Management of wolf populations is one of the most controversial topics that wildlife professionals, sportsmen and the public continue to debate. Over the past decade, wolves in many states have surpassed the population recovery goals established when they were granted federal protection. This has led to a fight over how these populations should be kept in check—and by whom.
Anti-hunting and animals rights groups oppose hunting wolves as a method of controlling their rapidly expanding population. For the USSA Foundation and our partners, this has kept us busy defending against multiple lawsuits that threaten the authority of state wildlife agencies to actively manage the growing wolf populations.
Tonight, Jana Waller, host of the hit hunting show, Skull Bound TV, takes an in-depth look into the wolf management issue by walking us through a three-year predation study on the decline of the Bitterroot Valley elk population. Wolves, which have been largely blamed for diminishing elk herds, also pose a threat to pets and livestock in Waller’s home state of Montana
In this episode, Waller interviews a variety of people with unique perspectives on the wolf issue, including leading state wolf biologist Liz Bradley. Bradley shares the challenges of balancing healthy game populations and wolf numbers – a link that has went unchecked for the last 20 years.
You’ll also learn more about Scott Rockholm’s quest as a documentary filmmaker to expose the truth about the wolf’s destructive nature, and Scott’s views on what he calls “nature’s sterilizer.”
In addition to the educational components, the episode also features an incredible wolf encounter that Waller and Jim Kinsey, producer of Skull Bound TV, experienced while hunting deer high in the mountains of Montana. Kinsey notes that the odds of even seeing a wolf are less that 1% for wolf hunters – so capturing such an event on film is truly a thrilling experience that everyone can find common ground on and appreciate.
Wolf Bound airs tonight at 8:30 P.M. ET on Sportsman Channel.
Watch the preview.