"Wolves of Northeastern Washington"

[quadrafire]

Jay Shepherd, WDFW dept wildlife biologist from Colville, Speaking at the Spokane Audubon meeting Wed 7pm.
Riverview Retirement Community, Village community bld
2117 E. North Cresent Ave

This was in the Sun Spokesman

Anybody going?

[bearpaw]

It would be interesting to hear what he says there are for wolves.

[quadrafire]

I'm planning on going, unless the boss gives me the veto

[bearpaw]

I'm planning on going, unless the boss gives me the veto

I would be anxious to hear what he has to say when he is in the company of that group. 

[Ridgeratt]

there is a chance I will be in attendance,
Since I have posted on here about the first confirmed wolf kill that was in Stevens county and has since fallen by the wayside. Even though the culprits are still there.


http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=11430

[Elkaholic daWg]

  Hope full you can Ridgeratt, and let us know how it went down.

[Ridgeratt]

Ok so I have been gathering some old info. There used to be a link in the WDFG about the wolf report's such as documented kills/ wild and livestock. But I can't find it any more.
I did find the photo of the Agent posing with a male in Pend Orielle county in july 08.

Any one find the link put it up please

[Elkaholic daWg]

Ok so I have been gathering some old info. There used to be a link in the WDFG about the wolf report's such as documented kills/ wild and livestock. But I can't find it any more.
I did find the photo of the Agent posing with a male in Pend Orielle county in july 08.

Any one find the link put it up please

 probably not what your after but....

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,57411.0.html


 found that here
Bearpaw
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=search2



 or here...

 Wolfbait
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=search2

[Ridgeratt]

bottom 2 links didn't open, But I found some more info

[bearpaw]

try this:  http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=11430

you can find lots of links like this on my wolf page:  http://graywolfnews.com/

[Ridgeratt]

Dale

I have posted the link to the spokesman on here several times, But there used to be a incident report from the WDFG that has disappeared. it had all the known wolf info of where they had confirmed kills on wild game .
I have the spokesman article printed and was lookin for the others.

Not sure I'm the best choice to send in as a diplomat!

Several years ago they had a elk meeting in colville 2008 and I showed up with the harvest reports for the last 10 years in the NE and when Ron Cram saw me he took me over and intro'd me to the bio. then stood back.
I asked the bio several question and he told me he didn't have that info on several questions so I gave him my copies and then asked him again.

May not get my answer's but I will have a good time!!

I maybe a recluse on here but I do keep track of the things that are close to me!!

[bearpaw]

Sorry I should have read the posts better, I don't have that info to help out. I will be really interested to hear what they say for sure. Hope you can make it.

[Ridgeratt]

A buddy from work lives just down the road from a WDFG agent who has boasted to them they have released supposedly 8 pairs in the state north of Spokane. I do wish that the person shows. I would like to watch the body language when I ask them.

[quadrafire]

The meeting last night was pretty tame.
The Audubon society hosted the speaker, It started off about the history and biology of the wolf, how easily they disperse (travel) etc.
In the Northeast corner there are 3 distinct packs, Diamond, Salmo, and one they call international as it is on the border in the very NE corner or Wa and upper panhandle.
The diamond pack covers about 400 sq miles.

They are unsure how many breeding pairs
The Diamond pack has had at least 2 consecutive years of breeding pairs. They have been documented in Pend Orielle county at least since 8/07, their range is from about sullivan lake to Mill creek, PDO river to priest lake.

He commented that the dept would take care of the ungulate population in the region, using lethal or non-lethal methods to control the wolves, but stated until they are delisted federally there is nothing that can be done (unless I misunderstood this comment).

At this time you cannot kill a wolf---even if it is attacking your pet

Wasn't really the crowd to be in to get into much of a discussion about how he really felt about the wolf/ungulate dilema was my impression. (trying to be politically correct)

There were at least a couple other Hunt wa members there, maybe they could add more of their impressions.

[bearpaw]

The meeting last night was pretty tame.
The Audubon society hosted the speaker, It started off about the history and biology of the wolf, how easily they disperse (travel) etc.
In the Northeast corner there are 3 distinct packs, Diamond, Salmo, and one they call international as it is on the border in the very NE corner or Wa and upper panhandle.
The diamond pack covers about 400 sq miles.

They are unsure how many breeding pairs
The Diamond pack has had at least 2 consecutive years of breeding pairs. They have been documented in Pend Orielle county at least since 8/07, their range is from about sullivan lake to Mill creek, PDO river to priest lake.

He commented that the dept would take care of the ungulate population in the region, using lethal or non-lethal methods to control the wolves, but stated until they are delisted federally there is nothing that can be done (unless I misunderstood this comment).

At this time you cannot kill a wolf---even if it is attacking your pet

Wasn't really the crowd to be in to get into much of a discussion about how he really felt about the wolf/ungulate dilema was my impression. (trying to be politically correct)

There were at least a couple other Hunt wa members there, maybe they could add more of their impressions.

thanks quadrafire.... 

They didn't mention that there are wolves in numerous locations of Stevens county?

