[Delphinium]

There are probably too many people everywhere now to have room for wolves... any more than we had 'room' for them the first time we wiped them out. But I mourn that, I don't celebrate it.

But it happened. My ancestors settled here early just like people who settled in New York, and Virginia. Just because we aren't as populated doesn't make this less our home.

[HairOfTheDog]

Anything in my post that disagrees with that?

[Billthedrill]

Some folks have asked - this took place in northern Idaho, nearest town maybe Orofino, about 50 miles from my location at the moment. Northern part of Nez Perce National Park. Rugged terrain, not well roaded, superb hunting country.

There was an issue early on with wolf "re-introduction" programs concerning the extinction of wolves in the area. Many of the locals insist that they weren't, and hence bringing in new populations ran the risk of upsetting whatever balance did exist.

I have never sighted wolves in this area, but I have only done sporadic back-packing around here. I do NOT hike unarmed, however. The Nez Perce word for an unarmed hiker is "raw meat."