Isle Royale Wolf Decline Boosts Moose

[bearpaw]

Isle Royale Wolf Decline Boosts Moose

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. April 30, 2014 (AP)

Isle Royale National Park's inbred gray wolf population remains dangerously low for a third consecutive year, while the moose on which they feed have doubled during the same period — trends that could lead to long-term problems for the Lake Superior archipelago's ecosystems, scientists said Wednesday.

Only nine wolves roamed the park this winter — one more than the eight recorded last year, which was the lowest total since wildlife biologists began observing the relationship between Isle Royale wolves and moose in the late 1950s. The study is the world's longest of a predator-prey relationship in a closed ecosystem.

"The wolves are struggling," said Rolf Peterson, a research professor with Michigan Technological University and co-director of the study. "There's definitely a chance they might not last much longer."

Meanwhile, the moose population rose to about 1,050, according to a report by Peterson and co-director John Vucetich obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release. That is a sharp jump from the 515 counted in 2011.

more: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/apnewsbreak-isle-royale-wolf-decline-boosts-moose-23536484

[AspenBud]

That area has been a case study for years. The moose and wolf populations have fluctuated and neither has disappeared. So much for the predator pit.

[bearpaw]

In spite of a harsh winter the moose population has doubled in the last three years since the wolf population declined.

[snowpack]

That area has been a case study for years. The moose and wolf populations have fluctuated and neither has disappeared. So much for the predator pit.

Yup.  And I don't think I've ever seen where they even got close to any kind of steady-state 'balance'.  It has been up-down-up-down.  A few years ago they were really worried about the moose--wolves killed too many calves and the herd was aging--approaching a collapse.

[Knocker of rocks]

And I don't think I've ever seen where they even got close to any kind of steady-state 'balance'.  It has been up-down-up-down.  A few years ago they were really worried about the moose--wolves killed too many calves and the herd was aging--approaching a collapse.

I think Malthusian behavior is typical of both populations

[pd]

BearPaw, I watched a report on the news a few months ago, and they showed new arrivals (wolves) crossing the snow bridge into the park.  As you know the long, cold winter completely froze the lake, and wolves were able to make it into the park for the first time in "several years."  It will be interesting to see what happens.

On the other hand, maybe the wolves in the park took this opportunity to get out of the isolated island?

[snowpack]

I heard that pd.  They had record (near record ?) ice formation on the Great Lakes this year.  Half was still frozen in late April allowing wolves to move around.  They had at least one leave the island and it died on the mainland.

[wolfbait]

The only wolf control WA will ever get is SS by the public. Get use to it

[AspenBud]

I heard that pd.  They had record (near record ?) ice formation on the Great Lakes this year.  Half was still frozen in late April allowing wolves to move around.  They had at least one leave the island and it died on the mainland.

The bigger concern will be how many potentially crossed the ice into the lower peninsula. The out of control white tail population there would feed a big wolf population.

[Elkaholic daWg]

I heard that pd.  They had record (near record ?) ice formation on the Great Lakes this year.  Half was still frozen in late April allowing wolves to move around.  They had at least one leave the island and it died on the mainland.

The bigger concern will be how many potentially crossed the ice into the lower peninsula. The out of control white tail population there would feed a big wolf population.

 Do those people believe the WT populations are out of control Aspen, or is this your opinion?

[Bean Counter]

And I don't think I've ever seen where they even got close to any kind of steady-state 'balance'.  It has been up-down-up-down.  A few years ago they were really worried about the moose--wolves killed too many calves and the herd was aging--approaching a collapse.

I think Malthusian behavior is typical of both populations

More interdependent... like yin and yang.

[AspenBud]

I heard that pd.  They had record (near record ?) ice formation on the Great Lakes this year.  Half was still frozen in late April allowing wolves to move around.  They had at least one leave the island and it died on the mainland.

The bigger concern will be how many potentially crossed the ice into the lower peninsula. The out of control white tail population there would feed a big wolf population.

 Do those people believe the WT populations are out of control Aspen, or is this your opinion?

If you go deer hunting in the lower peninsula of Michigan and don't put at least one into the freezer (play the seasons and tags right and you can take home at least five) you either are a compete newb, don't know what you're doing, or aren't trying very hard. They were even allowing deer with spots to get shot back in 2011 during the early season. Washington is a deer desert by comparison.

The state has one of the largest deer populations in the country. Seriously, the DNR has had virtually unlimited doe tags available there for years and they still have plenty.

The UP is an entirely different story, though even that is relative. Different habitat, different agriculture, lots more wolves.

[wolfbait]

I heard that pd.  They had record (near record ?) ice formation on the Great Lakes this year.  Half was still frozen in late April allowing wolves to move around.  They had at least one leave the island and it died on the mainland.

The bigger concern will be how many potentially crossed the ice into the lower peninsula. The out of control white tail population there would feed a big wolf population.

 Do those people believe the WT populations are out of control Aspen, or is this your opinion?

If you go deer hunting in the lower peninsula of Michigan and don't put at least one into the freezer (play the seasons and tags right and you can take home at least five) you either are a compete newb, don't know what you're doing, or aren't trying very hard. They were even allowing deer with spots to get shot back in 2011 during the early season. Washington is a deer desert by comparison.

The state has one of the largest deer populations in the country. Seriously, the DNR has had virtually unlimited doe tags available there for years and they still have plenty.

The UP is an entirely different story, though even that is relative. Different habitat, different agriculture, lots more wolves.

Maybe Michigan DNR needs WDFW to manage their deer etc. for a few years. You know protect predators and dump wolves all over the state.

[AspenBud]

I heard that pd.  They had record (near record ?) ice formation on the Great Lakes this year.  Half was still frozen in late April allowing wolves to move around.  They had at least one leave the island and it died on the mainland.

The bigger concern will be how many potentially crossed the ice into the lower peninsula. The out of control white tail population there would feed a big wolf population.

 Do those people believe the WT populations are out of control Aspen, or is this your opinion?

If you go deer hunting in the lower peninsula of Michigan and don't put at least one into the freezer (play the seasons and tags right and you can take home at least five) you either are a compete newb, don't know what you're doing, or aren't trying very hard. They were even allowing deer with spots to get shot back in 2011 during the early season. Washington is a deer desert by comparison.

The state has one of the largest deer populations in the country. Seriously, the DNR has had virtually unlimited doe tags available there for years and they still have plenty.

The UP is an entirely different story, though even that is relative. Different habitat, different agriculture, lots more wolves.

Maybe Michigan DNR needs WDFW to manage their deer etc. for a few years. You know protect predators and dump wolves all over the state.

Last I read they were close to reaching their target population. I'm sure this last winter helped out.

Michigan arguably manages their resources better than Washington. Though with the most public forest land in the lower 48 there is hot debate on whether they do enough tree cutting. The line for good grouse hunting out there keeps moving north which indicates degrading habitat.

I think if you talk with the bio's there they would argue for the wolf hunt and right to defend animals and people from wolves. By keeping them under the ESA the government was undermining wolf recovery by creating a lot of resentment and unnecessary fear. People don't want them gone there, they want them managed. The bright side is they don't waste a lot of time thinking wolves were some government conspiracy or worrying about land grabs, they get things done. The bad side is there is a lot of out of state money from California coming in trying to prevent wolf management there.

But Michigan has a culture built on hunting. You can throw a rock and hit a hunter there. Not so in Washington.

[villageidiot]

It doesn't matter what state your in, Michigan or Washington.  The only people that want wolves make no sacrafices for them. On the other hand the livestock owners for the most part and hunters to some degree are making all the sacrafices and DO NOT WANT WOLVES.