Wednesday January 6, 2010, 1:46 pm
Went right to the source to ask about Palin and the wolves .... not sure who started the rumour but there was much ado over a lie? misinformation? a smear campaign?

Dear Cam :

Director Larsen asked me to respond to your inquiry on his behalf.

The first of the wolf control programs now under way was approved in the late 1990s under a Democratic governor. No wolves were killed until 2003. We have had two different governors (both Republican) since then. There currently are six control programs in existence.

To clarify one point: helicopters are not, and have not, been used in by private pilots permitted to participate. In only two programs have helicopters been used, and then only by ADF& G employees. In the two programs where helicopters were used, the efforts took place after the most recent electoral cycle. So, if someone in the last election cycle chose to make an issue of using helicopters, it was premature.

Bruce Bartley
Public Information Officer