Comment on FR Doc # 2011-04997

I am writing to express my support for the NO ACTION alternative. Your own report states that you have not definitely determined what caused the elk decline. It is wrong, therefore, to jump to the conclusion that the wolves are at fault is not only wrong it is tantamount to scientific misconduct, something which is specifically prohibited by the recent DOI memorandum. In addition the use of such proposed methods as leg traps and snares are inhumane are indiscriminate in what animals they capture. Your proposed methodology is likely to do more harm than good, especially when you take into account the fact that you cannot definitely, or even reasonably, demonstrate or prove that wolves are responsible for the decline. In addition, I disagree with the proposed numbers for the proposed elk population goals, it appears that the reason you want those higher numbers is to provide a resource for hunters and professional guides. Again, I respectfully request that you choose the NO ACTION alternative and instead concentrate your efforts, and my tax dollars, on doing more work on the science needed to determine what is actually causing the elk population to decline including factors such as hunting and environmental causes such as decreased food sources due to drought and heavy snow periods.