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Should Utah pay $50 bounties on coyotes killed in controversial contests?

Should Utah pay $50 bounties on coyotes killed in controversial contests?

By Brian Maffly

“Late fall marks the resumption of Utah’s wildlife killing contests, where an unknown number of coyotes and other animals are shot by teams angling to take the largest haul of dead “dogs” stacked in the bed of their pickups by the end of the day.”

Events such as these are legal because wildlife managers are trained to ignore the interests of individual animals and only focus on the impacts on populations and species.

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Hybrid striped bass introduced into Caballo Lake

Hybrid striped bass introduced into Caballo Lake

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish just released over 40,000 hybrid striped bass into Caballo Lake in southern New Mexico. This story illustrates the absurdity of introducing a fish that is a hybrid of two nonnative, piscivorous (fish-eating) species into the state’s waters. There is no conservation value in introducing this fish, only the intention to increase fishing license sales.

Press Release: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Votes to Permanently Eliminate Recreational Spring Bear Hunting

Press Release: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Votes to Permanently Eliminate Recreational Spring Bear Hunting

Press Release, Washington Wildlife First

Today, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-4 to eliminate recreational spring bear hunting.

“‘We thank the Commissioners for their courage, dedication to scientific integrity and ethical wildlife management, and commitment to representing the values of the people of Washington,’ says Samantha Bruegger, executive director of Washington Wildlife First.”

Read more here

Montana killing generates moral outrage and casts spotlight on our speciesism

Montana killing generates moral outrage and casts spotlight on our speciesism

From NPR

Recently in Montana, a woman posted on social media that she “smoked a wolf pup” while out hunting bear. The problem is that she didn’t – she killed a domestic husky who’d been dumped in the area earlier that week. The commentary and news stories that followed the event highlight people’s “speciesism,” or preference for one species over another. After all, wolves and dogs may share the same wolf ancestors. The story provoked an outpouring of moral outrage and renewed questions over why Montana’s wolves can be hunted at all. 

Read or listen on NPR

Wildlife Conservation: Does it Have a Heart?

Wildlife Conservation: Does it Have a Heart?

By Don Molde

In this opinion piece, Molde explores the definition of conservation and the importance of expanding that definition to recognize the sentient nature of wildlife. “Fish and wildlife agencies do have a challenge ahead if they want greater public involvement and financial support for their important activities. There are many ways their management techniques could be improved.  It is a matter of attitude and commitment which recognizes the public’s growing recognition and appreciation of the sentient nature of wildlife.”

Read more here

September 2022 Newsletter

September 2022 Newsletter

From the Desk of the Executive Director: It’s National What Day? Coming soon: 2023 Calendar Photo Contest, Do You Know: American’s Wildlife Values results in your state,  Our Coalition Partner: Attorneys For Animals, Join Now.

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Letter To The Editor: Gov Gordon’s Praise Of Wyoming Wolf Management Is Wrong

Letter To The Editor: Gov Gordon’s Praise Of Wyoming Wolf Management Is Wrong

By Kristin Combs

This compelling letter, written by Wildlife for All coalition member Kristin Combs, challenges Wyoming Governor Gordon’s claims that wolf management in the state deserves praise. Combs explores the many ecological and economic benefits of wolves, while disproving the Governor’s claims that wolves are recovered and that the state is using best available science in its management practices.

Read more at the Cowboy State Daily

The Sale of a Product Responsible for Bloodshed and Fear Is Still Tied to Our Wildlife

The Sale of a Product Responsible for Bloodshed and Fear Is Still Tied to Our Wildlife

By Christopher Ketcham

85 years ago, hunters were one of the primary user groups of public lands, and so the passage of the Pittman-Robertson Act seemed reasonable. However, over the past century, hunters have become a minority among gun owners, which begs the question, “Should the sale of a product that today is responsible for so much bloodshed, mayhem, fear and social division be tied to the financing of conservation?”

Read more at the New York Times

Why Republicans Turned Against the Environment

Why Republicans Turned Against the Environment

By Paul Krugman

In this op-ed in the New York Times, Paul Krugman argues that the current opposition of Republican politicians to environmental protection is not based on ideology or contributions from polluters, but rather because the environment has become part of a culture war with its roots in issues of race and ethnicity. Although Krugman focuses on climate policy, the same argument could be made about wildlife policy, as described in this excellent article in the New Yorker.

Read more at the New York Times