Wolves tree DNR worker in Okanogan county

[O. hemionus]

Story was posted in Seattle times  this morning,wolves below tree when helicopter showed up.

link:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/researcher-climbs-30-feet-up-a-tree-to-get-away-from-pack-of-wolves/

Why then is the title of this thread "DNR worker"?   

Initially the story was reported that she was a student too. It changed.

Good job, Spokesman, on correcting the story. Appears other news outlets aren't so interested in correcting misinformation once they print it (ref. the Seattle Times article still claiming she was a student and in a campground at the time of the encounter).

[O. hemionus]

Unverified mention of seeing two wolves, no way of knowing how many she encountered.  Seeing them and number around rarely are the same.
Was she ordered not to talk about it? 

Nobody knows any of the answers to your questions. That'll be the problem with this event.

Is there a legit reason why she would be ordered to not talk about it?

There are lots of valid reasons why "no comment" would be an appropriate response immediately following an incident like that. I'd probably say the same thing.

  x10 x100

In a world where even stating one's opinion on wolves could elicit death threats, I'm glad the woman's name was not released in these news stories. I can't imagine the flack she would get from all sides. There is a reason HB 1465 passed to protect the identities of livestock producers and public employees involved in most wolf-related issues.

[wolfbait]

From past incidences, wolves have been prey testing people in the Methow etc. for many years now, the idea that somehow this is just starting or down playing this and other incidences by the USFWS-WDFW and others, is criminal. When someone does get killed by wolves, I think there will be a good case for a lawsuit against the USFWS, and WDFW because they covered up the other close calls, by refusing to WARN people they endangered the public. And we will hear crickets from the pro-wolf crowd.

Last year about this time we were running wolves off of does with fawns. I have never seen so many mule deer down low in the valley floor as this year. They are having fawns along the highways and county roads and in town, and of course the fawns etc. are being turned into road kill.
 

With the several other close calls that have been covered up by the USFWS and WDFW, and with so few deer left, I would imagine the cover-up team will become very busy, I wonder will roads and other areas be closed off to protect the wolves/people, and how many dens can magically appear at such attacks.


The USFWS and WDFW are going to need to come out with a new story as to why the wolves are so aggressive towards people “all of a sudden".

[bigtex]

Maybe it's me, and I've spent plenty of time in the woods by myself, but it seems weird to have a person in that country alone....especially working for a gov entity. Seems like liability would be such a concern, they'd force some sort of buddy system setup. It is the 21st century after all.

So what do you want to do; double the staffing so they can have a "buddy system setup" or cut the productivity in half so they can have a "buddy system setup"?

[Miles]

Maybe it's me, and I've spent plenty of time in the woods by myself, but it seems weird to have a person in that country alone....especially working for a gov entity. Seems like liability would be such a concern, they'd force some sort of buddy system setup. It is the 21st century after all.

So what do you want to do; double the staffing so they can have a "buddy system setup" or cut the productivity in half so they can have a "buddy system setup"?

I made a comment on his quote as well.  Apparently we are confused as to what he meant (see his response a couple pages back).   I read it the same way you just did. 

[TommyH]

Pay 2 employees to do the job of 1... ?  Bigger budget/taxes....
Or allow forestry employees to carry and have the ability to protect themselves in situations like this.

[bigtex]

Maybe it's me, and I've spent plenty of time in the woods by myself, but it seems weird to have a person in that country alone....especially working for a gov entity. Seems like liability would be such a concern, they'd force some sort of buddy system setup. It is the 21st century after all.

So what do you want to do; double the staffing so they can have a "buddy system setup" or cut the productivity in half so they can have a "buddy system setup"?

I made a comment on his quote as well.  Apparently we are confused as to what he meant (see his response a couple pages back).   I read it the same way you just did.

Thanks just read that.

[Special T]

Why didn't she take a few pictures or even a video of said precious wolves she loves so much ?

I’m sure she did. Employer’s phone = employer’s photos 

Freedom of information act opportunity.

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[bigtex]

Why didn't she take a few pictures or even a video of said precious wolves she loves so much ?

I’m sure she did. Employer’s phone = employer’s photos 

employers phone = taxpayer funded = our right to see said pictures/video because we pay for said employers wages through our taxes = FOIA

You're assuming she had a government phone. Not all land management agency employees get government phones, especially the lower on the totem pole they are, or if they spend most of their time out of cell service.

[CAMPMEAT]

Why didn't she take a few pictures or even a video of said precious wolves she loves so much ?

