WDFW Predator Lawsuit

[Rainier10]

Size and pointy pads on the claw one said coyote to me. The second one with blood looked more  like a cat. A view of them in stride would have made it clearer. There is no mistaking a cat walking when you can see 5-6 tracks together.

[jasnt]

Size and pointy pads on the claw one said coyote to me. The second one with blood looked more  like a cat. A view of them in stride would have made it clearer. There is no mistaking a cat walking when you can see 5-6 tracks together.

i tracked him a long ways. All the same track

[Tbar]

I think you can look at the dismal harvest numbers?

But that could be cause by a whole number of factors. I don't think that argument alone would hold up in court. I'd love to be able to look at predator prey studies and population surveys if they were out there and available to the public, especially if they support the cause of less predators but more ungulates.

Think about the last statement, can any court prioritize any species over another?

[KFhunter]

I see less and less moose every year.  Have not seen one since 2nd day of early modern deer.  Normally this time of year I run across moose almost daily checking my trap line.  Last Sunday and Monday I put 14 miles on my boots and never ran across any tracks but cougar and few deer. 
South 117

Are you saying that’s a cougar track?

yes. Both tracks are the same animal   I was waiting for that aswell.  Those tracks are 10 feet apart. No other tracks in the area.   I took them to show how cats often walk with claws extended when in deep snow

the one with the bloody toenail is the back foot, the clean track with the claws showing is the front.  The snow pushes on the front of the foot making a claw imprint but the claw imprint is higher up than the pad.

Those tracks look to be a mid to smaller size female as the back foot is landing inside the front foot track. 

[KFhunter]

Size and pointy pads on the claw one said coyote to me. The second one with blood looked more  like a cat. A view of them in stride would have made it clearer. There is no mistaking a cat walking when you can see 5-6 tracks together.

i tracked him Her a long ways. All the same track

 

[jasnt]

Yes I’m thinking female aswell. She doesn’t have kits this year. She had 4 last year.   I always call them he’s lol

[pianoman9701]

[/quote]
I continue to withhold judgement until more details are known...but I don't get warm fuzzies if big ag is behind the lawsuit.  At best there is a narrow overlap where a byproduct of their efforts might be beneficial to sportsmen.  However, on a host of issues most farm bureau and ag industry folks are not sportsmen friendly.  I'm sure they would be happy to take sportsmen's hard earned money and use us as a pawn in their game though.
[/quote]

Although they would most certainly benefit, "Big AG" or the Cattleman's Association aren't involved. This suit will be completely founded (and funded) by sportsmen.

[Rainier10]

Size and pointy pads on the claw one said coyote to me. The second one with blood looked more  like a cat. A view of them in stride would have made it clearer. There is no mistaking a cat walking when you can see 5-6 tracks together.

i tracked him a long ways. All the same track

Thats a cat track for sure. I have troubles with the pads but there is no mistaking the stride.

[bearpaw]

I see less and less moose every year.  Have not seen one since 2nd day of early modern deer.  Normally this time of year I run across moose almost daily checking my trap line.  Last Sunday and Monday I put 14 miles on my boots and never ran across any tracks but cougar and few deer. 
South 117

Are you saying that’s a cougar track?

yes. Both tracks are the same animal   I was waiting for that aswell.  Those tracks are 10 feet apart. No other tracks in the area.   I took them to show how cats often walk with claws extended when in deep snow

They especially extend their toes and claws trying to stay up if there is a heavy wet snow or a little crust. That appears to be a female judging by the way the feet go into and out of the track and the pointed toes. I'm surprised you didn't see wolf tracks, that southern end has got a ton of wolf activity.

[jasnt]

I see less and less moose every year.  Have not seen one since 2nd day of early modern deer.  Normally this time of year I run across moose almost daily checking my trap line.  Last Sunday and Monday I put 14 miles on my boots and never ran across any tracks but cougar and few deer. 
South 117

Are you saying that’s a cougar track?

yes. Both tracks are the same animal   I was waiting for that aswell.  Those tracks are 10 feet apart. No other tracks in the area.   I took them to show how cats often walk with claws extended when in deep snow

They especially extend their toes and claws trying to stay up if there is a heavy wet snow or a little crust. That appears to be a female judging by the way the feet go into and out of the track and the pointed toes. I'm surprised you didn't see wolf tracks, that southern end has got a ton of wolf activity.

i often do.  Just not lately, they must be up more by power lake where the snow is a bit deeper

[jasnt]

I’ve been working with yorke (sponsor here)on this trying to gain some funds to support this suit and let people show their support.  Here is a design we’ve come up with so far. Any input would be great

[bearpaw]

another possibility:

Save The Moose
too late for caribou

(picture of cougar or wolf)

Manage Predators

[bearpaw]

Even though certain antics might be humorous, I'm not sure what will actually help our cause. Once this suit gets underway certain enviro groups and/or media will likely use anything to make hunters look like hillbillies who know nothing.

[Skyvalhunter]

Surely the media and leaf licker groups will twist it to make any out come in their favor. Like to be optimistic but looks to be a tough road to haul.

[idahohuntr]

Even though certain antics might be humorous, I'm not sure what will actually help our cause. Once this suit gets underway certain enviro groups and/or media will likely use anything to make hunters look like hillbillies who know nothing.

From a general PR side regarding predator management - I think the notion of highlighting loss of Caribou and concerns about other ungulates is a much better approach than directly targeting predators.  The urban folks still love their cuddly wolves and bears...so make the issue about saving those sweet little fawns and calves with their pretty brown eyes.  Any of the garbage with crosshairs and kill all the wolves will only hurt the cause in this liberal state.  The message should be about balanced wildlife management...not annihilating any one species or killing them down to minimal levels.