[quadrafire]

Yes they did.
And even showed a pic of one that was killed by a car near TUM TUM, WA (Cant remember the date) DNA 100% wolf related to a MT pack. Unusure if It had been transported or if it had dispersed on it's own.

[Elkaholic daWg]

"At this time you cannot kill a wolf---even if it is attacking your pet"

 I wouldn't.....really
 

[whacker1]

I attended with Quadrafire.

Yes, they did talk about the other wolves in Stevens County, but not confirming any packs or breeding pairs at this time.  Just lone wolves roaming at this point.  He said that they have done extensive trail camera efforts in 2009 in the Kelley Hill unit, and then in 2010 did extensive efforts in trying to locate them in the post denning time frame of May through August where they gravitate to certain lowland areas to raise the pups.  He had a word that I can't recall for this specific geography.

It was very interesting presentation as he wasn't beating around the bush a whole lot like expected for the Audobon Society.  As previously mentioned he talked about the background of wolves to include the eradication through the 1930's, and then to the re-introduction in Idaho & montana, and that many of the wolves we are hearing about either in confirmed packs, poaching, or otherwise have been identified as travelers from Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.  He shared a ton of pictures including some taken illegally over road kill as bait.  And others that DNR cameras, WDFW cameras, USFW cameras, and a few individual cameras picked up that were loaners, unconfirmed as possible wolves or wolf-dog hybrids.  He shared information about identifying wolves vs coyotes, and or hybrids, since many of the Audobon Society are photographers.  

He shared information about the travels of said wolves based on radio collars and or GPS collars.  He shared about a wolf tracked over in the Kalispell area that was showing waypoints all the way to Edmonton - 600 miles as the crow flies give or take a little.  As Quadrafire mentioned he shared the maps showing the territories of the Salmo pack, the cut off peak pack (idaho), and Diamond Pack and where those packs bump up against each other.

As Quadrafire mentioned, he shared the pictures and the information behind the Lincoln County road kill wolf from 2008 and the Stevens County (Tum Tum) wolf from 2008 also.  He showed the pictures and then gave the DNA research behind the testing.  He said that it was determined that the Lincoln County wolf was a wolf-dog hybrid.  The Tum Tum wolf was 100% wolf, but they didn't have DNA from the Diamond pack at that point, so they only know that it was similar DNA to that of Canadian Gray wolf, but can't specificly link it to Idaho or Montana in regards to its travels.

He shared all of the photos with Carter Niemeyer (spelling?) in the trapping of the first wolves of the diamond pack.  He didn't share the same photo that we have all seen that was apparently photo-shopped, but it appeared to be the same location and did share the photos of that trapping event, with padded leg holds, tranquilizing, and collaring the wolves at that point.  

I gathered "in my own assessment" that Jay Shepherd doesn't exactly like wolves as part of his job and what they can do to ungulate populations.  He made it relatively clear that the introduction of wolves took the Yellowstone elk herd from 19,000 to 4,000.  He didn't come right out and say "I don't like wolves", but in the under tones seemed intriguied by the research associated with wolves, but made it seem like it is far too significant as part of his job.  He said something to the effect of "our job is 50% game, 50% non-game, and 50% wolf related"  implying that it has increased his workload significantly.   I may have miss-interpretted that comment, but that is what I took from it.

At the end of the meeting, i went to ask for a business card, and there was a guy from INWC - Inland Northwest Wildlife Council that was making some comments and suggested that maybe Jay come talk to the INWC membership in the future.  Jay made it very clear that he would be giving the same presentation, and that it would not be tailored to a different group.

[bearpaw]

Good report whacker,    sounds like he was a straight shooter for the most part.

I know that there have wolf reports all over stevens county and wished he would have mentioned that.

[whacker1]

Good report whacker,    sounds like he was a straight shooter for the most part.

I know that there have wolf reports all over stevens county and wished he would have mentioned that.

He did mention it and talked about it for some time.  He just said they haven't been successful in documenting them just yet.  attempts made in 2009, 2010, and will be trying again this spring and summer to try and get them documented. 

He was very straight about the issue from top to bottom.  A few folks put him on the spot and for the most part he tried to answer them, but there were some answers he did not have and admitted that he didn't know.

[quadrafire]

I attended with Quadrafire.
 He had a word that I can't recall for this specific geography.

Good post Neil

That area he called Rendevous sites. These are post denning areas where the pups are reared. Almost always valley type settings with good water supply. (hence the area where concentrations of game would be) Rarely do they spend time in steep terrain. I think it was something on the average of 3% grade.
There are an average 5-10 animals per pack, breeding usually occurs at 2-3 yrs of age, avg litter is 4-6 pups, and average survival is 4-5 yrs. Not all pups make it to maturity, but I can't remember the %.

[denali]

Thanks for the report whacker and quadfire, good info.

[woodywsu]

Great reports guys, thanks a bunch.

[whacker1]

I attended with Quadrafire.
 He had a word that I can't recall for this specific geography.

