The 2013 Minnesota State Fair was fun and productive for wolf advocates. Our volunteers collected thousands of signatures and we had meaningful conversations with farmers, hunters, wolf advocates and livestock producers from across the state. These conversations made clear that most Minnesotans want wolves in our wild places. Our supporters also personally lobbied lawmakers to suspend the 2013 wolf hunt.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who came out to work for wolves. We were able to staff our booth with enthusiastic, well-informed volunteers 12 hours a day for the 12 great days of the Fair. Thanks for stepping up to make this a great Fair for wolves. The blistering hot weather made your efforts even more precious. Please give a big, special shout of gratitude to our remarkable Lisa! Because of Lisa, HFW's presence was felt at the Fair and around the world. Another special thank you to Jon Smithers, who created and donated our Fair ambassador wolf, George!
On a serious note, Governor Dayton made some illuminating and disappointing comments on the wolf hunt during an interview with MPR at the Fair:
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The wolf hunt was to control the population. Fact check: The MNDNR has repeatedly stated and written that the hunt was not designed to control the population. In fact, the wolf population was stable for 10 years without a hunt and is now in a steep decline.
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Governor Dayton suggested that the recent wolf bite incident justifies the wolf hunt. Fact check: last week's bizarre incident of a wolf biting a 16 year old boy is the first documented wolf attack in MN history.
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Governor Dayton stated that he did not hear from "one single person" concerned about the wolf hunt during the 2012 legislative session. Fact: a number of groups met with Dayton's staff in April 2012, including HFW, HSUS, Sierra Club Northstar Chapter, Center for Biological Diversity, and Audubon Minnesota. Did you write or call Gov. Dayton?
Suspend the Hunt -Sign and Share: Every signature counts, but we especially need Minnesotans! Our goal is 50,000 Minnesotan names and addresses. We need Minnesota addresses to show lawmakers that their constituents want the wolf hunt suspended. Last session lawmakers asked how many of their constituents supported the wolf hunt moratorium. We are coming back prepared. Commit to getting five signers to our petition today! Use the letter kit at the link to make your plan to get us to 50,000 signatures
The Unsession: Governor Dayton wants your ideas on how to improve MN government. The wolf hunt is a waste of state resources and does nothing to protect Minnesota wolves for future generations. Suspend the 2013 wolf hunt!
Keep howling,
Howling for Wolves
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