Washington Wolf plan

[Mike 338]

I ran into a retired Large Carnivore Biologist at work. His thoughts were interesting. By culling packs of wolves, it keeps the population artificially low in relation to it's food supply. Fewer wolves = greater food supply for the remaining ones = larger litters with more surviving juveniles. He thinks the only way to successfully drop the population is to let them breed until there's to many of them and let disease and limited food supply crash the population. According to him, the impact on the game herds in Idaho is completely predictable as the management practices perpetuate the artificially high and successful wolf population. Hunting and trapping won't crash the population. It was the use of poison baits that eventually got the large carnivore populations under control that since Nixon outlawed that in the 70's, that method is off the table.

I don't know. It's hard to do nothing. I do know that you can't hardly go anywhere without finding sign of wolves. That isn't likely to change in my lifetime. I've had wolves in my sights but never pulled the trigger (no tag). The occasional target of opportunity will do little to the overall population but could result in a very very bad experience from the Feds. Risk doesn't equal the reward. I don't blame the wolves. They're just being wolves. It's the people (Feds) that put them there I object to. Can't use poison baits on them either!

We'll see how well Washington's plan works.

 

[jt77]

That Biologist sounds like a DIP!people like him put the DNR in a bad light with hunters.

 

[Mike 338]

That Biologist sounds like a DIP!people like him put the DNR in a bad light with hunters.

Maybe...

I've met a few biologists and most of them are avid hunters but I'm sure there's some who aren't.

According to him, it's all textbook and pretty basic. It's how we manage game herds. If you want a healthy game herd, hunt them so their numbers don't exceed the range. If you want to see the population crash, leave them alone. A classic example is the Kiabab Plateau deer herd in Arizona. Deer standing around everywhere until most of them dropped over dead. With canines, a similar scenario would be more devastating as they are particularly susceptible to disease. I asked him, so just how long does this all take? He said that once the populations are established, it all goes pretty fast. A few years and then CRASH. Game herds come back quickly because the forage has improved due to lack of grazing/browsing and elk overpopulation is controlled through hunting and not predation so wolf numbers stabilize on the low end. It may all be theory but after the first 2 or 3 years of hunting wolves, you won't be getting those easy looks anymore. Trapping... maybe but Washington is not a trapper friendly state.

I think you nailed it. Hunters won't tolerate doing nothing as to many wolves kill to few elk. Since most DNR's are funded by Sportsmen, public (hunter) pressure has a lot of sway. Also, since your game herds will no doubt be negatively impacted anyway, this means lost revenue for the DNR. Watch your game herds become old with very few calves. Wolf tag sales make up for lost revenue so I think you'll find the DNR to be very willing partner in controlled wolf hunts.

 

[mtntrapper1]

My sincere apologies. I try to be a good guest, I occasionally forget sitting in my living room, that I'm entering someone else's. My sense of humor is an acquired taste at best, likely more so in this medium

My apologies also, There are many out there here in Idaho, and Montana far more vehemently totally mad at fish & game Dept's than you can imagine. There have been some very heated and outrageous confrontations in both states. I am not in that crowd. But the wolf situation was not brought to US / WE the hunters and trappers in ID, MT, MN, WI, WA, WY and soon many others from far ranging natural movements and dispersal. It was forced upon us against our will and with OUR Tax dollars from Hunting and Fishing gear! I always value a predator or Fur-bearers fur value personally, have never hunted any of them out of prime fur season myself, except in doing control removal work in my past. I have been around long enough to see The Federal and State Professionals use M44's and Getter's, and other lethal methods no one uses any more. Unfortunately, The wolves are here to stay, We and our respective states will be paying dearly for the effects, that they Illegally introduced the Wolf with all of US / WE, never agreeing to it. I believe in my region, that Idaho is trying within the limits of federal guidelines and restrictions, to be doing as much as they can except for making more areas open to trapping and starting it a month earlier for better harvest. My region also has a natural roving population that travels to and from Montana, and likely soon to and from WA on a regular basis. Also at least ID allows snaring, MT is not!!! As for crossing state lines, It seems we need better coordination between states for this situation. Montana would likely work with Idaho, But I doubt any coordination with WA state in this, will happen before its way too late, or if ever. So we are all frustrated with the huge loss of our local game herds in North ID and Western Mt, and we get a little over excited sometimes at a computer when communicating / venting with like minded folks here. Our individual game Dept's will suffer from less license revenues and likely increase our costs to the individuals like us. There is no money in Wolf hides for incentive for the general public, they are hard to hunt, hard to trap and once they know you are after them, you may never see them or sign in the same spot again. So we will have to see how this all plays out in the years ahead. Hunt Em' and trap Em' Hard guys, its all we've got right now. gun)

