Time's up for wolves

The time for symposia is over. The question of whether ranchers and wolves can coexist has been discussed at length. Confirmation by state biologists that Wallowa County rancher Bob Lathrop's calf was killed by a wolf or wolves last week provided the answer. Indeed, ranchers throughout Eastern Oregon have known the answer for some time. This wasn't the first area wolf kill, just the first confirmed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The other kills were so thorough that the remains of the victimized livestock didn't provide enough evidence of wolf bite marks. Let's be clear: We aren't anti-wolf. We think the animals are beautiful and have a rightful spot in the environment. We also respect the presence of cougars, rattlesnakes, alligators and bears - in the wild. But we're not enamored of them. If they invade our property, that's reality intervening. Canadian gray wolves are large predatory animals. It's their nature to kill others. We aren't anti-wolf. We're anti-B.S....more