http://204.228.236.37/Opinion/story.asp?ID=31636
Ithaca will love this one
Dennis McClure: There is a place for wolves to roam, but it’s not in Idaho
Idaho and surrounding states must join together to control the fast-growing wolf population.
Wolves are vicious hunters. Wolves don´t just hunt to eat; they hunt to kill anything that competes for their food supply, including bear, cougar and coyotes.
When big-game numbers drop, the hunting season will be stopped so the wolves will have something to hunt. When big-game numbers drop, they will start killing more cattle and sheep.
I think we need the ranchers to continue being able to use grazing lands without worrying about their herds being threatened by wolves. Ranchers who graze their animals solely on private property are also threatened as wolves know no boundaries.
It amazes me that a handful of wolf supporters can have such an influence so as to ruin Idaho and surrounding states. I´m sure you think this is just from a hunter´s standpoint, and it sounds rather selfish. Sure, wolves will ruin the states for hunters, but what about other outdoor users?
When wolf food sources become low, outdoor activities from the foothills to the backcountry by humans will stop because a hungry wolf, who has depleted the big-game herds and available livestock, will turn to what´s left for food. This could be a family pet, or even a child.
Government sources say there are approximately 200 wolves in Idaho . I find it hard to believe the numbers stop at 200 when there are numerous tracks along the Boise River and on every backcountry road from Cottonwood to Atlanta. I saw tracks at Cottonwood recently, but who´s to say those tracks stop at Cottonwood?
The Boise Foothills are threatened, but more importantly, the threat is on those who use the Foothills for outdoor recreation. Recently there was a map published in this newspaper outlining the location of wolf packs in Idaho. Nothing was said about the Boise or Payette River drainages.
Idaho outdoorsmen support the survival of big-game herds. The state relies on the revenue it collects from hunters through hunting licenses. Small businesses, i.e. sporting goods stores, motels, grocery stores and restaurants also rely on revenue from hunters. If there is no longer anything to hunt, there are no longer any hunters, and the revenue is gone. But you will certainly be able to travel anywhere in the Boise Foothills and beyond to hear a wolf howl. A chilling thought.
I believe Idaho should take over control of the wolf population before the wolf population takes control of the state. It´s just a matter of time before that happens.
Even if wolves were delisted and able to be hunted, I do not feel hunters would have a great enough impact on lowering the wolf population to even begin saving big game herds. If wolves can´t be controlled by permit hunting, then it will become big business for professional hunters, with the taxpayers footing the bill.
Idaho has changed since the 1800s. Wolves were an unwelcomed visitor then, and even more so now as the biggest part of the change is the population and what people do for recreation. More and more people are in the hills and backcountry hunting and fishing, hiking and camping. The more wolves that roam, the lower the food supply becomes. The diminished food supply lends itself to attacks on domestic animals and outdoor users.
If you cherish the Idaho we know and love, please let your voice be heard.
I am sure a wolf has its place, in the whole scheme of things. The place, however, is not in Idaho. When the food supply is gone, who will take responsibility for what happens next?
Ithaca will love this one
Dennis McClure: There is a place for wolves to roam, but it’s not in Idaho
Idaho and surrounding states must join together to control the fast-growing wolf population.
Wolves are vicious hunters. Wolves don´t just hunt to eat; they hunt to kill anything that competes for their food supply, including bear, cougar and coyotes.
When big-game numbers drop, the hunting season will be stopped so the wolves will have something to hunt. When big-game numbers drop, they will start killing more cattle and sheep.
I think we need the ranchers to continue being able to use grazing lands without worrying about their herds being threatened by wolves. Ranchers who graze their animals solely on private property are also threatened as wolves know no boundaries.
It amazes me that a handful of wolf supporters can have such an influence so as to ruin Idaho and surrounding states. I´m sure you think this is just from a hunter´s standpoint, and it sounds rather selfish. Sure, wolves will ruin the states for hunters, but what about other outdoor users?
When wolf food sources become low, outdoor activities from the foothills to the backcountry by humans will stop because a hungry wolf, who has depleted the big-game herds and available livestock, will turn to what´s left for food. This could be a family pet, or even a child.
Government sources say there are approximately 200 wolves in Idaho . I find it hard to believe the numbers stop at 200 when there are numerous tracks along the Boise River and on every backcountry road from Cottonwood to Atlanta. I saw tracks at Cottonwood recently, but who´s to say those tracks stop at Cottonwood?
The Boise Foothills are threatened, but more importantly, the threat is on those who use the Foothills for outdoor recreation. Recently there was a map published in this newspaper outlining the location of wolf packs in Idaho. Nothing was said about the Boise or Payette River drainages.
Idaho outdoorsmen support the survival of big-game herds. The state relies on the revenue it collects from hunters through hunting licenses. Small businesses, i.e. sporting goods stores, motels, grocery stores and restaurants also rely on revenue from hunters. If there is no longer anything to hunt, there are no longer any hunters, and the revenue is gone. But you will certainly be able to travel anywhere in the Boise Foothills and beyond to hear a wolf howl. A chilling thought.
I believe Idaho should take over control of the wolf population before the wolf population takes control of the state. It´s just a matter of time before that happens.
Even if wolves were delisted and able to be hunted, I do not feel hunters would have a great enough impact on lowering the wolf population to even begin saving big game herds. If wolves can´t be controlled by permit hunting, then it will become big business for professional hunters, with the taxpayers footing the bill.
Idaho has changed since the 1800s. Wolves were an unwelcomed visitor then, and even more so now as the biggest part of the change is the population and what people do for recreation. More and more people are in the hills and backcountry hunting and fishing, hiking and camping. The more wolves that roam, the lower the food supply becomes. The diminished food supply lends itself to attacks on domestic animals and outdoor users.
If you cherish the Idaho we know and love, please let your voice be heard.
I am sure a wolf has its place, in the whole scheme of things. The place, however, is not in Idaho. When the food supply is gone, who will take responsibility for what happens next?
