The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed a very radical, very flawed Omnibus Game and Fish Bill, the Hackbarth bill, HF 2171 which needs to be rejected by the MN Senate and Governor Dayton for many reasons, including the very insulting wolf hunt and trap provisions. Here is some of the surprising debate on the wolf measures: <-- click here not below to view YouTube clip
The authors of the wolf hunt bills in the MN House did not consult with tribal stakeholders. The bill demeans and debases the wolf by considering it small game and reducing the value of the animal for restitution purposes when poachers are caught.
Please contact Governor Mark Dayton and ask him to veto this bill. Please contact your MN State Senator and insist on amendment to the Senate companion bill that delays the wolf hunt for 5 years and reverts to the existing law and management plan.
Here is a Minnesota Public Radio story on opposition to this measure dated March 13, 2012 Some Ojibwe tribal members object to wolf hunting, trapping
It is interesting that journalists have done more work to discover Native American viewpoints than the bill's original author who has two bands with reservations in his district...