Despite the rainy weather, we had a good turnout for our week long Wolf Awareness Week celebration. Free admission was offered for the entire week at the Preserve. Besides some local visitors, we had people come from Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, Wisconsin and Tennessee. The message that I hope that I successfully got across to visitors was of the unjust hunting going on in the Northern Rocky Mountains. I wanted to make a special point as I feel that is uncalled for and based in hatred and fear rather than good science. That is becoming more apparent as the slaughter continues and hunter’s boast of not only their conquests in killing Wolves but the rush of excitement that many of them describe feeling. Wolves have been chased down on ATV and even bikes so that hunters can kill them and have them stuffed or made into a rug. What a sport, huh? Do you remember that a few short months ago they were being protected under the Endangered Species Act in these same States? Do you remember the cost of it to you as a taxpayer? If not, let me refresh your memory, it cost us approximately $20,000 per Wolf for the reintroduction and "management" of the species. Locals are paying $11.46 a tag to kill them. Wolves who dared step out of the boundaries of Yellowstone Park, where they are supposedly protected were gunned down in their tracks, even the pups. We should be hopping mad. I’m devastated. I’ve written the President of the United States, governors of both States and encourage you do to the same. I also feel that Mr. Salazar, the Secretary of the Interior and President Obama need to understand just what is happening there as well. Wolf Managers such as Montana'’ Carolyn Sime admit they didn't'’ think it would be as easy to kill Wolves as it has been yet the hunt continues. An experiment at the cost of not only the precious life of Wolves but also the US Taxpayer is inexcusable. Americans should hang their heads in shame.  I urge you to contact President Obama, tell him what is going on and how you feel about it.  Urge him to look into the matter.   CONTACT THE WHITE HOUSE.

We had our Wolf Awareness week judging on the last Saturday of WAW. Please see this link for details on winning entries and honorable mentions.  Congratulations and thank you to all of the entrants for caring enough about Wolves to create awareness for them. Thank you Judges! ~ by Maria Ferguson, Founder, Wolf Howl Animal Preserve