Ernest Thompson Seton and the Wolf that Changed America

[Buzzcook]

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/?dl=0&src=link&p=nature

Just watched a PBS show on one of the early conservationist in the US.
Ernest Seton, was employed as a professional hunter to kill the last major wolf pack in the Southwest. As the hunt progressed he developed a great respect for the Alpha male that was the main object of his hunt.
His book about the hunt (Wild Animals I Have Known, 1898) started many people, in the US and around the world, thinking about conservation.
The show is worth watching if you get the chance.
Seton's Wikipedia entry deals more with his influence in the founding of the Boy Scouts than his conservation work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Seton

I've said on this board that hunters are the original tree huggers, it is men such as Seton I am refering to.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've read just about all of Seton's books--and re-read them from time to time through the years. Lots of "how to" about wilderness living, and observations of animal behavior. They definitely would get a young person's attention about what the outdoors is like, but seem timeless to us Olde Pharts.

 

[kingudaroad]

Saw some of that show last night. Interesting how the whole wolf conservation ideology has shifted around and back around in the last century.

It's a very polarizing subject both in the US and on this forum, from my experience.