Whitman County’s first probable instance of wolf killing livestock reported

[Sumpnneedskillin]

From  http://www.pullmanradio.com/whitman-countys-first-probable-instance-of-wolf-killing-livestock-reported/

Washington Fish and Wildlife agents are investigating the first probable case of a wolf killing livestock in Whitman County. The incident occurred early Friday afternoon when an apparent wolf killed a sheep in the Northern part of the county. Fish and wildlife agents quickly responded and believe the sheep was killed by a wolf based on the damage done to the animal and since wolves have been sighted in the area. The wolf situation in Whitman County has ramped up quickly this year. The first ever confirmed sighting of a wolf came last Winter near Lacrosse. Then in October a wolf was shot and killed outside Pullman marking the first time in Washington’s history that a wolf poaching suspect has been identified. Now comes the first wolf predation in Whitman County which is leading fish and wildlife to believe there may be a pack settling on the Palouse. Fish and wildlife agents are working with ranchers in Northern Whitman County on non-lethal deterrents to keep wolves away from livestock - See more at: http://www.pullmanradio.com/whitman-countys-first-probable-instance-of-wolf-killing-livestock-reported/#sthash.lVBkGLCU.dpuf

[pianoman9701]

Nothing to see here. It's all wilderness area there. Very suitable for a pack of wolves. 

[Bean Counter]

Maybe they can all head to WWU.

[VarmintVentilator]

4 years ago wolf kills a couple of calves.  WDFW-do you have photos of the wolf?  Rancher-no!  WDFW-sorry.  Three years ago I see two wolves myself a week apart of each other.  One black, one grey.  WDFW- do you have photos?  My reply- no didn't have a camera.  WDFW-sorry, can't confirm.  Point being even with all these open wheat fields we have and the number of people seeing them, (especially this fall in my area) until the WDFW sees them or you can get good photos they can't be confirmed as wolves.  Which means we'll have a pile of wolves running around, (which we do already) before we even get a pack established or confirmed.  All of this is in Whitman county.  You'll be hearing about more livestock going down probably in the near future.  It sucks.

[wolfbait]

Welcome to WDF&Wolves. Probably be more then a few wolf killed livestock before WDFW are forced to confirm a wolf kill or wolf pack. And after the pack is confirmed regardless of how many wolves that are seen or other wolf packs, WDFW will refuse to acknowledge there are any other packs.

Wolves in the Methow were reported to WDFW for several years before they were finally forced to confirm a pack.

[Booman2]

Humans killed by wolves in North America last year: 0
Cows killed by wolves last year in Oregon: 5
Humans killed by cows nationwide: 20
Cows and calves in Oregon that died from all causes- disease, birth, cars, etc.-  prior to market (approx.): 52,000
Cows killed by trucks in or near Madras, Oregon: 40

[Bango skank]

Humans killed by wolves in North America last year: 0
Cows killed by wolves last year in Oregon: 5
Humans killed by cows nationwide: 20
Cows and calves in Oregon that died from all causes- disease, birth, cars, etc.-  prior to market (approx.): 52,000
Cows killed by trucks in or near Madras, Oregon: 40

Youve done a great job of spouting off statistics that prove we have many many times more head of cattle than wolves.  If we had the same number of wolves in the lower 48 that we have cattle how would those numbers look?  Go back to your anti hunting forum ringmeat

[Boss .300 winmag]

Humans killed by wolves in North America last year: 0
Cows killed by wolves last year in Oregon: 5
Humans killed by cows nationwide: 20
Cows and calves in Oregon that died from all causes- disease, birth, cars, etc.-  prior to market (approx.): 52,000
Cows killed by trucks in or near Madras, Oregon: 40

Not for the lack of effort on the wolves side, humans have just been lucky so far!

[Bean Counter]

I'm guessing that the people "killed" by cows were subsequent to a vehicle collision ..

[Evil_EdwardO]

I'm guessing that the people "killed" by cows were subsequent to a vehicle collision ..

Vets or handlers getting kicked also. Just had someone injured here at WSU in the last month being kicked in the chest.

[VarmintVentilator]

Been kicked many times over the years, but in the chest?  Man that would hurt!

