The unregulated harassment and torture of Wisconsin wildlife has officially begun. Over 4th of July weekend, more than 15,000 bear hounds will be set loose on public lands across Wisconsin to harass wildlife and disturb the peace of our natural areas.
These bear hounding dogs will run roughshod through biological areas that endangered species such as gray wolves, whooping cranes, lynx and wolverines call home. Not to mention the non-protected species such as bobcats, deer, grouse and even songbirds and nests. If the noise from these baying hounds is awful for you and me, one can only imagine how the wildlife feels.
Hunting bears is unethical in any way, shape or form. Hunting bears over bait is worse. Those who participate in hunting bears with packs of vicious dogs and bait are dog-fighting criminals in our book. Bears deserve better than this. They have families too. And yes, some people eat bear, but oddly they all mix it with pork or other meats to make it edible. They spend thousands of dollars on gas, trucks, bait, dogs, taxidermy, licenses etc. This is about sport, nothing more. Not putting food on the table.
The majority of people, even hunters, believe this practice of baiting and hounding should be illegal, and that it is completely irresponsible of our DNR to allow it. The time has come to reform this agency and these horrid practices. A tiny vocal minority, the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and the Welch Lobby group are deciding what happens to OUR bears (and our wolves too). The most vile of the vile are coming to our state because we have no regulation.
IN WISCONSIN, THESE PEOPLE DO NOT NEED ANY SORT OF LICENSE TO RUN DOGS OR BAIT BEARS
In previous years, Florida and New Hampshire fought back and now hounding is no longer permitted in those states. Why? They had the needed funds it takes to win a campaign. We need the money to fight back just to raise public awareness and get people excited about winning these battles. Imagine how several radio campaigns and billboards could help educate the public on what really goes on every summer deep within our public lands?
We are confident that if people knew how our Northern/Central Wisconsin residents are prisoners on their own land, how cubs are separated from their mothers and killed, how 40% of a bear’s diet now is imitation chocolate, twinkies, candy, doughnuts, pie and fry grease which is changing their reproduction and molecular structure, the public would be outraged. The way these poor hounds are treated is criminal animal abuse. These are the same people who fought the puppy mill laws…what does that tell you?
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We are the good guys.
Please chip in so we can continue to fight.
wiwolvesandwildlife.org 