Wedge Pack: More cattle attacked in Stevens County (poll and letter)

[Atroxus]

Here is the release from Tuesday. State's gonna kill four! 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/wedge/

Good news...if they follow through this time. I hope they actually do.

[bearpaw]

I heard on the street today that the WDFW inspected another attack by the wedge pack yesterday 9/11, haven't seen anything in print yet.

[CAMPMEAT]

Sounds like maybe the WDFW is afraid to print anything..............typical in my eyes.

[buckcanyonlodge]

I heard on the street today that the WDFW inspected another attack by the wedge pack yesterday 9/11, haven't seen anything in print yet.

I heard the same info from a reliable source but I heard they went today to inspect the attack.

[sebek556]

any new print come out on this?

[denali]

Tensions Running High In Wedge With 3 Calf Depredations Reported This Week
By Andy Walgamott, on September 14th, 2012

Tensions are reported as running "high" between WDFW and the Diamond M Ranch following the discovery this week of yet another dead calf and two injured ones, including one "severely" mauled.

Steve Pozzanghera, the agency's wolf policy lead, says the latter calf will likely die because of its injuries.

He said wolves were responsible "without a doubt in anyone's mind."

It will be marked down as a confirmed wolf kill linked to the Wedge Pack, which runs between the Kettle and Columbia Rivers and up into Canada.

The other calf had an older injury, "a real nasty but healed wound from the base of the rectum to the udder."

It could have been injured running into or over a T-post, broken stick or something, but "given the situation, the location and injuries, this goes down as a probable," Pozzanghera said.

As for the dead calf, it was found on Wednesday up near Summit Lake near where Wedge wolves were blamed for July depredations. Pozzanghera said it had been almost entirely consumed. Its remains -- bones with bits of flesh and dried blood -- was still fresh.

A decision is still pending on it, but even as all the depredations begin to blur anymore, there have been at least 14 injured or killed cattle that WDFW has listed as confirmed or probable wolf attacks.

So far, despite the GPS collar on the alpha male, WDFW's hunters have not shot any of the four wolves they're targeting to thin the pack or break up the cycle.

Their presence over 21 days hasn't ended the depredations either.

So far the operation has been a failure -- though it might be argued that if it hadn't been done if wolf advocates had gotten their way with the governor perhaps more cattle might have been hit.

It's no wonder tensions are running high.

[bearpaw]

Glad to see it in print finally, I didn't have the radio on today so may have missed it.

Turn the McIrvins and the locals loose on those wolves and the problem will likely be diminished. If this killing keeps up I expect to see the county commissioners considering other options. This has gone too far. This is exactly what happened in ID/MT until the people got fed up with the carnage. The pioneers knew what had to be done.

[waterdoctor]

The wolves move down from Summit to hungry hill and then back up toward Elbow Lake.  Its like clock work. 

I e-mailed the Bio staff in Colville that it was looking like two packs to me as I had not heard of any of Schmidt's   cows having any problems even though the wolves are there about every 10 to 14 days.  I have not heard back from them. 

[bearpaw]

Waterdoctor
Summit Lake is where the guy I know who was driving through broke down last summer and was surrounded by wolves howling at him. Scared the dickens out of him. Several people have reported them in that area, not surprised they run down to Hungry Hill. I have not spent enough time up near that area in the last year to know if the game herds are suffering, do you have anything to add about that?

There are some wolves over on the eastside of the wedge too.

[bearpaw]

IN THE NEWS SEPT 14
More new wolf attacks found on cattle in Stevens County this week. The ranchers are losing at least $1000 with every attack and wolf groups say there is no proof it's wolves doing the damage. Many of you have read about the repeated wolf attacks on livestock in Stevens County. These problem wolves need to be removed.

LETTERS TO GOVERNOR
I have heard that roughly 15,000 letters have been received by WDFW and Governor Gregoire asking that wolf management be ceased. I had also heard that not one letter had been received in support of wolf removal. The WDFW had suspended wolf removal efforts for the Labor Day weekend. Over the weekend, Washington for Wildlife (WFW) has sent a letter of support for wolf removal. Members of this forum have also been sending letters.

PLEASE SEND A LETTER
I am urging everyone who supports responsible wolf management to take a few moments and send a quick email message in support of problem wolf removal.

Copy and paste this email list and your choice of messages below or make your own message and please do it now so you don't forget!

director@dfw.wa.gov
commission@dfw.wa.gov
commissioners@co.stevens.wa.us
Joel.Kretz@leg.wa.gov
Short.Shelly@leg.wa.gov
Morton.Bob@leg.wa.gov
Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov
brian.blake@leg.wa.gov

Also please send your message to the governor here: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/ 

template #1
Dear Governor Gregoire,
I fully support the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s (WDFW) actions to remove problem wolves that are attacking and killing livestock in Northeast Washington.

The McIrvin family has suffered significant financial losses due to these problem wolves. Thank you for helping these people.

Respectfully,
Your Name
Address
City, State, ZIP
Email


template #2
Dear Governor Gregoire,
I wish to express my support the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s (WDFW) actions to remove problem wolves “wedge pack” that are attacking and killing livestock in northeast Washington.

It’s the responsibility of WDFW to respond to wild animal complaints including wolf attacks on livestock.

Thank You,
Your Name
Address
City, State, ZIP
Email


template #3
Dear Governor Gregoire,
Please support the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s (WDFW) actions to remove all the problem wolves from the “wedge pack” that are attacking and killing livestock in northeast Washington.

Wolf groups don't care what happens in Eastern Washington because it's not in their backyard. But it’s important for the WDFW to remove all wolves that attack livestock in Washington before they teach other wolves to do the same. These wolves will have significant impacts on ranching incomes and local economies.

Thank You,
Your Name
Address
City, State, ZIP
Email

[waterdoctor]

@bearpaw I don't have any idea on the elk but the deer and small bears are a lot more scarce.  Cougar woke up my wife, it was screaming, one night but the wolves came through and have not seen or heard it sense. 

I am working out of state right now so will be a while till I am back, will be back for general elk.  Chances of getting an elk around the place is slim to none.     

[Ridgeratt]

Glad to see it in print finally, I didn't have the radio on today so may have missed it.

Turn the McIrvins and the locals loose on those wolves and the problem will likely be diminished. If this killing keeps up I expect to see the county commissioners considering other options. This has gone too far. This is exactly what happened in ID/MT until the people got fed up with the carnage. The pioneers knew what had to be done.

I would like to be considered a Local waiting in the wings.
 

[sebek556]

  also get some more letters in guys! So far they are ignoring us. Time to start raising a little hell about this.

[300rum]

Bearpaw:

Maybe it is in the thread?  My question is, is WDFW (our tax dollars) reimbursing for these livestock kills?  Is there any way to get out of the State how much, if we do reimburse?  It would be nice to get a running total.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Just wait another 5 years and see what we have ... Those wolves in the Wedge will not ever quit attacking cattle ... thats what they taught themselves to do and thats what taste good to them now ....Idiots ...  POOOOOOOOOW OUPS thought that was a coyote