Wolf hunting is on!!

[actionshooter]

Its finally official, sign me up!! 
 BOISE, Idaho - Good news for gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains: They no longer need federal protection. The bad news for the animals? Plans are already in the works to hunt them.
 
Federal Endangered Species Act protection of the wolves was lifted Friday in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, giving those states management of the estimated 1,500 gray wolves in the region.

Even though environmentalists plan to sue the federal government next month to restore wolf protections, hunts are already being scheduled by state wildlife agencies to reduce the wolf population to between 900 and 1,250.

Idaho hunters will be allowed to kill between 100-300 of the animals this fall under a plan approved by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. The hunts are partly in response to increasing numbers of livestock being killed as the predators' population has grown.

"We manage big game for a living, we're good at it," said Steve Nadeau, who oversees large carnivores for the Idaho Fish and Game Department. "The world is watching and we know it."

Fish and Game estimates Idaho now has 800 gray wolves. Should the number of breeding pairs in Idaho fall below a target number, the animals could be brought back under federal protection.

After a series of public shouting matches between wolf advocates and opponents, comments from Idaho Department Fish and Game officials on Friday seemed largely designed to reassure both ends of the debate.

Cal Groen, director of the department, told reporters that his agency has already proven its ability to recover and maintain Idaho wolf populations. "We've exceeded all the goals the federal government set," Groen said.

But Doug Honnold, a managing attorney for the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice, disagrees. Honnold said the wolf populations won't be fully recovered in Idaho and the northern Rockies until the animals number between 2,000 and 3,000.

Earthjustice, which represents 12 local and national environmental groups, plans to sue the federal government next month to continue wolf protections.

All three state plans to manage the wolves call for a reduction in their numbers, which will eventually lead to weaker breeding, Honnold said in a telephone interview from Bozeman, Mont.

"We think that would be a disaster," he said. "We've spent a lot of time, money and effort to promote wolf recovery."

Gray wolves were listed as endangered in 1973 after being hunted into near extinction, but the population has rebounded dramatically after restoration efforts began in 1995. The wolves were recently de-listed in the western Great Lakes, while the wolf population in the Southwest remains endangered.

Wildlife biologists estimate there are now 41 breeding pairs in Idaho, in 72 packs. If that number falls below 10 breeding pairs, or 15 during a three-year period, the wolves could be brought back under federal protection.

On Friday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed a bill to allow ranchers, outfitters and pet owners to kill wolves harassing livestock. The law gives owners up to 72 hours to report wolves they've killed after catching them annoying, disturbing or stalking animals or livestock.

___

On the Net:

Idaho Fish and Game Commission: http://fishandgame

 

[boneaddict]

                      

[actionshooter]

  Bone, I just about peeed on me-self  Thats funny

[Red Dawg]

 

[actionshooter]

 As a public service I am providing a link to the PETA membership application for anyone who thinks the cute little wolves shouldn't be hunted.  Thanks                                                                  https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=R08M001Z&ask4=--25-35-50-100-o 

[boneaddict]

Make sure you post the link of where to apply for tags as well when they get around to it.

[billythekidrock]

Bone - I give you an A+ for smiley/emoticon/gif usage. No words needed as the images spelled it out clearly.

[boneaddict]

Thanks.  It kinda demonstrates how I really feel about them.  No Really.

[boneaddict]

If washington was half as money hungry as I think they are, we should be seeing another OIL tag drawing option.  Soon.

[Coasthunterjay]

Yup, thats what i was thinking.....

If they want to control it, why donbt you make 50 to 100 tags depending on what eachyears outcome is for harvest and have a woldf fund that all the money goes into....If there is a large number of wolfs one year then you give a high number of tags. If it is a bad year for the wolves, then you set it small. or not at all......

I am sure people would love to put in an extra  amount of money to even try to hunt a wolf.........

I know i havent ever sen an actual wolf because i hunt far to south of the boarder but shoot. Get me a wolf tag and ill hunt em. And that would be revinue for the state. and they would still be able to control how many wolves are being shot each year so that they dont get to a high extreme or a low extreme............

My .02cents

[Rhinoron247]

That's it.      I'm heading to Cabelas to pick up the new NW Hunting kit called the "Wolf Pack".

Comes complete with the following:

1 Set of Real Tree "Sheep Skin" camo chaps
1 bottle of Tinks 68 Cover Scent in "Lamb Chop"
1 Montana Decoys inflatable "Sheep stuck in a fence" Decoy  (OK I might be just replacing the one i already have"
 
I have also renewed my subscription to the popular "Idaho Ranchers Guide to Wolf Rehabilitation"  it called
Shoot, shovel and Shut up.

