Wolves tree DNR worker in Okanogan county

[Knocker of rocks]

So is Brown the current Co sheriff or not?   

Not according to their webpage:

Looks like the current sheriff is retiring and the previously mention Steve Brown is running for the position.

https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/okanogan/

[wolfbait]

 
 

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!

Having witnessed WDFW and the USFWS run to the papers in other wolf matters, this latest news sounds more like the real situation.

My guess is neither agency will bat an eye at being caught yet agin, lying to the public.

[Curly]

Here is a statement on the wdfw site: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/updates.php?year=2018#update-74

state fire crew retrieved a U.S. Forest Service salmon researcher in Okanogan County yesterday after she climbed a tree to avoid a wolf that was displaying behaviors that she considered threatening.

I added the bold part. Sounds like maybe more lies by wdfw. Are they trying to make it sound like there was just 1 wolf?  All the other reports say several or maybe a pack, or 2.  Later in the wdfw report they do have the report by USFWS  where it does say 2 wolves, so I don't understand the opening statement about "a wolf" ?

[Bob33]

Here is a statement on the wdfw site: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/updates.php?year=2018#update-74

state fire crew retrieved a U.S. Forest Service salmon researcher in Okanogan County yesterday after she climbed a tree to avoid a wolf that was displaying behaviors that she considered threatening.

I added the bold part. Sounds like maybe more lies by wdfw. Are they trying to make it sound like there was just 1 wolf?  All the other reports say several or maybe a pack, or 2.  Later in the wdfw report they do have the report by USFWS  where it does say 2 wolves, so I don't understand the opening statement about "a wolf" ?

Two wolves, but only one displaying aggressive behavior is a possibility.

[wolfbait]

Here is a statement on the wdfw site: https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/updates.php?year=2018#update-74

state fire crew retrieved a U.S. Forest Service salmon researcher in Okanogan County yesterday after she climbed a tree to avoid a wolf that was displaying behaviors that she considered threatening.

I added the bold part. Sounds like maybe more lies by wdfw. Are they trying to make it sound like there was just 1 wolf?  All the other reports say several or maybe a pack, or 2.  Later in the wdfw report they do have the report by USFWS  where it does say 2 wolves, so I don't understand the opening statement about "a wolf" ?

Two wolves, but only one displaying aggressive behavior is a possibility.

Upon arrival at the scene, the flight crew spotted "several wolves" surrounded the tree where the FS employee was taking refuge.

Isn't one or two...still if you are trying to cover things up, one or two sounds better then several..

[Pegasus]

If we lived in a state where the media wasn't fake they would be all over this story and expose this wolf story for what it is. We eradicated the wolves for a reason and it shoulda stayed that way. Exposing humans and our food supply to wolves is nonsense. Lets bring back the plague, polio, smallpox and grizzly bears,  too. After all its just nature at work...

[Knocker of rocks]

   

....

[ShadowHunter]

Photos taken on an employers time with a privately owned phone when the employer is the government could be argued to be government property.

Finally somebody that's close.

Photos taken while in the employment of another (on the clock), belong to the employer.  There's no need to argue, it's all spelled out in US copyright law.

[Ridgeratt]

Is that what's considered a treed cougar?

[Knocker of rocks]

For folks like me and Pianoman, the answer would be no. For possible younguns like you, I hope that would  be a big 10-4

[CAMPMEAT]

What do you guys think they’re trying to cover up?

That there wasn't a single wolf there, musta been coyotes.

[jackelope]

What do you guys think they’re trying to cover up?

That there wasn't a single wolf there, musta been coyotes.

Yeah but. There’s a confirmed pack there already. And it was at either a den site or a rendezvous site. Does a single wolf rendezvous with itself? If it could, it would never leave the den!!

[jackelope]

I still don’t get why everyone seems to be making a big deal about the officers having the approval to shoot the wolves if necessary. If a wolf was attacking a sheep in your barnyard you can shoot it.

The comments about getting approval to shoot the wolves is a reading comprehension issue, as the article states, they were "told" to shoot the wolves if still on scene upon their arrival.

Big difference between being given approval to take action and being directed to take action...

You’re told to shoot.
You’re authorized to shoot.

Maybe I used the wrong word when I said “authorized”. Either way. If a wolf is attacking or trying to attack a person, does a law enforcement officer really actually need to be told that it’s ok to shoot them? NO! They don’t.

[Bob33]

I still don’t get why everyone seems to be making a big deal about the officers having the approval to shoot the wolves if necessary. If a wolf was attacking a sheep in your barnyard you can shoot it.

The comments about getting approval to shoot the wolves is a reading comprehension issue, as the article states, they were "told" to shoot the wolves if still on scene upon their arrival.

Big difference between being given approval to take action and being directed to take action...

You’re told to shoot.
You’re authorized to shoot.

Maybe I used the wrong word when I said “authorized”. Either way. If a wolf is attacking or trying to attack a person, does a law enforcement officer really actually need to be told that it’s ok to shoot them? NO! They don’t.

Wolves are legally protected and the consequences for illegally killing one can be severe. Yes you can shoot to protect human life. Instructing the officers to shoot if the wolves "were still on the scene" gives them greater latitude.

[CAMPMEAT]

I do believe that the Sheriff has the ultimate power over appointed employees compared to his job, which is elected. He has more power to protect the citizenry of his/her county.



Sound off bigtex.............and please give statutes etc. in your response.