Wolves and the Law

[silverdalesauer]

So, I just read about someone's encounter with 5 wolves that surrounded he and his uncle while hunting in Unit 111. The wolves were apparently 18 yards away.

In light of this and the wdfw regs below, how would you have responded? Just curious if I'm ever put in that place.

  The Regs from this link http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/rules/regulations/wac_232-36-050_killing_wildlife_for_personal_safety.pdf read...

 

1
NEW SECTION

WAC 232-36-050 Killing wildlife for personal safety. 

 The fish and wildlife commission is authorized to classify wildlife as
game, as endangered or protected species, or as a predatory bird
consistent with RCW 77.08.010 and 77.12.020.  The commission is also
authorized, pursuant to RCW 77.36.030, to establish the limitations
and conditions on killing or trapping wildlife that is threatening
human safety.

The conditions for killing wildlife vary, based primarily on
the classification of the wildlife species, the imminent nature of
the threat to personal safety.  Additional conditions defined by the
department may also be important, depending on individual
situations.  Killing wildlife for personal safety is subject to all
other state and federal laws including, but not limited to, Titles
77 RCW and 232 WAC.

(1) Killing wildlife for personal safety.

(a) It is permissible to kill wild animals engaged in the
physical act of attacking a person.

(b) It is permissible to kill game animals posing an immediate
threat of physical harm to a person.

[ICEMAN]

If I felt a threat of physical harm, I would not hesitate to perforate one...

Be ready to articulate the threat you felt.

Be also ready to exercise your fifth amendment rights.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

[wraithen]

If several wolves are within pistol range, it's do or die in my opinion. They aren't dumb. They know if they are in that range they can take you down. I'm not dying like that. I'd be VERY vocal trying to get the wolves to leave before that point. It'll be nice to have someone hear they heard me screaming for my life before I fired. It's only a matter of time before they think people are toys and prey.

[rtspring]

If there is any fear for my life, im gonna start killing me some wolves.  I wouldnot hesitate for one second.

[jackmaster]

If there is any fear for my life, im gonna start killing me some wolves.  I wouldnot hesitate for one second.

damn skippy, people gotta understand as we hunters understand that the wolf is one of the smartest and most ferocious animals that a human will encounter, everyone remembers a mean ass dog growing up, well now its wolves and no dog no matter how mean will ever compare to a wild wolf.....if i encounter a wolf and even think there is a chance that he or his buddies will attack, then i am taking out as many as i can until i run out of bullets, and if someone in my family is with me then i definatly wont be taking any chances......START SHOOTIN.....

[bearpaw]

Wolves do what is referred to as "prey testing". When they surround cattle or humans for that matter, they are watching your behaviour and learning, it is commonly believed that the wolves are testing the reaction of possible new prey and will become bolder with their actions every time they test until they eventually attack. Nobody seems to know how many times it takes before wolves will attack new prey and I would venture to say that it probably varies greatly depending on how hungry the wolves involved are at the time.

If wolf groups were smart and wanted to protect wolves, and if WDFW managers were wise and wanted to protect the wolves and the people, I would think they woud be advising hunters and ranchers to shoot into the ground whenever they see wolves. This action in itself will educate wolves that humans and ranching areas are not suitable for prey.

I would keep in mind that at this point in Washington a human has few rights when it comes to wolves, if you shoot a wolf and get caught you better be prepared to go through what the White's went through. I think it may even be against the law to fire warning shots to scare wolves away.

However, I firmly believe that Washington will go through the same "wolf cycle" that ID/MT went through due to the unreasonable actions of the wolf lovers and unknowing wildlife managers who are trying to force too many wolves into areas where wolves are not suited and that in a few years the wolves will be causing so much damage to livestock and game herds that people will begin killing wolves without hesitation for the common good and openly talking about it as they are now doing in ID/MT.

So far the wolf "cycle of events" is right on schedule with the other states, quick expansion of packs and territories, predation on livestock and the decline of game is occuring in localized areas, but these areas of impact will expand rapidly as wolves overpopulate. This is all very easy to predict because it has all occurred before.

All in all the situation is far worse than it would have to be if people were simply more reasonable with this wolf introduction, and yes it is an introduction because these wolves coming in from Idaho are not native wolves, they are northern canadian wolves, a larger sub-specie, that is a documented fact anyone can easily lookup on the internet.

