I say hunting is a good way to manage the population. Most hunters become protective of the game they hunt, so they will become more eyes and ears out in the field. think about deer hunters and how most would react to a poacher or destruction of habitat.

Why Should Wolf hunting be any different then coyote hunting? If the population is abundant enough to hunt they should be managed or it will start effecting other animal populations

I look at the wolf population like the local coyote population. I am in Northern IN so no we do not have wolves but a ton of coyotes. Coyotes and wolves are needed either way you look at it. They both keep the local population of small and larger game in check. I do not think that either 1 will completely wipe out rabbits or deer of elk population. It is survival of the fitest they are not going to eat the big bucks/elk they are going to eat the weak and the old and the sick. I have no problem hunting either their population needs to be kept in check also. If they were unhunted the coyotes would be in the farmers livestock more than what they are now. And I figure that the wolves are the same.

Its about time

EXCELLENT!! question swilmot1.We bought our tags tuesday .

I'm with everyone else. If the population warrants it, there should be a controlled season. I remember the outcry where the Wardens service wanted to open the Moose season here in Maine. Kids were crying with pictures of Bullwinkle and the anti's were running around with fake blood all over them. The season took place and was a great success and the rest is history. We now have a tremendous healthy herd and the state generates lots of money and the hunters have a great time with a bunch of good meat. Total win win situation! Bring on the wolf hunt.

They offer more of a challenge than coyotes. Let the hunters harvest them up, most practical and cheapest solution.

This topic is such an emotionally loaded issue. The biologist in me knows that wolves are a very charasmatic and intelligent species that are often misunderstood and have been given the "Big Bad Wolf" reputation over the years. However, the biologist and hunter in me knows that nearly all wildlife populations need to be managed to strike a balance between the needs of people and wildlife, in which case, some wolves will need to be killed from time to time.

To all: I would suggest reading the short essay "Thinking Like a Mountain" in the book A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold.

Its the best way to manage the population and the local governments won't be taking tax money to do it. Instead they collect from the hunters who manage the population for the government.

a recent publication by the University of Minnesota that states that wolves after age 3 are on the decline in there hunting abilities and that many of the kills are being made by younger wolves ages 2 and 3. areas with older wolves had more elk and deer. so is the hunting of the oldest wolves really controlling the heard and limiting predators or making the wolf packs stronger by thinning the old and the sick... just as the wolves do for the deer and elk herds. The question is killing the old wolves is it making more room for the younger more strong animals to populate areas and make the problem worse.

YES! i think that wolf hunting is good becuause the deer population will go up and then there will be more deer to hunt!

The goal was 300 reintroduced wolves. They now number 1700+ and the number is growing. Wolves have expanded their range into other states not part of the original reintroduction program. Soon Colorado, Nevada and California will have wolves migrating across state lines. What will wolves eat when there are no more elk, deer and family pets? Think about it.

Shoot as many as you can. they are nothing but a pest to farmers ranchers and hunters

All areas with huntable populations ought to have a kill season. As license buyers, we know that we're giving plenty of funds to support population research... among other things.

No I haven't heard anything.

I can't even spell this morning, please look over me. After 92 years its just seems like he was going to be with me forever.

I haven't been in the forum for over a week now, and I am sorry for your loss Sarge. I truly am, and I will pray that you may be able to better cope with the loss of your father.

As far as wolf hunting goes, there shouldn't even be a question. Hunters are the ultimate conservationists and would help keep their numbers in check.

Fliphunter - not a bad idea but not quite right either. First off A 2 year old wolf is just as desirable and animal as a 3-5 year old and the adults will get shot regardless of age. If anything people will try for the big ones, the ones that really help the pack in taking large game - elk, moose, muleys - the species getting hit hardest now, and the most valuable to us and to tourists.

Second, it's not necessarily about which individuals in the pack you kill. The ones that make the majority of the kills are not only feeding themselves, they are feeding the older wolves, the pups, the younger wolves, the alphas, or if they are an alpha, their subordinates. When wolf packs have a lot of mouths to feed they go for big hunting parties and big kills - like elk and moose, and a lot of them often. You'd be surprised what pairs, singles, and even small packs eat - rodents, rabbits, etc. They make big kills together but they don't need to as often as large packs.

badbadbadbadbadbadbadbadbadbadBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I AM BY NO MEANS A TREE HUGGER BUT I AM AGAINST WOLF HUNTING.