Apart from the slaying of the hunter's dogs, I'm delighted to hear that we have wolves in northern WI and if they take some game, so be it.
Isn't it acceptable to have predators preying upon game as well as hunters? Professional courtesy amongst like minded individuals?
I guess I just never mind true predators (coyote is not a true predator in my book) competing for resources with me. There is always equilibrium and cougars, wolves and fox never seem to effect my pleasure in hunting game. (if they are coming up to your barn door, by all means, do what you must!)
The problem, Rookhawk, is that wolves are FEDERALLY protected. You cannot do "what you must" . . . at least not legally. Even if a wolf is attacking your dog or livestock. Wolves are pretty smart critters. If hunters were allowed to shoot wolves to protect their dogs, and farmers to protect their livestock, then wolves would quickly adapt and avoid humans. But they have no fear of humans, because currently, humans present no threat to them. That would still leave the issue of the impact wolves have on deer, and it would probably take an open season on wolves (limited to so many per year) to keep the population in check. It already is about double the target population biologists originally established for wolves (in WI and the UP). Time to remove them from the endangered species list and do something about it.
