Should all Wolves be delisted?

[Hud]

As reported by CNN (not an endorsment) 19 elk were slaughtered by Wolves at a feeding station near Jackson, WY. Most were calves.   http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/25/us/wyoming-wolf-pack-elk-slaughter/index.html

A number of news agencies are reporting this as a rare event, or "surplus killing".  I did not realize there was a surplus of elk?  Who sees the ones killed in the backcountry, at night?

[pinky]

The wintering population objective is 5,000 elk. However, the size of the wintering herd generally reaches 6,000-7,000 elk or more. Refuge managers continue to work with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and Grand Teton National Park to bring the number of wintering animals closer to established targets as outline in the Bison and Elk Management Plan. This is for the Jackson area National Elk Refuge.

this is from the US Fish and Wildlife web site.
The wolves have their place.

[Chad Orde]

Deer population has plummeted in the UP of Michigan few hard winters combined with the wolf and black bear predation. My opinion is just treat them like coyotes let's face it back when there was huge bountys on them they where eradicated that won't happen again and we don't have to worry about killing them off they are back to stay now. I grew up with them in Northern MN and only ever seen two, never having a open season on them they where not even scared of me. I love wolves and glad we have them would also love to be able to hunt them.

[Thumper Dunker]

What Chad said.

[Hud]

Perhaps, but the Government was behind the introduction of Canadian Wolves, and they are hardly objective. Secondly, the RMEF and other groups, like the OHA are in favor. The Government's plan was to delist when the population of Wolves was sustainable. Wolves have established packs in WA, OR, and have been reported in other states (CO, AZ and CA). Their expansion into new territory suggest they are sustainable in MT, WY, ID. Oregon (OHA) got the State to delist, but the other side has filed a lawsuit.

[Michael Arnette]

What chad said as well...wolves are the missing link in a natural ecosystem and provide the balance needed to eliminate the need for human hunting.
We have to understand as hunters that if we are not necessary we may lose the privilege. Anti-hunters know this well

[northener]

Mn. Has the largest wolf pop in the lower 48 with over 2400 animals and 470 packs. All I know is deer and moose numbers are way down where wolf is present.

I am not against the the wolf, in fact I am fascinated by them.

I do think wolf should be managed by each state and not by the federal government. There certainly is huntable numbers in Mn. Wi and Mich.

[northener]

I should note here as well. I have hunted deer in northern Mn. Since the early 80's I have yet to see a wolf, only heard their mournful cries. Deer gut piles are always gone by next mourning.

Mn could open archery wolf and deer and run together for the same period of time and never put a dent in the wolf population.  Many would pay good money for the opportunity though.

[wingnut]

Bow hunting for wolves will not make a dent.  Actually rifle hunting does little to control an out of control population.  Starvation works after all the game animals are gone and they finish eating the livestock.

If you want huntable populations of elk, deer and moose, wolves are a big problem.  

I've watched the elk and moose populations in Idaho plummet since the wolves showed up to a level that very few non resident licenses are sold each year.  It's a huge economic hit the states that have wolves.

Delisting, trapping and aerial control will work like they do in Alaska.

Mike

[Paul Cousineau]

Was out turkey scouting this afternoon and found a deer carcass and wolf tracks. I saw two in the woods last fall. We really badly need liberal hunting and trapping seasons to reduce wolf numbers.