Kevin: Actually, the Occidentalis is the native subspecies of Wolf. The Wolves that were taken from Canada for the reintroduction were from Southwest Canada, which attachs to Northwest United States, which means it has the same bushes, trees, vegetation to bring about the same ecosystems, and with the same ecosystems, you get the same herbivores, and with the same herbivores, you get the same PREDATORS. Wolves in the two regions migrated back and forth, due to similar ecosystems and food sources, for territorial, mating and food purposes. They did not stop at the two countries boarder lines and tell themselves "Hey, we cannot cross into another country." They had free willing migration between the two countries to come and go as they pleased. Therefore; the Wolves that were previously inhabiting the United States are were the same ones from Southwest Canada at that time, and the Wolves in Southwest Canada region were never wiped out and 31 were taken for reintroduction to the United States, that means they are the SAME SUBSPECIES. But, keep on using fabrications to fulfill your views.

The problem is that the media relies on the Fish and Game's point of view, and the Fish and Game's agenda is to work with any side that will come up with the money to contribute to their organization. I work in research of carnivores such as Wolves. From what I have learned, the Fish and Game will obey by the rules of satisfying anyone that will dish out the money. Last year, they posted a number of negative portrayals on Wolves so that they can satisfy hunters to put more money into the Wolf hunts because they were legal. This year, a week before the ruling, the Fish and Game put out an article stating that Wolves are not the reason as to why a small amunt of areas are losing Elk populations, it is human harvest. Out of the 29 zones researched, 11 of them were overpredated by human hunters in which 4 of those zones lost Elk populations. 6 of those zones were predated upon by Wolves, and 4 by Wolves and Cougars, with the others having no results. In the 4 zones that lost Elk populations, all were due to human harvest and not Wolves and/or Cougars. This was clearly to attract more tourism for the states Wolves. With more tourism, it means money in the back pocket of the Fish and Game. I read a statement from a journalist from Idaho who commented on one of the links to Earthjustice regarding the misrepresentation the Fish and Game has done in regards to Wolves and mentioning that MOST of Idaho citizens do not share the views that hunters and ranchers do. In a research project I did last December on two packs of Wolves in Idaho, we surveyed more then 35 non hunters and ranchers in the area, and ALL stated that hunters are misinforming people on the issue regarding Wolves.

Hunting down and removing this non native wolf from Oregon is the top agenda for me. CL Occidentalis has never been present below the Canadian border throughout history. Removing ESA protections from this illegally "Introduced" specie is going to happen. We urge every rural Oregonian to document the disaster this specie is having on our eco system, and submit the documentation to savewesternwildlife.org.
Together we will overcome the plague of the wolfaboo's.

Save a herd of elk this year, Kill 1 'Canadian" wolf !!!

Wouldn't they not have the votes yet, as democrats currently have a super majority until january? or are Democrats doing this? I wouldn't think so.

I was a free-lance journalist working on public radio stories during the wolf reintroduction period. I am very familiar and knowledgeable about the issue and I also live in Idaho, one of the states trying to have another public hunt. I believe that Idaho Fish & Game misrepresents the majority of people who live in Idaho who DO NOT want a wolf hunt, past or present. Its survey was skewed to represent hunters, as that is where all of its budget comes from -- not from taxpaying citizens like myself who do not hunt or fish, and want to see wolves be part of the ecosystem.

Wolves are a keystone species. Check out the new award-winning film: Lords of Nature by Green Fire Productions.

In addition to Congress trying to change wolf protections and the ESA, Idaho's Governor Otter (up for reelection) has washed his hands over working with USFW on a wolf plan in our state. During the reintroduction period, when the state of Idaho wanted no part, the Nez Perce Indian Tribe stepped up to the plate and were awarded the contract by USFW for Idaho wolf management. The tribe is why the wolf populations are as high as they are. They did an excellent job!

So where does the Tribe stand today? I do not know, but I would hope the feds and Earthjustice would ask them to get involved again.

give us the names of those voting this way and we can tell them how we'll try to vote them out of office.

I can't wait to buy a tag and shoot the first wolf I see. Get em in the crosshairs and BANG!!! Bwaaaahahahahahahaaaaa!

