Spokane Wolf Meetings

[turkeyfeather]

So far they haven't told us anything we don't already know. They have about 4 times the number than they initially planned for, and 20% of the packs are preying on cattle. This is for the entire northern rocky mountain area.

[turkeyfeather]

Had to leave when Carter Niemeyer was done with his presentation so I wasn't able to see the last speaker they had. But this was definately geared more towards ranchers and cattlemen and dealing with the wolves. Like I said not much that we don't already know. He said he wasn't going to discuss the wedge pack but more or less said that if the rancher had been more cooperative that maybe they could have done something sooner. I did like the fact that he said maybe we should be relocating some eastern washington packs to the westside. I know alot of you won't like that. I was suprised to hear the amount of elk these things eat. Their plan was for 450 wolves in Idaho, Montana & Wyoming. Oregon and Washington weren't initially on the recovery program. They now have a minimum of about 1800. And they eat 12-22 elk a year. He also stated that those that are complaining about the decline of elk populations in Idaho can't really blame wolves because they were on the decline due to habitat 20 years ago. Maybe, but the wolves just accelerated the process. Anyways if I can remember more I will post it up.

[haugenna]

When is the Seattle meeting?

[turkeyfeather]

I believe tomorrow is Olympia, and Friday is Seattle

[whacker1]

some interesting information, but I didn't learn much that I didn't already know.  It was a long evening, and we left about 15 or 20 minutes into the q & a

[turkeyfeather]

some interesting information, but I didn't learn much that I didn't already know.  It was a long evening, and we left about 15 or 20 minutes into the q & a

Holy crap, I'm glad I didn't stay any longer.

[dscubame]

some interesting information, but I didn't learn much that I didn't already know.  It was a long evening, and we left about 15 or 20 minutes into the q & a

Fill us in Whacker1

[turkeyfeather]

some interesting information, but I didn't learn much that I didn't already know.  It was a long evening, and we left about 15 or 20 minutes into the q & a

Fill us in Whacker1

Yes, I'd like to know what I missed and if you had a different take than I did.

[whacker1]

Well the T-shirt award goes to the guy sporting the Shoot, Shovel & Shut up T-shirt

[Ridgeratt]

Where were you sitting from him?
I left before the Q&A's started also. But I did watch the ladies screen all the questions that were submitted. I wonder if they weeded out any of the real controversial ones. They read every one then put them into sorted piles.

[denali]

Had to leave before Q&A?

Gota love it, Carter is all for trans location to the westside, so you to can enjoy the ecological benefits of wolves.

[whacker1]

O.K. too qualify, I went to hear Jay Shepard, colville biologist speak a couple of years ago.  So, much of the information was very similar. 
but this time 200-250 people showed up

notable items: 

8 confirmed packs, and 3 more suspected packs.
They recently colored a wolf in the Blue Mountains, which they are referring to as the Walla Walla suspected pack.

The tracking of the Wedge pack and the steps they took to use non-lethal means was the most interesting.  According to WDFW they worked very well with the two ranch owners, and ranch hands.  The wolves from that pack killed or injured like 10 livestock animals in a short period of time, which is why they were eliminated.

[runningboard]

Where were you sitting from him?
I left before the Q&A's started also. But I did watch the ladies screen all the questions that were submitted. I wonder if they weeded out any of the real controversial ones. They read every one then put them into sorted piles.

I was thinking the same thing as I watched her go thru them, & the very 1st Q was a no answer? it was worded funny & I didn't understand it either but just to "let's get another 1" had me wondering what it said or was meant to say.
when we were cramped in that 1st room I stepped out before that guy was done talking because the lady next to me started to steam from all the body heat in there & she was emitting odor! 

[whacker1]

I don't thinking she was screening the questions.  She was grouping them, so the questions thatwere related she would ask as one big question.  For example each question she would ask, she would have at least 10 of the same index cards and she would ask it as a broader question.

[whacker1]

I also caught Carter Niemeyer's comments about relocation. I believe his intent was to say that because Washington has 3 separate regions and we have 6 confirmed and a 3 suspected packs in the Eastern Region, and 2 packs in the North Central region, and 0 packs in the SW pack that we may need to consider relocation if we plan on managing them anytime soon.  He didn't say that it in so many words, but that is what I took out of the comment.

I asked for a copy of the powerpoint presentation....If they send it to me, i will post a copy.  The host of the meeting seemed like it was realistic that they would send me a copy. However, I am not holding my breath.