April 24, 2024 10:40 a.m. 

Second-district Congressman Cliff Bentz has announced that on May 3rd in Minnesota, the Congressional Subcommittee of Natural Resources on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will convene a field hearing to address what Bentz says is the growing harm being done by the gray wolf to elk, deer, moose, farmers, ranchers, and outdoorsmen.

A release from Bentz said the hearing will provide a platform for expert testimony on the multifaceted implications of the gray wolf surge, including its economic, ecological, and societal ramifications. In addition, it will scrutinize the federal government’s role in addressing the issue and examine potential pathways forward.

Bentz said, “The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has admitted that ‘wolves are not at risk of extinction in the Western United States now or in the foreseeable future’, so we must ask ourselves: how many wolves are enough?

Bentz said, “Wolves are natural-born killers, and they are wreaking havoc upon wildlife, preying on livestock, and damaging the ability of fish and wildlife agencies to do their jobs”.

Bentz said the federal government remains idle on the issue. Bentz said, “While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to hold ‘strategic alignment workshops’ to achieve ‘trust and social cohesion’ the population of gray wolves continues to grow with no end in sight. This is inhumane and unacceptable to our farmers, ranchers, and outdoorsmen alike. Prioritizing the protection of wolves over that of our elk, deer, moose populations and important parts of our rural communities”.

The hearing will take place May 3rd at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. It can be seen at: https://youtube.com/@NaturalResourcesGOP