Rancher: Being forced off private grazing land by wolves is wrong

[stevemiller]

Resolves the "problem?"  The only resolution that would put an end to wolves preying on livestock, is the total elimination of wolves.

OK, you are probably right, isn't that what they did before, until then losses should be paid for?

why dont these ranchers just get insurance?

Insurance Agent: Hello this is Geico!

Sheep Rancher: Uh hi, I'd like to insure my 1800 sheep against wolf attacks! 

Insurance Agent: Do you live in Stevens County?

Sheep Rancher: Uh huh....

Insurance Agent: Sorry dude, call your legislator! 

Sheep Rancher: stevemiller thought you would insure my sheep?

Insurance Agent: Did you really believe that!  CLANK!

This is funny bearpaw.Anyways what you are saying is that nobody would insure such a thing well I see insurance options for everything,Wow they even still insure mobile homes in tornado alley,I agree with the wolves are a problem I also agree with its not the publics problem like was said earlier in this thread it is not something that should still be covered with yours and my money.What difference does it make if we have to pay more at the register or at the ranch for their loss?It makes no difference at all.

[Curly]

You are correct WDFW created a lot of wiggle room to escape payment. However, I would rather deal with WDFW than some people who want to refuse payments altogether. Thankfully WDFW is a little more honorable than that.

So ranchers are being compensated, then what's up with the title of this thread? If they get fully compensated for every animal killed by wolves, then why the complaints? Like I said, the whining is getting old. Some people will find any excuse just to complain about the government.

WDFW leaves themselves open for lots of complaints against them.  They could delist wolves in the eastern third of the state.........that should allow some people to pat them on the back for doing the right thing.  WDFW sucks and it gets harder and harder all the time to make excuses for them.

[Curly]

I also think WDFW should compensate ranchers for losses due to cougars, bears, and coyotes.  Those poplulations have risen due to mismanagement by WDFW.  Sure, part of the problem was created by idiotic voters back in 1996, but WDFW is sure not helping things with their continued policies that favor predators.

[bobcat]

I also think WDFW should compensate ranchers for losses due to cougars, bears, and coyotes.  Those poplulations have risen due to mismanagement by WDFW.  Sure, part of the problem was created by idiotic voters back in 1996, but WDFW is sure not helping things with their continued policies that favor predators.

No way. They can't afford to do that. You want all your hunting license fees going to compensate people for wildlife depredation? It's not the state's responsibility to keep everyone and their property safe from wild animals.

[AspenBud]

What difference does it make if we have to pay more at the register or at the ranch for their loss? It makes no difference at all.

Yes, but then they couldn't complain about the government if they just did the obvious. They also lose out on being able to double dip, get compensated for the loss by the state and then charge more because wolves attacked the herd/flock. It's a nice racket.

To his credit, McIrvin has some shame and turned down the money.

Time for me to leave this discussion. Good luck all.

[Curly]

I also think WDFW should compensate ranchers for losses due to cougars, bears, and coyotes.  Those poplulations have risen due to mismanagement by WDFW.  Sure, part of the problem was created by idiotic voters back in 1996, but WDFW is sure not helping things with their continued policies that favor predators.

No way. They can't afford to do that. You want all your hunting license fees going to compensate people for wildlife depredation? It's not the state's responsibility to keep everyone and their property safe from wild animals.

No.  I want them to manage the resource.  Delist wolves, revise the wolf plan, open up spring bear for all GMU's, raise the quotas on cougars, bring back use of dogs for coyotes, stop threatening to eliminate coyote hunting tournaments, bring back trapping, hunting with hounds, etc.

[bobcat]

I also think WDFW should compensate ranchers for losses due to cougars, bears, and coyotes.  Those poplulations have risen due to mismanagement by WDFW.  Sure, part of the problem was created by idiotic voters back in 1996, but WDFW is sure not helping things with their continued policies that favor predators.

No way. They can't afford to do that. You want all your hunting license fees going to compensate people for wildlife depredation? It's not the state's responsibility to keep everyone and their property safe from wild animals.

No.  I want them to manage the resource.  Delist wolves, revise the wolf plan, open up spring bear for all GMU's, raise the quotas on cougars, bring back use of dogs for coyotes, stop threatening to eliminate coyote hunting tournaments, bring back trapping, hunting with hounds, etc.

They could do all that and still if it was up to you they'd be compensating anyone and everyone for any loss due to depredation by predators. Again, it's not the state's responsibility. They shouldn't be compensating losses from wolves, and they shouldn't be compensating for losses by any predator.

