Sarah Palin under intense fire from animal rights groups

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has never hidden the fact that she's a proud hunter from her home state of Alaska, first with a famous photo (below) through which many Americans initially came to know of her with a caribou she shot, to Wednesday's photo (above) of the governor carrying a tote bag with the slogan "Real Women Hunt Moose."

But some animal rights advocates and activists have taken issue not only with her hunting practices, but more so her administration's stances on issues in Alaska regarding animal welfare.

Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, slammed the VP nominee in a blog post, saying Republican presidential candidate John McCain's choice "cemented" his organization's decision to endorse the Democratic ticket of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden instead.

Markarian's stinging criticism of Palin:

Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R-Alaska) retrograde policies on animal welfare and conservation have led to an all-out war on Alaska’s wolves and other creatures. Her record is so extreme that she has perhaps done more harm to animals than any other current governor in the United States.

Palin engineered a campaign of shooting predators from airplanes and helicopters, in order to artificially boost the populations of moose and caribou for trophy hunters. She offered a $150 bounty for the left foreleg of each dead wolf as an economic incentive for pilots and aerial gunners to kill more of the animals, even though Alaska voters had twice approved a ban on the practice. This year, the issue was up again for a vote of the people, and Palin led the fight against it — in fact, she helped to spend $400,000 of public funds to defeat the initiative.

What’s more, when the Bush administration announced its decision to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Palin filed a lawsuit to reverse that decision. She said it’s the "wrong move" to protect polar bears, even though their habitat is shrinking and ice floes are vanishing due to global warming.  (Note: It's not the first time L.A. Unleashed told you about Palin's polar bear controversy.)

The choice for animals is especially clear now that Palin is in the mix. If Palin is put in a position to succeed McCain, it could mean rolling back decades of progress on animal issues.

French film icon and well-known animal enthusiast Brigitte Bardot also has been harsh about criticizing Palin, referring to the governor's joke about the difference between her and a pitbull having to do with lipstick, our Dish Rag reports from Britain's Telegraph:

Referring to Palin's pitbull-with-lipstick crack, Bardot adds: "I know dogs well, and I can assure you that no pitbull, no dog, nor any other animal is as dangerous as you are. By denying the responsibility of man in global warming, by advocating gun rights and making statements that are disconcertingly stupid, you are a disgrace to women and you alone represent a terrible threat, a true environmental catastrophe."

Bardot lashed out at Palin for supporting Arctic oil exploration that could threaten ecosystems and for dismissing measures to protect polar bears.

"This shows your total lack of responsibility, your inability to protect or simply respect animal life," she wrote.

The 74-year-old former film star is notorious in France for her outspoken views on immigration, the environment and animal rights. She has been convicted and fined four times in Paris for anti-gay and racist remarks.

But all the criticism may have little to do with how pet owners view her ticket, as McCain had their votes over Obama earlier this summer. However, we must note, that survey was taken before Palin was unleashed into the political campaign.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo credits: Top: Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images; Below: Associated Press

Comments

[Tracy]

Great post!

[Terri]

I think that people who care about all animals and the planet should look to their conscious before they vote.
All the economic trouble we are in now is partly because of greed and glutony. For a women who says she cares so much about her children, it boggles the mind that she is not thinking about her own childrens future. Much of the problems in this world today is because so many people are living for today and not thinking about their childrens future. Palin says she is a religious women? This attitude towards all life is very disturbing. I think she may only be out for herself.

[MICHAEL]

Palin represents an endangered list herself of those who think that hunting animals and shooting predators of caribou from helicopters is sport. The modern day shooting buffalo from trains. With all due respect to Palin, I'm truly amazed at the environmental idiocy of this potential vice presidental nominee.

[Smiling Big]

Pitbulls, Hockey Moms, and Lipstick.... If any of the 3 are related to Sarah Palin... it would do the 3 injustice. I am sure Pitbulls, are smarter then Palin. Hockey Moms can remember magazines they read, and Lipstick is not as toxic as Sarah Palin.

Come on people, take a minute and just brush up on your Palin knowledge, put political party aside. Is she really someone you want to run the country? Sure she is one of us... but how many of us goes to work and can potentially destroy another country. I hold the security codes to my warehouse, that is not as harmful as holding security codes to Nukes. So know I don't want another one of us in the Whitehouse. If I had to pick the lesser of 2 evils. I pick Obama... if anything I know he will end the war! That's a solid promise he has already made.

