WDFW Claims cow was not wolf kill

[bigtex]

What- are we wanting for these to be wolf kills? You know, animals do die in the winter, and especially at the very end of winter, AND especially older animals, like big bull elk. Is it so hard to imagine that wolves might feed on winter kill? It's a lot easier for them than having to chase one down and kill it.

Sorry, but I think I'd trust a biologist's opinion over anyone else on whether these animals were killed by wolves or not. And I would think this would be good news. These are animals that would have died anyway, the wolves are feeding on them, which means the wolves don't need to kill additional animals.

 
Are we getting to the point where every dead livestock animal is now a wolf kill?

What ever happened to cougar kills? Llamas were killed by coyotes a couple weeks ago.

So, when the llamas were killed by coyotes, that's how it was reported. However, when they found the dead cow, they could see wolves from where they were standing. You think that the rancher coming to that conclusion was pulling it right out of his butt or might there have been just a tad of justification? C'mon BT, if it looks like a wolf, walks like a wolf, and has a NY sirloin in it's mouth, what are the chances that was a cougar kill?

I am just saying that it seems like every dead animal we see now is a wolf kill according to people on this site. If someone in Puyallup has a sheep killed is it going to be a wolf until someone can prove it wrong? What about Port Angeles? Tri Cities?

[Fowlweather25]

So, even if the WDFW is right in thinking the wolves did not kill the cow, wouldn't the wolves now have a taste for beef and go out looking for beef now?

Just my opinion, but I think wolves are smart enough to know when they see cattle, even if it's the first time they've ever seen them, that they know it's food.

I think when they are hungry, and there are cattle available, they're going to eat them.


I don't know why a wolf eating a cow is seen as something extraordinary. It's going to happen. That's what wolves do. They have to kill stuff so they can eat. Just like us.

Wonder if you would feel the same way if you were trying to raise beef in wolf country as a main source of income to raise your family. Oh well, calves were all killed this year, sorry kids no food this month! Have you ever raised cattle bobcat and truley dealt with the hardships of trying to maintain a healthy herd, on top of dealing with apex predators? Or did you read and believe all of this in a book the same way you believe WDFW when they say the wolves aren't doing very well?

If ranchers in eastern washington had that same lackadaisical approach they would be in big trouble. But they don't because they see it first hand.

[vandeman17]

What- are we wanting for these to be wolf kills? You know, animals do die in the winter, and especially at the very end of winter, AND especially older animals, like big bull elk. Is it so hard to imagine that wolves might feed on winter kill? It's a lot easier for them than having to chase one down and kill it.

Sorry, but I think I'd trust a biologist's opinion over anyone else on whether these animals were killed by wolves or not. And I would think this would be good news. These are animals that would have died anyway, the wolves are feeding on them, which means the wolves don't need to kill additional animals.

 
Are we getting to the point where every dead livestock animal is now a wolf kill?

What ever happened to cougar kills? Llamas were killed by coyotes a couple weeks ago.

So, when the llamas were killed by coyotes, that's how it was reported. However, when they found the dead cow, they could see wolves from where they were standing. You think that the rancher coming to that conclusion was pulling it right out of his butt or might there have been just a tad of justification? C'mon BT, if it looks like a wolf, walks like a wolf, and has a NY sirloin in it's mouth, what are the chances that was a cougar kill?

I am just saying that it seems like every dead animal we see now is a wolf kill according to people on this site. If someone in Puyallup has a sheep killed is it going to be a wolf until someone can prove it wrong? What about Port Angeles? Tri Cities?

I don't assume all kills are wolf kills, I am not that naive. When there are wolves standing a little ways away watching everything happen then it makes me suspicious. If you can across a carcass in the woods and saw a bear nearby would you assume it was a bear that killed it? I think so 

[bobcat]

Fowlweather25-

Yes, I would feel the same way if I were a rancher in eastern Washington. I would expect to have cattle eaten by wolves. Are you saying you would not expect that to happen?

I don't need a book to tell me that wolves are a predator and will kill and eat whatever is available.

I'm not sure, but I think perhaps you misinterpreted my post. I never said I want wolves here. I didn't say I want them eating MY deer and elk. And I certainly don't want them eating cattle and other livestock.

I don't even agree with wolves being listed as an endangered species. They're not endangered, there are plenty of wolves in Canada and Alaska. We don't have room for them here in the lower 48 states, and we especially don't have room for them in Washington state.

But the fact is they are listed as an endangered species, and therefore they are protected, and the WDFW has to follow all the rules that were put in place to help restore endangered species.

Did that clear it up any for you or do you still think I'm a wolf hugger?

[KFhunter]

When people get pissed enough pretty soon wolves will be the killer of everything.

Hell just look at little red riding hood and 3 little piggies. 

WDFW is going to loose control, it's a forgone conclusion.

[huntnphool]

When people get pissed enough pretty soon wolves will be the killer of everything.

Hell just look at little red riding hood and 3 little piggies. 

WDFW is going to loose control, it's a forgone conclusion.

LOL, you assume they ever had it!

[Heredoggydoggy]

WDFW didn't LOSE control--they GAVE it to the Wolf-huggers! 

[mulehunter]

 He probablly having hard time sleeping every night that He should have never call WDFW first place and put two bullets in Coyotes and be quiet.   

[Fowlweather25]

Bobcat, I don't believe I accused you of being a wolf hugger. What I wanted to know is why you act as if it's no big deal. No one ever said wolves won't eat cattle. However don't be surprised when people get upset about it.

The whole point that I wonder if you are missing is that once a wolf realizes that cattle are easy, almost effortless targets with plenty more meat on them, even than most elk, then they will almost forget that deer and elk even exist. Just like the Wedge pack.

Then it goes from eating our beloved deer and elk. To eating a lot of people's livelihood.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Wolves scavenge when they get the chance.  I think the point is, none of us were there, the biologist was there (probably with the rancher) and they decided it wasn't killed by wolves.  Who are you guys to determine that it was?    

[UBA]

Does anyone know how to get a contract to do the aerial gunning?  This is just going to happen again and again......dead livestock....Game department trys to hide the facts.

[vandeman17]

Wolves scavenge when they get the chance.  I think the point is, none of us were there, the biologist was there (probably with the rancher) and they decided it wasn't killed by wolves.  Who are you guys to determine that it was?    

I completely agree. All I was arguing is it seems like the WDFW is always so quick to say it wasn't a wolf just to avoid the drama. I am not going to dispute their findings because I wasn't there but knowing that there were wolves there watching them leads me to believe there is more then a small chance they were involved.

[NoImpactNoIdea]

Does anyone know how to get a contract to do the aerial gunning?  This is just going to happen again and again......dead livestock....Game department trys to hide the facts.

I think I still have the MagPul dvds lying around somewhere at work...

[Scottystyle]

The only thing that is fact is this is what the WDFW wants, and despite the trainwreck we have seen in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho... they evidence is there and they push wolces on us full steam ahead.  I am no longer funding the destruction of our wildlife, and our ranchers livelyhoods.  I know my $500 a year for licences, tags, parking fees, and the damn EXTORTION pass, wont matter to them, and yall can have better draw odds without me ... but I for one will not have a guilty concience about this anymore.

[mulehunter]

Does anyone know how to get a contract to do the aerial gunning?  This is just going to happen again and again......dead livestock....Game department trys to hide the facts.

I will be more happy to rent one and take you for a ride.