You guys and gals make for interesting reading. I grew up in New York state and moved out here to Idaho in the 80's and hunted these mountains before the wolves took their strong hold.

I have logged thousands of miles on my feet and feel that I may be able to add a little fire to the thread. I would be ok with the fact that the days of easy elk are over. I have managed to alter my hunting habits and normally take an elk every year with my bow. The problem that I have with the whole deal is finding 10-12 half eaten elk laying on the ground each season. First hand knowledge of how wasteful our APEX fleabags are. Fish and game is trying to get rid of wolves in areas that have been scientificly proven that the elk are on a downhill slid and will not recover at their present rate. When they finally convince the wolf heros, it may be too late for those herds.

One other issue deals with the ranchers who are trying to make a living at the only thing that they have ever known. Cattlemen are banding together and run night long patrols to protect their herds.

PA Trophyman, you seem like a knowledgible person. In your years of schooling, what would have been your reaction to a government backed shredding project to shred all of your books as you are trying to better yourself through knowledge. Lets say that you are lobbying against the government to save your books so that you can make a living and nothing gets done. I know that books aren't cattle, but I am sure that you can make the comparison. These poor ranchers are on the road to losing everything that they have ever owned.

Idaho has been given 1 million dollars to manage the wolves, almost a third of that has to go to the Nez Perce. Leaving a huge burden on Idaho to help manage the wolves. If fish and game has to foot the rest of the bill, sportsman in ,and/or visiting our great state will see price increases. The crazy part is that we still have to ask permission on what we can and can't do!

I personally know of Outfitters who closed up shop because of the wolves also. These animals have caused huge ripple effects that can be felt clear back to where some of you live. It is a sure thing that it has rippled that far,because I am reading this on the east column.

These wolves are getting braver and braver as time goes on. Try to keep your cool when you have half a dozen or so circling you while you are hunting. It has happened. I was prompted to start packing a 44 to protect myself.

Idaho had native wolves still living in the state, yet smaller than the canadian wolves. I am sure that the native population will for sure be bred out of existance now. Idaho holds a very small population of Caribou in the panhandle, an area now holding wolves, what will happen to their demise. Looks like we may have endangered 2 different species in the process of relocating Canadian wolves, but we don't hear arguments about that.

The story that originally started this post was not a first or isolated case, This has been ongoing since the beginning of the project and continues to get worse as time goes on. Wolves were denning on the outskirts of the city 2 years ago and following the deer migrations towards the valley.

Wolves have changed the migration routes hereand caused 80 elk to cross the resevoir instead of going around it. All 80 elk perished when the ice broke.

It may be hard to form an opinion on just one event, but this has become a daily occurance for me and other Idahoans. It would not take long for anyone reading this to figure that this is one huge mess with no end in sight!!!!!!