AR-News: (US-WY) Time for pragmatism with wolves

[jim robertson]

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/01/18/editorial/editorial/62231bfb4651ca7d87256e1e007a207b.txt

howling|Time for pragmatism with wolves

Once again Wyoming finds itself howling about a federal decision over 
wolves. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service finally ruled Thursday that it 
won't accept Wyoming's plan for managing wolves after the species is removed 
from the Endangered Species list.

It has been clear that the prospect of trying to manage wolves as both 
trophy game animals and as predatory animals will not work. The Service's 
decision last week affirmed that.

Under state law, trophy game animals -- bears and mountain lions -- are 
subject to scientific management by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. To 
kill one requires a permit and reporting to the department.

Under the predatory status, wolves (like coyotes, red foxes, jack rabbits 
and stray cats) can be killed willy-nilly. There is no regulation of take.

The rejected state plan created two zones. In one, wolves would be 
designated trophy game animals. Outside it, they would be consider predatory 
animals. Wolves crossing the line dividing the zones would lose all 
protection under the law.

Under a trophy game classification, the department can control and monitor 
the killing of wolves. This authority enables the department to directly 
manage wolf populations throughout the state. It is the law to rely upon.

There's plenty of blame to go around because of this ruckus. The Fish & 
Wildlife Service should have told the state many months ago that the dual 
classification plan was unacceptable. The state's legislators and governor, 
including former Gov. Jim Geringer, could have better utilized the expertise 
of the Game and Fish Department's biologists when they crafted the Wyoming 
wolf plan.

But pointing the finger of blame won't resolve anything. Gov. Freudenthal 
should stop crying about "the whip hand of federal servitude." There are 
plenty of people in Wyoming who want to see wolves on their public lands. 
The wide majority of Wyoming people support scientific management of the 
state's wildlife.

It's time to stop the finger-pointing. Rep. Barbara Cubin believes she can 
make sure the federal funds are available to help pay for management of 
wolves, a species of national concern.

The Legislature should craft a plan that will get wolves off the Endangered 
Species list and allow the wildlife professionals working for the states of 
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho to take over their management.

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