[Matthew Cruz]

Here you go again! Just gotta keep finding fault with Sarah! Always something, ain't it? That's because you are on the wrong side of the culture war. You just keep attacking her and giving Obama a pass on his abominable associations with Kenyan thugs, anti-American terrorists, foreign donations in the millions, U.S. flag hating, and the list goes on. But Sarah is an easy target because she represents something you hate - Christian morality! She is symbol of the Biblical side of culture war (vs. the humanistic side) and you hate her because you reject the Christianity (Bible) that she stands for. But in the end the truth of the Bible will be vindicated.

[deepa]

Is this being pro-life?

I can't believe a woman who is so pro-ife that she cant even accept the morning-after pill, can kill animals for fun..

Does she not believe that the same God created the animals too?

[Jared]

I think this IS SO necessary. I mentioned to my girlfriend the other day about where the animal rights organizations have been with all of this. I'm SOOOOO glad they are confronting this now. If only the animals could speak out on our behalf, with what Palin is doing to them.

[Jared]

To the person who talks about rejecting "Christian Morality" because they don't like Sarah Palin... Ummm... where in the bible does it say that it is good to give people a $150 bounty for killing moose? Don't you answer to "What would Jesus do?" Are you telling me that Jesus would hunt moose from a helicopter? Please tell me you are joking.

[CW]

"THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED"

Mahatma Gandhi

[UN]

It is interesting to listen to the same people who want the "true" Palin to be discussed, protecting her from the media. Can't have your cake and eat it too... Either let her be known or attempt to get her in under the cloak of secrecy. Sounds like another Cheney to me.

[Nathan]

This is so sad.

[Danny]

LA Times: You need to be balanced. PLEASE don't be the left wing equivalent of FOX news. Why isn't there any pro hunting views in the article? This is bias, hack job, bush league journalism, something I would expect out of a junior high student. C'mon, LA Times, you're better than this.

On a related note: Bridget Bardot? Thats the best the LA Times can do for a credible source? Really?

[abstract]

For all you animal lovers, white folks, right wing wackos, neo conservative, and hardcore christians. When Michael Vick was fighting dogs he was the worst thing that walked this earth. Now that your All American White Girl "kills" animals for the heck of it is in spotlight. Everything seems to be perfectly normal and ok. Only in America.

[Sarah]

In response to Mathew Cruz: Are you for real? Is there anything moral about hunting? You need to step back brother and really look at what you're saying. The bible and especially Jesus' teachings promoted love of all creatures "great and small".

[Leigh]

As an animal lover, I won't be voting for the McCain/Palin ticket. Shooting wolves from planes and helicopters?! How barbaric can you get?!

[Top of the Food Chain]

So shooting from the ground is less barbaric? I love all creatures great and small - they taste good.

[M Sullivan]

You people are so moronic! Where do YOU live; Miami Beach.

People who live in Alaska, and others hunt.

I think God also gave everyone a FREE will; so if you don't like hunting, then don't hunt.

These comments are all nothing more than patriarcal female bashing because a woman is running.

And for those who are voting for Obama, and are ignoring where his money REALLY is coming from, good luck in the future. Apparently good judgment, good character, good experience, good track record, all mean nothing now when any John Doe can run for President.

For those who require nothing of substance in a President, that is what you will get.

[Michael]

Mr. Matthew Cruz,
If your side of the cultural war involves shooting the predators of caribou so that hunters can shoot more caribou, then oh yes I am. If your side of the cultural war involves believing that global warming and environmental problems are not man-made, then yes I'm on the other side of the cultural war. If your side of the cultural war involves supporting only abstinence education and ending sex education, then yeah I think I'm on the other side. If your side of the cultural war involves agreeing with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin who declared that she would not support an abortion for her own daughter even if she had been raped...then

[Leigh]

I'm a woman and I'm not bashing her because she's a woman. I'm bashing her because of the terrible things she stands for when it comes to our environment and animal issues.

[Bill - Santa Clarita]

People are animals who are at the top of the food chain. Back in the day, cavemen didn't eat tofu, they ate meat from their kill. What are people to eat after all the candy pants flaming liberals make it illegal to anything for food?

[jay]

for those taht are against hunting, i have to say taht palin and her shooting from helicopters is not "real hunting" and "real hunters" do not approve of taht practice. Its because the point of hunting for sport is not just killing an animal its the entire process of the "hunt" that is the main thing. you take the easy way of "hunting form a helicopter" that is not hunting that is a wuss. real hunters realize that hunting is done to take teh place of natural predators in the wild that have been thinned too much by overhunting in the past, its this balance that is critical that real hunters realize and won't overhunt or take a cheap way of hunting.

