The states which were granted and entrusted with 'wolf management' have been unethical in their policies, and the resident state hunters have proven to be hatefully prejudicial and extremely cruel in the manner of which they trap, poison, arrow, purposely gut shoot, hound with dogs, and gleefully, destroy these majestic animals entrusted in their care.
Even states, like Minnesota, that said they would wait five years before they would consider any wolf hunts, have immediately jumped on the wolf killing train and have begun hunting and trapping.
The subculture of people who trap (in general) and who trophy hunt wolves have boasted with brag photographs and postings on public forums that would create an uprising of American citizens in protest, if their activities were more widely publicized---which they will be.
With USDA stats professing that wolves are actually responsible for less than 1% of all livestock losses, and with more elk than ever in the Northwest of our country---an estimated 400,000 elk (more elk now that even before the wolves were reintroduced)---hunters cannot claim wolf decimation of elk, nor can ranchers claim decimation of cattle by wolves.
We all know that predators have the right to feed themselves, but it seems 'thrill kill' trophy hunters are using the bogus excuse of wolves decimating elk to justify their blood lust for killing a majestic animal. Ranchers bring their cash cows right into wolf territory to graze---it is equivalent to 'room service' for wolves---without adequate and sometimes no protection; still the wolves, again, by government stats are responsible for less than 1% of all livestock losses.
Citizens who appreciate nature and the role that the wolf plays in a healthy ecology, are horrified that these magnificent animals were turned over to hunters and trappers who are without empathy and who celebrate and create ways to make the wolf suffer longer and harder before being killed. There seems to be no moral compass, or reasoning--just a massacre mentality. 
Special note should be made of Wyoming's policy toward wolves---they have classified the wolf with "predator status", which means in 85% Wyoming, you can kill a wolf, any time, any where, for any or no reason, without a license---this means extinction for wolves in Wyoming. Another zealous example of lust for wolf blood would be Idaho's own Governor Otter saying he wanted to be the "first to plug a wolf" in his state.
It also cannot be overstated that Native Americans were ignored on the wolf killing issue.  Many Native Americans consider the wolf to be their brethren, therefore wolf hunting is in conflict with their religious/spiritual, and cultural beliefs.

By turning wolf management over to the states, the federal government has initiated a frenzy of unnecessary carnage on an animal who represents the very essence of the freedom of the American spirit.
Wolves deserve special consideration and permanent federal protection due to the existing prejudice spawned by generations of fairy tales, legends, false Hollywood portrayals, deep-seated hatred by ranchers, and small townhall fear-mongering. All of the above certainly puts wolves into a unique category, which no other American predator has had to bear.