Science favors wolves

Of the two sides to Idaho’s current wolf-hunting issue, the Spokesman has covered only one. Saturday’s (Sept. 5) editorial supports Idaho’s Fish and Game statement that the approved kill numbers won’t jeopardize wolf recovery.

True? Idaho F&G officers are selected by a state that is notoriously pro-hunting. Remember a few years back when hunters said elk herds along the Lochsa were being reduced by cougars, so killing more cougars is essential? Idaho F&G approved. Another, later S-R article explained that heavy logging had reduced elk habitat along the Lochsa, causing herds to shrink. Did Idaho F&G promote that science-based information? No.

Now wolves are the bad guys. Why can’t hunters find as many elk? Development, logging and domestic animals grazing on elk winter feeding grounds have reduced areas where elk used to find food. Predators take out the weakest animals, but hunters shoot the best, creating a gene pool of less strong populations. Wolves haven’t been around here very long. People have. Why isn’t Idaho F&G publicizing these scientific facts? They’re unpopular.

Shoot wolves if and when necessary. Idaho’s quota of legalized hunting plus the inevitable illegal killing (it happens but is seldom reported) isn’t science, it’s overkill.

Joanne Hirabayashi

Priest River, Idaho