Huckleberries Online

Feds De-List Idaho, Montana Wolves

Posted by DFO

March 6, 2009 11:18 p.m. • 15 comments

Asked to react to the decision to remove wolves from the federal government’s endangered species list, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter offered up a howl. Judging it on aesthetics, it was a short and not terribly rousing howl. But when was the last time a Western Republican governor howled in approval of any natural resource policy from a Democratic White House? Times could be changing from the Sagebrush Rebellion, which took root after the Carter years, and the oft-repeated “War on the West” rhetoric from the Clinton years. The “delisting” decision, affecting burgeoning wolf populations in Idaho and Montana, won’t go over well with environmental groups, especially on the national level. A lawsuit is inevitable. But this decision is biologically sound — and, politically, it was a no-brainer/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Idaho delegation praises decision

Question: Idaho officials and officials are discussing a wolf hunt later this year, now that wolves have been de-listed in Idaho & Montana. Do you trust state government in Idaho to properly manage wolf populations?

15 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Arch_Druid on March 07 at 6:47 a.m.
No. Because the deer population burgeons faster than the wolves.
Shark on March 07 at 7:56 a.m.
Gee, I hope so. However, to follow the thought out. Does this mean that by starting to “finally” manage the excessive wolf population we will have to start new federal feeding programs for grubs, ravens, buzzards and all the rest of the carrion eaters because there just won’t be meals ready to eat lying around every corner anymore.

Personally if one does not want to “manage” the Northwest Wolf population I’m all for “catch and release” by reintroducing them to Central Park in New York, Giffith Park in L.A. and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Franscisco etc….

You probably get my point.
lastdemoinidaho on March 07 at 9:54 a.m.
I would trust the Fish and Game biologists to manage the wolf population, IF someone could keep the foolish and biased legislature and governor and other politicians out of the decision-making.
But that is too much to expect in Idaho. The Idaho legislature is all-knowing, brave, intelligent and bold!
Nick_Adams on March 07 at 1:08 p.m.
I used to be very suspicious of the state taking over management of Idaho’s wolf population. However, after talking at length with one of the most ardent supporters of the initial re-population efforts, he convinced me that this needs to be seen as a success story and that state officials are quite capable of effictively managing our wolves.

There’ll be no shortage of skeptics, cynics and watchdogs (no pun intended) keeping a close eye on how F&G handles this.

I think this move is a tribute to our ability to bring back species from the brink successfully.
hmoffsuite on March 07 at 2:00 p.m.
>> Do you trust state government in Idaho to properly manage wolf populations?

This is one instance where I think the Government can manage the problem better than anyone else. Consider the monies paid the the various agencies and departments for Fish, Game, Resources, etc. We, as taxpayers, have been paying these guys to do a job and should let them have the responsibiltiy. If someone or government (or employee) is charged with the responsibility of doing a job, they need the authority to be able to do it. I think the State is best equipted and informed on the subject. Also, I would hope the State would be more impartial than, say, a private business or group. Key word: ‘would hope”
Nick_Adams on March 07 at 3:25 p.m.
Hmoff: There’s never been any talk of private enterprise managing any wildlife, ever, in the state of Idaho (including wolves). I don’t think there is such a thing as private statewide wildlife management anywhere in our country, so I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Maybe in states like Texas where almost all of the land is privately owned, management by government officials is more oversight than hands-on, but I’m not sure.

This was a program started by the Feds and is now being turned over to states who’ve put together responsible management plans.
hmoffsuite on March 07 at 3:54 p.m.
Nick >> “Hmoff: There’s never been any talk of private enterprise managing any wildlife, ever, in the state of Idaho (including wolves)”

I was thinking along the lines of consultants and special interest groups, lobbys etc. You are right though. Unions, for example, often influence the outcome of a governmental decisions.
JamesBond on March 07 at 8:32 p.m.
Boy, if even the liberals in charge won’t protect the wolves, you know they are screwed! S-C-R-E-W-E-D!

« Back to Huckleberries Online

You must be logged in to post comments.
Please create a profile or log in here.

About this blog

D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.