One problem is that the wolves they are re-introducing are not native to the lower 48 states, hence that's why they call them Canadian wolves. The native wolves from 100+ years ago ran in the range of 40-50#, not the 150+ that is roaming our western states and moving east and south.
There was an article in Western Horseman magazine a year or two ago about a man and his wife riding in Idaho and a pack of wolves was circling their camp one night. The next day a wolf started for the wife and the husband, carrying a rifle, dropped it when it was within 10 feet of his wife.
The family and I are heading for the mountains of Wyoming with our horses in a few weeks and I'll be carry a rifle and a sidearm. The wolves and cats are getting bolder all the time. No sense taking any chances.
The larger size may explain the hunger issue that many say causes them to be even more dangerous. I can see where a wolf that size might have a problem finding enough food on a regular basis in the drier areas of the country where some have been introduced. I had never heard that the wolves being introduced were so much bigger than what was here naturally before. Thanks for that info.