(UNEDITED)Here we go again. The executive branch of the Standard Examiner once again exposes its ignorance towards an issue in their "Our view" segment of the editorial page (Legislature cries wolf," April 23). Obviously, these folks who have a tendency to side with the out-of-touch, so called environmentalists, have been spending their spare time somewhere other than in reality when it comes to the wolf issue. They are quick to take a poke at Senator Christensen and the Utah Legislature, something they seem to enjoy doing, by taking a stance on something they obviously know nothing about.
Here's the reality of the matter. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under pressure from radical, anti-hunting, pro wolf groups, introduced the Canadian gray wolf into Montana and Idaho. I do not use the term "reintroduced" because the Canadian gray wolf is not a native of these areas. This in itself was an illegal move which will ultimately cost some within the USFWS their jobs. But, that's another story.
The Canadian gray wolf is a giant (adult males can reach 180 lbs.) efficient killing machine that kills not only for food, but for pleasure as well. In the few short years since their introduction, they have destroyed ungulate wildlife populations in many areas, including Yellowstone National Park, that took sportsmen and women a hundred years to reestablish. They are driving many sheep and cattle businesses out of business and have already cost these states millions in revenue.
The Utah Legislature is attempting to be proactive by addressing this potentially disastrous occurrence from unfolding in our state. Once wolves establish themselves in an area, it's nearly impossible to bring numbers under control due to lawsuits by do-gooders and sympathetic judges.
The Standard Examiner's view on the wolf issue is ill conceived, misguided and plays on the emotions of the uneducated rather than the facts. I hope Lee, Andy, Ron and Doug someday wake up and realize the error of their ways - but I'm not holding my breath.
Scott Grange
Taylor
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