WDFW concludes action to remove Northeast Washington wolf pack

[bearpaw]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/sep2712b/

WDFW concludes action to remove Northeast Washington wolf pack

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) concluded its action to eliminate a pack of wolves in Northeast Washington today after an agency marksman killed the pack’s alpha male just south of the Canadian border.
 
WDFW Director Phil Anderson said the wolf was shot this morning from a helicopter. Its death brought to six the number of wolves from the Wedge Pack removed in the past three days, including the alpha female.
 
“Directing the pack’s removal was a very difficult decision, both personally and professionally, but it was necessary to reset the stage for sustainable wolf recovery in this region,” he said. “Now we will refocus our attention on working with livestock operators and conservation groups to aggressively promote the use of non-lethal tactics to avoid wolf-livestock conflict.”
 
With the latest operation concluded, Anderson said the department would continue to monitor wolf activity in the Wedge region as it is doing in other parts of the state.
 
The department initiated removal of the Wedge Pack late last week in an effort to put a stop to its persistent attacks on livestock from the herd of the Diamond M Ranch in northern Stevens County. Since July, the wolves had killed or injured at least 17 calves and cows from the herd.
 
The pack takes its name from the triangular shape of the Washington state portion of its range, which is bordered by the Columbia and Kettle rivers and Canada. Its elimination leaves the state with seven confirmed wolf packs and four suspected packs, most of which range in the remote, rugged forests of Northeast Washington.
 
WDFW began to lethally remove wolves from the pack in early August, as its pattern of predation began to escalate despite non-lethal efforts by the rancher and the department to prevent the attacks. A WDFW marksman killed a non-breeding member of the pack on August 7, and about two weeks later, biologists found the decomposed carcass of a young wolf within the Diamond M herd’s grazing area. The young wolf had not been shot, and the cause of death could not be determined.
 
Teams of WDFW staff remained in the Wedge through August, trapping extensively and tracking the movements of the alpha male, which had been fitted with a location-transmitting radio collar.
 
However, Anderson said none of the rancher’s or the department’s efforts to change the pack’s behavior succeeded, and attacks on the Diamond M herd increased through mid-September.
 
“Ultimately, it became clear that this pack was preying on livestock as its primary food source, and that our actions had not changed that pattern,” Anderson said. “The independent wolf experts we consulted agreed with our staff that removal of the pack was the only viable option.”
 
With the support of key conservation and livestock organizations, the department announced on Sept. 21 it would remove the pack to create the opportunity for wolves that are not habituated to preying on livestock to re-colonize the region.
 
Anderson said he looked forward to continuing to work with interested groups on a broad range of non-lethal management strategies under the terms of the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan approved by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission in December 2011.
 
WDFW is urging livestock operators to enter into cooperative, cost-sharing agreements with the department that specify non-lethal measures they will use to minimize wolf-livestock conflict.
 
“Lethal removal will remain a wolf management option, but we will use it only as a last resort, after all reasonable non-lethal options are exhausted,” Anderson said.
 
He said he respects the opinions of the many citizens who contacted the department to share their support for or opposition to its actions. “We know these issues spark strong feelings among Washington residents across the state, which is why we are committed to conducting our business openly and transparently,” he said.

[NWBREW]

It's a start but didn't WDFW say earlier there was more then 6 to that pack? OR  did they think that was close enough. I would think that to be sure they have removed the whole pack there must be no wolves there for 3 years.

[pianoman9701]

They were originally to take out 8 wolves. The greenies win again.

[bearpaw]

I don't know for sure how many wolves were in that pack, but the numbers suggest they may have left a few or a few broke away from the pack when all the human wolf monitoring activity started. We'll see what turns up over time.

That GMU has heavy human activity regardless of how they describe it as being so remote. There are quite a few people who live there and nearly the whole area is grazed. My grandad homsteaded in the wedge back in 1919 and there were already plenty of people living there back then, there are a lot more people today who live or recreate there.

THere are wolves on the east side near Northport. Trail cam photos shown below on the Northport side.

