Press Release: Senate Environment Committee Approves Wolf Moratorium Bill

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (March 14, 2013) – Today, the Minnesota Senate Environment and Energy Policy committee approved S.F. 666, a bill that would reinstate a five-year wait on recreational wolf hunting and trapping. The bill has been referred to the Environment, Economic Development and Agriculture Division.

“We are pleased the committee approved the bill and thank Sen. Chris Eaton for her leadership,” said Dr. Maureen Hackett, founder of Howling For Wolves. “We know there is majority support with voters for reinstating the five-year waiting period, and it’s not hard to understand why. The public can see that a wolf hunt was rushed through.”

Two thirds (66%) of respondents believe that there is no need for a wolf hunt if Minnesotans already have the legal authority to kill a wolf if it threatens people, livestock, property. Over half (57%) of respondents living in northern Minnesota counties agree. Overall, just 25% of voters disagree, saying that a wolf hunt is still necessary. In northern Minnesota counties, only 34% of voters share that viewpoint.

“Opposition to using bait, traps, and snares to hunt wolves is another point of commonality with northern Minnesota voters,” said Hackett. “Sixty-one percent of northern Minnesota voters oppose trapping and snaring to hunt wolves, and 63% oppose baiting. We are asking northern lawmakers to recognize and reflect these common values in their position on recreational baiting, trapping and snaring of wolves.”

For more information about the recent statewide poll results, see WolfPoll.pdf

Howling For Wolves was created to be a voice for wild wolves and those who are concerned with their survival. We aim to educate the public about our wolf population and the advocacy that is necessary to keep wild wolves in a self-sustaining existence. For more information and resources: www.howlingforwolves.org

Maureen Hackett, M.D., the founder of Howling For Wolves, is a physician, a triple board certified forensic psychiatrist, and a former United State Air Force officer. In 2003, Hackett was instrumental in the passage of Minnesota law providing for tobacco-free state hospital grounds.

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