New Wolf Pack Confirmed

[huntnphool]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

June 29, 2012
Contact: Steve Pozzanghera, 509-892-7852

WDFW confirms new wolf pack, attack on sheep in NE Washington

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has confirmed another wolf pack and a wolf attack on sheep in northeast Washington.

Using remote video cameras, biologists documented at least five gray wolf pups this week in southern Stevens County, east of the town of Fruitland and north of the Spokane Indian Reservation.  In reference to nearby Huckleberry Mountain, the pack has been named the Huckleberry pack.

The new pack is Washington's seventh confirmed wolf pack, including the recently documented Nc'icn pack on the Colville Confederated Tribes reservation. An additional five packs are also suspected in the state.

At about the same time the new wolf pack was documented, WDFW investigated an attack on domestic sheep in northwestern Spokane County, near Nine Mile Falls. Based on evidence at the scene, including wolf tracks and the trauma to the carcass, state wildlife officials confirmed that the attack was from a wolf. WDFW officials are working with the livestock producer on compensation for the sheep.

Washington's new wolf management plan, adopted last December, includes provisions to compensate ranchers who lose livestock to wolf predation, said Steve Pozzanghera, a regional WDFW director and wolf policy lead.

In confirmed wolf depredation cases, livestock owners can be compensated for the full market value of lost animals.

"The primary goal of the new management plan is to protect gray wolves as they naturally re-establish themselves in Washington," Pozzanghera said. "But the plan also provides for compensation when landowners lose livestock to wolf depredation." 

Wolves are currently listed by the state as endangered throughout Washington. The species remains federally listed as endangered in the western two-thirds of the state.

The state's management plan calls for removing listed status protection for gray wolves when a total of 15 successful breeding pairs are sustained in three defined areas of the state for three consecutive years. The state can also delist wolves if a total of 18 successful breeding pairs are confirmed in those areas at any point in time.

Pozzanghera urges ranchers who believe they have lost livestock to predation by any kind of wild animal to contact WDFW immediately at 1-877-933-9847.

"The sooner we can investigate the situation, the better our chances are of determining why the animal died, if a wolf was the predator and if compensation is warranted," he said. "We also ask that landowners protect the site from disturbances and keep scavengers away by covering the carcass with a tarp."

Pozzanghera noted that WDFW field staff continue to monitor known wolf packs and look for new ones throughout the state. A map showing wolf packs - confirmed and suspected - in Washington is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/ . 

[ICEMAN]

 

[Bean Counter]

Gotta love the pro wolf clowns...

[Special T]

at least another pack is confirmed, but since the NE seems to be the only ones pushing the issue they will likely be the only real area to get packs confirmed. That and they are likely to draw this out as long as possible.

[Austrian Hunter]

SSS

[Elkaholic daWg]

SSS

 A friend of mine thought he saw one of those critters about 3 years ago as he was starting down the hill toward the casinofrom the north

[UptheCreek]

I was coming out of Inchelium last week and I swear there was a grey wolf on the road towards the ferry.  As we drove by, it darted into the brush.  Without any question it was not a coyote, but it could have been a dog.  I had a pet dog that looked alot like it but it was also part wolf. 

[buckfvr]

Its of no surprise ( other than they fessed up to it ) to those of us who live here.  My wife and I saw one 3 winters ago near the Beck road.  Last november, son and I found scat just north of the Spokane Res. up Coyote Creek drainage. 

Now, the handfull of pups can fill in the voids.....become more common to see them.

[Scottystyle]

A friend and I busted one out of his bed at about 50 yds. he just slowly trotted off. this was during the late buck hunt off the Rose Hill Rd. To this day, I still couldnt believe it, was hoding out hope it was a cross breed or someones pet.  I guess that explains why there wasnt a deer to be found that day .    Now that we know they are there I guess i will report it on monday with the location

[Dan-o]

Unbelievable..........     


Does anybody remember what year WDFW admitted to the first pack?

[lewy]

Well at least there confirmed now.....still sucks

[cougkilr]

I could have confirmed this eight years ago when a wolf came into my turkey decoys while turkey hunting East of Fruitland and not too far off of the reservation.  At first I thought it was a coyote until it got closer and was grey/black colored and tripple the size of a coyote.  It came about 10 yards from my turkey decoys and at the time there were three hens working around by decs and they just moved away from the wolf and he turned around and ran back up the hill.  The shot gun was aimed and ready if he got much closer.

[Scottystyle]

The one we saw was dark grey with black face, wasnt real big, probably a year old pup

[buckfvr]

I could have confirmed this eight years ago when a wolf came into my turkey decoys while turkey hunting East of Fruitland and not too far off of the reservation.  At first I thought it was a coyote until it got closer and was grey/black colored and tripple the size of a coyote.  It came about 10 yards from my turkey decoys and at the time there were three hens working around by decs and they just moved away from the wolf and he turned around and ran back up the hill.  The shot gun was aimed and ready if he got much closer.

