Gray Wolves Are Now Off Endangered Species List (link to story, my views below)
Boise -- Gray wolves are off the endangered species list, leaving the door open to a possible wolf hunt this year.
The rider attached to the budget bill was signed by President Obama Friday, lifting protections from the gray wolves in several states including Idaho.
Congress has 60 days to remove them from the endangered species list. After that, the states will be in full control of the wolf population. The last time Idaho was in charge of wolves, there was a hunt for the predators in the fall.
We tried contacting the Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game to see if one is planned for the coming fall, but they refused to comment.
This is an unprecedented use of a Congressional rider to override a scientifict decision by the Department of the Interior - Fish & Wildlife Service as to what species are endangered. As a result of this Republican escapade, private ranchers, grazing their cattle and sheep at bargain rents on public land, will be able to eliminate a noble predator. Wolves are necessary to prevent elk from literally destroying forests.
Is this what our public trustees believe in?