I might add:

The cost of wolf management promises to be just one bug bear OF wolf management. Under a state management plan, the cost needs to be covered by sale of tags. The state is well aware that a balance must established between the cost of wolf tags, the number shot and the likelihood any given hunter will have of killing one. All of these factors impact each other.

For example, the cost of a tag could be set so high that hunters would not purchase it unless they had a very good chance of killing a wolf. This would presuppose very high numbers of wolves and a concommittant significant reduction in elk numbers from where they are now. And it must be remembered that elk hunting is the driving force in out-of-state hunting license sales. A significant reduction in elk hunting opportunity will spell disaster for the state game department.

It is anticipated that wolves will learn very quickly to be wary of hunters, and in our timbered environment, that means a high level of difficulty in killing one by normal hunting methods. Anyone who hunts coyotes in the timber or tries to protect livestock from them or from feral dogs knows how incredibly difficult just getting a shot can be.

Another option is to make wolf tags so cheap everyone buys one along with his Sportsman's Package, or as a spare tag for those who only buy the basic hunting, elk and/or deer tag. In this scenario it is believed that by selling a large number of cheap tags, the law of large numbers might take effect and enough hunters might just happen to bump into a wolf that the numbers could be kept to the desired level {30 breeding pairs ~ c.100 wolves in Idaho}. This method may work. Or, too many may be shot and the threat of relisting yet again be dangled over the state.

No matter how you slice it, the introduction of wolves to Idaho has added an element of complication to the cost and management of game and hunting opportunity that will present very large difficulties to the state and less opportunity for the hunters of this state. In my opinion, the management of wolves in the environment of our state requires disproportionate measures and cost for the benefit received.