 

[jt77]

Maybe...

I've met a few biologists and most of them are avid hunters but I'm sure there's some who aren't.

According to him, it's all textbook and pretty basic. It's how we manage game herds. If you want a healthy game herd, hunt them so their numbers don't exceed the range. If you want to see the population crash, leave them alone. A classic example is the Kiabab Plateau deer herd in Arizona. Deer standing around everywhere until most of them dropped over dead. With canines, a similar scenario would be more devastating as they are particularly susceptible to disease. I asked him, so just how long does this all take? He said that once the populations are established, it all goes pretty fast. A few years and then CRASH. Game herds come back quickly because the forage has improved due to lack of grazing/browsing and elk overpopulation is controlled through hunting and not predation so wolf numbers stabilize on the low end. It may all be theory but after the first 2 or 3 years of hunting wolves, you won't be getting those easy looks anymore. Trapping... maybe but Washington is not a trapper friendly state.

I think you nailed it. Hunters won't tolerate doing nothing as to many wolves kill to few elk. Since most DNR's are funded by Sportsmen, public (hunter) pressure has a lot of sway. Also, since your game herds will no doubt be negatively impacted anyway, this means lost revenue for the DNR. Watch your game herds become old with very few calves. Wolf tag sales make up for lost revenue so I think you'll find the DNR to be very willing partner in controlled wolf hunts.

I say let have a open season on the killer wolfs all though out the country.

 

[Mike 338]

I say let have a open season on the killer wolfs all though out the country.

I think I called it the wrong thing. In Idaho, in certain units, the season is open until a quota is met so you may eventually get your wish. In the mean time, come on over and practice on some of ours!

 

[jt77]

I think I called it the wrong thing. In Idaho, in certain units, the season is open until a quota is met so you may eventually get your wish. In the mean time, come on over and practice on some of ours!

I always wanted to go there but with gas prices around 4.00 it dosent look like anytime soon.At lest we have WOLF hunting in Winsonsin and the Rep who set the 110.fee emailed me the price will be lower in 013! to reflex the prices out west what ever that means? 25.00 30.00?.

 

[TrignJax]

Regardless the number of wolves per prey, I still believe the elk herds in both Washington and Idaho are down from what they could be!! Also, once the elk and deer populations deminish, wouldn't you think they would prey on Cattle and farm animals, like the WEDGE pack in NE Washington has been doing??

 

[jmden]

Recent reports in MT indicate that hunters will be able to kill 3 wolves and 2 of those from trapping. Those that want to trap are required to take a several hour class to do so. Sounds like an improvement. We need the same here in WA.

A recent WDFW release that I saw mentioned there are now 8 established packs in WA and 4 more likely, I believe. Isn't the 'goal' here 15 established packs?...the same as ID and MT had some time ago, but we have 1/2 or less elk in this state than in ID and MT and way less habitat. Now that's smart wildlife management.

 

[HARPERC]

I just opened the regs, and looked at moose only. I count 137 tags, maybe 3 or 4 more raffle commission tags. There were 3, 30 years ago it was a big deal when we got to 5.
Moving to the rhetoric page in the front we have 15466 youth hunters age 16 or under, the number of 20-30 year olds doubling since 2000. With statements like "while wolves do not pose a risk to healthy herds, there have been well publicized exceptions in Idaho and Montana. " What will moose numbers be by the time we are allowed to hunt wolves. We are being led by commissioners who are literally Earth First, and pro-wolf advocates. What will be left of our herds for these youngsters to hunt in the future? Sportsman's groups need to begin demanding more for their money, demand transferability of trapping education state to state. Demand the instruction begin now so we are prepared if the day ever comes. Demand a structure that can educate a large influx of students so the ECONUTS can't sabotage them by massive enrollment. Start teaching in school wolves impact on game herds, and livestock, is not just a localized aberration, but a world wild, and historic calamity! Whoops I just woke up-must have still been dreaming!

