Park reservations

It was a pleasure to learn that the eastern timber wolf is doing so well in the northern Great Lakes area (reference your Jan. 20-21 article by Les Line of The New York Times). Apparently he does not need Maine’s help in recovery and we should leave him right there. I hope the story also appeared in the southern Maine editions as most of the support for RESTORE’s park and wolf program is coming from the southern Maine coastal area.

The article gives substance to the fears of those who live in the north woods regarding the spread and growth of the wolf population and the danger to our wildlife, domestic animals and household pets. Some fear for the safety of small children after attacks by wolf hybrids which are being raised in Maine with no regulations.

The Minnesota wolf population has grown from “threatened” in 1978 to “saturation” in the pristine forest area in 1995. It is now expanding westward and southward over a 35,000 mile area and living closer to people than ever thought possible by the recovery experts. With plenty of natural prey available, they have become very adaptable to man and his surroundings.

Maine does not have plenty of natural prey. We did have 40 years ago, but not since the arrival and growth of a coyote-coydog-brush wolf population, whatever name is used. The rabbits and foxes are gone, the partridges are disappearing. In spite of a 10-year “bucks only” hunting policy, our deer herd does not grow in Aroostook or Washington counties. No moose permits have ever been granted south of the Airline road in Washington County. The coyotes have chased the deer out of the woods and followed them into the organized towns and communities. In the wooded areas our pet dogs tied out for the day while owners are away have no protection and are unable to escape attacks by the coyotes. If wolves are going to be protected, perhaps the state should reconsider its leash law.

Both Michael Kellett and Jym St. Pierre have stated that wolf recovery is a high priority in their plans for a new Maine North Woods National Park.

This past spring we had both hungry coyotes and black bears raiding our bird feeders because of the lack of natural food. Do we want the additional competition of hungry wolves? Healthy, well-fed wolves are no threat to humans, but what about hungry ones?

It takes only a few bureaucrats to make the decision to stop wood harvesting and other forest activities that might hinder wolf recovery in national forests. It cannot be done on private property. Can Maine really afford a new national park and forest the size that is desired by RESTORE: The North Woods? Norma Reynolds Machias