I tried playing again a few years ago after almost 8-ish years of not having played and it was just too different lol. It changed so much

Most recognizable image from Europa Universalis 4

So true. IIRC about 40% of Yellowstone wolf mortalities are from other wolves in territorial disputes (stat either from the books „The Killing of Wolf Number 10“ or „Wolf Nation”).

Releasing more wolves is a possible solution to too many wolves.

I killed fi’tty men and got my shins blown off

They are both things to aspire to, but you’re right in that one does not lead to the other.