OK, I'm ready where do I get a tag?    

[WDFW-SUX]

Id only apply for a wolf permit if the funds went to killing more wolves not creating better wolf habitat or expanding the packs.

On Friday, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed a bill to allow ranchers, outfitters and pet owners to kill wolves harassing livestock. The law gives owners up to 72 hours to report wolves they've killed after catching them annoying, disturbing or stalking animals or livestock.

No real need to apply for a permit..............

[boneaddict]

I paid an extra fifty bucks when I went to Alaska so that I had the tag in my pocket when the time came.  I saw only one and no chance to get him, but wouldn't that have been nice.

[boneaddict]

Better be careful Rhinoron, there are guys from Montana on here.  I wouldn't want to be dressed or smell like a sheep.   

[DeKuma]

That's it.      I'm heading the Cabelas to pick up the new NW Hunting kit called the "Wolf Pack".

Comes complete with the following:

1 Set of Real Tree "Sheep Skin" camo chaps
1 bottle of Tinks 68 Cover Scent in "Lamb Chop"
1 Montana Decoys inflatable "Sheep stuck in a fence" Decoy  (OK I might be just replaying the one i already have"
 
I have also renewed my subscription to the popular "Idaho Ranchers Guide to Wolf Rehabilitation"  it called
Shoot, shovel and Shut up.

OK, I'm ready where do I get a tag?    

That was Damn Funny right there, I don't care who ya are!

[Wea300mag]

I'm just glad we all see the same when viewing wolves.

[Alchase]

I thought (according to WDFW) we do not have wolves in Washington? Grizzlies either? Just big coyotes and phase colored black bears with reeeally long claws. LOL

[M_ray]

As a public service I am providing a link to the PETA membership application for anyone who thinks the cute little wolves shouldn't be hunted.  Thanks                                                                  https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=R08M001Z&ask4=--25-35-50-100-o 

Krusty is allready a member thanks though!

[boneaddict]

uh oh

[actionshooter]

Bone, your having to much fun with the smileys   

[billythekidrock]

As a public service I am providing a link to the PETA membership application for anyone who thinks the cute little wolves shouldn't be hunted.  Thanks                                                                  https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=R08M001Z&ask4=--25-35-50-100-o 

Krusty is allready a member thanks though!

 

[coonhunter]

 

coonhunter 

[wastickslinger]

tags, why do you need those? whoops did I say that out loud. 

[Skyvalhunter]

I'm just glad we all see the same when viewing wolves.

Yea see the same thru our scopes!!

[archery288]

I'm just glad we all see the same when viewing wolves.

Yea see the same thru our scopes!!

haha!!!    So when are we all going?!

[boneaddict]

Have they specified in the regs yet that you can't bait for them.  I mean like dangle someone little yorkie from a tree or something, that way you can get past the first regulation and be legal because its harassing your pet.

[wastickslinger]

 

[WAcoyotehunter]

I'm elk hunting in Idaho this season and will make sure to be there during the wolf hunt. 

[Ray]

I mean like dangle someone little yorkie from a tree or something

   

[Dman]

If washington was half as money hungry as I think they are, we should be seeing another OIL tag drawing option.  Soon.

 Too bad the tag money will go to something like buying Mrs. "G" a new pair of silk socks....     

[boneaddict]

I'm looking forward to a BIGWOLFDOWN thread.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I am sure Mr.. Honnold , being the bottom feeder attorney that he is, is an expert on wolf recovery numbers.  More likely he is licking his chops on more ways to fleece his pockets.  Look for my new wolf decoy at Cabela's soon.  It will be a bleeding heart liberal in a jogging suit with the sent of deer or elk blood permanently baked into it.  Oh , and of course, it will be unarmed and looking clueless away from its natural urban granola munching environment!!

No offense met towards the resident attorney.

[popeshawnpaul]

Man, you guys get so fired up about this stuff.  I want to see and shoot a big wolf myself.  A pack of wolves ruined my moose hunting for days last year in Idaho.  I don't care what profession you are.  This guy is simply doing what his clients are paying him to do.  If it wasn't him it would be some other a-hole attorney.  You never know, even he might want to go hunt them but must represent his clients.  Do you truly believe I think all my clients are innocent?  I say they are innocent in court though...

Shawn