Wenzel Ignaz Brasch (1708-1761), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, tries to calm the keeper when he considers the outrage of Wisconsin having lost its enlightened, nationally respected conservation reputation to become the ONLY state to allow–even encourage, the insanely cruel activity of summer bear hound training.
Wisconsin’s outdoor policies are now dictated by a nation-wide group of hound-using bear hunters lobbying through the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association. In recent policy meetings, the voices of reason by concerned, conscionable Wisconsin conservationists were rudely put down and ignored by the arrogant forces dominating the DNR board and the Legislature.
With no recourse from a state Supine Court or a hopelessly gerrymandered legislature that keeps minority rule in place, Wisconsin will increasingly become the state where anything goes in conservation matters. An increase in the fee of $2500 Wisconsin now pays to a hound owner when his hound is killed by wolves protecting their summer litter of pups would not be a surprise.
Leopold and Muir have been replaced by Dillinger and Capone on the Wisconsin natural resource scene and there doesn’t seem to be a damn thing the keeper or anyone else can do about it.
Staying calm is impossible, and useless.
