I think the spotlight is really on hunters in Montana, Idaho and other wolf states. We have to walk our talk and support sound wildlife management, not just run amok and go to war against predators. We earned this opportunity, let's make the most of it. We cannot let the politicians and the zealots screw us over.

I'll always remember this Cinco de Mayo, as the day the wolf was officially delisted.

I'm not concerned with other species being delisted and the ESA being eroded. Don't forget the science of the matter was solidly on delisting as was the USFWS. The support for delisting was also broad and bipartisan amongst the states affected. I doubt 90% of the populations of most states have even heard of the Prebles Jumping Mouse, but every pre schooler in Montana knows the wolf.

My thoughts now turn to the future.

Will state departments of wildlife be able to control wolf numbers well enough to maintain robust herds of elk and plentiful moose? After the excitement dies off how many hunters will be willing to spend money on a tag for a predator they are unlikely to shoot and even less likely to eat?

Howdy, kr.

I wouldn't assume to know what Wyoming wants to do, or doesn't want to do, to or with their wolves.

I just know that the dual status classification of wolves in Wyoming fails to pass the federal standards for recovering an endangered species. Yes, a judge ruled that it did, and then his ruling was overturned by a higher court.

I deal in the actual here, not the theoretical- gee, what if the feds just woke up one day and changed their minds about the Wyoming plan, and then the courts agreed that they had ruled wrong, and then the sun came out and everything was jolly.

That's not my job. And having covered the wolf issue from almost every angle since the 90's (while living in wolf country), I'm not "just like the rest of the media."

Don't hold your breath on this problem being solved...still lots of holes and federal control, which means room for special interest to get in the way of game managers...going to take more than some politics to get back the 90% of our elk herd we lost here in the Lolo.....but maybe we can thin them back a little so they don't have the game pressured into town and hunting in our yards like this winter....

I agree, bioboy.

The idea here was that the wolf as apex predator, with so many implications inherent in its recovery, is unique.

Once again, citizens will have to stand up for what is right. It's not hard to see somebody saying the same thing said about the wolf, about the furbish lousewort or the Preble's jumping mouse. I'm betting they won't-
or they won't get away with it if they do, but you are exactly right, the danger is there. The ESA has always had some very big very powerful enemies.

It's about time. I dont know why it took so long to get this done. This should be a holiday! the day when we saved a bunch of other animals. Deer,elk,bear,cougar,dogs,cattle,bighorn sheep.mountain goats.lama's, these are animals that have been killed by wolves in idaho. I guess you can say they have saved maybe a humman from being killed. Did anybody here about that lady in alaska getting killed by wolves. there has been a few cases in idaho that have been very close.

Just like the rest of the media, you put your foot in your mouth without checking your facts. Wyoming does NOT want to exterminate wolves. They have a two part plan - Trophy class in the area surrounding Yellowstone Park, and classed as a predator in the remainder of the state. Wyoming knows what it's doing. Now if the FEDS can get on board, and OK Wyoming's proposal, they should be able to agree to it.

Having just moved from Wyoming to Texas, I am well aware of the parts of this charade, and I know what Wyoming is talking about.

british columbia has lots of wolves and lots of deer elk and moose, so i dont think effectively managing the wolves will be a problem, however i think it could be better done with trappers trapping the wolves for fur, the number of wolves killed can be controlled very well as can the location of the kills and somebody gets to make a living. From the people who i have talked to in british columbia, they have told me shooting wolves by sporting means is fairly difficult, and most people who want to score a few furs trap them, though one man talked to said he used to run them over with a snowmobile.

So cute & cuddly, everyone wants one for a pet!

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/trophyroom/recent/single?pnid=10013...

But for these residents, live in the neighborhood holds a different meaning!!

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/trophyroom/recent/single?pnid=10013...