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Try non-lethal deterrence

Tue., Feb. 17, 2015

Gov. Butch Otter spent $143,000 to kill 31 predating wolves involved in 75 attacks on livestock, and is asking for more. This seems to be a huge drain on Idaho finances, with no real end in sight. Perhaps it’s time to spend some of that money on non-lethal deterrence.

Last year, the Wood River project (budget $50,000) used non-lethal deterrence to protect 20,000-30,000 sheep from predators. Their predation rate was less than 1 percent.

Meanwhile, a Washington State researcher found that lethal wolf control actually encourages more predation the following year. The farmers and ranchers of Idaho deserve to have money spent in more productive ways. It’s time to leave the 19th century and give non-lethal deterrence a chance.

Chris Albert

Lebanon Junction, Ore.

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