kiss those wolves goodbye....

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http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4367397,00.ht\

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Idaho takes over wolf management from feds

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Email this story | Print By John Miller, Associated Press

January 6, 2006

BOISE - Idaho assumed management authority over more than 500 gray wolves

roaming the state's central mountains under an agreement signed Thursday by

Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.

From now on, Idaho Department of Fish and Game agents, not the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, will be responsible for day-to-day management, including

issuing wolf-kill permits to ranchers whose livestock fall prey to wolves.

 

Ranching groups heralded the transfer, saying the state will be more responsive

than federal managers in controlling wolves that eat their cattle and sheep.

 

Advocates for the predator, however, fear state control will hurt wolf recovery

efforts.

 

Norton and Kempthorne, who called it a historic event, hope it leads to removing

federal Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the region within 12

months.

 

Since reintroduction to Idaho in 1995, wolf numbers have grown from three dozen

animals to 61 packs stretching from the Snake River to the Montana border,

according to the state's 2005 estimate.

 

" These populations have grown beyond anyone's expectations, " Norton said.

" Together we will ensure a bright future - both for wolves and the people of

Idaho who live near them. "

 

As part of their new powers, Idaho Fish and Game agents are now responsible for

investigating whenever a wolf has been killed in the state.

 

Wolf backers fear the transfer will lift protections that have helped wolves

flourish. They point to the state's management plan, which pledges to maintain

at least 15 wolf packs - just a quarter of the existing population.

 

 

" Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England,

nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the

leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter

to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship,

or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ... Voice or no voice, the people

can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have

to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for

lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any

country. "

- General Herman Goering, President of German Reichstag & Nazi Party, Commander

of Luftwaffe