[Skyvalhunter]

Recreate, interesting choice of words.

[bearpaw]

Recreate, interesting choice of words.

Fishermen, hunters, and lots of people go camping all summer in that GMU, it is a dusty madhouse on the major holidays.

[CAMPMEAT]

They were originally to take out 8 wolves. The greenies win again.

I bet the greenies are doing a happy dance ........... 

[boneaddict]

I was pleasantly surprised at how fast they went at it, and impressed.  Now back to reality.   They should have continued to track the alpha and use his signal to hone in on the rest.  Removing him this early in the game was dumb.  I knew they wouldn't get the lot of them.   

[Bob33]

They were originally to take out 8 wolves. The greenies win again.

There are 8 fewer. Seven were shot and one found dead.

[pianoman9701]

They were originally to take out 8 wolves. The greenies win again.

There are 8 fewer. Seven were shot and one found dead.

According to the release:
"WDFW Director Phil Anderson said the wolf was shot this morning from a helicopter. Its death brought to six the number of wolves from the Wedge Pack removed in the past three days, including the alpha female."

The one found dead was last Spring. Recently when the WDFW announced its plan to remove the pack, they said that they wanted to take out eight members. Where did you get those additional numbers, Bob?

[Wyoming08]

  This I believe deserves an AT A BOY    for the WDFW. They got after it.
  FINALLY!!!
Bearpaw, What are you doing starting this thread at  3:22:10 AM?  WDFW concludes action to remove Northeast Washington wolf pack
« on: Today at 03:22:10 AM »

Thats a bit early to isn't it?   

[JLS]

One was shot by agency personnel in August and one was found dead very shortly after that.  Makes 8.

[pianoman9701]

One was shot by agency personnel in August and one was found dead very shortly after that.  Makes 8.

OK, but were these deaths after the original announcement of the pack removal? By WDFW own numbers, they've only taken out 6 since that announcement. I must be missing something here. Let me know thanks.

[Curly]

WDFW does deserve a little credit.  But only a little.  They did come-up with a stupid wolf plan afterall.............so it's hard for me to give them credit........  plus they didn't finish the job either.

[JLS]

One was shot by agency personnel in August and one was found dead very shortly after that.  Makes 8.

OK, but were these deaths after the original announcement of the pack removal? By WDFW own numbers, they've only taken out 6 since that announcement. I must be missing something here. Let me know thanks.

The one was killed in August in an attempt to change the packs behavior, and the remains of the juvenile were found shortly after that.  Then the decision was made to remove the entire pack.  If the pack was 8 to start with, doesn't this finish the job?

[pianoman9701]

WDFW does deserve a little credit.  But only a little.  They did come-up with a stupid wolf plan afterall.............so it's hard for me to give them credit........  plus they didn't finish the job either.

It's kind of like removing a levy, flooding a whole town, and then getting credit for saving the citizens from drowning, yeah?

[bearpaw]

 

[boneaddict]

Thats about the best damn comparison or explanation I have ever seen.

maybe add......and charge us for it  or bill us for it

[Dave Workman]

Gun rights conference unfolds as guns a’ blazing in Northwest

ORLANDO — While gun rights advocates from all over the map, including the Pacific Northwest, are gathering here for the kick-off of the 27th annual Gun Rights Policy, back home in Washington one can sense there is a “gun” battle of sorts heating up anew, over the elimination of a wolf pack in northern Stevens County.

http://www.examiner.com/article/gun-rights-conference-unfolds-as-guns-a-blazing-northwest?cid=db_articles

[Hunter Dug]

I think they ended there efforts because they shot the only animal in the pack with a tracking collar, and now know it will cost to much money and time to locate the remaining animals.  They need to get the trappers back out there to collar the remaining animals to monitor there where abouts and activities. 

[pianoman9701]

I think they ended there efforts because they shot the only animal in the pack with a tracking collar, and now know it will cost to much money and time to locate the remaining animals.  They need to get the trappers back out there to collar the remaining animals to monitor there where abouts and activities.

