Comments by kantishnan
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Posted on August 20 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another point Ralphie made in his long winded comment, "that the Northwest Arctic Caribou herd was almost totally collapsed until aerial wolf control removed the extreme predator pressure," seems to say that wolves were responsible for the crash from 225,000 to 75,000, and that aerial hunting of wolves, allowed the herd to increase to 500,000. OH? If anyone who was around in 1973 to 75 will recall, wanton waste and extreme over-hunting near villages did much of the damage. Anyone that says otherwise forgets the story. What happened recently at Point Hope was a replay of the early 70's. Villagers, sport hunters, etc., agreeing to curtail excessive hunting, plus regulation changes, led to the rebound. Anyone who disbelieves that should go look at the records at ADF&G. In fact, two biologists who blew the whistle on the over-harvest, were banned and vilified by certain villagers.
It is always interesting to see that both sides in this argument will deceive and twist the facts for their own benefit. What a surprise that the two trophy hunting organizations, Alaska Guides and Safari Club, that have fought hard against subsistence priority and rights, are now using subsistence as one of their playing cards - as if they cared.
Posted on August 19 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seekins as usual is blowing smoke about wildlife as much as he does about the used cars he sells to the gullible. Saying "sheep have declined 45%" is more smoke - cite the sources and figures, RalphS.
Posted on August 19 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
McGuire's comment about an estimated "700,000 caribou" inadvertently highlights the problem with wolf control, it is NOT science based. That estimate was pre-1925 when we had almost no biologists and definitely no modern census techniques using aircraft or any other method. It was purely a guesstimate by Fairbanks area people and "fur wardens." In short, from the ground, it is impossible to get an accurate count. Even today we see inaccurate and inflated, or under counts,with modern wildlife census techniques. The truth is NO ONE knows how many wolves we have in Alaska - consider the tree cover, etc. NO ONE. An honest biologist will admit estimates are "best guess," consequently a "best guess" which allows a huge harvest of any species is bad science. Wolf, moose, whatever. Wildlife Management is not science it is people and political management pure and simple. If management practices, like wolf control, did not pendulum from one extreme to the other based on the political party of the then current governor, then maybe we could have a reasonble and consistent management policy.
Posted on May 6 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So what if wolves killing other animals is brutal, and so what if they produce lots of young, the point is, this was done by a human being. Cruelty is cruelty. We are not dumb brutes. We are supposed to act in a humane manner. If a person hunts or traps, that person should behave in a responsibe manner. This whole thing smears legitimate trappers and hunters and should be condemned. The issue isn't this being an "eyesore" as the inflammatory caption writer said, it is basic, humanity vs. brutality.
On Biologist removes cable snare from one of two Denali wolves
Posted on April 24 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I support trappers, legal and ethical ones. I also support places like Denali for willdife viewing and tourists. I do not support aerial hunting, which is supported by bad science. I find it very interesting that almost no one has commented on the cruelty and pain inflicted on these injured animals. My neighbor who is an ethical, honest trapper, thinks it is awful that these animals have been injured and suffer like this. Instead of lambasting Haber and others, just examine the reality. Trappers and trapping will be smeared with this, plain and simple. Where are trappers commenting negatively on the amateurs who let this wolf get away and suffer a lingering agony?
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Posted on August 21 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The law is the law. It has been illegal to take and kill wolf pups from the den, "denning," for FORTY YEARS. Inconvenience, or any other reason is nothing but an excuse, their actions were illegal. Period.
On Zoos not contacted before Alaska biologists killed wolf pups