The Myth of Federal Supremacy

During the hearing, opposition witness Dr. Peter Kareiva, CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific, attempted to defend the outdated federal protections. Kareiva’s vague, feel-good rhetoric about the intrinsic value of nature failed to address the concrete data presented.

Dr. Kareiva’s arguments were riddled with flawed reasoning, including:

1. The “Historic Range” Fallacy — Wolves do not need to occupy their entire historic range to be considered recovered. Trying to achieve this goal would waste taxpayer dollars and detract from real conservation needs.
2. The “Any Take is Harmful” Fallacy — Scientific research shows that regulated harvests are essential for balanced wildlife management.
3. The “Federal Protection is Always Best” Fallacy — States have proven their ability to manage thriving wildlife populations responsibly and sustainably.
4. The “Listing Equals Success” Fallacy — True conservation success means recognizing recovery when it happens and allowing management to return to local hands.

Hunter Nation believes that perpetual listing of a recovered species is not conservation—it’s government overreach. The ESA was never meant to be a forever stamp of federal control. Our state wildlife agencies have the expertise and the track record to keep the wolf population stable while also safeguarding the livelihoods of ranchers and local communities.

It’s Time for Congress to Act

Hunter Nation is calling on Congress to pass H.R. 845 and other common-sense reforms to the ESA that restore management power to the states. We stand with America’s hunters, ranchers, and wildlife managers who know firsthand that local control works.

Hunter Nation remains committed to holding Congress accountable and ensuring that common sense and science—not radical activism—drive America’s wildlife management policies.