The issue rides a jagged rural-metro split. Many people who live in the metro area don't have much contact with the wolf and think it should have full protection. Rural citizens have leaned toward hunting and trapping. Most know someone who has shot a wolf, but decline to elaborate. Of those, one person was given a year's probation.
Many farmers say it's worth the risk.
In 1979, the USDA Wildlife Services verified 16 wolf complaints on 12 Minnesota farms. By 1997, the number of complaints had grown to 109 on 93 farms. Center for Controversy David Mech, who has been researching the gray wolves since 1966, said the wolf would be the most controversial animal to be removed from the endangered species list. But probably this is the animal that has such a strong constituency on both sides. Mech suggested that preventive, government trapping may be necessary to minimize conflict between wolves and people.