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Comment by onychomys | Hacker News Reader

They already have that, albeit at the state level rather than the federal: http://liv.mt.gov/llb/usdacontact.mcpx

Yeah, different state, but too slow, too painful, and not quite enough money. The government needs to pay above the final sale price because of the inconvenience. The premium and quick delivery are worth it to protect the wolves.

Paying above the final sale price will definitely create some perverse incentives.

No, it really won't. I'm talking a simple charge mostly to cover the additional expenses of dealing with a carcass and contract problems (some cattle are under contract). I'm not talking double or even a high percentage, just enough so we won't hear serious b_tch_ng about the price. Sometimes failure to deliver and disposal causes its own problems.

If a rancher gets above sale price for a steer, even a pitiful 5%, then that rancher is going to find ways for this steers to get killed by wolves (for example by having them graze on public lands next to a den of wolves).

What incentive would a rancher ever have for preventing the wolves from killing the steers? If the wolves don't kill a steer, well then there's the hassle of taking it to market and getting market price. If the wolves kill the steer, then they get market price plus 5%, and don't have to even find a buyer.

No they won't, because of the dangers involved with bringing a predator into the fields. You risks your family, pets, and business. Its just not worth 5%. Time and keeping the wolf off the ranchers land. You don't want them hanging around. Many cattle are already contracted, plus you are going to need to spend time dealing with it.

There is a serious danger in feeding wild animals and ranchers are smart enough to know it.

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