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“there has been no violent encounters between wolves and humans in the lower 48 states. “

Thats simply not true. There have been numerous stories posted on FR about aggressive wolves and people. In Alaska there was the woman who was eaten alive by wolves.

We know what wolves do, they are not a peaceful creature.

We also know what they are doing to the deer and elk populations and its not a pretty sight.

Driftdriver,
I have heard many conflicting stories regarding wolves. As a result I started doing research. I said there has been no violent encounters by wolves against humans since the reintroduction in 1995 - in the lower 48 states. That is true. No statistics are kept on wolves harassing people so I don't know the truth about that. A woman was killed in Alaska in 2010. The Alaskan paper that originally reported, said the killing appeared to be by a bear. They also said that there was wolf footprints in the area. The Alaska Fish and Game got the story and reported it as a wolf kill. The Alaska Fish and Game was taking lots of heat at the time for their areal killing of wolves.
“Wolves are not peaceful creatures” - Wolves kill fewer people than any large carnivore or domestic dogs. I have the statistics on that. I don't have statistics on this but overwhelming anecdotal information says that deer have more violent encounters with humans that wolves do.
As to deer and elk populations, I have only looked at elk since that is the wolfs primary prey. In Montana, the statewide population of elk is above objectives set by the state game agency.In Wyoming, their numbers are 50% above state objectives. And in Idaho, the elk population grew by 2,000 animals in the last year.With the wolf back, elk spend less time lingering in meadows and riverbeds and more time maintaining vantage points where they can detect approaching threats earlier.
I have been studying wolves and their affect on the environment for a very short time. I will continue to learn. That is the reason I logged on to this site in the first place. I will always say when things I state are fact or just my opinion.