Outfitters and ranchers often complain that environmental advocacy groups harness money from urban coastal dwellers to interfere in the lives of hard-working westerners. What if this money was harnessed instead through a program similar to the duck stamp initiative, in which those concerned about protecting carnivores pay into a fund that would directly assist communities in finding better ways to live with carnivores? An essential first step in this process would be engaging with ranchers, outfitters, and environmentalists interested in a Middle Way solution, which allows for the persistence of carnivores while recognizing that management of wolves – including trophy hunting and, occasionally, preemptive control of wolves in areas where there is no social tolerance – will be necessary.
Steve Primm, a wildlife biologist and community-based conservationist who has worked for years on carnivore issues in the Madison Valley of Montana, is poised to begin such a discussion with stakeholders in his region. Dr. Seth Wilson, of the Blackfoot Challenge, whose community-based work has reduced bear-rancher conflict in the Blackfoot Valley by 84 percent over the past five years, is interested in exploring similar techniques to reduce wolf conflicts. These are a few examples of the creative options that the wolf discussion needs if we really are going to move forward. We’re an imaginative nation, and I’m sure there are numerous other ideas out there.
The wolf debate as it has been carried out for the past fifteen years is now a historical artifact. At the next public event dealing with wolves, I hope to see American innovation on display, rather than the same worn-out reenactment of battles whose outcome will remain a stalemate.
RebeccaWatters is a Project Manager for the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, where she conducts research on wolverine ecology. She also blogs at The Wolverine Blog.
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