Leave wildnerness wild

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s all-out war on wolves continues. From the Jan. 20, 2014 Spokesman-Review: “Elk plan approved.” Fish and Game approved a 10-year plan to boost the elk population, including killing more wolves.

In February 2014, nine wolves in the Frank Church River of No Return were shot and killed from a helicopter by hired hands paid by Game and Fish. From the March 2, 2014 S-R: “Fish and Game defends silence on killing wolves in Lolo Zone.” The department, with federal wildlife agent help, shot and killed 23 wolves from helicopters.

The U.S. Forest Service mission and obligation is to protect wilderness for all Americans and all its wildlife. Wilderness protection is not protection of private interests. Wilderness should be left wild, not managed like an elk farm for humans to hunt.

The lack of transparency of deals made between the Forest Service and Fish and Game is obvious. Miscommunication between the agency and a helicopter? This is an unacceptable excuse to cover up the real objective: Collar some wolves to target for killing.

The 10-year plan calls for an increase in wolf kills in order to boost elk numbers, benefiting hunting outfitters, hunters and, simultaneously, cattle ranchers who experience less wolf predation.

Cecilia Nolthenius

Coeur d’Alene