[jay]

the bible also has a lot of sacrificing of animals in it for every sin imaginable for "the grace of god". the bible above all other books advocates hunting and the killing of animals for man's and god's uses

[Catherine]

One has to really laugh out loud to see these comments...are ya'all from Los Angeles area? The victims are not animals...the victims in the USA are those who have been murdered on the streets of LA, NYC, Chicago, etc. There are more PEOPLE murdered in the USA than animals...animals are killed for their meat...hence FOOD!. Animals are also killed by hunters to maintain a stable balance in the wild. So why don't you NUTTY environmentalists go put your heads in the sands and stay there until you get some sensibility. You sound riduculous...is there nothing else you have to do in life??? GET A REAL PROFESSION! And while you're putting your heads in the sand...take the HOLLYWOOD GROUP with you! They've become useless to society as a whole!

[Michael Mellgard]

I wish the Obama campaign could show videos of Mrs. Palin in a helicopter or plane shooting at some poor animal with the question: "Is this a person we want for VP?"

[leeny dee]

i'd like to see that photo reversed with the caribou standing over her...

[Reuel]

This article is another smear another nonsense.

The atheistic public education teaches the lie of "evolution" based on the "survival of the fittest". Now the "atheist" says that fishing and hunting is cruel to animals. Well "professing to be wise they became fools". And the atheist like Obama (he probably is a false christian) kill 40 million unborn babies a year.

Alsaka under Palin has a law that require a permit to kill mooze.
Gov. Palin is pro-life. She does not kill babies and she does not just say it, she practises it.

Animinal rights group do not want people to eat chicken, fish, beef and mutton and pork, eggs too?

STOP smearing Gov. Palin. Believe those "cooked' opinion polls and just vote for your candidate who will commit perjury by just taking the President's oath.

For the honest, God fearing people we will vote for
McCain-Palin

[Michael]

Yeah there are a lot of people murdered in these cities. Totally, agreed. We just happen to be talking about animals and Palin. Not Los Angeles stereotypes.

[Doc]

Personally, I think voters should have to take a test first, just like driving. If you don't know what you're doing then you can't do it. Happy with the last eight years? All those who plan to vote for McCain/Palin raise your hand if you also voted for Bush/Cheney. Come on now, put your gun and bible down for a sec and raise your hand.

[stephanie]

I am a woman that is NOT voting for McCain/Palin. NO, I have not been brainwashed by a man or any other type. I READ and gather information for myself from every news source I can find. I understand that everythign I read is biased due to journalists, editors and the owners of these institutions (and I can name at least 5 souces of the top of my head, unlike Palin). I have along laundry list of reasons of why I do not like the McCain/Palin ticket. And to shoot animals from helicopters is lazy and unnecessary. If you are going to kill animals, I hope it really is a) as humane as possible and b)to use every part of the animal for eating, etc. (not for sport or "just 'cuz"). I love the bible references in here. Are you kidding? Lets just say that MAN wrote the bible. NOT Jesus or God. So to think it is the end all, be all is ridiculous. It is biased by their own views at that time. I cannot believe that people are still saying Obama has ties to terrorists (he was a kid when Ayres was being 'radical'. AND McCain associated himself with someone that shot an abortion doctor), Obama's money is suspect (um, they are politicians. Where do you think they get their funding? Disneyland? AND the republican right gets funded by Focus on the Family and the Christian Coalition which both are affiliated with Blackwater who are menacing mercenaries in Iraq)...don't even get me started on Palin.....sessionists, book banning, charging women for rape kits, cutting funding for special needs, thinks we hung out with dinosaurs, no abortion even in rape and incest, loves killing animals, doesn't believe in gay marriage, doesn;t know what the Bush Doctrine was......ARE YOU KIDDING?????????? GO OBAMA!

[Michael]

Good point Catherine, we never hunt just for sport or to the point of extinction. American bison, Eastern Wapiti ...

I forgot, it must be all that vegan food and my acting career rotting my brain.

[Darrell]

There is absolutely no reason to hunt animals. It is a disgusting and barbaric activity which only the lowest of the low participate in within a civilized society that does not depend on hunting animals for eating and survival. Ms. Palin is a horrible horrible woman and is simply not fit to any political office which puts her in perfect company!

