01/09/09 Wolf kills

Wolf numbers are growing in the west and so are domestic animal kills. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute with the details. Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho in the mid-1990's. Wolf numbers in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are now estimated at 1,500 with that lucky state, Idaho becoming home for 700 to 800 of these wildlife and domestic livestock eliminators. Environmentalists were convinced and tried to convince everyone else that these precious puppies would only kill the weak and old wildlife and would improve the herds by their presence. Well, maybe in a natural setting that would be the case, but the wolves were placed off limited to most control by use of the Endangered Species Act. By November 24, 2008 wolves in Idaho had killed 325 cattle, sheep and dogs. There were 212 sheep, 100 cattle and 13 dogs numbered in confirmed kills. That's nearly one privately owned animal killed everyday of the years. Montana Department of Livestock has tallied 213 wolf kills of domestic livestock in seven months. Again, right at one animal per day. Now, some of the owners will get monetary compensation for the losses but that's not the point. The point is wolf control. While many wolf management plans have been put forth and tired the one I like best I just heard recently. It's simple. If a wolf leaves a national park or federal ground it is free game. I like it! I'm Jeff Keane. Western Ag Reporter 12/4 & 11/08