Yeah, well that's not going to happen any time soon.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I think Dale has just became famous  This could cause me to be on the computer all day because there will be alot to read ...Its time for all to come together and let the fireworks begin ....

[Northway]

They were originally to take out 8 wolves. The greenies win again.

I don't believe that is necessarily true. The Wedge pack brought the Washington wolf issue into the forefront like a freight train.

Conservation Northwest was put in an awkward position right off the bat, in my opinion. From an environmentalist perspective, they would like to be seen as fairly moderate and "collaborative". That position has been put to the test with how they elected to advocate in this situation. The wolf issue makes a lot of people crazy - flat out. They knew that this pack had to go, whether the rancher was being cooperative or not. The problem for them is, they've probably been fielding a lot of nasty calls and emails from elements of their membership. They do have support from people who are "moderate", but I'm sure there is also a portion of their membership that is anti-hunting, anti-predator control, and anti-public lands ranching. Those folks are the ones most likely to be vocal in their displeasure, especially when it comes to wolves. They're dominated by pure emotions - they see the story about the Wedge Pack, look at their pet husky, then dive for the phone looking to ruin someone's day.

I think this situation was a loss for them. In my opinion, they jumped the gun in questioning WDFW's postion that they were a chronically depredating pack, they might lose some donations from angry members, and they just appeared a little weak and unsure from a strategy perspective. My guess is that when a wolf control situation comes up again and the details about what the pack is and isn't doing are much less clear, CNW will come out trying to make a stand.

[BOWHUNTER45]

You mean to tell me that this is all further this has gone from this morning ...WTH 

[Kowsrule30]

They shot the only one in the pack with a collar!!!!          WTF?? No wonder why they quit.... Probably did it on purpose to....   

[deaner]

everybody seems happy but i have a different perspective on this.  they just reduced the number of documented breeding pairs in the state, so is this not a setback to the state delisting the wolves?  and at the rate the state has been confirming breeding pairs, well,  it could be a while now before we are able to manage them ourselves with hunting licenses.

[JimmyHoffa]

everybody seems happy but i have a different perspective on this.  they just reduced the number of documented breeding pairs in the state, so is this not a setback to the state delisting the wolves?  and at the rate the state has been confirming breeding pairs, well,  it could be a while now before we are able to manage them ourselves with hunting licenses.

I'm not sure.  But a new male will take over as alpha.  The pups were already documented for the year.  The new male and probably a new female will start the pack breeding, so I would guess that the pack will still be there, just don't know if they will consider it.  Maybe they only want packs that have the same breeding pair within for a number of years vs any breeding pair.

[saylean]

They could raffle the chance to go shoot the wolves next time, make some money off it and I could get my wolf rug!

[bearpaw]

everybody seems happy but i have a different perspective on this.  they just reduced the number of documented breeding pairs in the state, so is this not a setback to the state delisting the wolves?  and at the rate the state has been confirming breeding pairs, well,  it could be a while now before we are able to manage them ourselves with hunting licenses.

Removal of the wedge pack actually will have little effect on delisting. Region 1 has exceeded our regional wolf pack quota, the holdup is in the other two wolf regions. Residents in the Methow need to somehow get rid of the dishonest biologist there to get an honest bio in there that will admit all those other packs aren't just the Lookout pack, and then we need more wolves confirmed in the South Cascades and Olympics. This state needs a dozen wolf trappers and we only have two for the whole state. Those are the major bottlenecks for delisting.

[iusmc2002]

They could raffle the chance to go shoot the wolves next time, make some money off it and I could get my wolf rug!

And for the life of me, I can't figure that out!  We're in a huge budget deficit, and they just totally passed up a huge opportunity to make some money!  There are TONS of people who would pay handsomely to hunt one of these mongrels, and it would only cost the state money to print up the damn tags.  Stupid, stupid, stupid political BS

[deaner]

kind of ridiculous that wolves in the olympics have anything to do with delisting wolves in eastern washington.

[bearpaw]

They could raffle the chance to go shoot the wolves next time, make some money off it and I could get my wolf rug!

