By Stephen Capra, Executive Director, Bold Visions Conservation
It has been an interesting week of phone calls with biologists and key political figures. In addition, the Yellowstone Coalition put out a proposal for the very area our Monument would be in the Madison-Gallatin. Rather than focusing on wildlife, their proposal is a giveaway to off-road vehicle users and recreationists, period; wildlife is not given any real consideration. It would not be good for wolves or grizzlies and would destroy the wildlife corridor.
In that spirit, a revelation occurred in one conversation regarding Yellowstone and wildlife. Yellowstone is surrounded on all sides by about 20 million acres of National Forests that span three states. Why is that important? It is important because the time has come for the forest service to do its job and take control of the management of all predator species.
If you know Martin Nie, you know he has made this case clear. Martin is a professor at the University of Montana. He has long made clear in his studies and writings that the Forest Service has the right to manage wildlife on its lands. He is not alone in that thinking.
This is vital. For generations, the Forest Service, like the BLM, has had a gentleman’s agreement with the states that allows them to manage wildlife, perhaps as a result of the monies given through Pittman-Robinson funding, monies given to state wildlife agencies via a surcharge on guns and ammo. Yet these states continue to defraud the government by not living up to the standards of such payment.
If Democrats can win reelection—and right now, that is a big if, then with the election in the rearview mirror, the time has come, not just to relist wolves. It is time to demand that the Forest Service take control of wildlife management on the 20 million acres around Yellowstone. The logic is clear- the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have shown no ability to manage wolves, grizzlies, or any predators; for the sake of these species, the Forest Service must invoke its right to manage the wildlife on their lands and stop the slaughter of these species.
Will the states fight? Sure, but we must go on the offense and demand that the federal government rules, trump states (no pun). The Forest Service can do this, and they must; protecting some 20 million acres around the park would give much-needed protections for predator species and stop the runaway killings that have gripped these states. It would stop the slaughter of these species, stop the push for delisting grizzlies, and give wolves a chance at life. However, we must break through the controversial stance that many federal agencies take. Some would call it lazy and giveaway to trophy hunters.
We at Bold Visions Conservation plan to push this as a key agenda item for our organization. Like our work on a new National Monument for wildlife, we see this as giving wolves and other vital species a chance at life and taking back our public lands from trappers, trophy hunters, and the like. These are our public lands, and we deserve the right to coexist and view native wildlife in peace.
We will ask you for two favors: please send us a video of yourself talking about the importance of wolves in the wild and make it personal. Don’t be shy; your voice has power! Second, please take a moment to write to the Forest Supervisors of both the Custer-Gallatin and Caribou-Targhee National Forests.
Tell them:
Wolves, bison, and grizzlies are being destroyed in your forests because of the state’s poor management.
It is time that the Forest Service take over the management of these Keystone species in the 20 million acres that act as a buffer for Yellowstone.
If they fail to do so, we will lose these vital wildlife corridors and continue to decimate these species that, in the case of wolves, must be relisted and then managed by the Forest Service, not to hunt but to thrive.
Time is not on our side. These are our public lands, and they cannot be managed for trappers and trophy hunters. We demand action!
Custer-Gallatin Forest Supervisor:
Matt Jedra
P.O. Box 130, 10 E Babcock Ave
Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: 406-587-6701; Fax: 406-587-6758
Caribou-Targhee National Forest Supervisor:
Mel Bolling
1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
Phone: (208)557-5900
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