I can specifically remember when reintroduction in Yellowstone came up. Many of the hunting rags of the time and many prominent writers where in favor of it or at least 50/50. The sportsmen was mowed over but that was because the sportsmen never organized much against it and the info that the rags were putting out wasn't telling us how bad it was going to be. I went to Yellowstone as a kid in '91, blacker than sin but herds and herds of Elk and Moose in every creek and slough. Finally got back 4 years ago and saw one small herd, in September, just inside the park at West Yellowstone. Went back two years ago and saw a handful of cows at the lake and a couple bulls by Canyon.
Sad deal, they took the very best.