I’m sure she did. Employer’s phone = employer’s photos 

employers phone = taxpayer funded = our right to see said pictures/video because we pay for said employers wages through our taxes = FOIA

No pictures, it didn't happen...

[jackelope]

Maybe it's me, and I've spent plenty of time in the woods by myself, but it seems weird to have a person in that country alone....especially working for a gov entity. Seems like liability would be such a concern, they'd force some sort of buddy system setup. It is the 21st century after all.

So what do you want to do; double the staffing so they can have a "buddy system setup" or cut the productivity in half so they can have a "buddy system setup"?

I made a comment on his quote as well.  Apparently we are confused as to what he meant (see his response a couple pages back).   I read it the same way you just did.

Good lord, guys. I thought it was pretty clear I wasn’t suggesting anything. I said I was surprised to see a single person working alone. That’s all. There was nothing hidden in my words or implied as much as I feel like you think or wish there was. Fortunately it’s not my job to figure out how to handle stuff like this moving forward. 
What do you all suggest? Let them carry? Great idea. Let them have some sort of protection if they’re going to be alone? Perfect.
And Miles, I’m as much from anywhere, Washington as you are. So don’t call it a western Washington thing.

[jackelope]

Bigtex, speaking of budget concerns and staffing, do you have any idea how much money the USFWS spends on outside companies doing fish counts and surveys, etc annually?

[papaonthemountain]

 
 

Here is another account of the incident that provides some interesting behind the scenes details concerning interaction between Deputy Brown and USFWS employee Kurz from someone who appears to be familiar with the helicopter crew. 

 


Steve McLaughlin- Protecting the Public Trust
July 13 at 6:58 PM ·


OKANOGAN WOLF INCIDENT UPDATE

On July 12, a forest service worker conducting a watershed study was surrounded and was forced to evade a wolfpack by climbing a tree.

Update:
1. A WA Department of Natural Resources Helicopter was dispatched to the scene by the NE Washington Inter-Agency Communications Center in Colville.

2. WDFW told the helicopter crew to stand down. In the interest of public safety, the crew continued on their mission and effected the rescue of the FS employee. Upon arrival at the scene, the flight crew spotted several wolves surrounded the tree where the FS employee was taking refuge. OKANOGAN COUNTY DEPUTIES WERE NOT PRESENT DURING THE RESCUE.

3. Lethal removal of wolves was authorized by the Okanogan County Sheriff's Incident Commander. This call was supported by Sheriff Rogers. NO WOLVES WERE KILLED.

4. Okanogan County Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Brown launched an investigation to determine if wolves in the area of Tiffany Springs could pose a threat to the public.

5. On 13 July, Deputy Brown and a team of investigators drove to the scene and began to proceed to the scene of the incident. Enroute to the incident, the investigation team encountered USFWS Biologist, Gregg Kurz and WDFW wolf specialist, Benjamin Maletzke. A conversation ensued. When asked, KURZ told Deputy Brown that the girl would not provide her name for security reasons. Deputies are still trying to get her name for investigative purposes and I will not provide her name for her own safety. KURZ also said the employee did not flee, but instead deployed repellent. KURZ said the employee was ineffective, so she climbed a tree to evade the threat. KURZ also informed Deputy Brown that the scene of the incident was actually a wolf rendezvous site.

6. KURZ also informed Deputy Brown that if he proceeded to the site, he would be charged with interfering with a federally protected species. Deputy Brown told KURZ that he faced arrest for impeding an active investigation. Deputy Brown and team proceeded about 1 mile to the incident scene.

7. While enroute to the scene, deputies located game cameras and a well cut trail to the site. During the conversation w/ KURZ, deputies were informed that the route to the incident was quite a distance away and there was significant deadfall along the route, contrary to what deputies found.

OPINIONS:
1. Many thanks to my friend Commissioner Franz for the use of the helicopter and aircrew as well as affecting the rescue!

2. WDFW showed incredibly poor judgment in calling on the helicopter crew to stand down when human life was threatened. the flight crew deserves a reward for their actions

3. OKSO deputies were correct in their decision to exercise lethal control if it was necessary as this was a rescue situation from threatening wolves. I encourage those reading this to see my previous post on the stages of habituation to human activity. The Sheriff's office had the authority to act, the duty to act, and they were correct in their decisions.

5. KURZ and MALETZKE impeded an official investigation and lied during questioning to a deputy (Chief Criminal Deputy Brown) by not providing the name of the FS employee, by failing to provide information about wolf presence during the rescue, by lying to Deputy Brown about the distance to the scene and the condition of the route.

