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Old 04-22-2010, 09:26 AM
  #86  
rather_be_huntin
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cedar Valley Utah
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Originally Posted by cataraft
It was my understanding at the time of reintroduction that they were being reintroduced so that they could be managed. If left on the endangered species list and allowed their ongoing expansion southward wildlife officials would have their hands tied. The whole point of bringing them back was to be able to control what was already happening. So much for that.........
They are here in Oregon now. Despite being trapped and relocated and road killed, along with numerous sightings our state has tried to deny their presence for years. And that is the real problem as far as I'm concerned. As a hunter I can tolerate wolves, but to me they are not a game animal and do not deserve special protections as a game animal nor should their presence be hidden or covered up. Solid wolf managment would only stipulate qutoas in my oppinion. If Idaho had a goal of 300 wolves, they should have started removing animals when that goal was acheived. Now we have the problem too and it comes at a time where our elk and deer herds are already in a substantial decline due to predation from cats, bears and habitat loss. A wolf tag shouldn't cost more than the paper it is written on, everyone should have the oppurtunity to get one, and there should be no seasons and no restrictions. When the management goal is reached by zone just shut it down till next year.
That's the way I see it as well cataraft. The wolf was treated with kid gloves because it obviously had such low numbers during reintro. Now that wolf is firmly established I too do not understand why it keeps being treated as if it's in a "fragile" state and needs all this protection.

The answer IMHO is the anti's and political battle that has ensued. The policies in the West with the wolf have little to do with sound management practices taking into consideration all species.

Many don't hate the wolf because it has teeth and eats elk, many hate the wolf because of it's current status and what it represents.
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