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Invited Statements from Concerned Organizations

Editor's Note: In 1998 the International Wolf Center invited concerned organizations to submit a position statement on the status of wolves for distribution on its web site. A new request for current statements has gone out to these and other organizations and statements will be updated as they are received. (return to list of Organizations)

Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association

Timber wolves are no longer threatened in Minnesota and should be immediately removed from Federal control under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Return management responsibility of timber wolves to the people of Minnesota. Timber wolves must be kept out of agriculture regions and confined to the state's truly wilderness areas.

The Facts

Timber wolf numbers have substantially increased during the past 25 years. Timber wolves now range freely into agriculture areas resulting in the killing of valuable livestock and domestic pets.

• The Federally mandated timber wolf recovery plan for Minnesota called for a population of between 1,251 to 1400 timber wolves. That goal was achieved in the 1980's and confirmed in 1989 by a wolf population survey that estimated the wolf population in Minnesota at between 1,500 and 1,750.

• The timber wolves have been allowed to extend their range into state agriculture areas where previously they did not cause problems. Timber wolf killing of domestic livestock, including cattle, sheep, and poultry has increased yearly within agriculture areas.

Timber Wolf Impact on Minnesota's Cattleman

Since placed under federal protection timber wolves have extended their range back into agriculture areas. Minnesota Cattleman have had to endure the senseless killing and maiming of valuable livestock by timber wolves.

• Timber wolves are under Federal protection, but the Federal Government does not reimburse cattleman for the destruction livestock.

• The Minnesota Department of Agriculture provides limited reimbursement to livestock producers for timber wolf losses, but the compensation amounts for cattle are grossly inadequate.

• Reporting requirements and the burden of proof for a timber wolf kill is unrealistic, many wolf caused losses are not reimbursed. Kills must be reported within 24 hours of occurrence, the animal carcass has be found and examined. Timber wolves often chase prey for some distance and then carry off the kill making recovery of a carcass very unlikely.

• Timber wolves not only kill livestock, they stalk and chase cattle resulting in mother cows aborting their baby calves.

• By current federal law government response to timber wolf problems in agriculture areas is reactive, not proactive. Trapping or removal of timber wolves is done only after wolves have already killed valuable livestock.

• Cattleman are forced to employ unsound management practices to prevent losses to timber wolves. Of particular concern is the increased concentration and confinement of cattle during the winter months and spring calving season. This causes needless loss of baby calves due to an increase in contagious diseases among the herd. Unwarranted concentration also increases the cost of manure management and the potential for accidental incidents of pollution.

Recommendations

Working together we can solve this problem. The Minnesota State Cattleman's Association does not want to see the timber wolf become extinct, but wolves must be controlled by a sensible management plan.

• Let wolves stay in the truly wilderness areas of Minnesota but do not allow them to freely range into agriculture areas.

• Manage wolves by regions within the state. Agriculture regions need rules that allow ranchers to protect their cattle before they are killed by wolves.

• Stalking and chasing. Cattlemen must have the right to kill timber wolves that stalk their herds. It makes absolutely no sense to wait until wolves kill livestock before protective action can be taken.

• Revise the state reimbursement program to fairly compensate for livestock losses from timber wolves. The burden of proof must be upon the government agency not the rancher should any question arise as to verification of killing or disappearance of livestock that is suspected to be caused by timber wolves.

"Cattleman working together to support the family farm and protect Minnesota's natural resources."

Minnesota State Cattleman's Association
Rural Route 2, Box 203
Comfrey, MN 56019