Strubberg's comment about it being hard for wolves and man to coexist bears consideration. Some folks live in a fairy-tale world where they'd like to turn back the clock to the way things were in the west when Lewis and Clark came through. Heck, I'd like to as well. But let's be realistic, it ain't happening. That said, how can we keep some lands wild and still live nearby and/or enjoy them for hunting, fishing, hiking, whatever?
When some folks want to say the wolves were here first, and we shouldn't be making decisions about what species thrive and which ones don't, they are more than likely being hypocritical to some extent. We make these decisions every day. Do you want rattlesnakes in your yard? Lots of folks do; others have little children and won't take that chance. Do you want mice in your house? Ants? Spiders? Mosquitoes? Scorpions? Wildlife is wildlife, and we all make these choices.
For me, I greatly respect the wolf but if it comes to letting wolves run rampant in the west I vote for elk and deer. Is that selfish? Maybe, but not wanting to share your house or yard or neighborhood with certain animals could be labeled selfish too.
I recall two observations from '94 on a trip to MB where I lucked into and killed a wolf with my longbow while hunting bear. 1) A local rural resident told the story of how his German shepard was in the yard, and tracks in the snow showed where a single wolf came in, and killed the big dog without so much as a struggle. 2) A local turkey farm used a propane cannon to fire loud bangs at regular intervals, 24/7, to keep wolves from destroying his enterprise.
There is no one to do that to protect moose fawns, or adult ungulates of most any species. Wolves are like grizzlies...they should fear man. Only difference is that it appears wolves have for more capacity to destroy mammal populations (and even go on thrill killing sprees) when compared to the bear which is much more of an omnivore.
Topic: Wolves attack sheep in my bowhunting unit (Read 1292 times)