SO could have DFW...............................dont think otherwise forone second.

[TommyH]

7 packs confirmed, 5 more suspected, need a few more!!

[Huntbear]

7 packs confirmed, 5 more suspected, need a few more!!

You guys all are missing the point...

The confirmed packs HAVE TO BE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE.   Including SW Washington, and the Peninsula.  So just because the packs are confirmed in certain parts EAST of the Cascades.. NOTHING will be done to delist the rest of the state and allow hunting until ALL PACKS are confirmed as BREEDING PAIRS for 3 years in a row....

So the packs in Eastern Washington can run rampant for years before every pack is confirmed.. and not a damn thing can be done about it...

[SkookumHntr]

That is a bad bad bad deal!

[TommyH]

Ya I know it sucks!! I was just  stating that thats one less "confirmed" pack we  have to wait on before we get to try to manage them.

[villageidiot]

So if we need 15 breeding pairs for three years before they delist how many will we have when we reach the three years?   Right now they are doubling every year.  So once we hit 15 they will be 30 at the end of the first year, then 60 pairs at the end of the second year then 120 pairs at the end of the third year.  If there are 6 per pack ( probably more like 8 to 10) then we have 720 wolves at a minimum before they delist.  If they average 10 per pack then we have 1,200 wolves.  What happened to the 150 wolves per state like Montana and Idaho first made the deal at?   Look at the carnage Montana and Idaho have had with this huge number and it will be worse here because Washington is more populated and less habitat.  Deer and elk hunting may be a thing of the past in just a few short years.  We can always buy a wolf tag and bring hyiadad disease home to our pets and kids.  Don't you just love this country?

[buckfvr]

Hunt each day like its the last, hunt each season like there'll be no more, take each shot like its your last bullet.  We are well beyond the good ol days....we may even have already entered into the last hoorah.  Dont waste time thinking about it, get out there and do it while ya still can.

[turkey slayer]

I could have confirmed this eight years ago when a wolf came into my turkey decoys while turkey hunting East of Fruitland and not too far off of the reservation.  At first I thought it was a coyote until it got closer and was grey/black colored and tripple the size of a coyote.  It came about 10 yards from my turkey decoys and at the time there were three hens working around by decs and they just moved away from the wolf and he turned around and ran back up the hill.  The shot gun was aimed and ready if he got much closer.

We said man wish we could of got it on film. We have been seeing tracks and wolves since 99 up bettween Coyote Canyon and the Res and even as far north of Muget Lake RD this spring.

[stuckalot]

Hunt each day like its the last, hunt each season like there'll be no more, take each shot like its your last bullet.  We are well beyond the good ol days....we may even have already entered into the last hoorah.  Dont waste time thinking about it, get out there and do it while ya still can.

 

[NWBREW]

7 packs confirmed, 5 more suspected, need a few more!!

You guys all are missing the point...

The confirmed packs HAVE TO BE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE.   Including SW Washington, and the Peninsula.  So just because the packs are confirmed in certain parts EAST of the Cascades.. NOTHING will be done to delist the rest of the state and allow hunting until ALL PACKS are confirmed as BREEDING PAIRS for 3 years in a row....

So the packs in Eastern Washington can run rampant for years before every pack is confirmed.. and not a damn thing can be done about it...

That is how I understand it as well. The NE corner will pay a very heavy price for this with the loss of many deer, elk and moose. The tapeworm issue WILL rise, especially in the moose with the rise in wolf populations.    .....and there are a lot more wolves in the north corner of this state then most would believe. 

[dreamingbig]

Don't give up the fight just yet!  We need to be loud and vocal against this insane plan.

[Northway]

7 packs confirmed, 5 more suspected, need a few more!!

You guys all are missing the point...

The confirmed packs HAVE TO BE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE.   Including SW Washington, and the Peninsula.  So just because the packs are confirmed in certain parts EAST of the Cascades.. NOTHING will be done to delist the rest of the state and allow hunting until ALL PACKS are confirmed as BREEDING PAIRS for 3 years in a row....

So the packs in Eastern Washington can run rampant for years before every pack is confirmed.. and not a damn thing can be done about it...

"Three recovery regions were delineated for the state: (1) Eastern Washington, (2) Northern Cascades, and (3) Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast. Target numbers and distribution for downlisting and delisting within the three recovery regions are:"

I've been a wolf supporter, but in my opinion, requiring recovery in all three regions before any kind of delisting is just not going to work.  It's becoming obvious that there needs to be more flexibility to manage packs in Northeast WA (should the need arise) while we wait to figure out how quickly they establish a visible foothold in the northern + southern Cascades.

