Thoughtful Op-Ed On Flawed, Politicized Wolf Hunt

I recommend one concerned hunter's op-ed in today's Journal Sentinel about perceived flaws in the wolf hunt the Legislature forced the DNR to implement, and about what the writer calls political interference in natural resource management:

This legislation and others affecting our natural resources are part of what I see as a well-planned coup carried out over the past six years or so. Wisconsin Bear Hunters' Association, Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association and other organizations have aligned themselves with key legislators and bureaucrats...

The leaderships of the various organizations learned that the best way to forward their policies and agendas was to go straight to their allies in the Legislature. The election of Gov. Scott Walker apparently sealed the deal.

With the moves Walker has made within the Legislature, the Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Board, the groups now have a formidable amount of political pull. If it wasn't so ugly, I'd say it was really a thing of beauty the way they orchestrated this power grab.

Politically, the well-being of our natural resources have never been in worse hands in my lifetime. I don't say that as a Republican or Democrat because, to be honest with you, I don't have much faith in either party.