[Pete]

Catherine. This is not about killing for food. This is reducing the bear and wolf population so the trophy hunters can have a laugh.
Ya'll the same. Kill it if it does not agree.......scary

[Richard]

Ever notice how the self-proclaimed "Christian" moralists posting comments here have a hard time putting together a logical sentence that can be supported by any facts, much less be able to demonstrate a competent ability to spell and use punctuation? Just an observation!

I think that the way in which we treat animals is a real indication of our morality. Jesus never said anything that glorified the slaughter and sportkilling of innocent animals. So where do all the fundamentalists get their reasoning that animal-killing is so crucial to Christ-like ethics? Responsible stewardship does not mean rape and murder.

[Norman Crakow]

I cannot tell the difference between Tina Fey and Sarah Palin. Oh, but wait. Sarah is the one who has the stains of animal blood on her soul.

The positive part is that Sarah wrote good dialogue for Tina. That exemplifies the paraphrase that there is a little good in every person.

Sen. McPain and Sarah are quite the dynamic duo. Truth be told, oh wait, that has not yet happened!

[Jen Sz.]

I am a vegetarian, but think hunting for food is fine, and don't have a problem with hunting for sport as long as it is actually done honorably, in a real sportsmanlike way, and is respectful of the environment. Shooting wolves from a helicopter has none of these qualities. Instead of actually tracking down some animal using skill and intelligence, such "hunters" sit in total comfort in a helicopter, piloted by someone else, terrorizing whole packs. This is neither honorable nor sportsmanlike. Instead of using their own energy to find their prey by actually walking through their habitat, these hunters fly in helicopters using an inordinate amount of fossil fuels; instead of actually seeing the animal up close, watching it carefully, and "connecting" with it somehow (as I've head some hunters explain a true hunting experience), they shoot the terrfied creatrures from afar, without appreciation for any animal in particular. This is not real hunting; it's just a barbaric form of entertainment. It's a total abomination.

[Catherine]

Michael, This comment is just for you!!! The Fish and Game in all states control what can be and cannot be hunted...it's completely controlled BY GOVERNMENT! When the bear population rises, the hunters are allowed to kill bear, when the whitetail deer are plentiful more deer are hunted....etc. Bison were killed at a time when there was no control ... and it was WHITE MAN who almost eradicated the American bison. Lucky that in MONTANA they saved a few and bison are coming back...YUM YUM bison burgers! If you yourself want to be a vegan, go to it....don't dictate for the rest of us! And get a clue about the nature will you...you seem a bit in the dark!

[LM]

Hey, she seems like an ordinary gal we can all relate to, but that isn't what defines a good leader.
Many people said they would like to have a beer with George W Bush, before we realized he was possibly our worst president ever.
Sarah's just not that smart or informed. Treating wolves, polar bears and national parks as obstacles to her plans for profiteering reveals short-sightedness. She denies that global warming comes from burning oil and coal, and isn't that a dangerous extension of Geoge Bush's "denial" regime? We don't have time to deny that one any more. Plenty more examples.

So she can carry a fun conversation. Fine, invite her to the block party. But we need to recognize that she's not smart enough to run the most powerful country in the world. Maybe book smarts aren't all they are cracked up to be, but McCain isn't much better than Palin having graduated in the bottom 1% of his class. Think about the bottom 1% of your class.

[Catherine]

YEAH LA TIMES....YOU did NOT post my remarks to PETE! BIASED JOURNALISM is going to boycotted come November 4th!!! Hope you have all saved your money, cuz when they lay you off, you'll need something to live on...maybe MOOSE!???

[Carole Raphaelle Davis]

Love your blog.

As a French/American animal rights activist living half the year in France, I just want to make a small correction about our friend Brigitte Bardot.

The comment she made about Muslims, the remark that she was sanctioned for by the court, was not a racist remark at all. She was decrying a policy of the French government of looking the other way while some Muslims slaughter tens of thousands of sheep for religious practices in the the streets here in France. Religious Muslims are proclaiming religious rights as the right to torture and slaughter animals and accusing her, by using the existing laws prohibiting "racist" remarks to their advantage.

About the "holiday" where animals are slaughtered:

What is Eid al-Adha
At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2008, Eid al-Adha will begin on approximately December 8th, and will last for three days.

"This is my religion, I can slit the sheep's throat right here in the street if I want to," says the Muslim. "It's in the quran. And guess what? We're going to kill hundreds of thousands of them this way tomorrow for our special sheep killing holiday."