[NWBREW]

Northway, welcome to the site. I agree with you in the respect there has to be a better plan then the one right now. Most on this site are just wanting a GOOD RESPONSIBLE WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN which (in my opinion) cannot be the same in all regions at this point in time. The NE corner already has at least 3 or more documented packs and they are going strong. Just think of what it will be like if there is no delisting for another 5-10 years.....or longer. 

[Northway]

Northway, welcome to the site. I agree with you in the respect there has to be a better plan then the one right now. Most on this site are just wanting a GOOD RESPONSIBLE WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN which (in my opinion) cannot be the same in all regions at this point in time. The NE corner already has at least 3 or more documented packs and they are going strong. Just think of what it will be like if there is no delisting for another 5-10 years.....or longer. 

NWBREW-
I've never posted before, but I've read through threads numerous times in the past and can say without a doubt that there are commentors here who have had an impact on how I advocate when it comes to the wolf issue in this state.

Over the long term, I'm mainly interested in seeing a genetically viable WA wolf population that doesn't need a lot of translocation. Past that point, I believe hunter opportunity should play an important role in how wolves are managed.

Keeping such strict control of management in the Northeast while waiting for wolves to take advantage of tight, or non-existent migration corridors in other parts of the state doesn't make sense. I think you're right that it could possibly take between 5 and 10 years to meet objectives under the current plan.

[Johnb317]

Get a copy of the latest RMEF Bugle.
Northern Yellowstone stats:
1995 20000 elk
1995 wolves introduced
2003 98 wolves in area
2011-2012 4174 elk.
2012 38 wolves in area

[Huntbear]

Northway, welcome to the site. I agree with you in the respect there has to be a better plan then the one right now. Most on this site are just wanting a GOOD RESPONSIBLE WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN which (in my opinion) cannot be the same in all regions at this point in time. The NE corner already has at least 3 or more documented packs and they are going strong. Just think of what it will be like if there is no delisting for another 5-10 years.....or longer. 

Get the Do Good Democrats & non hunting idiotos out of the WDFW and out of Olympia.... get it going like in Idaho...  Give tags away left and right... 

Otherwise, it is gonna be a slaughter of the whitetail when they yard up during a bad spell of snow...  Elk at the feeding stations will be decimated before they adapt.... And you watch... all of a sudden, the OIL moose tags will be reduced or taken away because there is not enough for a viable hunting population...

[Bshiftbc]

My family and I were just in Yellowstone last week and went to one on the Ranger talks with the kids. My wife was terrified that I was going to come unglued when the discussion turned to wolves...
Wolves are (were) the missing key ingredient says the park. It was completely all about how great the wolf reintroduction is.
At the end, the wife went into full panic mode as I raised my hand for a question! I asked how many elk were in Yellowstone pre-wolves and he said about 35,000. When I asked how many now, the answer was 10-15,000.

[Johnb317]

And we're only talking about the decline in elk numbers!  Deer, moose, and even coyote populations take a hit. 
Wait until tourist become part of the fare......no body seems to be aware of the close calls, or the young woman killed up in Alaska.   

[Elkslayer]

Northway, welcome to the site. I agree with you in the respect there has to be a better plan then the one right now. Most on this site are just wanting a GOOD RESPONSIBLE WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN which (in my opinion) cannot be the same in all regions at this point in time. The NE corner already has at least 3 or more documented packs and they are going strong. Just think of what it will be like if there is no delisting for another 5-10 years.....or longer. 

Get the Do Good Democrats & non hunting idiotos out of the WDFW and out of Olympia.... get it going like in Idaho...  Give tags away left and right... 

Otherwise, it is gonna be a slaughter of the whitetail when they yard up during a bad spell of snow...  Elk at the feeding stations will be decimated before they adapt.... And you watch... all of a sudden, the OIL moose tags will be reduced or taken away because there is not enough for a viable hunting population...

  I think that within the next 3yrs you will see a drastic reduction in the amount of moose tags that the state gives out. Next 5yrs we will see some of these units closed completely. 

[PA BEN]

Yeah, read this in the Chewelah paper this week. The locals are pissed. Can the farmers shoot them when they go after there live stock? Or do they Waite for that big check from the State?

[bigpaw 77]

The sheep was killed about 4 miles from my house and right across the road from my whitetail hunting spot. I thought I saw one last year standing out in a field where there are no houses around.

[buckfvr]

Yeah, read this in the Chewelah paper this week. The locals are pissed. Can the farmers shoot them when they go after there live stock? Or do they Waite for that big check from the State?

I was told from a reliable source, we all have the right to protect ourselves and our property......livestock being property.  I think we will see, sooner than later, how the state and counties will handle this issue, as its only a matter of time before it happens.