Addressed to all you macho wolf killers and pathetic ranchers: Native Americans revere the Wolf. Why can you not revere the Wolf? Got sheep? Got cows? You probably have fences. Time you started listening to what the elders of the Native American people have to say about the wolves. Wilderness is the salvation of my soul. Wolves are the guardians of the Wilderness. Teddy Roosevelt met John Muir and was impressed with his philosophy of saving the Wilderness. Roosevelt set aside Wilderness areas to be preserved for future generations. If this had not been done I would have never seen a wolf. I really dont give a damn about your problems. if you live in the Wilderness and dont like Wolves...get out. It is as simple as that. If you can not live with wolves maybe you should move to a town where it is safe. They dont need you in the woods messing up the pristine Wilderness. I dont want to see you there either. I dont want any fences or poison put out to kill the wolves. So dont be a coward. You can not kill a wolf with your bare hands. You have to use a rifle from a distance. Is that an act of bravery? I would not call it survival of the fittest. So if you are such a macho tough guy then walk among the wolves without fear without a weapon. That is why the Native people revere the Wolf. Your enemy is fear not wolves. Be strong. Fear not. Go straight forward. But for most it really is about greed. My daddy killed snakes for this land. You have replaced wildlife with livestock. So wolves eat the livestock. The Wolves are Native. You are not Native. The Wolves stay. You go. Bye Bye

Bears, coyotes, mountain lions, wild dogs, kill more livestock. Wolves are the last on the chain to kill only for food. This is nature and there is a natural balance. Man made solutions will never
bring an answer. Let nature take it's course. The way God mean't it to be from the smallest of the food chain to the largest. STOP THE KILLINGS! WOLVES HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CREATURE ON THIS EARTH. No need for arguements or name calling just do what is right, what you know in your heart is right. Life's cycle being born, living and a time to die.

I think one of the reasons you illiterate morons want wolves obliterated is because you want the elk for yourselves. Your so blinded by blood lust and greed you can't see anything else. Why not use your brains for once, instead of your testicles, and put yourselves in the animals position? Think how it would feel to be hunted and shot and to have your family destroyed. Think is the key word here. I hope I haven't used too many big words for you guys.

What about a "keystone" species do you not understand? Those who want to delist wolves obviously are not educated in management. I see the term "idiot" is used frequently and appears to be appropo at this juncture. Anyone , myself included, who has a basic education in ecosystems would understand that this species is necessary for the health of the entire system. If you are a special interest group, ie wealthy rancher, have the balls to say that is your agenda. You don't like wolves for some reason, usually because your information is inaccurate or incomplete. Take the effort to know what you are talking about before you take what belongs to all American citizens. Wolves are very much loved in this country and your desire to wipe out what offends you is typically egocentric.

I would like the names of all these Congressmen and Senators as well as those in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who are proposing eliminating the protection of wolves and who are willing to turn a blind eye to poachers or others who would kill these wonderful animals and their pups. What has happened to the "humanity and compassion" in these people???? This all started with Sarah Palin in Alaska!!! I would be willing to write to each and every one of them to express my displeasure with them and would hope that everyone else would do the same. What do these people/ groups have against these animals?????
Thank you for your help and info.

Stop Killing the Wolves!
They are a vital component to a healthy ecosystem.
Without them the ecosystem is unhealthy, diseased deer, elk, and other creatures, compromise the ecosystem and rabies cases increase. It is a no win situation for a compromised ecosystem.
There are organizations and private and public citizens in this country that donate millions of dollars annually to protect wildlife, because they know the value of a balanced ecosystem.
They know that wolves are the top of the predator food chain, that are the stewards of a healthy ecosystem that weed out the sick animals.
If the wolves are all gone then the diseased animals are allowed to live and spread diseases.
Then it is only a matter of time before humans start to become infected with the animal diseases.
You people need to go back to school, I guess, so that you can relearn Ecology 101, and Biology 101!

Wow,

As a decorated science teacher at a National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished Public School and as as advocate for a return to balance in OUR American and World environments, I am saddened by the ignorance of those individuals that do not understand what a healthy ecosystem is, what it should even look like, and why it is effective and a benefit for ALL including humans, ; not a golf course.

I happen to friendly with a scientist that is in a good position to understand the role of the wolf in an ecosystem, Chief Biologist of the Wolf Reintroduction Doug Smith at Yellowstone National Park. I am personally trying to move for return of the gray wolf back in low population density areas in northern California, and also OUR State Seal, the grizzly bear.

Many of these "against" folks are using OUR public lands for their selfish reasons; free-range grazing which destroys riparian habitats and threatens native fish populations and many other species up and down the food webs while also polluting OUR freshwater with parasites and bacteria from animal waste.

There is a way to coexist in balance with nature; if WE choose to put OUR efforts forth in a constructive and positive way. There is an old Boy Scout and spelunking motto, "Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints".

With over 307+ million in the US and over 7+billion world-wide, WE had better grow up and cease the rapid consumptive and degradation of our planet and realize that OUR environment is what keeps US ALL healthy. That goes for ocean and land!

