Wolves and the Law

[Ice Cap]

I was wondering what the definition of an actual attack would be since you can only use lethal force on a wolf at that point.
I found the following definitions that came fro the state of Montana

Threatening to kill means the actual chasing, testing, molesting, harassing or livestock or livestock herding or guarding animals that would indicate to a reasonable person that an attack was imminent.

Attacking or killing means the actual biting, wounding, or grasping of livestock or domestic dogs.

[Kowsrule30]

What about cats, rabbits, llamahs, pigs, peaches, and apples??? What if they bite some fruit outta somebody's crop??

[KFhunter]

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

When they are hunting, they do not growl, show their teeth or do any of that stuff.
That comes after the kill, alpha would have to snap at the others a little so he gets the prime cuts of long pig 

[silverdalesauer]

Maybe it would be good to have someone pressure the WDFW to hold a class on what truly defines an "attack" or a "threat of an attack" and then they list some options of how to determine the best options for people who encounter a wolf in the wild.

Also, a training video would be a good idea. Does Hunting-Washington Forum have a place to put training videos for us? Maybe a good thing to do so that we can best be prepared.

[grizzlyadams]

If you had to put one down for fear of your life. WHY would you say anything to anyone? Recover your round, bury the SOB and go about your intended business.  If in fear for your life, you owe no explanation to anyone. Especially a tree hugging biologist or their payroled prosecuting attorney who believes (and they do believe this) that animals have more of a right to live than people do.    I'm all for responsible and balanced conservation but the key word is balance.  Once they start making people affraid to protect themselves for fear of ruining their lives and draining their bank accounts to defend themselves, they leave you no choice.

[FALFire]

Maybe it would be good to have someone pressure the WDFW to hold a class on what truly defines an "attack" or a "threat of an attack" and then they list some options of how to determine the best options for people who encounter a wolf in the wild.

Also, a training video would be a good idea. Does Hunting-Washington Forum have a place to put training videos for us? Maybe a good thing to do so that we can best be prepared.

My best guess would be that if you are in that situation...... You will know exactly what the definition of attack or threat of attack really is. If you hesitate to react, you will likely not get the chance to report it to anyone.

It's like so many that carry a gun for self defense, they really don't know when to use it properly until they are actually put in that situation then it becomes all too clear and many times all too late.

If I were to be surrounded by wolves I know for sure at least one is taking on some added weight. Ever seen how fast a dog can cover ground, well when they are coming at you in a hurry you may only have 100ths of seconds to respond.....why wait.  Put yourself in the shoes of any LEO, if they are confronted by an armed person, just how much warning do your think they give before opening fire. The ones that usually survive the attack respond immediately.

18 yards is WAAAAAYYY too close when you are surrounded by killing machines, I would prefer 100 yard minimum as with wolves, where there is one, usually there are 3 or 4, perhaps more, you will get tunnel vision long before you realize it and forget to check your six, you will never hear the one that gets you, the only thing that will wake you up from tunnel vision is your own screams as their teeth sink deeply into your muscle tissue.

[boneaddict]

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

I know you were joking Bowhunter, but they will not show you their teeth.   You will meet a steel glare from their eyes, and its how you handle that glare which will determine whether or not you will die.

[Yeti]

You will have  just about enough time to pull out electrical tape, little liquor bottles, and securely tape them and your knife to your hands.  Then you will be ready for the fight. 

[Curly]

I think the quote from the law

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

would allow me to legally kill a wolf (or wolves) if they are that close to me.  18 yards or even 50 yards is too close...........

[wraithen]

I heard a story from a friend about a guy in AK that would actually put himself in that situation kind of in order to hunt them. Yes he did have tags though. He would take his dogs and sled out on a wide stretch of river and lay down with his dogs surrounding him to sleep. When they started barking he would look around and find the wolf and shoot it while it was distracted by the dogs. Apparently he had plenty of time to get a shot off though as the wolves wouldn't even figure out what he was until they died of lead poisoning. From the stories I heard, he was pretty good at getting a pack to get close enough to pick out the best one. (He hunted full moons with no cloud cover.)

[boneaddict]

Thats very cool.

[Bob33]

Cool story.

I wonder if Washington voters will implement a "no bait" and "no dogs" rule for hunting wolves when they become legal? 

[Elkslayer]

Maybe it would be good to have someone pressure the WDFW to hold a class on what truly defines an "attack" or a "threat of an attack" and then they list some options of how to determine the best options for people who encounter a wolf in the wild.

Also, a training video would be a good idea. Does Hunting-Washington Forum have a place to put training videos for us? Maybe a good thing to do so that we can best be prepared.

I don't think that would be a good idea, if we allowed that to happen then everyone would have to follow the rules or definition of a threat as WDFW sees it. People are different what I might perceive as a threat might not be the same for you or someone else in that same situation. 

[KFhunter]

Cool story.

I wonder if Washington voters will implement a "no bait" and "no dogs" rule for hunting wolves when they become legal? 

You can bet your ass there will be PLENTY of rules, they'll be enforced and followed for the most part for a short while.....then there will be rules but no one will follow them, then they won't be enforced very well if at all....then there'll be less rules.....then it'll be coyote rules as it should be.

[silverdalesauer]

You will have  just about enough time to pull out electrical tape, little liquor bottles, and securely tape them and your knife to your hands.  Then you will be ready for the fight.

I was thinking that exact same thing... The Grey was so dumb... especially at the end. It's like the guy said "Timeout! Let me pray over my dead friends' wallets, let me contemplate how I want to die, and let me add some glass knuckles to my hands....  OK..."