 

[mtntrapper1]

Good post as usual Harper. Even MT has a poor view on Wolf Management, too few tags per person, as it is the few who can take many. Wa will be way late to take any effective control, if ever. Then likely use the Feds to keep the public from the wolf harvest. My 2 cents.

 

[jmden]

"WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

September 21, 2012
Contacts: Dave Ware, WDFW, (360) 902-2509
Bruce Botka, WDFW, (360) 902-2262

WDFW plans to eliminate wolf pack to end attacks
on livestock and 'reset' stage for recovery in the Wedge

OLYMPIA - In response to ongoing attacks on livestock by a wolf pack in Northeast Washington that appears to be preying exclusively on cattle, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced it plans to eliminate the pack and lay a foundation for sustainable, long-term wolf recovery in the region.

WDFW Director Phil Anderson said the plan has the support of key conservation interests and livestock operators. Two organizations that participated in developing the state's 2011 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan - Conservation Northwest and the Washington Cattlemen's Association - joined the department in issuing a statement explaining their positions. The full statement is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/attach/sep2112a_01.pdf

Anderson said two WDFW teams are in the field today with the goal of killing the members of the Wedge Pack, a group of at least eight wolves whose range includes a remote, roughly triangular area of northern Stevens County bordered by Canada and the Columbia and Kettle rivers.

Anderson said WDFW marksmen would hunt the wolves from the ground and, if those efforts are not successful, might use helicopters to increase the effectiveness of their efforts. WDFW is consulting with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services office, the Stevens County Sheriff's Office and independent wildlife biologists with extensive experience with wolf management in other Western states.

The Wedge Pack is believed to have killed or injured at least 15 cattle from the Diamond M herd, which grazes in a large area near the Canadian border. Attacks have become increasingly frequent since July, continuing even after WDFW staff killed a non-breeding member of the pack in early August. Since then, Anderson said, WDFW wildlife specialists and wolf experts from other states believe the Wedge wolves have become dependent on cattle as their primary food source.

"Once wolves become habituated to livestock as their primary food source, all of the wolf experts we've talked to agree that we have no alternative but to remove the entire pack," Anderson said. "By doing that, we will preserve the opportunity for the recovery of gray wolves in balance with viable livestock operations."

Jack Field, Executive Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, said, "We understand that as wolves re-populate the state there will be conflicts with livestock. We also understand that we need to work with WDFW to find solutions, including the use of non-lethal measures, in order to minimize losses for producers, but we need everyone else to understand that managing and killing wolves that cause problems is an important part of a healthy co-existence."

Conservation Northwest Executive Director Mitch Friedman said, "As difficult as this situation with the Wedge Pack is to accept on a personal level, we understand and agree that pack removal is the right action at this point. We have been strong advocates for exhausting all non-lethal means possible to avoid this situation and are extremely disappointed that it has come to this."

Friedman expressed a strong desire for the department and ranchers in areas with wolves to work together to avoid a repeat of this situation. "There has to be a commitment on the part of all sides to allow wolves to occupy the landscape while protecting the rancher's livelihood and maintain their ability to raise cattle," he said.

Field said the Cattlemen's Association is encouraging landowners to enter into cooperative management agreements with WDFW that specify non-lethal measures that a livestock operator will use to minimize wolf-livestock conflict.

Anderson said the management agreements would provide cost-share funding for such measures and could include "caught in the act" kill permits to enable livestock operators in Eastern Washington to protect their livestock. The department will continue to offer compensation to ranchers for wolf-caused livestock losses, he said.

"These agreements are necessary to improve cooperation between the department and livestock operators to help address the problems caused by wolves," said Field.

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