[bonkellekter]

Just to make it clear, When I first saw the wolves at 18 yards, I thought they were a couple small bears since they were black and obstructed by huckleberry brush... Thinking I might try to fill my bear tag I stood up with bow in hand and realized they were wolves, I immediately felt as though I was in Imminent danger, dropped my bow and pulled my pistol fully intending on using it - In that short time frame they moved out of sight and into the surrounding brush so I had no shot at them! when surrounding us their distances ranged from 40 - 60 yards and just out of sight.

As most of you have, I have also read alot about what the White's went thru with their ordeal so.... I was not going to shoot unless they started to approach again. I only had one magazine worth of rounds as well and wanted every one to count if they tried something. In the future I will carry at least one extra clip.

The way they were acting I know they were doing exactly as Dale described... they were prey testing, as they came in downwind from us fully knowing we were there and their behavior was trying to provoke an action out of us. It is without a doubt the most nerve racking situation I have been in while hunting!!

[Kowsrule30]

I would shoot one or more if need be to protect myself, family, friends, pet's..... Then not speak a word of it.....

[JLS]

I think it may even be against the law to fire warning shots to scare wolves away.

That is a less than intelligent statement.  You can shoot a wolf in self defense, just as you can a grizzly bear.  There have been numerous occasions where folks have fired shots to deter a grizzly bear and I cannot remember a single time anyone got in trouble over it.

[fair-chase]

I think it may even be against the law to fire warning shots to scare wolves away.

That is a less than intelligent statement.  You can shoot a wolf in self defense, just as you can a grizzly bear.  There have been numerous occasions where folks have fired shots to deter a grizzly bear and I cannot remember a single time anyone got in trouble over it.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,82015.100.html

[JLS]

I was directly referring to warning shots.

[ICEMAN]

JLS, could you imagine being prosecuted for purposely harrasing a wolf with gunfire? I would not hold this past them...

[bearpaw]

I think it may even be against the law to fire warning shots to scare wolves away.

That is a less than intelligent statement.  You can shoot a wolf in self defense, just as you can a grizzly bear.  There have been numerous occasions where folks have fired shots to deter a grizzly bear and I cannot remember a single time anyone got in trouble over it.

Actually your reply may be less than intelligent or perhaps you simply misread my post.   

I had just stated "I would think they would be advising hunters and ranchers to shoot into the ground whenever they see wolves." I made no referrence to self defense, I was speaking of conditioning wolves to be afraid of humans whenever humans see wolves.

Then I warned to be careful not to end up like the White's (by shooting a wolf) and that it's likely illegal to shoot to scare wolves away whenever you see them. I am reasonably sure that if you check the law you will find it's illegal to haze wolves unless they are in the act of attacking.

I suggest you check the law and then come back and tell me I am less than intelligent if in fact it's legal for anyone to scare wolves away by shooting at them anytime you see them.

[BOWHUNTER45]

All I know is one best never show his teeth at me 

[JLS]

I think it may even be against the law to fire warning shots to scare wolves away.

That is a less than intelligent statement.  You can shoot a wolf in self defense, just as you can a grizzly bear.  There have been numerous occasions where folks have fired shots to deter a grizzly bear and I cannot remember a single time anyone got in trouble over it.

Actually your reply may be less than intelligent or perhaps you simply misread my post.   

I had just stated "I would think they would be advising hunters and ranchers to shoot into the ground whenever they see wolves." I made no referrence to self defense, I was speaking of conditioning wolves to be afraid of humans whenever humans see wolves.

Then I warned to be careful not to end up like the White's (by shooting a wolf) and that it's likely illegal to shoot to scare wolves away whenever you see them. I am reasonably sure that if you check the law you will find it's illegal to haze wolves unless they are in the act of attacking.

I suggest you check the law and then come back and tell me I am less than intelligent if in fact it's legal for anyone to scare wolves away by shooting at them anytime you see them.

Dale,

Obviously I misunderstood the context of your statement.  I apologize for my remark.

It is not illegal to haze wolves unless they are in the act of attacking.  You can haze them to prevent livestock conflicts.  You can haze them to keep them away from your house and kids.  How you haze them I'm sure would be subject to scrutiny.  The wolf plan details a list of non-lethal methods of hazing that include rubber bullets, rubber buckshot, cracker shells, etc.  How lethal is a load of #8s at 70 yards?  Not very.  It's a technique used all the time to mitigate crop damage.  If a person was being followed by wolves, and being prey tested, I highly doubt they would be scrutinized for firing warning shots in the dirt.

In fact, if you recall Hirshey's incident last year it was stated that she SHOULD have fired a warning shot.