Good post Neil

That area he called Rendevous sites. These are post denning areas where the pups are reared. Almost always valley type settings with good water supply. (hence the area where concentrations of game would be) Rarely do they spend time in steep terrain. I think it was something on the average of 3% grade.
There are an average 5-10 animals per pack, breeding usually occurs at 2-3 yrs of age, avg litter is 4-6 pups, and average survival is 4-5 yrs. Not all pups make it to maturity, but I can't remember the %.

Thank You

Rendevous sites.  Starting really close to the den at roughly 8 weeks after birth, which takes place in April.  So as early as Late may they will start going to Rendevous sites, and those rendevous sites will get further from the den as you get into june, july & august.  They then move into the steeper terrain in August onward and patterns are not as predictable from that point onward.

[Ridgeratt]

He was asked about the amount of documented livestock incidents in the state and he did say that there has only been 2 both of which are in the Stevens county unit's. Since the wolves have be delisted the reimbursement for damage was also removed I believe he said as well. He had photos of wolves in the lookout pack,Diamond Pack and then photos from the blue mountains but did not refer to the blues as a pack.  He made reference to animals in the Salmo basin which perhaps are a transit band such as the wolves in the Kelly Hill unit. Since they have not been sighted with pups in the area they are not counted as a pack even though they are depleting the food base resource.

He mentioned that he would be talking to the cattleman's Assoc. next month I believe as well up north.
All in all I do think that he also as whacker has indicated may not be thrilled with the introduction of the new species but he has his hands tied.

I did get a chance to talk with him after every one had left and he did say that yes the Kelly Hill area was a priority this spring and was looking for good input as to perhaps where to look.
He did agree that the unit is a prime transition corridor for the migration into the state.

Oh and for the member who did attend the little Grandma who was so pleasant when I helped her out to her car informed me that they had been giving a heads up about who may attend and that it could have gotten intense, hence the sign in sheet and the reason for the name tags!

So kudos on being well behaved.

I also extended an invitation to him to share what small amount of knowledge I have about the unit this year to help him on his quest.

[Special T]

We should start infiltrating these "Friendly" wolf  meetings and recording and or videotaping them. on the sly.. I think about this strategy to cross up these guys like the rather young looking gal that went into planned parenthood and videotaped them breaking the law... just an Idea.. Might show some of the hypocrisy of the WDFW...

[Ridgeratt]

We should start infiltrating these "Friendly" Wolf meetings and recording and or videotaping them. on the sly.. I think about this strategy to cross up these guys like the rather young looking gal that went into planned parenthood and videotaped them breaking the law... just an Idea.. Might show some of the hypocrisy of the WDFW...

I do believe that this post is way behind the times!!
The folks who are in favor on the re introduction of the wolves are in most cases highly educated and could hold a degree in wild life Biology. So what better place to be than as a Wild life Bio.
 Intro their agenda from the inside.


 

[gramps]

Thanks guys...very interesting.
They(the wolves) are coming to a location near all of us very soon.

[bearpaw]

Yes they did.
And even showed a pic of one that was killed by a car near TUM TUM, WA (Cant remember the date) DNA 100% wolf related to a MT pack. Unusure if It had been transported or if it had dispersed on it's own.

Now think about this guys!

I think there have been two wolves run over on highways, so how many are there in the state? Just think about how many there must be for two to get run over, or even just one.... 

[Miles]

Yes they did.
And even showed a pic of one that was killed by a car near TUM TUM, WA (Cant remember the date) DNA 100% wolf related to a MT pack. Unusure if It had been transported or if it had dispersed on it's own.

Now think about this guys!

I think there have been two wolves run over on highways, so how many are there in the state? Just think about how many there must be for two to get run over, or even just one.... 

 

[jdurham]

I live 10 miles south of Newport right on the WA/ID border.  Wolf tracks and wolves have been seen here for the last 3 years.  About a month ago I was taking the back road into my place and found 3 sets of wolf tracks apparently following a small herd of elk.  No doubt on the prints, they were as large as some of the elk prints and larger than most.  How many are here?  Certainly more than we need or want!

[buglebrush]

I too am from this general area, and am very nervous about the toll from this winter.  Seems that there was way too many sightings in the low country where the elk hole up in December-Feb.  Kill them!  Kill them all!

[WAcoyotehunter]

What reports are you mentioning?  Did you report wolf activity to the WDFW?  The new bio II over in colville would probably investigate a sighting if you had some evidence...tracks, scat, hair, kill... ?  I have not heard of too many wolf reports this winter.  The Diamond Pack has been hanging out in the normal haunts, I heard about a set of tracks just south of Newport, in a nasty canyon that hold lots of winter deer.

[buglebrush]

Ya, I heard about a little just south of Newport too, but most of my experience and sources are on the Idaho side.  ( Boundary County )   

[Tman]

I've heard several people mention a pack that has supposedly frequented the chain lakes area.

[turkeyfeather]

My hunting partner and I saw one this last year on Mica Peak. Now I don't know if it was a hybrid or not, but it was definetaly not a yote.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I've heard several people mention a pack that has supposedly frequented the chain lakes area.

I've tried howling there without success.  They might be moving through, but I doubt they're spending too much time there.  they are no good at hiding and will announce themselves pretty quick.