But there are other methods to keep the elk population to a reasonable level that are more enjoyable, profitable, and tasty.
That's not to mention the health benefits of people out, traipsing through the woods, contemplating nature...
“The only good thing about wolves is that they keep the elk population under control.”
Grotesquely Wrong!
While wolves can reduce prey populations (their job description, after all), they do it with little to no planning or foresight.
Only man can control a population without the wide swings caused by ‘natural predation’.
Lastly, hunters generate cash flow whereas wolves pay nothing to any man and cost some men their property (livestock) and a few humans are killed by wolves.
Hunters feed their families with fresh elk / mouse / deer meat that wolves often kill for fun.
Hunters will pay to do it.