Idaho to other states: take my wolf, please

[IDemo]

03:09 PM MST on Monday, February 2, 2009

Associated Press

BOISE -- Idaho has a message for other states: Take my wolf, please.

Moscow Republican Sen. Gary Schroeder introduced a predator giveaway bill in the Senate Resources and Environment committee on Monday. He says the gray wolf population has multiplied so quickly that the state's elk and deer population are suffering.

The gray wolf, which number about a thousand in the state, came close to being removed from the endangered species list in January but that action was put on hold after President Barack Obama said he wants to review the case.

Speaking in front of a wolf pelt he'd hung up on the wall for effect, Schroeder could not name a state that would be interested in taking Idaho's wolves.

His proposal is largely symbolic, representing Idaho's dissatisfaction with federal protections that shield the predator.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-feb0209-wolf_transport.11fdfb89.html

[Lorien]

1. I call bullshit

wolves exist primarily on mice and voles. The elk and deer they take down are mostly the sick, the old and weak-unlike so called "trophy hunters" (Schroeder's buddies) who kill the strongest and healthiest, weakening the species. Wolves were here for a reason. Schroeder is nothing more than Palin with testicles.

[IDemo]

3. "nothing more than Palin with testicles"

That's an excellent description of virtually every Idaho politician for at least the last twenty years.

[depakid]

2. If Schroeder or most of his constituents had clue one about science

he'd realize that wolves not only help to ensure the health of the deer and elk populations- but improve improve riparian habitat- and thus- Idaho's fisheries (and the tourism it generates) as well.

Unfortunately, Republicans (along with all too many Democrats) wouldn't know (or perhaps want) a win/win if it bashed them upside their heads.

Here's a short bit on how it works: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070726150904.htm