When the animal lovers of your state start losing pets or get a good scare they will change their minds WYO300 ! I live in the east and have been verbally assaulted as a deer hunter. For years Bambi was a highly protected , our new country living residents were hellbent on bringing up our rural social conscience. Then something dreadful happened the deer numbers started eating the shrubbery and they had to go. It is not unusual to see tree stands and ground blinds in housing developments. I still chuckle to myself , animal loving declines quickly as animals misbehave! People can't be inconvenienced.
After reading 10 pages of this thread I got some laughs and education. As a: small land owner, leaser, travel hunter, I can see both sides. Does my great knowledge and superior education(sarcasm) have the right answer? Someone isn't going to agree or be happy. What I take away most in all this, you can't listen or learn with your mouth open.
Reading the gentleman that speak of not knowing what it's like unless you live here sings the loudest to me. Much history is used to be the foundation of fact. In those times. There wasn't pools of information available in a heartbeat to stand your ground on one side or the other of the aisle. You knew what your daddy and grand daddy taught you about the land and life.
With politics and law, what happened to relying on decisions of the subordinate state senator to give you the true insight? Special Interest and anti's have equal or more of a say for something they know nothing about. That is a big threat right there.
There are parts of Virginia that goes right into what Pmacc60 said. It's compariable. Don't hurt the animals, anti's. Part of VA near DC have turned from country to expensive desirable living. Those love all the deer. Now their plants are being eaten, car accidents are 10 fold daily on every major road during the rut. The DGIF has opened deer season from September-April. Some place allow different weapons and some no guns. All the tags you want. Have fun getting on the land. People don't want others on their property. I do not abide by this practice is I don't want to shoot a possible world record that his antlers have shed. I also don't want to field dress a doe a month before she is to drop the fawn she is carrying.
Idaho relies on hunting for more than food from the animal or tradition. It is a big way of life for the jobs it provides. I have many friends who were born and raised there. I can put myself in their shoes. Just using that state as an example, I am a fan of complete open season as a nuisance animal. Other animals are more important to us as humans. The cattle to the rancher, the game to the outfitter and outdoors industry, and the money it brings to the table for their livelihood. The wolf is only hurting the livelihood of others. Are they cool to look at, sure. Is the anti out petting them in the forests and playing fetch, I wish more would try.....