Bush Administration to Announce Wolf Delisting Tomorrow

[Uniform Two Six]

I would also like to point out that hunting is prohibited in U.S. National Parks. In fact firearms themselves are prohibited.

[Kaebora]

I would also like to point out that hunting is prohibited in U.S. National Parks. In fact firearms themselves are prohibited.

True, but they do have a hunting season if populations of animals grow too large. And wolves do wander outside of the park boarders occationally.

[Uniform Two Six]

In Yosemite and Sequoia/King's Canyon National Parks, any such culling is done under strict supervision and anyone involved must first be thoroughly vetted. The last couple of times they've done it, park rangers were the only ones actually involved. I suspect that it's the standard proceedure for the entire Park Service. As for wolves straying outside the park, I'm a little more sympathetic to the ranchers whose livlihoods are at stake. Wolves (contrary to whatever Defenders of Wildlife wants to think) really can do some pretty serious damage to domesticated livestock. The last time I heard about one of the Yellowstone packs straying outside of Park boundaries, somebody shot and killed the alpha male, whereupon the pack immediately turned around and returned to the park, shaken up but otherwise unharmed. Around here you see much the same thing: Whenever coyotes start getting too adventurous in begging from humans (why anybody thinks hand-feeding wild coyotes is a good idea is entirely beyond me) animal control goes out, shoots one, and suddenly the problem stops. In fact, problem coyotes as far as a dozen miles away go to ground and stay that way for six to twelve months (it's really weird, almost like they're talking to each other and comparing notes or something). Wild canids are pretty intelligent, and can figure out "this valley, safe. That valley not safe". As long as Bubba and friends don't get all liquored up and go wolf hunting in Yellowstone whenever they think they can get away with it, I think things are going to be fine. It's Alaska where Sarah Wolf-Hunter Palin is running the show, that has me worried.