the latest on the proposed wolf and predator killing contest in Idaho

From Defenders.org:

Here’s the latest on the proposed wolf and predator killing contest in Idaho:

Despite the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rightly withdrawing its permission for a “hunters’ rights” organization to hold a commercial predator killing contest on 3 million acres of public lands, the sponsors of the derby are still determined to move forward – so they’re planning to hold it on national forest and private lands.

It’s now up to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to step in and not allow this to happen on their lands.

Tell Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to follow BLM’s lead and close our national forests to Idaho’s appalling wolf and predator killfest.

We need to make it clear once and for all that the federal government should not be in the business of approving 19th century predator killing tactics. BLM has made that decision and the U.S. Forest Service should do so as well.

Secretary Vilsack needs to step up and deny the use of national forest lands for a commercial killfest!

Tell Secretary Vilsack that killing wolves and other predators for commercial gain on national forest lands is just plain wrong.

Contests like these have no place in the 21st century. The federal government shouldn’t be encouraging or endorsing this outdated thinking which ignores the valuable role that predators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. And it certainly shouldn’t be allowing killing competitions on national forest lands.

The USFS needs to do its job and ensure that national forest lands are protected for the enjoyment of all Americans. BLM stepped up for predator conservation, and now it’s time for the Forest Service to step up as well.

Please take action TODAY, and help us stop this event from taking place on national forest lands!