vice via AP

Minnesotans will have a chance this week to weigh in on a proposal to end federal protection for nearly all gray wolves in the lower 48 states.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed in March to remove gray wolves from the federal endangered species list and turn the management of wolf populations over to states. That could lead to hunting and trapping of wolves in Minnesota and elsewhere.

The federal government is now requesting public comments on the proposal, and has scheduled just one public hearing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd. Groups opposed to the de-listing move plan to rally before the hearing at Brainerd's Gregory Park.

Wonder what the split is on people in MN being for or against allowing wolf harvest.

I'd love to sit in at that meeting and have been racking my brain how but I'm just working too far away to turn it around.

They just don't schedule these meetings so the common man can attend. Why not have three or four across the state and heaven forbid have one on the weekend.

I wonder how much influence the anti’s will have on these hearings especially in Minnesota.

Unfortunately antis in Mn. have a lot of pull.

Do they also have an online comment site?

Yes, there is opportunity to register official online comments. I just spoke with USFWS and they said comments are all weighed equally, be it in person or online. I would encourage all of you to comment before the July 15 deadline. The online comment tool is very easy to follow. Click this link and follow the directions.


https://www.fws.gov/home/wolfrecovery

I just submitted my comment. Said they should be delisted and management be given to the states.

I have attended two of these meetings in the past. As expected the antis acted like the animals they were there to protect. They were loud, rowdy, and disruptive during the meeting. Many of them wore old dirty clothing, drove rusted out cars with rude bumper stickers and lots of them. Pretty much what you'd expect from many of them.

The people there who wanted to see the wolves delisted were just the opposite at both meetings. They had very valid reasons for wanting the wolves numbers reduced ranging to killing of livestock, pets, and feeling a danger to their children playing outside. Some cited that the wolves had lost their fear of humans and in some cases wandered into their yard.

DONE

Thoughtful, rational, respectful comments on line will be far more effective than getting into a shouting match with the antis. Sent my comments awhile back. It's not about killing all the wolves it is about sensible wolf management.
A good point to make is that these folks opposing delisting are making a mockery of the endangered species act. Animals are listed to provide protection so their populations can recover. The whole point is recovery, not to languish on the list indefinitely. If the endangered species act continues to be abused, being used as an animal rights tool, it is more likely to be repealed, and rightfully so.

Done

Did anybody have a chance to get to the meeting last night? Just curious what happened.

Remember, there’s taking comments until July 15. So there still time to voice your opinion.

So I take it nobody went. Anybody see the news coverage? Was it balanced or just seeking extreme views?

Done. Again.

Osky

I really wanted to go, but had another meeting at the same time.

I didn't attend, but have attended two meetings in the past. I was told by someone with the DNR, to complain about how the wolves are decimating the deer herd will make little impact on the officials, it's what wolves do. The thing to hit on is about the wolves killing livestock, family pets, and the increasing number of depredation claims.

Anybody else take the time to comment yet?

I did a few days ago. Stressed the point of attacks on livestock and pets along with the revinew gained by the state with licensing.