Republicans Speak for the Wild

    The wolf and grizzly populations have been historically managed with policies that protect these animals in the state of Montana because they were on the endangered species list in the 1970s. The Endangered Species Act ended hunting, trash was carefully managed, and there was an "effective crackdown on poachers." There has been debate since then because people feel that the bears and wolves pose a threat to the livestock and humans in Montana. Currently, the new bills manage their population differently. Practices that were outlawed centuries ago are now being brought back because there are “too many predators,” according to new Republican governor, Greg Gianforte. Some of these proposed bills include the use of spotlights at night to hunt, which should be seen as “unethical because it temportaly blinds the animal,” and using bait to lure the animals to kill. Others state that they’d pay wolf hunters their expenses to kill the animals, including snaring, which strangles them to death. This is problematic, though, because these traps catch other animals that are not a target. Wildlife professionals wrote that this new bill would reverse 40 years of policy, while supporters of the bill, Republicans, say that “bringing down the wolf population is essential.” The state already allows hunters to kill 300-350 wolves a year, so why is there such a push for more? This is not just our land. These bears and wolves have and should continue to live on such grounds. Steve Daines, the state’s junior U.S. senator and Republican, is one of the 5 senators to introduce legislation to take grizzly bears off the endangered species list. Daines states that Montana’s state leaders know what's best for, not only the communities, but for “the ecosystem, wildlife, and the bear himself.” I find this hard to believe due to the fact that they actually have no knowledge or prior education on these wild animals, therefore do not know what is best for them. Another wildlife biologist, Ed Bangs, says “it’s bar talk replacing biology.” I think this statement is very strong in the sense that these men of power have these opinions and can only see their one side. They are discussing the matters only within their Republic circle, and refuse to listen to the people who actually have the proper knowledge to speak on behalf of the animals. Bangs is one of 50 wildlife biologists who have signed against the Republican officials legislation. Clearly, this push to eliminate more of the wildlife is uncalled-for and unnecessary. It is completely unfair for these Republican men of power to have all say in the lives of these animals that we co-exist with.

Robbins, Jim. (2021). In Montana, Bears and Wolves Become Part of the Culture Wars. New York Times.