Wolf caught snatching a chicken near Colville

[Boss .300 winmag]

I'm at the give up point Dale,  probably noticed I haven't been in the wolf section too much lately.


Painfully obvious NE/WA is a forgone conclusion and the wolf huggers here admit that freely.  WDFW isn't going to lift a finger to do anything and quite the opposite they suppress wolf sightings and fail to document.

The only thing that'll bring about change is more pain, lot's more pain.

I've been busy hunting so have not been on the forum much in a month. I agree that NE may be in for a lot of hurt. WDFW told us directly at the Colville meeting they were not going to do anything even if game numbers dropped. I'm certain that was the wrong thing to tell people. 

Every moose I have seen this spring I am glad to know survived the wolves another year. But I also noticed in the regs that the moose permit numbers are dropping in some wolf areas. There are some impacts and I'm sure WDFW knows it.

I'm afraid that many of these single wolves may be teaming up with a mate to form new packs. But on the other hand some packs do not seem to be surviving well in our human populated countryside. Maybe they don't like all the human activity here and that's why some are going back to Canada, maybe locals are putting more hurt on them than we imagine, I'm not sure why exactly, but I am hoping for whatever cause the number of packs don't multiply like they did in Idaho.

I suspect that wolves may end up being the bigger problem in western Washington before this is all finished.

Yep!

When they arrive in the Skagit Valley and clean out what little game we have here all the farms here will need cyclone cemented in fences to keep them off our livestock.

[mossy8352]

So I gather from all of the above that WDFG wants each and everyone of us to carry a DNA kit (not yet invented) around and if we see a "WOLF/YOTE" we are to run up to it draw a sample and verify it is only a coyote and then bang bang. I remember when wardens on certain rivers on the West side would try and get people to take a fish they had in hand and then write them a ticket. The trust in any government agency has dropped to a new low and until things change it will stay that way. The veterans poor health treatment was first reported in"2008" and as with WDFG we are all wrong and can not tell the difference in a wolf and a yote -ridiculous!

[bearpaw]

Here is a fact, please feel free to review the job description WDFW had posted for their wolf trappers:

I have nothing against college grads, I have a daughter attending college. But if you will please remember that was the primary qualification for their new hire wolf trappers. Most any knowledgeable trapper (who can catch wolves) will probably tell you that they should have hired experienced trappers as the first priority qualification if they wanted to catch wolves. 

A couple years ago my neighbor who's kenneled german shepherd dogs were being attacked in his backyard had to fire shots to scare away 5 wolves that were attacking his dogs. I wanted to be sure this was reported, he told me OK to report it.

The region 1 manager Steve Pozzanghera called me from Spokane to tell me my neighbor did not see wolves attacking his german shepherds. Pozzanghera  told me in a not so pleasant manner they were coyotes from his office desk in Spokane. That is how WDFW seems to handle wolf sightings and everyone knows it.

Maybe that will give you something new to bring up at your next GMAC meeting. I know from experience exactly why people are saying what they do about how WDFW reacts to wolf reports! We have coyotes all over Stevens County, these ranchers see coyotes every week of their life. It's one thing if WDFW said they can't find proof that a sighting was wolf, but it's quite a different story when they insist you saw a coyote when you know it was a wolf and they won't even consider your report a wolf report. 

I am with you on the hiring qualifications issue...I don't think they are getting the right people for the job either and I raised this issue at a meeting...they reiterated that its just darn tough to trap wolves and they didn't feel like the staff were the problem    I asked if they could get that fella IDFG sent into the Frank that killed what 8 wolves in like a week! I have college degrees too and I completely agree they are overrated for most jobs...particularly wolf trapping 

Still not sure what motive wdfw would have to say without any evidence (i.e., sitting at their desk) that someone didn't see a wolf.   

Yes, it's really tough if you've never trapped many, if any, wild canines! There is a learning curve to catch wild canines that experienced wolf or even coyote trappers would have already have been through. Currently, it seems hunters are paying wages to teach these "trappers" to be trappers since only 1 wolf has been trapped. Please understand this is nothing personal against anyone who got the job. It's just that this state needs some real trappers to get the job done.

As an outfitter operating in the private sector if I hired a hunting guide and he only produced 1 successful trip in a full season I would be forced to remedy that situation or quickly suffer a significant loss of business as a result of such epic failure.

