Wolves in Washington

[boneaddict]

Some believe wolves are just getting here, some believe they have been here for some time.  Some think its neat to have them.  Some think they should be shot on site and discouraged from being introduced.  Some feel they are fine to have around, some think they are a danger to livestock and their hunting rights.  What are your thoughts?

[boneaddict]

I modified the poll a bit as I did not want to encourage anyone to do illegal behavior, no matter how strongly we feel about this topic.  For those that voted on the column removed, I appreciate your thought process and your honesty.

[Ray]

I think it's ok to put it as a poll option because it doesn't necessarily mean it is something we are promoting or condoning. On the same subject... I do prefer that we don't portray the site as a place where shady characters trade information though.

People here should be aware that the site is open for anyone to come and read. When people post here they should be cautious not to share something that might potentially be incriminating on themselves.

I think that wolves are bad news.

[MikeWalking]

I'm surprised this doesn't have more replies.

Two of the people I have met at work have cabins and 2nd homes in the Plain and Lake Wenatchee area. They know their critters well.  Both have seen wolves up close, as well as moose and grizzly. One of these folks is a retired U.S. Marshal with friends at WDFW who confirmed both wolves and grizzlies have come as far south as HWY 2. (an aside they also quietly transplanted 5 moose into the Plain-Chumstick area, all this is from about 4 years ago)

WDFW seems to be keeping very quiet about wolves in Washington and that may be for the best. If the Antihunt types can't get a lot of publicity we should have less worry about losing access.

[billythekidrock]

I'm surprised this doesn't have more replies.

Must have gotten buried..the site really started taking off about this time.

[addicted]

we've picked up like 150 new guys in the last month.

[boneaddict]

I'm wishing everyone would chime in and vote on all the polls. There are some good ones, and lots of folks on ere with good opinions.  I guess this is like a general election or something.

[Idabooner]

Is there wolves in Washington??  There has been wolves here for a long time, maybe for ever.  My Dad told of 2 wolves harassing him as a kid trying to catch his horse in the pasture. He was able to keep them at bay by swinging his rope around his head, the whirling noise kept them back until he got back to the barn. That was in the methow about 1912.
 
Mother and Dad had their honey moon and first winter in a trappers cabin on what is now the Pasayten Wilderness boundary. Dad would be gone on the trap line for 6 days then come back to take care of the hides the 7th day of the week, providing the weather cooperated. For two days a wolf sit about 100 yards from the cabin watching Mother, Dad come the next day checking the tracks, sure enough it was a wolf. That was 1927.
 
I was about 14 when I was camping out in Gardner meadows (about 11 miles into the now Wilderness) just my dog and horse, no tent or even a fly, just an old army blanket.  I was camped by the edge of the timber, there was a full moon on the meadows but the timber was in the shade of the mountain and very dark.  I had gathered enough squaw wood to get me asleep, when all of a sudden my dog was very scared and getting as close to the fire as possible. Then I seen this wolf moving from one bush to another in the moonlight, it was slowly  circling about 50 yards away, it would go into the timber then after a while it would be back in the moon light  again. I was scared, when it was in the light I would try to find more wood in the dark, when it went into the dark I would stand as close to the fire as possible, I have no idea how close it got on the dark side. It was a very long night, my fire was very small by first light the last time I seen the wolf. That was 1949.
 
Close to  the same year me and another kid was helping 3 men pack salt (by pack horse) for the cattle, we were going around under Story peak when there was 3 wolves following us at about 150 yards, one of the guy's had a pistol but the wolves never got closer, they followed about an hour.
 
About 1953 while hunting deer in the methow I found a freshly killed wolf, he had been shot.
 
About 25 years ago I seen a wolf two different years near Reynolds peak, one year she had 2 young with her, I think it was the same wolf both years. Other people seen these to.
 
For a few years, 15-20 years ago while I was packing for an outfitter the USFS would have a couple people at the trail head at day light to inform the hunters how important it was to NOT shoot any coyotes, it was sickening how they got this message across without mentioning the word wolf. If my memory serves me right it was illegal to shoot coyotes during deer season in that period. I don't know but suspicion they had planted some wolves in the area and didn't want any body to mistake them for coyotes.
 
About 15 years ago I know of a wolf encounter that happened close to my home by a close acquaintance.
 
So is there wolves in Washington?  Yes there is, and has been a long time. I don't know of a pack, hopefully there never will be.

[jackelope]

So is there wolves in Washington?  Yes there is

with all due respect, sir...apparently there are only coyotes in this great state. the state told me so. 
ask boneaddict for the rest of that story.

[boneaddict]

I wouldn't mind shooting some damn big coyotes then.

[jackelope]

some, apparently, are even black.
wow...whodathunkit?

[bankwalker]

my dad has seen a couple in washington. but that was when he was in his 20's and 30's. one was over chinook pass, and the other was over white pass. but that was back in the day. he's an old fart now. 

i wouldnt dout them being in the cascades

[Idabooner]

So is there wolves in Washington?  Yes there is

apparently there are only coyotes in this great state. the state told me so. 

Isn't it amazing how those folks at the desk are  brain washed enough to think everybody else is stupid.

[boneaddict]

I have seen a black coyote in the Wenas.  He was in the croshairs, but there was a house in the background. NOW I'd really like to see a really big black coyote.

[Houndhunter]

ive seen black, red, and all sorts of tan shades in eastern washington, has anyone seen any other color?