outdoors

Having hunted for over 60 years puts me in a category of probably having seen more wolves than most people. I have seen more and more of them the past several years as they have become fearless of man. The past few seasons I have seen wolf after wolf pass within 50-100 yards of my deer stand and they will stop and stare at me knowing full well where I am at. I have no desire to shoot them as I don't eat them. The only reason I even hunt deer any more is that my grand kids love to hunt. I don't usually even carry a gun but, hunt with camera. Because of my health I can't stalk any more, so I have to have a stand with a small heater in it to keep my circulation going. When the day comes that I am unable to hunt this way it will be my last season. My understanding is that some of these new young gong-ho C/O with very little people skills, go by the book and are out after those that hunt that way as a easy way to pad their ticket book, where as those C/O with more experienced are more understanding and realize grandpa has paid his dues and still pays his taxes, supports hunting programs, yet would enjoy his last few years hunting in comfort with out being harrassed. We are law abiding citizens that needs the book stretched a little in our favor deer in stands with our cameras and grand kids to remain afield. A small heater , a wind break and some protection from the cold MN weather is not too much to ask.

It appears both Minnesota and Wisconsin have taken a common sense approach to their respective wolf seasons. Each state is providing for the killing of wolves while still allowing a healthy, sustainable population. Perhaps the extremists on both sides of the issue are not happy but most of us should be. Limiting the number of wolves is necessary as at some point they would exceed the suitable habitat At the same time they have a place in the environments of both states. The argument they are killing all the deer is of course nonsense and not backed by scientific evidence. The wolf may in fact prove to be the deer hunters best friend. What better way to control CWD than to have wolves taking out the sick deer before they can infect others. I would say "good job" to the game managers of both states.