Well, no, you can't. it's cruel, useless, inhumane. You can't slit the throat of this poor creature in front of me here in the street and I despise the idea that you can hide behind a religion to enact this barbarity.

Her remarks are justified. The fact that she was sanctioned by the court and that around the world, her comments were misunderstood as racist instead of what she intended, as protective of animals, is a travesty of justice.

I have never heard any anti-gay comments made by her.
I agree with Brigitte Bardot about the barbaric practice of sheep slaughter. It's a shame that her reputation has been tarnished in this way. Brigitte Bardot is a true hero, a brave, unconventional, brilliant friend to creatures around the world. Let us right the wrong that was done to her.

Bravo, Brigitte.

Carole Raphaelle Davis, author of "The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife."
www.hollywoodjinky.com

[Michael]

Oh Catherine, I think you just need a hug.

[Sean K]

Danny: The reason there are no hunting articles in the LA Times is BECAUSE IT'S THE LA TIMES!!!! It's not the Moosejaw Bugle or the Podunk Daily. Hunting isn't exactly a popular activity in urban areas, in case you didn't notice. That's why it's popular among rednecks and the uneducated. People who hunt are basically people who have been culturally isolated for long enough to believe anything their parents tell them. Otherwise it should be obvious that killing for fun is disgusting.

[Sean K]

Catherine: Let me ask you this: For all your big talk about how much you know about animal population control, have you ever even HEARD of alternative methods besides shooting on sight? Have you ever even bothered to research the subject? Or did you just use that convenient fallacy to justify your own selfish whims that revolve around killing?

[Carne Asada]

PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals

[BULL_O_KNEE]

Get a grip! It is open season on Sarah; having nothing to do with the moose hunting. You all are intent on obama and if you don;t get him this eledtion you'll choose some dim wit for the next election. Jealous of Sarah! I expect this post will keep the piranhas feasting for a couple of hours.

[CE]

I think that the concentration on hunting is misplaced in these arguments, though I find it entertaining that those supporting Palin keep bringing it up and are too busy to ridicule individuals who have different views than to actually read the article. Personally, I do not care if you want to hunt or if you want to own guns, I am pro-gun ownership, even if I do chose to eat tofu.

The points which I think are important is that as Governor she spent almost 1/2 million dollars of public money fighting against a ban which her state's populace had voted to support twice already and was up for a third time. This apparently was not in the best interest of her constiuency but rather to support her own personal position.

That she has filed a lawsuit to fight a Bush administration (which does not have a strong record for enviornmental issues) to place the polar bear under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

I believe that both of these are important issues seeing how Palin has continued to mention how energy development must happen with protecting the enviornment and the animals habitating it.

As for slamming those who do not hold your views or values, be they regarding animal rights or the view that they are just another commodity or whether they hold to your religious views...I think that it shows not only your fear of information outside of your world view but your poor grasp of any skills which might be called logical.

Be honest, animal welfare, as far as in the "wilderness" goes is in the best interest of both the hunter and the enviornmentalist; without the enviornment and habitat being preserved, there is no animal population to hunt...and by taking out the predator population, it has been shown that it tends to hurt the population of the species being hunted more. If you take away balance, then things tend to swing to opposite extremes.

If you do not think that the habitat is disappearing for the polar bears is not a 'canary in the coal mine' then I would strongly suggest that you do not suggest to your children to live near any coastal line. I think that this argument is just another example of holding onto dogma and following what you have been led to believe more than making your own decisions.

Be part of the "rugged individual" and actually make up your own mind and do not just attack with the same talking points from your politics, religion or anything else. To be open and transparent this is as much of a criticism of 'liberals' who keep repeating their views without even thinking them through as it is for the far right who seems to demonstrate in their existence that they are right to call evolution into question.

[pjdallas]

While I love most all of what The Humane Society stands for, this is just ridiculous! Why doesn't The HSUS stick with their campaigns against confinement and suffering of animals. Even I'm beginning to get sick of their fighting against hunting and gun control. Good grief! Enough already!

[juna]

I'd love to see a debate between Sarah Palin and St. Francis.

[Elaine Vigneault]

No one with such a lust for blood should be remotely close to becoming commander in chief. Palin is dangerous.

[Anne]

Sarah Palin won't believe global warming is an issue until it affects her and the lives of her kids directly. She only caters to the wealthy, NRA extremists who think it's their right to shoot living things without hesitation. That is not a pro-life view. Sure, innocent babies need advocates, well so do voiceless animals. Too sad....I hope she comes back as a caribou or a wolf.