If the state really wants to prove there are wolves out there, open these trapping positions up to bid and require proven trapping experience as a requirement to register to bid. In a few weeks I bet we could come up with a 4 man crew who could catch wolves and then the people might appreciate WDFW efforts. 

[jasnt]

What is the motivation for WDFW to tell people lies about seeing wolves?  And please don't give me some wolfbait contrived conspiracy here...Seriously, what do they have to gain?  I am not saying a few good ranchers are not seeing wolves, but all of my interaction with wdfw staff has been them saying that wolves can be absolutely anywhere and everywhere in WA and the population is growing.  The wolf bios also preach about getting any wolf sightings or activity into them that you can, especially if it includes pictures of the animal or tracks etc. so they can focus their trapping efforts.  This seems inconsistent with what you are posting   

 
to avoid panic! 

I say go with their coyote story and shoot every dam coyote that you see

[bearpaw]

Here is a fact, please feel free to review the job description WDFW had posted for their wolf trappers:

I have nothing against college grads, I have a daughter attending college. But if you will please remember that was the primary qualification for their new hire wolf trappers. Most any knowledgeable trapper (who can catch wolves) will probably tell you that they should have hired experienced trappers as the first priority qualification if they wanted to catch wolves. 

A couple years ago my neighbor who's kenneled german shepherd dogs were being attacked in his backyard had to fire shots to scare away 5 wolves that were attacking his dogs. I wanted to be sure this was reported, he told me OK to report it.

The region 1 manager Steve Pozzanghera called me from Spokane to tell me my neighbor did not see wolves attacking his german shepherds. Pozzanghera  told me in a not so pleasant manner they were coyotes from his office desk in Spokane. That is how WDFW seems to handle wolf sightings and everyone knows it.

Maybe that will give you something new to bring up at your next GMAC meeting. I know from experience exactly why people are saying what they do about how WDFW reacts to wolf reports! We have coyotes all over Stevens County, these ranchers see coyotes every week of their life. It's one thing if WDFW said they can't find proof that a sighting was wolf, but it's quite a different story when they insist you saw a coyote when you know it was a wolf and they won't even consider your report a wolf report. 

I am with you on the hiring qualifications issue...I don't think they are getting the right people for the job either and I raised this issue at a meeting...they reiterated that its just darn tough to trap wolves and they didn't feel like the staff were the problem    I asked if they could get that fella IDFG sent into the Frank that killed what 8 wolves in like a week! I have college degrees too and I completely agree they are overrated for most jobs...particularly wolf trapping 

Still not sure what motive wdfw would have to say without any evidence (i.e., sitting at their desk) that someone didn't see a wolf.   

Yes, it's really tough if you've never trapped many, if any, wild canines! There is a learning curve to catch wild canines that experienced wolf or even coyote trappers would have already have been through. Currently, it seems hunters are paying wages to teach these "trappers" to be trappers since only 1 wolf has been trapped. Please understand this is nothing personal against anyone who got the job. It's just that this state needs some real trappers to get the job done.

As an outfitter operating in the private sector if I hired a hunting guide and he only produced 1 successful trip in a full season I would be forced to remedy that situation or quickly suffer a significant loss of business as a result of such epic failure.

If the state really wants to prove there are wolves out there, open these trapping positions up to bid and require proven trapping experience as a requirement to register to bid. In a few weeks I bet we could come up with a 4 man crew who could catch wolves and then the people might appreciate WDFW efforts. 

I should have said:

As an outfitter operating in the private sector if I hired 4 hunting guides and they collectively produced only 1 successful hunt in a full season I would be forced out of business by the reputation gained as a result of such epic failure.

[wolfbait]

There is a piece of state land right behind both of these ranches, oddly enough two days after the last wolf sighting I sent two hunters over to check their shotgun on a target at the state land, this happened to be right behind both ranches that have seen the wolves. Oddly enough the same warden and his sergeant happened to be there and checked the hunters out. If this was only coyote sightings why were they both right behind both of these ranches?

