If you own a backhoe, you should be able to accomplish that task...S.S.S. Just do it on the back 40.
They should get some Kangals (a Turkish breed of dog). Kangals kill wolves very effectively.
I am not a violent person and would take no joy in killing an animal. However, if this was my property, my kid’s lives, my livestock etc... I would do exactly what you described. A pre-dug hole just waiting. The article stated that the wolves are on this person’s property every night so I would wait and do what was needed to be done. Plain and simple. I certainly wouldn’t wait for some guy behind a desk to decide to issue a piece of paper.