Idaho would spend more than $2 million to eliminate problem wolves and set up a new state board to oversee the effort, under legislation that cleared the Idaho House Friday. “We must maintain the pressure we have put on wolves just to maintain the population we do have,” said Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, sponsor of HB 470. The measure, first proposed by Gov. Butch Otter in his State of the State address to lawmakers this year, would target wolves in areas where there are problems with wolves preying on wildlife or livestock. Opponents said Idaho’s wolf population is dropping now, even without spending the money. The state has wolf hunting along with other control efforts managed by the Idaho Fish and Game Department/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

Thoughts?