[G8 Diplomat]

Thats the problem, they don’t allow any hunting of the great lakes wolves and there is too damn many of them.

I think people are misinterpreting my comments. I'm not saying we should keep our hands off the wolves completely. Their populations can get out of control too, and pose a problem for ranchers and wipe out other animal populations. That is why it is crucial for both humans and the balance of the ecosystem to keep the predators in check by trapping some of them.

[Bruce 22-250]

Check your mail. I think we are on the same page. :-)

[george76]

Yellowstone Wolf Experiment Out of Control

It is with great sadness that I write this column. You didn’t have to be a wildlife biologist to foresee the outcome when you mix Canadian timber wolves with the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone’s wildlife populations have plummeted.

Wolves are brutal, vicious predators and have a tremendous impact on all wildlife in any ecosystem.

The original plan was for 78-100 wolves to be introduced into Yellowstone. Of course, you realize hunting is not permitted in Yellowstone or any other National Park.

In less than 10 years the effect wolves have had on Yellowstone’s wildlife has been nothing less than devastating. Elk populations hang around 10,000; the moose and deer are almost completely gone. Antelope went from 600 to 200 specimens. Sheep populations have fallen from 300 to 40, possibly an inadequate amount to repopulate the Park.

Wolves are attacking horses, mules, livestock and stalking children. The economic health of the region has collapsed and so has the outfitting business north of Yellowstone.

The wolves are multiplying at the rate of 34% a year. There are now 370 wolves in Yellowstone and 770 in the tri-state area of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Wildlife in that region is getting hammered.

Forget what you heard about wolves killing only the weak and sick. Wolves are canines and like dogs, they kill by instinct and for fun.

Aerial photographs document dead, red wildlife carcasses over the landscape. Wolves practice “surplus killing” whether they are hungry or not.

http://www.theoutdoorlodge.com/features/articles/outdoors/yellowstone_wolf_experiment.html