[Curly]

I also think WDFW should compensate ranchers for losses due to cougars, bears, and coyotes.  Those poplulations have risen due to mismanagement by WDFW.  Sure, part of the problem was created by idiotic voters back in 1996, but WDFW is sure not helping things with their continued policies that favor predators.

No way. They can't afford to do that. You want all your hunting license fees going to compensate people for wildlife depredation? It's not the state's responsibility to keep everyone and their property safe from wild animals.

No.  I want them to manage the resource.  Delist wolves, revise the wolf plan, open up spring bear for all GMU's, raise the quotas on cougars, bring back use of dogs for coyotes, stop threatening to eliminate coyote hunting tournaments, bring back trapping, hunting with hounds, etc.

They could do all that and still if it was up to you they'd be compensating anyone and everyone for any loss due to depredation by predators. Again, it's not the state's responsibility. They shouldn't be compensating losses from wolves, and they shouldn't be compensating for losses by any predator.

You're wrong.  If they did some of that, then fine......I would not expect anyone but the rancher to be responsible for his losses.  But when a rancher is in business, going along with normal operating expenses, then all of a sudden gets hit with a huge jump in predator numbers due to mismanagement........he should have some recourse for his losses due to no fault of his own.  The fault lies with the stupid government.

[bobcat]

Actually, the "mis-management" is a result of the voters of this state, not the government.

[Elkaholic daWg]

Actually, the "mis-management" is a result of the voters of this state, not the government.

That "democracy" thing right?

[Curly]

Who sets the quotas on the numbers of cougars?  Who sets the seasons for bear hunting?  Who took away use of dogs for coyote hunting? etc.  Sure, the voters were a big reason for the crap we find ourselves in, but WDFW isn't doing all they can to counteract the predator lovefest that the voters had started.

[wolfbait]

I think the point being missed here is that from the 50's to 90's there were only small numbers of wolves that did not run in large packs and did not prey on livestock. Our current situation is a direct result of government introduction and government rules preventing protection of property, thus government should pay as they promised.

 

The wonderful (need sarcasm font) wolf plan was shoved down our throats and it calls for compensation, so that is what needs to happen.

Now, the right thing to do is to throw out that stupid, idiotic, wolf plan and let people deal with the wolves how they want.  I think the Feds and the wolf hugging groups need to pay for any damages that the wolves cause since they are the ones that caused this mess.

And overhaul the USFWS and state game agencies who agreed to allow wolves pushed on them, get these departments back to doing what they were created to do.

[gaddy]

if they (predators) are being PROTECTED BY THE GOV OR THE VOTERS, then those that suffer losses due to that protection should be due compensation. allow the ranchers or the public to protect their resources. if you want to allow wolf's to roam that's fine. but if they become a problem, allow those impacted to manage them. and yes that means kill them if necessary. would that end the payment problem ?  A wolf killed my sheep-I killed that wolf, end of story.

[idahohuntr]

I think the point being missed here is that from the 50's to 90's there were only small numbers of wolves that did not run in large packs and did not prey on livestock. Our current situation is a direct result of government introduction and government rules preventing protection of property, thus government should pay as they promised.

 

The wonderful (need sarcasm font) wolf plan was shoved down our throats and it calls for compensation, so that is what needs to happen.

Now, the right thing to do is to throw out that stupid, idiotic, wolf plan and let people deal with the wolves how they want.  I think the Feds and the wolf hugging groups need to pay for any damages that the wolves cause since they are the ones that caused this mess.

And overhaul the USFWS and state game agencies who agreed to allow wolves pushed on them, get these departments back to doing what they were created to do.

Protecting livestock and supporting the ranching community? 

[wolfbait]

I think the point being missed here is that from the 50's to 90's there were only small numbers of wolves that did not run in large packs and did not prey on livestock. Our current situation is a direct result of government introduction and government rules preventing protection of property, thus government should pay as they promised.

 

The wonderful (need sarcasm font) wolf plan was shoved down our throats and it calls for compensation, so that is what needs to happen.

Now, the right thing to do is to throw out that stupid, idiotic, wolf plan and let people deal with the wolves how they want.  I think the Feds and the wolf hugging groups need to pay for any damages that the wolves cause since they are the ones that caused this mess.

And overhaul the USFWS and state game agencies who agreed to allow wolves pushed on them, get these departments back to doing what they were created to do.

Protecting livestock and supporting the ranching community? 

Managing All wildlife not importing wolves to kill everything off so they can make a land grab called wildlife corridors. You know WDFW's thirty year plan of the wildlands.