coyote vs wolf identification email via wdfw

[KB88]

Just received an email from WDFW:

"WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov
Dear Washington Sportsman,

As an avid hunter you have spent time honing your shooting skills, scouting your favorite hunting spot, and preparing for your season opener. The time you have invested can pay off when the season opens. Important details for a successful season include knowing the season dates, GMU restrictions, and recognizing what wildlife species may be present in the area you are hunting.

Be sure of identification of your target animal. While coyotes may be harvested year round; wolves can easily be mistaken for coyotes. Remember wolves are protected under both federal and state law and may not be shot or killed. Please review the Coyote vs. Wolf identification card to assist you while hunting (see: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/wolf-coyote_compare.pdf ). This card can also be found in the 2013 Washington State Big Game Hunting Pamphlet on page 70.

Thanks for your support of Washington's natural resources.

Good luck this season!"





Funny how they send this now, on the 3rd day of modern deer.

[HighCountryHunter88]

i got it too, funny i thought the same thing 

[calib]

me too, got two different e mails the other was a bear topic

[MLBowhunting]

Same here

[CAMPMEAT]

I wonder why they even sent that out. It's kinda like sending out a deer identification test for each species, which they don't.

[Marcoramius]

I like how they always identify their tracks as 4-5"...like they just spawn out of the ground to full size. Chances are if you are in an area that is known to be harboring wolves, that the smaller tracks you see are smaller wolves, not coyotes, as the wolves would have driven out or killed any coyotes in their territory 

[Scottystyle]

I thought it was hilarious, probably a reaction to the general or majority consensus of what hunters think about the flea bags.  Im thinking the WDFW is affraid of what might happen to thier "investment".

[Curly]

I got the email and was just coming here to post it.

Is this a true statement:  "Remember wolves are protected under both federal and state law and may not be shot or killed."

That statement isn't true for the eastern third of the state, is it?  They are delisted by the feds over there, right?  So, the statement is only partially true.

[furiouzgeorge]

they both look like coyotes to me.....

[Curly]

I'm sure there are some at WDFW that would like to make coyotes illegal to shoot just so that someone doesn't accidentally shoot a wolf thinking it is a yote.

[furiouzgeorge]

Then they look like bear...or cougars, or deer...darn, better shut down all modern big game hunting to save the wolf 

[Encore 280]

So, could an immature wolf look like an adult coyote?

[villageidiot]

Not to worry Curly.   They are slowly climbing the ladder of making coyotes illegal to shoot.  They once were considered vermin just like wolves.  Then they required you to buy a small game license.  Then they stopped trapping of coyotes and actually everything.  Then they made it illegal to hunt coyotes with dogs.  It appears we only have one step left and I do believe you will see it become law.