Recently Inland Fish and Wildlife biologists decided that the best way to control the spread of ticks among moose is to kill them off: the moose upon which ticks feed — not the ticks.
This announcement makes as much sense as ordering more logging of forests in the Amazon to combat global warming. The IF&W calls this plan “Adaptive Unit Hunt.” Right there we know that the plan is about promoting hunting, not controlling ticks.
The “study” intends to reduce the overall moose population to one animal per square mile — in half of hunting Zone 4, near Baxter State Park — on the premise, however misguided, that ticks will have less chance to populate. Really?
So the solution is to kill off potentially first year pregnant cow moose — and their future calves. Bad science.
There are other ways to control tick populations: controlled burns, habitat management, stop hunting coyotes, bring back wolves. These are non-lethal and non-profit-making methods.
The IF&W wants to profit from 500 extra hunting permits. This will make hunters very happy. The “study” is not up for public consideration. An “advisory council” at IF&W rubber stamps proposals almost every time because, surprise — members have connections to hunting and trapping. They do not represent my opinion.
Commissioner Camuso claims that Mainers do not care about animal populations as long as they are “healthy,” by which she must mean dead. Not me.
Barbara Skapa, Maine Friends of Animals member, Mt. Vernon
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