IdahoVandal - I like the way you think! Post purchase of tags I think would be an excellent opportunity since you really don't know when you are going to see one (or more) causing problems.

You are now putting words in my mouth...Maybe you should re-read my comments again. You appear to have it stuck in your mind that I am on the opposite side of the fence than you. Could you just step back and read what I wrote without already having an opinion formed of me?? I think you are reading my comments without actually reading what I'm trying to say. I am simply making suggestions and also agreeing that there is a wolf problem that needs to be taken care of; however, I see it as number of wolves need to be managed and managed better and you appear to see it as we are better off without any wolves around. That to me appears to be the biggest if not only difference between our opinions.

There is nothing to agree to disagree to on here. I'm not trying to sell my ideas to you or the Cattlemen's Association. There are too many wolves, yes, I agree. To kill them off is not the answer. You know if they get killed off some pro-wolf people are going to reintroduce them again and again. You are not reading my comments in depth apparently. You are reading it as though you think that I am all for the wolves. You have no doubt made your decision about me and my beliefs regarding this topic.

I honestly do believe that some wolves is better than none. Maybe you should try and convince Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and whatever other states to make it legal year 'round to hunt wolves like coyotes are hunted, ever think of that? I've heard that is why the state of Wyoming has not gotten their wolf management plans approved yet. People want Wyoming to conform to what Idaho and Montana have decided with the wolves being hunted as big game animals. Wyoming didn't want these wolves any more than Idaho, believe me!

Personally, I think if the states met in the middle and allowed wolves to be hunted like coyotes year 'round it would help things, but still have some kind of tag. Maybe something like if you shot a wolf without a tag you had X amount of days to go to G & F and report your kill/buy a tag or whatever needed to be done. I don't though, that is just a thought.

I have to laugh at the people who thought it would be a good idea to reintroduce wolves to Yellowstone. Did they really think that they would stay within the Yellowstone boundary??!! Part of me thinks they really did believe this! Apparently those individuals forgot the agreement back in the mid 1990's regarding what would happen to the wolves once their numbers were "high enough"... They would be turned over to the states to be managed!

One more thing... I can see how hunting a wolf would be difficult and you would probably see high rates of unsuccessful attempts. The most efficient ways I've been told to kill a wolf is either poison or trapping, and occasionally aerial gunning (if their location is known and if they're in an open enough area). If numbers get way too high, I don't see why they wouldn't allow these methods for private hunters instead of just the government when they get a report of a problem wolf.

I think they were eliminated because many ranchers felt the threat from them. They were unwanted because let's face it we are humans, and tend to be a little greedy. When you add the human factor into nature a lot of things change. When you add domestic cattle and other domestic animals to a very "wild" area that they are not familiar with they are going to be easy prey. Coming from a ranching/farming family myself, I know just as well as you that it is a difficult livestock that depends largely on nature. If we can eliminate factors that can cause disease, sickness, death, and so on, then it helps us in the long run!

I don't want wolf numbers to get out of control and cause the problems you listed, that's why I am all for management. But it is probably going to take years before they get a new plan put together that is going to find the balance for wolves as well as humans.

It will change my mind...Did you read anything I wrote?? To be honest, no I'd probably shoot as many as I could if I caught a pack in my herd! If someone else had the same situation I wouldn't blame them if they did either!

I feel we should have the right to protect what is ours, which for many includes our cattle, horses, dogs, sheep...and so on. If you see a domestic dog attacking your sheep you can shoot it legally (in some states I know for sure). Why shouldn't we be allowed to do that if it is a wolf? However, this does not mean that every single one needs to be killed. If numbers are managed it will help keep problems lower than if we stood around and did nothing.

idahobuckaroo - From what I've read between you and IdahoVandal, I'd venture to say that you two really aren't that different. IdahoVandal seems to agree that wolves need to be managed, am I not correct in saying that? It just seems that you, idahobuckaroo, believe that no wolves is better than 1 wolf, am I not correct in saying that?

I think that if wolf numbers continue to rise uncontrollably we are going to see much more issues than if we manage them now. Face the facts idahobuckaroo, wolves are here to stay this time. I've accepted it and I think you should try to accept it. Go buy your tag and help manage wolves. That seems to be the best thing you can do...legally. That or fight for what you believe in.

As far as Utah goes, can you really blame them for not wanting them around? I'm from Wyoming and Wyoming doesn't want wolves either. Why do you think any programs that the state has tried to get approved haven't gotten approved? This being said, I still feel that wolves are here to stay, in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, or other states. But let's be smart and manage them so hunting for humans will still be around for our children, grandchildren, and so on. Managing wolves will also help keep them from wiping out ungulates such as moose, elk, deer, and big horn sheep. It will also help with domestic cattle deprivation, as well as sheep, horses, domestic dogs and so on.

Yes, life as a rancher is difficult and one more problem is not fun to deal with. I commend the wolf activists who actually put aside money for wolf kills that involve domestic animals; however, I don't know how good they are at distributing the money around and actually following through with what they say because I've never had to personally deal with them. But I can assume that the money still does not cover the costs in the long run, but rather the short run. This being said, do you really think that ranching is that much more difficult that 100 years ago? or 50 years ago? Maybe a little yes, but ranching has always been difficult. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it, right?!