Wolves’ re-entry not worth it

During my time as a young child, starting around the age of 6, I always had a passion for the outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing or being in the woods. Growing up as an avid outdoorsman has taught me to truly appreciate wildlife and the activities that involve them. A topic that has been controversial for nearly the past 50 years is the reintroduction of wolves back into the Lower 48, more importantly, the West, and what they have done to those who surround them.

In addition to their effects on elk populations, their interactions with livestock have notably increased along with the loss of revenue to the states due to compensations for repayment of livestock loss as well as the cost to manage them. These variables have led to a wide discussion of many things. But importantly, to me, was the reintroduction of wolves to the West genuinely worth it? In my opinion, it was not worth it.

The loss of elk populations and hunting, loss of livestock and revenue due to compensations, and revenue losses for license sales decreasing does not justify their reintroduction being positive.

Luke Alexenko

Cheney