Archived Opinion

Wild South is no friend to mountain hunters

To the Editor:

I was surprised to see the letter from John Edwards of Wild South proposing the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, hunters, and his organization work together for wildlife habitat. Wild South is primarily responsible for the current lack of habitat. If you’re a hunter lamenting the loss of wildlife and habitat in our national forests, you can thank Wild South. They are proponents of forest preservation and have a “no cut” policy when it comes to our national forests.

Wild South has been a leader in stopping scientific forests management through procedural appeals and legal action. The science is conclusive that forest wildlife need a patchwork of different stages of forest growth to sustain and grow populations. Even the American Bird Conservancy lists loss of young forest growth as one of its Top 20 critical habitats. Still Wild South persists in opposing forest management for wildlife.

To the WRC and hunting groups, remember the old saying: Ii you lie down with dogs, you might get up with fleas. Wild South is no friend of wildlife or hunters.

Don Mallicoat

Asheville

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