That's right, they know they are wolves, but they are going to keep telling local people we are seeing coyotes! This is exactly what makes everyone so darn mad about this wolf issue. If WDFW would at least be honest and understanding, tell the people they will try to monitor the situation and will do what they can to prevent problems. Instead people get these phony lies! I know this is exactly what people are being told because I tried to report a wolf attack on German Shepherd dogs and the WDFW called me back and told me it was 5 coyotes trying to attack the German Shepherds. 

Two days ago at a rural residence only about 1 mile away from the other ranchers the lady looks out her window and watches a wolf snatch one of her chickens and trot away. She told my wife about it at the rodeo yesterday. My wife asked her if she was sure it was a wolf and not a coyote YES, then she asked if the lady reported it, NOPE! My wife tried to convince her that she needed to report it or we will never get wolves delisted. But we doubt it gets reported.

Faith is so low in WDFW that many people have quit reporting most wildlife incidents. Mostly I am hearing that people are just going to take of things themselves because WDFW is a waste of time. In fact the one rancher told WDFW that if the wolf comes back to their yard it's getting shot. Maybe that's why WDFW is spending time right there in that area.

People have no faith in the WDFW reaction anymore! I hope it's better in other areas of Washington! 

Rant Over....

WDFW is still looking for a "poster child" to destroy as a psychological deterrent for perceived future shooters. 

The fact that local wardens go along with all the bs involved is disheartening to many residents of Stevens county.....they have sold out the public and are viewed in a very negative aspect by many.  They no longer stand for right and wrong in many peoples minds, rather they stand for messengers lacking their own set of personal ethics regarding wolves.

This is not a personal rant, but a common opinion shared by way too many good folks.  I feel sorry for the wardens who have abandoned the interests of the public and let their image slip so low as to be disrespected, all for the wolf.

"I feel sorry for the wardens who have abandoned the interests of the public and let their image slip so low as to be disrespected, all for the wolf."

 It's either go along or go down the road, no more job.  I know some are counting the days to retirement. They are seeing the very same impact as we are, and yet they can not say anything except what they are told to say.
 
Last spring when a local rancher lost a new calf to wolves, I helped the rancher cover the evidence, took pictures of a pile of wolf scat where the calf was killed. A new WDFW warden showed up and we had a little discussion about wolves and where they came from, I think he left with a few more ideas other then the BS he was told to say.  WDFW confirmed the wolf kill as a coyote kill. Whats one more lie from WDFW?

[wolfbait]

So I gather from all of the above that WDFG wants each and everyone of us to carry a DNA kit (not yet invented) around and if we see a "WOLF/YOTE" we are to run up to it draw a sample and verify it is only a coyote and then bang bang. I remember when wardens on certain rivers on the West side would try and get people to take a fish they had in hand and then write them a ticket. The trust in any government agency has dropped to a new low and until things change it will stay that way. The veterans poor health treatment was first reported in"2008" and as with WDFG we are all wrong and can not tell the difference in a wolf and a yote -ridiculous!

I wonder how hard it is to crease a wolf/wolves? Would it leave a little scar or a big one?

[idahohuntr]

A new WDFW warden showed up and we had a little discussion about wolves and where they came from, I think he left with a few more ideas other then the BS he was told to say. 

For all of you who report wolves and wonder why WDFW has a hard time taking many of them seriously...it is because of people like wolfbait that they have to listen to rant every darn day that are clueless and full of government conspiracies.  So...if we can get the wolfbaits of the world to keep their crazy to themselves it can only help. 

[pianoman9701]

Why lie about the wolves? Why lie about what's killing elk in SW WA? Follow the money. The grants from private organizations for trapping and collaring will dry up if they properly report and are then forced to manage. The farmers will get paid for wolf kills if they can't claim coyotes did it. When they do have to manage because of submitting accurate reports, they'll have to spend money on litigation against the same people from whom they're currently receiving money. And, if the wolves are spreading so fast as to create a problem, the fears expressed for the last 5 years by hunters, ranchers, and people who live within reality will come true and their butts will be on the line for screwing up our state with such a radical wolf plan. They have all the motivation they need to lie. For crying out loud, several have been told to stop lying. We know they lie about it.

[buckfvr]

It may just be that wolfbait is over towards one end of the spectrum, however his account of events is closer to real than yours, Ida..........and if he is at one end of the spectrum, you truley are at the absolute other end of the spectrum. 

[KFhunter]

A new WDFW warden showed up and we had a little discussion about wolves and where they came from, I think he left with a few more ideas other then the BS he was told to say. 

