Letters and Comments for May 16, 2009

ODFW missed opportunity

To the Editor:

I applaud your coverage of the wolf issue in Baker County. I have followed the issues with a vested interest, even before the wolf showed his face.

I’m sorry to say but there will be no winner on either side of this issue — those who feel wolves should be allowed to roam freely or the livestock producer who suffers the loss to his bank account.

I do understand that compensation was paid. This was a nice gesture, but I don’t see it as a long-range plan. How many lambs or calves will be lost as the wolves multiply like they did in Northern Idaho from 35 released to an estimated 1,600 now?

Two wolves, two days, 24 dead lambs with 1,600 wolves ... that is a lot of compensation.

Last week I read a letter to the editor in the Capitol Press. A lady claimed to be a sheep producer on the west side of our state. She claimed she lost 50 head of sheep and all killed by domestic dogs. That may very well be. But she really overstepped the line when she said, and I quote, “Those guys staged those pictures. The wolf was only standing by the lamb carcass, not eating it.”

As I said there will be no winners. I do understand where the Jacobs are coming from. I also understand why ranchers mark their bull calves.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife missed a perfect chance last Sunday. They had a trapped male wolf, sedated and did not properly mark him. This wolf had not reached breeding age. This was a golden opportunity to correct a wrong.

My plea to all ranchers in the state is to send a sharp pocket knife to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Then they will be able to manage the wolf population.

Jerry Hansen

North Powder