FOLLOW THE MONEY...DAVID DILL... WOLF HUNTING... IWC FUNDING

Tonight I received a message that a group called Wolf Watchers on Facebook was promoting a book written by wolf biologist Dr. David Mech. Sure enough, I jumped on FB and found it to be true. Why would a group that advocates for an end to wolf hunting be promoting a wolf biologist that supports the hunt? I still don't know the answer to that one but..

Could it be that they don't know the connection and influence Dr. Mech has had on the wolf hunt issue in Minnesota and likely across the nation? That question lead me to think about what else people don't know.  Do people know that Minnesota Rep. David Dill has authored several bills related to wolf hunting (and not anti wolf hunting) and he is the one who ran around doing press interviews promoting the wolf hunt in Minnesota and also sponsored a bill requesting a million dollars for the International Wolf Center?  Do they know that the IWC doesn't speak out against wolf hunting and uses the excuse that they want to remain neutral? Do they know that the Safari Club is a charter member of the IWC? (ok, that last line about the Safari Club... I'll save that for a future post).

I am someone who believes all facts should be shared so I am going to share these facts.

First... let's start with these:

LINK

Second...

Third...

Hunting Expo LINK - Thunderhook Fly-in Outposts belongs to Rep. David Dill

and look... He hosts moose hunting trips > LINK (that is Dill in the picture on the right at bottom of page straddling a dead moose).  We know that moose and wolves have this really unique connection here in Minnesota and I'm not referring to how wolves keep moose numbers in check so that they don't damage the ecosystem, I'm talking about how moose hunters like to blame the wolf for the dwindling moose numbers even though the DNR's own research and other scientists don't agree with that. 

Fourth...

What's this? The IWC (LINK) once again defending themselves, claiming to be neutral on the wolf hunt but...

Fifth...

There is this.

and this

Those last bits might be a little hard to read so I'll just quote what really sticks out to me:

So you aren't funded by the state?

A. No. Our funding comes largely from private donations, admissions to the Center, retails sales and memberships. We do receive some grands from foundations and have from time to time received small education state grants, most recently from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, to provide interactive learning experienced through our WolfLink programs to classrooms in rural and urban Minnesota schools that would not have otherwise been able to participate without financial support.

Because we all know how important it is to educate people on the factual information about wolves because once people know the facts they no longer believe the myths that are spread by those that want to kill wolves.  What??? I'm confused here. Because... look who is sponsoring a bill NOW to get the IWC a million dollars. The Environment and Natural Resource Committee have been awfully nice to the International Wolf Center don't you think? (Sponsor is David Dill in case you don't look down that far).

LINK  So you can read the bill for yourself.

I don't know about the rest of you but it looks to me like Rep. David Dill may be buying himself some more wolf hunting.  What are your thoughts on that?

Pardon me while I go vomit.