Carmel reader: all voices must be heard on wildlife management

Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter, its publisher or its staff. You can submit your own Letter to the Editor by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com. Please include your phone number and city of residence. The Reporter will publish one letter per person per week.

Dear Editor:

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission’s decision to cut off public testimony at their March 18 meeting was undemocratic. Many concerned citizens had signed up to speak about the bobcat trapping issue, yet their voices were silenced without proper consideration.

Public input is crucial in a democracy, especially on issues that affect wildlife and public safety. The Commission’s actions undermine trust in the process and show a disregard for the public’s right to be heard. Many Hoosiers took time off work, prepared and practiced testimony, and traveled great distances – just to be denied an opportunity to voice their concerns.

If we are to ensure ethical wildlife management, we must insist that all voices be allowed to speak.

A recent poll conducted by Remington Research Group found that 60 percent of Hoosiers believe that the interests of Hoosiers who value the welfare of wild animals should be considered proportionally with the interests of hunters and trappers. Wildlife conservation isn’t about giving trappers the opportunity to kill as many animals as possible. It’s about deciding as a society the kind of environment we want for ourselves and future generations, our moral values, and minimizing the suffering that we inflict on our wild neighbors.

Conservation has always been a public process, and I am disappointed in the Commission’s decision to disenfranchise the public.

Jessica Irvine
Carmel