determining what say in what is going on in our forests. Just because they don’t belong to a special interest group, doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be listened to or have their information documented. Think of the trappers, hunters, National Forest employees, loggers, private foresters, state police and sheriff’s department and road commission employees who cover so many miles every day. We should learn to take a sampling of things they see and use it to determine what is really going on in our forests.

I’ve been told I live in a tension zone between two wolf packs. I’m not an expert, but I live it.

David Nordberg, Marenisco