Palin Hasn't Let Science Stall a Good Hunt

Alaska gov. makes killing wolves from aircraft a bullet point
By Gabriel Winant,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 8, 2008 2:52 PM CDT
Palin Hasn't Let Science Stall a Good Hunt
"I cannot find credible scientific data to support their arguments," one scientist says of Alaska's push to hunt wolves. "In most cases, there is evidence to the contrary."   (AP Photo)

Sarah Palin has spent her Alaska governorship aggressively pushing to expand aerial wolf hunting, contrary to the advice of wildlife experts, reports Salon. The practice consists of shooting wolves from low-flying aircraft. Palin believes wolves compete with human hunters for moose and caribou, and has encouraged the curbing of the wolf population. Scientists, however, say wolves mainly scavenge.

Though a court threw out Palin’s plan to put a bounty on wolf paws, she remains undeterred. She claims wolves thwart not only sportsmen, but also subsistence hunters, many of whom are native Alaskans. Critics point out that she often disregards science, including on climate change and evolution. “She has shown no inclination to be objective,” one scientist charges. (More Sarah Palin stories.)

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