Mike I Luv ya!
You tell it like it is.
U.S. - you got my Canadian wolves because we believed you when you said that you learned how vital the wolves are needed for balance, after you killed the wolves that you had. It is shocking how fast you were back to your guns and kill 'em mentality. You haven't learned anything. Your ignorance is profound. Your superior attitude is baffling. Your lack of respect and gratitude for wildlife is shameful.
Please, send my wolves (in hope you haven't killed them all) and all descendants back to Canada ALIVE.
I would rather meet a family of wolves, then you people.
That is what they are - a family. Not a 'wild pack of killers'.
If I could stand in front of every wolf that has a gun pointed at them, I would.
If I could block every den to prevent people from gassing the puppies, I would.
Earthjustice and all organizations that fight for the safety and preservation of the wolves, I am proud to be a part of.

Why don't these people see that if you eradicate a species, all others suffer?

Wolves and other large predators are an integral component of native North American ecosystems. Their systematic extirpation from the United States has created unforeseen consequences throughout the continent's diverse ecosystems. For instance, the eradication of wolves from the lower 48 created an open predator niche that coyotes rapidly filled, and now coyotes are considered a major "nuisance" animal by many humans where they once were relatively uncommon when wolves were present. Wolves also have been shown to alter the behavior of their prey in a manner such that, in their absence, deer, elk, and other ungulates are more likely to graze down streambeds and transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme Disease. If you believe that wolf eradication constitutes "sound wildlife management policy", you fail to grasp the complexity and non-linearities in ecosystem dynamics and should be prepared to reap some rather unpleasant ecological consequences from disrupting the role of an apex predator.

People have very emotional feelings on both sides of the wolf issue, whether it affects them personally or not. I prefer to study the facts of the situation, which then enable me to develop a more reasoned opinion. Once you have done some reading on the issue, you will discover: a) Wolves are in fact an integral part of the ecosystem that have existed for many thousands of years, keeping these herds checked in a healthy balance for the environment by preventing overgrazing, which is best on so many levels I cannot even address it here; b) The herds have been inflated to an artificially high level to suit the hunting industry, so they are hardly in danger of being eradicated, and in fact their overpopulation hurts, rather than helps, the environment; c) Where mankind has encroached upon nature and lays claim to the land, there will always be conflicts with other major predators like the wolf, and yes, some wolves will kill and eat convenient prey, though taken in the big scheme of things, those numbers are comparatively small. Having wildlife corridors run through man-held areas are an excellent idea. Protecting livestock and culling certain wolves for continually killing livestock is understandable. But eradicating the entire species due to the behavior of a very few is like eradicating the entire species of bears for the same thing. Until mankind learns to share, respect and live with nature, we will always have these problems. The wolf is a beautiful, wonderful and critical part of nature, not a pest. It is time we began understanding them and working with them.

"Perhaps ~ Whoever coined the phrase 'Big, bad wolf' should be shot." Not really, of course. But ...Sigh. These beautiful animals are being hunted down .... and for what reason? Let them live! Please!

Unfortunately, people are driving other animals out of their habitats and into danger and death. I wonder if the people who, in all good will, wanted to reintroduce the wolves did them a favor. They might have known from the history of hatred of wolves and their brutal deaths in the past that things would probably not change with their new presence.

You are not Native the wolves are Native. Wolves will insure a healthier herd of deer, moose and elk. Your roads and civilization will not insure a healthy habitat for wildlife. So if you do live in an area where herds of elk, moose and deer thrive you should expect to see wolves and appreciate their presence. They are Native animals you are not. In the past centuries non Native people went on a rampage killing any thing in their path which would be Native people, wolves, bears and bison. If you continue on the warpath you will cross swords with the avengers. Yes the Avengers, ever heard of the Mongols? They were Nature's way of disposing of unwanted elements. They effectively destroyed the Roman empire and their rapacious and licentious path of destruction. Now it has come full circle. You are on the receiving end rather than the wolves. Wolves are the Creators desire. Who are you to deny the Creator? You will reap the whirlwind.GO WILD! Camping is the way to go. Dancing with the Wolves.

Yup, get out from behind your safe and fat desk and walk your kindergartner to the bus stop each morning with a loaded side arm. Come out here and live our dream. Why put the escalated numbers of these canibals on us?? These predators were not even native to our area when introduced and have taken out the ones that were. Any living Idaho timberwolf now is in captivity for it's own protection . . . Will they thrive is anyone's guess. Have any of the liberal do gooders thought about their extinction?? Idaho has managed it's wildlife very well, so back the hell off and let us take care of the problem for you!! You shoved this down our throats and put this issue in our back yard, let us clean it up for you. What?? No wolves in DC?? Why is that our problem??