[CHRIS]

I think you people in the lower 48, especially actors and actresses, who have never lived in Alaska, especially out in the Bush, should mind your own business. You have no idea and no real sense of why we do what we do here. Predator control is a necessary fact. Wolves and in some areas Bears are a serious threat to the exsistence of heard animals. Predators and prey animals run a cycle of feast and famine if left unchecked by man in the north. Wolves and bears will continue to kill all the young of caribou, moose and dall sheep and then bgin trying to kill adults until the heard crashes. This results in a heard that shrinks down to nearly nothing or is driven frmo it's natual calving areas and a wolf population that is unhealthy and diseased. It's bad for both side and thats not even taking into consideration the indiginous people and other residents who rely on the heard animals for food. You people always say predator control is so that people can "trophy hunt" and thats a bold face lie. You say that because if you stated the truth, that many Alaskans rely on hunting moose, caribou and other animals for a sourse of food, you'd not be listened to. But it's a fact. Take a look at a map of Alaska (it's NOT located down in tha Pacific by Hawai'i like shown on the weather map). Look at the centers of population. Now look at the other 95% of the state. It's all wilderness only accessible by air or boat. Do you think those people who live out there can just run to the grocery store for eveything they need? Even if there was store that carried everything you people are used to having, thoose that live in rural Alaska couldn't afford to buy it. Hell, they can barely afford to buy gas an heating oil. So, they have to hunt and if you let wolves kill off all that they want and their packs to grow uncheck, not only would the wolves starve but so would people. I know that there are some of you who are so depraved that you believe animals should come before people but, lets see you live out there in the harsh environments of North/ Western Alaska with your belly empty. There is No Tofu or veggie burgers out there.
Now, lets talk about Gov Palins decision to overturn the voters of Alaska and their decision not to allow shooting wolves from the air: The government appoints game biologists to do a job and thats manage our wild resources. They're educated professionals who use science and studies to determine whats necessary to maintain a healthy fish and wildlife population. They determined it necessary to cull back preadator populations in certain areas of the state (again, look at the size and make-up of Alaska...it HUGE) to ensure a healthy BALANCE of heard and preadator animals. By overruling the voters, it prevents "Balot Box Biology" which is very dangerous to wildlife management. Again, look at the map of Alaska and a census of where the MAJORITY of people live. Achorage, Fairbanks, Juneau...city centers. Who lives in city centers? People who dont'' have to rely on subsistence and are influenced by the media...especially OUTSIDE media. These people hear all the lies spewed on TV and in the NYT, Washington Post, This Rag and they soon forget about their fellow Alaskans and vote to ban hunting of the furry, cuddly, cute PREDATOR.
I've already explained to you why we need to keep the predator population in check, do you want an explanation of why wolves have to be shot from an aircraft? To begin with, look at how big Alaska is. How would you get to an area where the wolves are other than maybe snow machines. If you used a snow machine you'd never even see a wolf because they'd hear it and be gone. If you landed an aircraft after you saw wolves you intended to shoot, they'd be gone before you could get out of the aircraft to shoot. There's no other way to effectively hunt them... And its not for sport, I don't care what you say, it's for management.
Look, I've lived in Alaska a quarter century. I love my state to the point I see it necessary to defend it agains outside destructive influences like some of you people, especially media and TV/ movie personalities. Do I want to see Wolves and Bears exterminated? Hell no, nor does any other Alaskan, even the ones who have to compete with them for food, in fact, they'd be the last to want them all gone. And, you think shooting a wolf or bear is a cruel thing, see one starving to death or the pack eating it's own because they've depleated everything else around to eat. Thats a horrible death.
Seriously, I appologize if I've pissed anyone off twith this post, all I ask is you 1. Not believe everything you read without taking a deeper look into it and 2. Put yourself in the position of people who live here. I wouldn't presume to tell you how to live in California, NY, DC...where ever. Don't you tell us how to keep house either. Everyo one outside looks at Alaska as if it's their little gem, well, most don't know the first thing about the great state of Alaska so until you do, don't presume to make policy for us.

PS. I don't suppose the media ever says crap about Polar bears coming into Alaska towns and villages to look for food, eating sled dogs or manacing people. OK, yeah, you can blame that on the lack of pack ice but it's always been that way, not just recently. They don't just rely on the sea for food, they do come inland when necessary.