And for the life of me, I can't figure that out!  We're in a huge budget deficit, and they just totally passed up a huge opportunity to make some money!  There are TONS of people who would pay handsomely to hunt one of these mongrels, and it would only cost the state money to print up the damn tags.  Stupid, stupid, stupid political BS

I agree, but they cannot hold a season unless wolves are delisted. They have to pay hunters to shoot them so it is considered professional removal.

kind of ridiculous that wolves in the olympics have anything to do with delisting wolves in eastern washington.

completely agree, but that is what we got with the wolf plan

[denali]

You knew this was coming




By Miguel Llanos, NBC News

The chairman of the state Senate committee that oversees Washington's Department of Fish & Wildlife tells NBC News that the killing of a gray wolf pack in recent days was "inexcusable" and that he is demanding answers about why the agency thought it was necessary. 

"I find it inexcusable that we allowed ourselves to get to a place where killing the entire pack was the necessary decision when other non-lethal options – within the department and with ranchers – were not totally exhausted first," said Sen. Kevin Ranker, chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee.

"I find it ironic that the attacks on livestock that caused this situation ... took place on a ranch that has been outspoken about the removal of the pack and has refused to work with the department to implement prevention measures successfully adopted by other ranchers," he added.

The department gave the order to kill the entire pack, estimated to be eight wolves, after the pack became accustomed to attacking cattle instead of relying on wild prey.

"To say I am disappointed in the department's actions would be a gross understatement," Ranker said. "I can tell you, however, as the chair of the committee with oversight over the Department of Fish & Wildlife, this story is far from over."

In a letter Friday to the department, Ranker demanded to know:

    What specific actions the department took before authorizing the kill;
    Exact costs associated with killing the pack;
    What actions the department will take to avoid a repeat.

The department "has provided very general descriptions of a few non-lethal measures taken" under the state plan for managing gray wolves, he said in the letter. "The wolf plan however includes an extensive list of husbandry techniques, non-lethal deterrents, and relocation options that were not utilized in the case of the Wedge pack. The fact that the Department pursued removal of not just individual animals, but the entire pack, clearly evidences the agency's failure to effectively use these non-lethal tools to deter wolf-livestock depredation."

Ranker also said the department's strategy for managing gray wolves could backfire. "I fear that the Department’s actions ... will be viewed by some who do not support wolf recovery as setting a precedent that localized public pressure can dictate wolf plan implementation, including lethal removal decisions," he stated.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/29/14151323-killing-of-wolf-pack-criticized-by-key-washington-state-lawmaker?threadId=3578300&commentId=70540479#c70540479

[bearpaw]

It's quite obvious to me that this man needs a depredating pack of wolves in his district if not in his immediate neighborhood. 

[KFhunter]

Looks like we may be heading towards a de-facto open season, if WDFW officers drag their feet to calls or not respond at all  -rare as they might be with 82.2 % of HW members stating they would not turn in someone for shooting a wolf-  we could see a situation like Idaho with their fish and game not enforcing the laws.

"shoot as many as you can, then tag the last one" was a quote attributed to a wildlife officer from Idaho.

Will we see something like that here very soon with a division in the ranks of WDFW?

[denali]

Sent him a short email.

Dear Senator Ranker

In your discussions with the WDFW about wedge pack wolves, you could request that future wolves that are trapped and collared should be released in the 40th district.

Here are a few of the benefits!

1 ) a political win for you. The return of the iconic wolf to NW Washington can be a foundation of your legacy.

2 ) delisting can occur sooner

3 ) No more wolves will have to die.

4 ) I would be willing to help defer some of the cost in these tough economic times, let me know where I can send a donation to aid Western Washington wolf recovery.


Thank you, B____

[KFhunter]

There are a ton of city deer over there, especially in areas off limits to hunting.  I know there are gobs of yotes in around town, so imagine wolves instead of yotes.

that and all the pets and whatnot


The west will see wolves, and will hate them.   The faucet has been left on, and the bathtub is overflowing.  Just a matter of time!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Ranker is a maggot ...After reading this I hope they take is frickin job just like they did with Californias Game commissioner ...that would be awesome ..the antis are not buying his sheet and I hope it bites him in the arz !!!!

