Wolves belong here, too

The Idaho Wolf Depredation Control Board that pays the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to kill wolves to benefit cattle ranchers and hunters has in the past received $400,000 annually from the state. However, board member Carl Rey wants between $500,000 and $600,000 annually from taxpayers. Instead of paying the U.S. Wildlife Services $9,000 for each wolf killed some of that money could be used to aid ranchers with the implementation of non-lethal methods of control.

Republican Rep. Christy Zito’s remarks that “Wolves will start to see humans as part of the food chain” is ridiculous and aims solely to fire up some human hatred and harassment toward wolves.

The current eight-month wolf hunting season is long enough. Hunting means track and find. Hunting does not equal trapping. Trapping equals long painful suffering.

Wolves are magnificent wildlife creatures worth our humane treatment.

Impossible to choose between elk bugling or wolf howling. Both belong in our beautiful environment.

Cecilia Nolthenius

Coeur d’Alene