For all of you who report wolves and wonder why WDFW has a hard time taking many of them seriously...it is because of people like wolfbait that they have to listen to rant every darn day that are clueless and full of government conspiracies.  So...if we can get the wolfbaits of the world to keep their crazy to themselves it can only help. 

I'm sure the rants and anti-wolf ranchers pissed off about wolf eating their cattle are causing WDFW to not confirm wolf kills out of pure spite,  got to be it.

Thanks for enlightening all of us.



I make sure to tell everyone when they got a wolf kill to be nicer to the WDFW employees, maybe offer them a glass of tea and tell them how thrilled they are wolves are back, maybe show them some receipts for donations to conservation northwest; maybe even offer some quality alone time with the ranchers wife - then perhaps they'll get an honest adjudication of depredation by wolf.

[idahohuntr]

A new WDFW warden showed up and we had a little discussion about wolves and where they came from, I think he left with a few more ideas other then the BS he was told to say. 

For all of you who report wolves and wonder why WDFW has a hard time taking many of them seriously...it is because of people like wolfbait that they have to listen to rant every darn day that are clueless and full of government conspiracies.  So...if we can get the wolfbaits of the world to keep their crazy to themselves it can only help. 

I'm sure the rants and anti-wolf ranchers pissed off about wolf eating their cattle are causing WDFW to not confirm wolf kills out of pure spite,  got to be it.

Thanks for enlightening all of us.



I make sure to tell everyone when they got a wolf kill to be nicer to the WDFW employees, maybe offer them a glass of tea and tell them how thrilled they are wolves are back, maybe show them some receipts for donations to conservation northwest; maybe even offer some quality alone time with the ranchers wife - then perhaps they'll get an honest adjudication of depredation by wolf.

Boy you just nailed exactly what I said.  Good thing you are so smart.

Its got nothing to do with being nice...its all about credibility.  Go read the story of the boy who cried wolf.  you might learn something.

[idahohuntr]

and if he is at one end of the spectrum, you truley are at the absolute other end of the spectrum.

Oh absolutely!  I actually hunt big game, I don't believe in secret government conspiracies about wolves, I think public land is a good thing, I think state based management of wildlife is a good thing, I support the North American Model of Wildlife Management and I think guys like Randy Newberg are model sportsmen compared to the cronies at outfits like big game forever and SFW. 

[KFhunter]

A new WDFW warden showed up and we had a little discussion about wolves and where they came from, I think he left with a few more ideas other then the BS he was told to say. 

For all of you who report wolves and wonder why WDFW has a hard time taking many of them seriously...it is because of people like wolfbait that they have to listen to rant every darn day that are clueless and full of government conspiracies.  So...if we can get the wolfbaits of the world to keep their crazy to themselves it can only help. 

I'm sure the rants and anti-wolf ranchers pissed off about wolf eating their cattle are causing WDFW to not confirm wolf kills out of pure spite,  got to be it.

Thanks for enlightening all of us.



I make sure to tell everyone when they got a wolf kill to be nicer to the WDFW employees, maybe offer them a glass of tea and tell them how thrilled they are wolves are back, maybe show them some receipts for donations to conservation northwest; maybe even offer some quality alone time with the ranchers wife - then perhaps they'll get an honest adjudication of depredation by wolf.

Boy you just nailed exactly what I said.  Good thing you are so smart.

Its got nothing to do with being nice...its all about credibility.  Go read the story of the boy who cried wolf.  you might learn something.

I've yet to meet a truly dishonest rancher, I'm sure it happens but it's not the norm. 


Let's discuss WDFW credibility.  We can make a poll if you like?

WDFW serves hunters, so what better place to make a poll than on the largest hunting forum in WA?

[KFhunter]

and if he is at one end of the spectrum, you truley are at the absolute other end of the spectrum.

Oh absolutely!  I actually hunt big game, I don't believe in secret government conspiracies about wolves, I think public land is a good thing, I think state based management of wildlife is a good thing, I support the North American Model of Wildlife Management and I think guys like Randy Newberg are model sportsmen compared to the cronies at outfits like big game forever and SFW. 

better hurry up and get your vote in,  might make WDFW look good for a minute or two

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,153477.0/viewresults.html