If you have a conversation about wolves, know the facts. Before I give you the facts I would like to show you a sampling of the puppies that now run around in Idaho’s backcountry that weren’t there 15 years ago…….ungulates have no chance.
These things are huge!!!!!
Just a few of the wolves killed this year with the Idaho wolf tag. Wish I could show you a few hundred more pictures. It is just amazing how big they are. Deer, elk, and livestock killing machines. The big question you have to ask yourself is why? These massive wolves are not the native wolf that lived in our area 100 years ago. There was a reason these things where exterminated nationwide. I wonder if our city dwelling tree hugger society that never has left a city really understands the impact of these killing machines. I wonder if a Trantasaurus-Rex was somewhere to be had that they would want to put them back in the wild.
It is just a matter of time before one of our granola loving green peace hikers goes out on a hike and runs into a pack of these killers and becomes part of the food chain. If you are going into the backcountry in Montana, Idaho or Wyoming hiking, game scouting, mushroom hunting, or something else you better start carrying a side arm. Can you even imagine being out by yourself and having 8 to 12 of these monsters surround you! Think about what kind of appetite a dozen of these must have and remember they are the only predator in our nation that kills for fun along with for food. The amount of animals they take are just a partial portion of what they need to eat. When elk are calving they will kill the calves just for fun after they have had all they can eat and leave the rest to rot.
There is a serious problem in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming The rest of the USA doesn’t seem to realize how serious it is. The wolves are becoming more plentiful each year and other wildlife is rapidly disappearing, especially the majestic elk. I’d like to send about 1,000 of these predators to New York City and Washington D.C. to plant in Central Park and the Capitol Mall.
FACTS
WARNING!!! SOME OF THIS IS GRAPHIC
Is this animal cruelty?
How would you feel if this was YOUR best friend?
Documented Wolf Kills
Still on his chain
Average kill rate per wolf per month = 3.05 Elk
36 Elk Per Year/Wolf
2,000 Wolves = 72,000 Elk Per Year
Myth: Wolves only kill the old and weak.
Fact: Wolves will kill any elk when given the chance and focus on elk calves.
Myth: Wolves only kill what they eat.
Fact: Wolves are actually the most wasteful predator in the US and kill for sport.
Myth: Wolves are efficient killers.
Fact: Wolves will eat their prey alive, or worse, eat a portion of the animal and leave it to suffer.
Fawns pulled from their mom’s belly!
Myth: Wolves won’t attack humans.
Fact: Wolves stalked and killed a young man in Saskatchewan in 2005.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Wolf hunting had the desired effect -more caribou got a chance to live, according to biologists.
Calf Survival Rates
2008 -39 calves per 100 cows
2007 –1 calf per 100 cows
2006 –1 calf per 100 cows
Myth: Wolves won’t attack humans.
Fact: Documented -Wolves stalked several children near a bus stop in NM!
May 2007 -Two Catron County school children were followed home from the bus stop by 3 wolves.
December 2007 -Glenwood elementary school a wolf was seen on the playground after multiple reports of the animal seen in the town.
Jan 2008 -Wolf kill within 70 yards of a school bus stop in Idaho
Myth: Wolves are good for elk populations.
Fact: US Fish and Wildlife Service Study.
•Elk are the primary prey for wolves, comprising 92 % of kills during the winter.
•Elk decreased significantly from 16,791 in winter 1995 to 8,335 in winter 2004 as the number of wolves
increased.
•Kill rates by wolves in winter are 22 Elk per wolf per year –DOUBLE the rate predicted in the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
•Since 2000, wolves have caused 45% of known deaths (not including human harvests) of radio-collared female elk on the northern range.
•human harvest and winter-kill accounted for 30%
•Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has reduced antlerless permits by 51 % (2000-2004) and 96% (1995-2005).
Myth: Wolves are good for elk populations.
Fact: Montana State University Study of Yellowstone’s Northern Range.
•Elk numbers 1993 –1995 Averaged between 17,000 and 19,000.
•Wolves Introduced in 1995.
•Elk numbers 2005 –2007 Averaged between 6,700 and 6,300.
A 67% DECREASE IN ELK POPULATIONS
Some pretty sobering facts about the predatory prowess of the wolves especially when they have no control on them, like hunting. The next time some one tells you that the reintroduction and protection of wolves is a good thing you will know the facts.
If the wolf is’nt going to be controled then we will have no wild game anymore .
You are right. We need them de-listed so we can manage them.
You are right. We need them delisted so we can manage them.
The only way to have the rest of the nation to understand is to put wolves in thier back yard. People should let the real animal conversationest run wildlife.
Right on Troy. Lets hope for delisting.
The tree hugging greenies who like bird watching and other nature related activities should all go out and give wolf watching a try.
That would be interesting!
Thank you for being our teacher on this subject matter. I enjoyed your own article quite definitely and most of all enjoyed the way in which you handled the aspect I widely known as controversial. You happen to be always quite kind towards readers like me and help me in my life. Thank you.
My “bear spray” is a 12 gauge loaded with buck-and-ball (45 cal slug with 6 30 cal balls) I’m guessing it would be great “wolf repellant” too. I intend to reamin at the top of the food chain.
As a hunter and camper, I have a bigger issue with bears on a personal bassis. One of them took my son’s elk away from him. He watched a grizz climb on top of a camp trailer and jump up and down on the roof until it caved in then literally turn private property into a pile of trash.
My daughter lives in Dubois and used to raise barbados sheep in town. She had to move them to a friends place down at Crowheart because of the raids by both wolves and bears RIGHT THERE IN TOWN!
We attended my granddaughter’s wedding last year at Brooks Lake near Togwotee Pass. At the campground I was getting a brochure from our SUV to give to the campground attendant when he spotted my 12 gauge in the back. “Bear spray?” he asked. I told him yes and he said, “Me too!”
I like your bear spray–it should do the trick!
When there are no longer any permits to hunt elk and sheep due to low populations maybe they will go on the endangered list. Then the wolves will be open season. Hope the open season starts soon.
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