Rebuttal to Howling for Justice student BCOM275
May 8, 2013
W. Pearl Maxwell, PhD

Direct correspondence to (student), Student at University of Phoenix Abstract
The article “Howling for Justice” was written at an inflammatory level. The writer uses unstated premises and conclusions to build his case. He is leading the readers toward the preferred point of view, Wolves should not be killed. The writer is very adamant about Wolves and the hunting and killing of the wolf. The writer is very literate and draws the reader into the article with a heartfelt dissertation on Senator Eugene McCarthy leading immediately into an attack on the delisting of the Wolf from the Endangered Species act. The author has written the article based on his emotional opinion and does not use statistics to bolster his position. He lists items on the Montana Legislative agenda designed to find new ways to kill animals but he does not list any bills. The author made one statement to the effect of “For me it is so magical, such a spiritual experience.” He was referring to the sight of a wild animal. Rebuttal Howling for Justice
The author of this article could have made his impact greater if he had used statistics to bolster his opinion. He offers no supporting statistics, no bill numbers and no legal references to support his position against delisting wolves from the Endangered Species Act. The author speaks from a purely emotional point of view where he attacks the legislative assembly for their actions. By not offering any credible statistics his opinion will not sway the critical opinion of his readers. Montana is a very heavy ranching area, and the writer is close to Yellowstone National Park.
The Re-introduction and effects
Fourteen wolves were first re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and have made their presence known to the ranchers through their offspring. The young Willow trees were decimated by the overly large elk population; the wolves have reduced the effect by reducing the numbers and moving the herds around. The ecosystem has started to come back to a balance; the beaver has bounced back because the Willow tree has bounced back, this has produced a trickle down affect. University of Berkeley researchers have determined through research that the wolves have benefited the environment. Grizzly bears to ravens have consistent carrion with the re-introduction of the wolf; this has led to healthier populations of animals throughout the park. The streams are healthier and flooding has been reduced. Fish populations have stabilized with the stabilization of the stream banks. In 2005 there were more than 300 verified wolves in Yellowstone Park; the population appears to have stabilized because of mortality rates.
Predation
The Yellowstone wolves are preying on livestock outside the park. Sheep, Cattle, goats, and dogs are killed as a result of the number of wolves, and the expansion of their hunting territory. One Rancher lost over a dozen sheep over a weekend, presumably to wolves. With the delisting of the wolf he is legally able to shoot the wolf, if it ventures onto his property under a “Right of Recourse permit.” The new law only allows the wolf to be shot on the property where the predation occurred, and the permit is valid for 45 days after issuance. Some ranchers are using this new law to abuse the right to recourse. One rancher and hunting outfitter is accused of baiting the carnivores onto his property by placing dead livestock on a bone pile. Wolves, Grizzly bears, Cougars can smell a carcass a mile away and will follow their nose, which gets them in trouble. The wolf killed was collard and was not close to the property at the time of the predation, she was following her nose. References
Montana Governor Steve Bullock and the Politics of Wolves (2013, April 9) Author: Stephen Capra http://howlingforjustice.wordpress.com/category/montana-wolves/
Reintroduction Changes Ecosystem (2011, June 21) Author: Staff – The YellowstonePark.com http://www.yellowstonepark.com/2011/06/yellowstone-national-park-wolf-reintroduction-is-changing-the-face-of-the-greater-yellowstone-ecosystem/
History and current status of the Greater Yellowstone wolf restoration (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) Author: Ralph Maughan Gardiner man Kills Yellowstone Park Wolf (2013) Author: Laura Lundquist, The Bozeman daily Chronicle http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/wildlife/ article_0a410502 -b76c-11e2-8460-001a4bcf887a.html