Yea, KILL 'EM!!!!
That always solves the problem...
Without causing mass hysteria here, I'm just curious as to how many people here who want to "kill 'em all," have gone to any meetings and shared realistic ideas as to how we can try to effectively manage wolves now that they are here to stay.
It's amazing to me that finally the states and ranchers finally are granted more ability to control wolves, and the first thing that happens is more complaining...
If Wyoming comes up with an acceptable plan, the wolves can then be taken off the endangered species list. This could allow wolf tags to be allocated, which would bring in revenue to the state.
Just an F.Y.I., if everyone gets trigger happy and starts illegally shooting every wolf they see, guess what?? As fast as you can say "what tha?," the wolves would be back on the endangered species list, and laws would once again tighten up to protect the wolves if they drop below proper management levels.
I really do have empathy for ranchers.. I see there losses which directly affect their day to day life. I'm really happy to see that ranchers will now be able to shoot a wolf that might take livestock..
I DON'T feel empathy for hunters however. I've hunted my whole life, and I LOVE IT!! I am doing wolf research at the time, and I don't feel that our herds are going to "be wiped out." I do feel that hunting will be more difficult, because elk aren't standing around like a bunch of beef cattle anymore. I don't mind, because getting out there and hunting hard is what really makes it fun. If I don't tag out, it's not the end of the world. I enjoy knowing that there is competition, which happens to be using the same trails that I hike.
One positive effect wolves are having is on the feedgrounds. Yes, they kill elk, but they are also beginning to move them around. If elk just stand around all day, there is the chance that highly infected aborted elk fetuses will be dropped in mid-winter on the hay being fed. Several counties have lost their brucellosis free status already. Interestingly enough, the Gov. of Wyoming is now looking into a "test and slaughter" on one of the feedgrounds. No one cares when they do it to buffalo, but it will be interesting to see what happens when our elk herds start getting chopped..
If anyone would like to send me a p.m., I'd love to chat more about this. However, I'd like to speak with only those who want to discuss, not argue. I know that wolves need to be managed. I'm not against that, but I do have a hard time with the "just kill 'em all" attitude.
