Idaho moves on wolf kill in Lolo

Idaho Fish and Game is proposing to kill about 100 wolves in the lands that border Montana on the Lolo National Forest. While removing the wolves won't fix all of the problems with declining elk numbers in the Idaho panhandle, it will help. Elk and wolves can coexist when the habitat is in good shape, but the quality of the elk habitat in this country is on the decline.

Reducing the burgeoning wolf population here should be part of an overall landscape restoration effort. Depress the wolf population, reintroduce fire to improve elk grazing conditions, and keep a lid on elk permits until the population rebounds.

By the way, there's nothing wrong with a state wildlife agency trying to boost ungulate populations and with it, hunter success rates. Hunters and anglers remain the primary funding source for game and fish departments across the West. Happy hunters pay for wildlife conservation in western states.