I read the article and yet I'm still wondering how Idaho will manage wolves. I like the idea that the wolf program will have to raise its own dollars but other than that it didn't say much. Will ranchers have the right to protect thier livestock? Will there eventually be tags issued where wolves are having a significant effect on other animals? In Utah we're watching closely because the first wolf in over 50 years was caught a few months back and relocated to Yellowstone. They found 2 sets of tracks where they wolf was caught.

[ This Message was edited by: rather_be_huntin on 2003-08-01 14:12 ]

While I'm not up on Idaho's plan, ranchers have always had the right to protect their stock under fed management if a wolf is being a problem. However if a rancher did shoot one they had to prove it was a menace.

I believe the idea behind turning over federal control (once population objectives are met) to the states is to better manage at a local level. Meaning tags might be issued if predation or the population became too high. Presumably local entities would be able to make this decision better than the fed (and its politics).

I remember about the Gray wolf turning up in Utah, if I remember right the guy who spotted it thought it was a coyote!