[bearpaw]

From  http://www.pullmanradio.com/whitman-countys-first-probable-instance-of-wolf-killing-livestock-reported/

Washington Fish and Wildlife agents are investigating the first probable case of a wolf killing livestock in Whitman County. The incident occurred early Friday afternoon when an apparent wolf killed a sheep in the Northern part of the county. Fish and wildlife agents quickly responded and believe the sheep was killed by a wolf based on the damage done to the animal and since wolves have been sighted in the area. The wolf situation in Whitman County has ramped up quickly this year. The first ever confirmed sighting of a wolf came last Winter near Lacrosse. Then in October a wolf was shot and killed outside Pullman marking the first time in Washington’s history that a wolf poaching suspect has been identified. Now comes the first wolf predation in Whitman County which is leading fish and wildlife to believe there may be a pack settling on the Palouse. Fish and wildlife agents are working with ranchers in Northern Whitman County on non-lethal deterrents to keep wolves away from livestock - See more at: http://www.pullmanradio.com/whitman-countys-first-probable-instance-of-wolf-killing-livestock-reported/#sthash.lVBkGLCU.dpuf

We know which wolf didn't kill the sheep. 

[pianoman9701]

Humans killed by wolves in North America last year: 0
Cows killed by wolves last year in Oregon: 5
Humans killed by cows nationwide: 20
Cows and calves in Oregon that died from all causes- disease, birth, cars, etc.-  prior to market (approx.): 52,000
Cows killed by trucks in or near Madras, Oregon: 40

It's pretty easy for someone living in Ridgefield or Vancouver to judge the people in our state who have to actually live with these pests. First of all, your statistics primarily show OR numbers. OR has a far less aggressive wolf plan than ours and their DF&W is far more responsive to resolving human/wolf conflict. Your statistics don't show the damage being done to cattle and sheep in our state. They don't show what would have happened if a hunter in the NE last month hadn't had a gun and killed a wolf that was part of a pack stalking him. Your statistics don't show the pets that have been eaten or the spread of parasites from wolves to dogs, even humans (zoonosis) from Echinococcus granulosus. Your misleading and impertinent facts have nothing to do with WA's wolf program. Other than having a canned, pro-wolf response with a shortcut on your desktop, or a head filled with propaganda from some Seattle or wetside greenies, I wonder whether you have any pertinent information or have done any actual research regarding wolves and their impact in WA. I doubt it, judging of course only from the lack of depth in your little list.

[wolfbait]

From  http://www.pullmanradio.com/whitman-countys-first-probable-instance-of-wolf-killing-livestock-reported/

Washington Fish and Wildlife agents are investigating the first probable case of a wolf killing livestock in Whitman County. The incident occurred early Friday afternoon when an apparent wolf killed a sheep in the Northern part of the county. Fish and wildlife agents quickly responded and believe the sheep was killed by a wolf based on the damage done to the animal and since wolves have been sighted in the area. The wolf situation in Whitman County has ramped up quickly this year. The first ever confirmed sighting of a wolf came last Winter near Lacrosse. Then in October a wolf was shot and killed outside Pullman marking the first time in Washington’s history that a wolf poaching suspect has been identified. Now comes the first wolf predation in Whitman County which is leading fish and wildlife to believe there may be a pack settling on the Palouse. Fish and wildlife agents are working with ranchers in Northern Whitman County on non-lethal deterrents to keep wolves away from livestock - See more at: http://www.pullmanradio.com/whitman-countys-first-probable-instance-of-wolf-killing-livestock-reported/#sthash.lVBkGLCU.dpuf

We know which wolf didn't kill the sheep. 

I wonder how many times this guy complained to WDFW about wolves hanging out around his home?

[idahohuntr]

Humans killed by wolves in North America last year: 0
Cows killed by wolves last year in Oregon: 5
Humans killed by cows nationwide: 20
Cows and calves in Oregon that died from all causes- disease, birth, cars, etc.-  prior to market (approx.): 52,000
Cows killed by trucks in or near Madras, Oregon: 40

It's pretty easy for someone living in Ridgefield or Vancouver to judge the people in our state who have to actually live with these pests. First of all, your statistics primarily show OR numbers. OR has a far less aggressive wolf plan than ours and their DF&W is far more responsive to resolving human/wolf conflict. Your statistics don't show the damage being done to cattle and sheep in our state. They don't show what would have happened if a hunter in the NE last month hadn't had a gun and killed a wolf that was part of a pack stalking him. Your statistics don't show the pets that have been eaten or the spread of parasites from wolves to dogs, even humans (zoonosis) from Echinococcus granulosus. Your misleading and impertinent facts have nothing to do with WA's wolf program. Other than having a canned, pro-wolf response with a shortcut on your desktop, or a head filled with propaganda from some Seattle or wetside greenies, I wonder whether you have any pertinent information or have done any actual research regarding wolves and their impact in WA. I doubt it, judging of course only from the lack of depth in your little list.

I would ask you the same question.  Your statements imply an exaggerated risk and impact of wolves in Washington.  Reality is they are here, they are about the least amount of risk you might encounter in stepping outside your home, and I am not aware of any data showing declines in game abundance or hunter harvest that can be linked to wolves.