[saylean]

His contact info:

Contacting Sen. Kevin Ranker
By phone:

Olympia Office: (360) 786-7678
Bellingham Office: (360) 676-2160
Anacortes Office: (360) 588-6227

By e-mail:

Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov

By postal mail:

Sen. Kevin Ranker
PO Box 40440
Olympia, WA 98504-0440

Bellingham office:
960 Harris Street, Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-2160

Anacortes office:

2415 T Ave., Suite 202
Anacortes, WA, 98221
(360) 588-6227

Staff contacts:

Kendall Farley, Legislative Assistant
Kendall.Farley@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7678

For communications inquiries:

Dana Robinson Slote, Senate Democrats Communications Director
Dana.RobinsonSlote@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7845

[deaner]

wow the senator demands to know the cost of killing the pack..... how about the cost of trying all non lethal methods for a year or so and THEN killing the pack?  what an idiot

[bearpaw]

Senator Ranker is up for re-election and his opponent is John Swapp http://www.swappforsenate.com/contact.html who I emailed to find out his positions on many issues of concern to our members. I am anxious to see if I get a reply and what it will be.

Dear Mr Swapp,
I operate a Washington based online hunting forum www.hunting-washington.com which members are hunters, fishers, and outdoors people. We have a number of members in the legislative district where you are running for election to the senate.

Many of our members are quite unhappy with the position that Senator Ranker has taken regarding removal of the wolf pack that has been attacking and eating cattle in Stevens County.

I would like to ask what your position is regarding removal of that wolf pack and on wolf management in general.

I would also like to ask about your position on the 2nd Amendment and on hunting in Washington State.

I would like to post your comments on our forum for our 11,800+ members and guests to read. Feel free to call me if you wish at (509) 684-6294.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Best Regards,

[KFhunter]

Senator Ranker is up for re-election and his opponent is John Swapp http://www.swappforsenate.com/contact.html who I emailed to find out his positions on many issues of concern to our members. I am anxious to see if I get a reply and what it will be.

Dear Mr Swapp,
I operate a Washington based online hunting forum www.hunting-washington.com which members are hunters, fishers, and outdoors people. We have a number of members in the legislative district where you are running for election to the senate.

Many of our members are quite unhappy with the position that Senator Ranker has taken regarding removal of the wolf pack that has been attacking and eating cattle in Stevens County.

I would like to ask what your position is regarding removal of that wolf pack and on wolf management in general.

I would also like to ask about your position on the 2nd Amendment and on hunting in Washington State.

I would like to post your comments on our forum for our 11,800+ members and guests to read. Feel free to call me if you wish at (509) 684-6294.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Best Regards,

I would take his silence as a position not in line with the desires of H-W - but we need to give him a little more time perhaps?

[Kola16]

wow the senator demands to know the cost of killing the pack..... how about the cost of trying all non lethal methods for a year or so and THEN killing the pack?  what an idiot

  Good point

[KFhunter]

I don't for one second buy that this is an all new development for him.  It's not like this whole thing was done in secrecy, he had his chance to wade in and give WDFW his 2c.
Where was his voice Two years ago?  Two months ago?  Two weeks ago?

but noo, he has to make a big deal of it now that it's done to pander votes for his re-election. 
Get all the pro-wolf lovers all fired up to re-elect him.

What a POS

[CAMPMEAT]

He's a friggin' tree hugger, democrat from Orcas island, enough of his anal spewing BS. He needs to be replaced. Idiot !!!!

[JimmyHoffa]

but noo, he has to make a big deal of it now that it's done to pander votes for his re-election. 
Get all the pro-wolf lovers all fired up to re-elect him.

What a POS

Kind of my guess too.  Maybe even trying to get money for a campaign, but raised by a lot of the out of state wolf fluffers and sent to wildlife groups then channeled to his election.