To Those Concerned:
At the present time and political environment, I support the State of Idaho 2002 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan’s objective of fifteen (15) packs that translates to 150 wolves. I am pleased that our Governor, the Office of Species Conservation and the Fish and Game Commissioners have corrected the error of their previous pursuit of, what I believe to be, the unlawful 2008 Idaho Wolf Population Plan that required between 518 and 732 wolves in Idaho.
The Governor and the Commissioners exhibited leadership and new found courage in confronting the catastrophic wolf situation that continues to significantly impact Idaho’s ungulate herds, Idaho’s hunters and a yet to be fully accounted for economic loss to Idaho’s economy. That new found courage and leadership must continue and it must grow in proportion to the growing wolf situation Idaho faces.
The Governor and the Commissioners must give serious consideration to the utilization of the principle of nullification of Federal Law as it relates to the wolf emergency Idaho is experiencing under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Either nullification or disobedience or both should be rapidly employed by our State. Numerous examples of government (federal state and municipal) instigated non-compliance of Federal Law exist in our country today. So-called “sanctuary cities” defy Federal immigration statutes and Federal government regularly failing to enforce its own laws related to undocumented aliens are examples.
Idaho must act rapidly to save and rebuild what remains of its ungulate resources that have been significantly eroded by wolf introduction.
Idaho’s dilemma is how to reduce Idaho’s rapidly expanding wolf population to fifteen (15) packs as per the intent and directives of the Idaho Legislature. I believe we must institute a full array of methods that employ resident and non-resident hunters and trappers, IDFG personnel, USFWS personnel (if cooperative) and other local, State and Federal (if cooperative) authorities and facilitating organizations capable of assisting. Such methods should be employed by our State whether or not Idaho is granted State management authority by the Federal government. Those methods should include the following and others that are effective:
Hunting and trapping (including snares), the year round of all sexes and age classes of wolves in the State much like the taking of coyotes is presently permitted in our State. Such a program would require only a hunting or trapping license (or both for those who participate in both manners of take) for those who take wolves. Simple reporting with proof of take would be necessary to keep an accurate count of wolves taken.
Aerial gunnery of all sexes and age classes of wolves, especially in months that offer a good contrast background with the terrain such as that presented by snow. Fixed and rotary wing aircraft to include ultra-light aircraft when deemed safe and appropriate, could be utilized by cooperating government and non-government personnel who are qualified to conduct such activities. Accurate reporting of wolves taken verified by an accompanying air crew member when available, photo evidence or simple written reporting when carried out by a single participant would be forwarded to IDFG.
Chemical sterilization of all sexes and age classes of wolves well prior to mating. Appropriate and sufficient reporting to IDFG would be required.
The next recommendation requires change to Federal Law. Poisoning of all sexes and age classes of wolves the year round, especially near dens using a poison that is either not passed up or down the food chain or has a low probability of doing the same. Appropriate and sufficient reporting to IDFG would be required.
At the present time, wolf control must eliminate about 80% of an estimated population of between 1200 and 1600 wolves in our State. Even with all of the above methods of take operating efficiently, it will take years to bring Idaho’s wolves to the 15 pack population level and to a reasonable management routine. Let IDFG tell us where they want those 15 packs of wolves to live. We need to eliminate the rest. Now is the time for Idaho to stand resolutely before bad Federal Law and an over-reaching Federal Government.
Ed Lindahl, Sagle, Feb 9, 2011
At the present time and political environment, I support the State of Idaho 2002 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan’s objective of fifteen (15) packs that translates to 150 wolves. I am pleased that our Governor, the Office of Species Conservation and the Fish and Game Commissioners have corrected the error of their previous pursuit of, what I believe to be, the unlawful 2008 Idaho Wolf Population Plan that required between 518 and 732 wolves in Idaho.
The Governor and the Commissioners exhibited leadership and new found courage in confronting the catastrophic wolf situation that continues to significantly impact Idaho’s ungulate herds, Idaho’s hunters and a yet to be fully accounted for economic loss to Idaho’s economy. That new found courage and leadership must continue and it must grow in proportion to the growing wolf situation Idaho faces.
The Governor and the Commissioners must give serious consideration to the utilization of the principle of nullification of Federal Law as it relates to the wolf emergency Idaho is experiencing under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Either nullification or disobedience or both should be rapidly employed by our State. Numerous examples of government (federal state and municipal) instigated non-compliance of Federal Law exist in our country today. So-called “sanctuary cities” defy Federal immigration statutes and Federal government regularly failing to enforce its own laws related to undocumented aliens are examples.
Idaho must act rapidly to save and rebuild what remains of its ungulate resources that have been significantly eroded by wolf introduction.
Idaho’s dilemma is how to reduce Idaho’s rapidly expanding wolf population to fifteen (15) packs as per the intent and directives of the Idaho Legislature. I believe we must institute a full array of methods that employ resident and non-resident hunters and trappers, IDFG personnel, USFWS personnel (if cooperative) and other local, State and Federal (if cooperative) authorities and facilitating organizations capable of assisting. Such methods should be employed by our State whether or not Idaho is granted State management authority by the Federal government. Those methods should include the following and others that are effective:
Hunting and trapping (including snares), the year round of all sexes and age classes of wolves in the State much like the taking of coyotes is presently permitted in our State. Such a program would require only a hunting or trapping license (or both for those who participate in both manners of take) for those who take wolves. Simple reporting with proof of take would be necessary to keep an accurate count of wolves taken.
Aerial gunnery of all sexes and age classes of wolves, especially in months that offer a good contrast background with the terrain such as that presented by snow. Fixed and rotary wing aircraft to include ultra-light aircraft when deemed safe and appropriate, could be utilized by cooperating government and non-government personnel who are qualified to conduct such activities. Accurate reporting of wolves taken verified by an accompanying air crew member when available, photo evidence or simple written reporting when carried out by a single participant would be forwarded to IDFG.
Chemical sterilization of all sexes and age classes of wolves well prior to mating. Appropriate and sufficient reporting to IDFG would be required.
The next recommendation requires change to Federal Law. Poisoning of all sexes and age classes of wolves the year round, especially near dens using a poison that is either not passed up or down the food chain or has a low probability of doing the same. Appropriate and sufficient reporting to IDFG would be required.
At the present time, wolf control must eliminate about 80% of an estimated population of between 1200 and 1600 wolves in our State. Even with all of the above methods of take operating efficiently, it will take years to bring Idaho’s wolves to the 15 pack population level and to a reasonable management routine. Let IDFG tell us where they want those 15 packs of wolves to live. We need to eliminate the rest. Now is the time for Idaho to stand resolutely before bad Federal Law and an over-reaching Federal Government.
Ed Lindahl, Sagle, Feb 9, 2011
These numbers all came directly off the Idaho Game and Fish website. Where would YOU suggest I get the numbers from? All you have presented here so far are emotional rants and unsustained anti-wolf banter. If you want to talk facts, I'm all ears and welcome the info. If you want to just shoot your mouth off and claim you know what you're talking about because you heard somebody else say it or you saw an elk cacass once, I'm not giving your comments much credence. Also, I'm not presenting a "PRO-WOLF" side. I'm just throwing the data into the conversation to see what everybody thinks. 
