An article from George Murdock… clearly with a rancher attitude on dispersing Wolf Population…. Go Figure…..Murdock is chair of the Umatilla County Board of Commissioners.
Wildlife officials kill wolves: I was interested in the letter from Bill Stevenson (April 8), who comments on the “slaughter” of four wolves in the Imnaha area of Eastern Oregon. Stevenson refers to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “slavish deference to ranchers and hunters.” I suspect he has never personally witnessed the carcass of a calf or a lamb that has been attacked by wolves. Stevenson suggests the introduction of more scientific evidence by environmental groups would somehow change the balance of this equation and that further evidence would somehow make a difference. If given their way, environmental groups would have livestock completely removed from any public land in Eastern Oregon — and probably private land as well, if they could find a way. The presence of wolves is just another tool in their arsenal.
Stevenson goes on to note that actions of Oregon’s leaders and ODFW regarding the wolf re-introduction program are “not the Oregon way,” based upon what appears to be his own sense of fairness. As has been pointed out on numerous occasions, it would appear a disproportionate number of wolf lovers live in Portland and elsewhere in Western Oregon, while a disproportionate number of wolves live in Eastern Oregon.
To be truly fair, perhaps wolves should be introduced on a per-capita basis. Portland may once have been part of their natural habitat, but because of metropolitan sprawl they are no longer comfortable in such an environment, so we get the pleasure of having them in our backyard. However, there are still small parks and wooded areas in greater Portland, and after they discover such readily available food sources, the wolves could learn to adapt.
George Murdock
Pendleton