You are probably right that not everyone who is anti-wolf is “extreme right”. But the anti-wolf movement is extreme right. Just as most enviromentalists are “extreme left”, but not all. I don’t know if I agree with you about whether this is a politically driven issue. If you go by the threads I’ve seen here at Free Republic – it is politcally driven – by the far right.
”This issue effects all those people living within states that now how to live and deal with these wolves.”
That’s true. I think that it would have been better to reintroduce the wolves to Yellowstone first. But no one asked me :-)
”The wolves not only are decimating our game herds (that many of us have donated extra time and money to enhance) but also as you pointed out, ranchers as well. This issue reaches far beyond herd deprivation, it reaches into the State's pocket book. These wolves are having a major impact on our economy. “
I don’t see the evidence that game herds have been “decimated”. In fact, Idaho Fish & Game says that they have not been decimated. Now whether it cuts into hunting profits – it probably does. But I think hunting will become harder and take more skill. I’m not one that is especially keen on hunting even though I think it’s ok for people to hunt for food to put on the table.
”If you haven't heard, there are now 3 wolf packs within 30 miles of Boise. Two packs to the North, and one to the South. (Which means that pack has traveled quite a distance from the introduction point.) It also means that it's only a matter of time before the citizens on the outskirts of Boise, Idaho's capitol, will start loosing their own pets to these predators unless they are well protected.”
No I hadn’t heard. Hopefully the authorities will catch them and take them back where they belong or kill them.
”Not to mention that there have been cougar sitings within Boise since Sept. of this year. An explanation of the cougar following the game was given after the last sighting in Jan. which might had been true if not for the Sept. sighting. But the large game herds where not that close to Boise before the heavy snow came. My theory is that the cougar has been displaced by the wolves.
I don’t agree that that cougar are displaced by wolves. In fact cougar benefit from wolf kills that are abandoned – as do fox and eagle and other meat eaters. We had a cougar kill someone’s dog in Salt Lake a month or so ago. And we don’t have any wolves :-)
”My suggestion is that you visit www.natureswolves.com and look at pictures on the site. After doing so, imagine what you might see had a person or a child been the victim.”
I found natureswolves.com to be pretty hysterical, and not necessarily accuarate. For instance here are a couple of quotes:
"“There have been reliable sighting this winter of several packs of 40 and one of 50 in the area west of my Stony River Lodge.”
”Do you know how fantastic a claim that is? :-)
” Two experienced wolves can kill a big bull moose and no moose is a match for an entire pack of wolves.”
That’s just not true. Two wolves would never attempt to take on a moose – one well placed kick could kill a wolf. In fact, a wolf pack is not going to try a big bull moose unless he is weak from exhaustion. They are not going to risk injury if they can help it.
I have a real problem with sites like natureswolves that try to scare people and drum up hysteria. I would much rather see honorable arguments where people raise their genuine concerns – such as money and fear.
But I remain a wolf lover. I think they are beautiful and magnificent animals. And I love dogs, too – who, of course, are descendents of wolves :-)