Wolf Hunting Case Study

Case study 1 examines the current debate on wolf hunting taking place in Michigan. Wolves impact the ecosystems in which they live by keeping the role of predator and prey in balance. There must be enough wolves (supply) to fulfil this role (demand). The legalization of wolf hunting may not directly relate to economics but can be used to compare balancing an ecosystem versus balancing the market. The economic problem presented in the video is how to go about maintaining this balance. When natural resources are scarce who should make the decisions on how to use these resources individuals or the government.
The ability to maintain a balance between market supply and demand directly coincides with the scarcity of natural resources. The availability of resources significantly impacts the market supply. The government should be involved in the decision making process when the handling of scarce resources is being debated. The role of the government should include accessing available data
and weighing the consequences.
Because of special interests it is important to take into consideration that individual choice and higher level intervention could be swayed for personal gain. For instance, who’s needs are more important the needs of the local residents and hunters or the needs of wolves and animal rights activists? What is greater the social or economic consequences of each possible solution? These are questions that cannot be easily answered. Experts must weigh the possible risks and gains involved with each decision. To maintain balance, it is important to examine the overall picture, not the needs of one individual group or another.
The scarcity problem that Public Act 21 attempted to address, is how to regulate and manage the wild life population. Specifically taken the choice away from the individual voters and placing the decision into the hands of a panel of experts. Only time will tell if Act 21 was an appropriate solution to the problem. Act 21 could take out the emotional component out of the decision making process, allowing experts to effectively balance the population needs with the effects on the ecosystem. Just as with the economy the balance of supply should coincide with demand. The wolf population must be protected but it also must be controlled. An abundance of any predator can have a negative effect on the ecosystem and the human population.
The consequences of passing Act 21, was that by circumventing the wishes of the Michigan voter, wolf hunting is allowed when approved by the Natural Resources Commission.
If the bill was not passed wolf hunting would be completely outlawed and the wolf population would continue to grow. My opinion on the passing of Act 21 has changed several times, even in the course of writing this reflection. I actually voted for the protection of the wolf during the 2012 election. I now see that that was an emotional response and not one made from logic. Logically speaking, I believe that we must not only protect one species but examine how the population growth of that species effects the overall ecosystem, human population and livestock. Just as it is important to maintain balance in the ecosystem, it is equally important to maintain balance in regards to market supply and demand. To maintain this balance, we must look at the overall picture, not the beliefs of one individual group or
another.