Will payments for wolf losses continue?
Cattle group ponders decline in federal depredation dollars
By Jason Kauffman, Idaho Mountain Express, November 19, 2008 [here]
Idaho ranchers gathered in Sun Valley this week worry that they’ll lose federal payouts for wolf attacks on their herds.
The payments come through Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation, led by Nate Fisher. The agency doles out $100,000 a year to cattle and sheep producers whose herds have been hit by wolves. Funding for the program comes from the federal government, which under the direction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was responsible for the reintroduction effort.
But due to changes that are about to sweep through Washington, D.C., on the heels of the Nov. 4 election Idaho ranchers fear they may lose these federal payments.
On Tuesday, several hundred ranchers from around the state gathered at the Sun Valley Inn as part of the Idaho Cattle Association’s annual convention to discuss what the future may hold for the compensation program they consider so crucial. Cattle producers fear the Democrats’ strengthened hand in Washington as well as the possible hand-over of wolf management duties to Idaho, Wyoming and Montana may spell the end of the federal dollars. … [more]
by YPmule
The pro-wolf groups should have to pay for wolf depredation, including vet bills for people’s pets that have survived attacks by wolves. These groups should also pay for the wolf studies. They wanted the wolves here and should foot the bill.
The Feds are spending $millions to reestablish wolves in numbers never seen before historically, and $100,000 per year is a mere pittance in light of the damage suffered by ranchers (not to mention wildlife). So if/when the Feds withhold the compensation money, should we have a pity party or should we DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT??? If all it takes to pacify ranchers is $100,000, then that’s a heck of a deal compared to what it will cost to investigate and try to prosecute somebody or other for every wolf that will be shot and killed from Minnesota to Oregon!!!
Don’t forget, more importantly, they want to get our guns and ammo, too!!!