COMMENTS:

1. WDFW MUST stop the lying and withholding of information to the public about wolf presence. WDFW is creating A PUBLIC RELATIONS NIGHTMARE FOR WDFW and USFWS. In the wolf management plan, the WDFW will partner with ranchers and the public to minimize wolf/human/livestock conflict. Clearly the partnership is broken because the department is not acting in good faith. Each partner should act in a manner that contributes the the success of the other partner!.

2. My comment stands about the need to remove the WDFW conflict specialist for failing to act and for calling the FS employee "Stupid!"

I'm certain there is more to follow. We'll see how truthful WDFW really is.....or isn't!

[trophyhunt]

Wow, just not sure what to say about that, except it’s amazing how much Wdfw loves their wolves.

[Special T]

 
 

Here is another account of the incident that provides some interesting behind the scenes details concerning interaction between Deputy Brown and USFWS employee Kurz from someone who appears to be familiar with the helicopter crew. 

 


Steve McLaughlin- Protecting the Public Trust
July 13 at 6:58 PM ·


OKANOGAN WOLF INCIDENT UPDATE

On July 12, a forest service worker conducting a watershed study was surrounded and was forced to evade a wolfpack by climbing a tree.

Update:
1. A WA Department of Natural Resources Helicopter was dispatched to the scene by the NE Washington Inter-Agency Communications Center in Colville.

2. WDFW told the helicopter crew to stand down. In the interest of public safety, the crew continued on their mission and effected the rescue of the FS employee. Upon arrival at the scene, the flight crew spotted several wolves surrounded the tree where the FS employee was taking refuge. OKANOGAN COUNTY DEPUTIES WERE NOT PRESENT DURING THE RESCUE.

3. Lethal removal of wolves was authorized by the Okanogan County Sheriff's Incident Commander. This call was supported by Sheriff Rogers. NO WOLVES WERE KILLED.

4. Okanogan County Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Brown launched an investigation to determine if wolves in the area of Tiffany Springs could pose a threat to the public.

5. On 13 July, Deputy Brown and a team of investigators drove to the scene and began to proceed to the scene of the incident. Enroute to the incident, the investigation team encountered USFWS Biologist, Gregg Kurz and WDFW wolf specialist, Benjamin Maletzke. A conversation ensued. When asked, KURZ told Deputy Brown that the girl would not provide her name for security reasons. Deputies are still trying to get her name for investigative purposes and I will not provide her name for her own safety. KURZ also said the employee did not flee, but instead deployed repellent. KURZ said the employee was ineffective, so she climbed a tree to evade the threat. KURZ also informed Deputy Brown that the scene of the incident was actually a wolf rendezvous site.

6. KURZ also informed Deputy Brown that if he proceeded to the site, he would be charged with interfering with a federally protected species. Deputy Brown told KURZ that he faced arrest for impeding an active investigation. Deputy Brown and team proceeded about 1 mile to the incident scene.

7. While enroute to the scene, deputies located game cameras and a well cut trail to the site. During the conversation w/ KURZ, deputies were informed that the route to the incident was quite a distance away and there was significant deadfall along the route, contrary to what deputies found.

OPINIONS:
1. Many thanks to my friend Commissioner Franz for the use of the helicopter and aircrew as well as affecting the rescue!

2. WDFW showed incredibly poor judgment in calling on the helicopter crew to stand down when human life was threatened. the flight crew deserves a reward for their actions

3. OKSO deputies were correct in their decision to exercise lethal control if it was necessary as this was a rescue situation from threatening wolves. I encourage those reading this to see my previous post on the stages of habituation to human activity. The Sheriff's office had the authority to act, the duty to act, and they were correct in their decisions.

5. KURZ and MALETZKE impeded an official investigation and lied during questioning to a deputy (Chief Criminal Deputy Brown) by not providing the name of the FS employee, by failing to provide information about wolf presence during the rescue, by lying to Deputy Brown about the distance to the scene and the condition of the route.

COMMENTS:

1. WDFW MUST stop the lying and withholding of information to the public about wolf presence. WDFW is creating A PUBLIC RELATIONS NIGHTMARE FOR WDFW and USFWS. In the wolf management plan, the WDFW will partner with ranchers and the public to minimize wolf/human/livestock conflict. Clearly the partnership is broken because the department is not acting in good faith. Each partner should act in a manner that contributes the the success of the other partner!.

2. My comment stands about the need to remove the WDFW conflict specialist for failing to act and for calling the FS employee "Stupid!"

I'm certain there is more to follow. We'll see how truthful WDFW really is.....or isn't!

Do you have a link for this?

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