collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho  (Read 4850 times)

Offline denali

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 2212
  • Location: Tri Cities
    • https://www.facebook.com/bret.greene
Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« on: March 18, 2011, 01:10:39 PM »
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_b91c763a-5196-11e0-8274-001cc4c002e0.html



Facing mounting pressure from Congress, wildlife advocates and the U.S. Department of Interior on Friday reached an agreement to lift gray wolf protections in Montana and Idaho and allow hunting of the predators to resume.

The settlement agreement — opposed by some environmentalists — is intended to resolve years of litigation that have shielded wolves in the Northern Rockies from hunting, even as the predator's population has sharply expanded.

Terms of the deal were to be filed in U.S. District Court in Montana. It would keep the species on the endangered list, at least temporarily, in four states where they are considered most vulnerable: Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Utah. And it calls for a scientific panel to re-examine wolf recovery goals that set a minimum population level of 300 wolves in the region.

"For too long, wolf management in this country has been caught up in controversy and litigation instead of rooted in science, where it belongs," said Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes.

There are an estimated 1,651 wolves in the region following a costly but successful restoration effort. That program stirred deep antipathy toward the predators among western ranchers and hunters, who blame wolves for livestock attacks and a recent decline in some elk herds.

Court rulings blocked prior efforts by the Bush and Obama administrations to lift wolf protections.

But with Western lawmakers threatening to intervene, environmentalists said they wanted to pre-empt precedent-setting federal legislation on wolves. They fear congressional intervention could broadly undermine the Endangered Species Act.

The deal resulted from "a combination of the political pressure and trying to end the cycle of battling with the Fish and Wildlife Service," said Kieran Suckling of the Center for Biological Diversity.

Although wolf hunting in Idaho and Montana could begin as soon as this fall, the deal provides assurances to protect the species over the long term and even expand its range into other states, Suckling said.

Not all of the groups involved in wolf litigation agreed to the settlement, which will complicate efforts to garner approval from U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula.

Molloy's support is crucial because he must agree to put a stay on an order he issued last summer that reinstated wolf protections in Idaho and Montana.

Attorneys for Earthjustice previously represented most of the plaintiffs in the case. They withdrew this week citing "ethical obligations," but three of the four groups opposed to Friday's agreement already have brought on new attorneys.

"We're going to defend the judge's ruling," said Tom Woodbury with the Western Watersheds Project, referring to Molloy's 2010 order that reinstated protections for wolves in Idaho and Montana.

More than 1,300 wolves were tallied in Montana and Idaho in recent counts by state, federal and tribal biologists.

Only about 40 live in Oregon and Washington. But Suckling said the settlement agreement lays the groundwork for more wolves in those states and beyond by keeping them protected during their anticipated expansion.

"We need to start to build that second population, and this puts us on the road to get that done," he said.




More of the same as far as I'm concerned, Wyoming has a growing and expanding population of over 300 already?  :bash: :bash:

Honesty is the best policy,  but insanity is a better defense.

Offline saylean

  • Team Slayer Packmule
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2007
  • Posts: 8380
  • Location: Stanwood
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2011, 01:13:45 PM »
Wheres my wolf rug?!

Time to get some money to go buy a permit for Idaho.

Offline DOUBLELUNG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 5837
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2011, 01:16:56 PM »
To clarify: there are two separate legal proceedings here. 

The ARFs sued the USFWS for delisting wolves in Montana and Idaho.  Their settlement with the USFWS, to which some are opposed, would vacate their lawsuit and allow delisting in Montana and Idaho.  The impetus for them to withdraw their lawsuit is the actions taken by several federal representatives from western states to take ESA authority over wolves away from USFWS and give it to the states, which would undermine the ESA.

In a separate lawsuit, the state of Wyoming sued the USFWS for rejecting their state wolf management plan and not turning management over to the state.

I expect the first proceeding to delist wolves in MT and ID, and the second proceeding to delist wolves in Wyoming. 
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline 400out

  • Radio Active YAR
  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 5451
  • Location: in a bunker
  • HA HA! VERY FUNNY!
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2011, 01:18:00 PM »
 :tup: But who has final say on numbers taken  ;)
Granted the ability to cause a A nuclear explosion that produces a rapid release of energy from a higher power resulting in the sudden and catastrophic demise of a thread.

Confucius say:
A crowded elevator smells different to a midget!
Man that go to bed with itchy butt wake up with stinky fingers!
Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night.

Offline DOUBLELUNG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 5837
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2011, 01:23:42 PM »
:tup: But who has final say on numbers taken  ;)

Each state will, up to the required number of packs for delisting.
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline grundy53

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 12854
  • Location: Lake Stevens
  • Learn something new everyday.
    • facebook
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2011, 01:26:20 PM »
:tup: But who has final say on numbers taken  ;)

Each state will, up to the required number of packs for delisting.

I doubt it. these states don't want Wolves.
Molôn Labé
Can you skin Grizz?

The opinions expressed in my posts do not represent those of the forum.

Offline NWBREW

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 4196
  • Location: Stevens County
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2011, 01:27:36 PM »
I hope it happens. Maybe bearpaw will start to offer wolf hunts. ............maybe not, I'm sure he has to deal with enough crap already.

But if he does......I'm in.  :chuckle:
Just one more day

Offline DOUBLELUNG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 5837
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2011, 11:22:38 PM »
:tup: But who has final say on numbers taken  ;)

Each state will, up to the required number of packs for delisting.

I doubt it. these states don't want Wolves.
I don't think ID, MT and WY have any problem with having wolves, and are ok with the delisting requirements - provided they have uncontested state authority to manage them to any level they choose, down to the delisting minimums.
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline grundy53

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 12854
  • Location: Lake Stevens
  • Learn something new everyday.
    • facebook
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2011, 11:57:28 PM »
:tup: But who has final say on numbers taken  ;)

Each state will, up to the required number of packs for delisting.

I doubt it. these states don't want Wolves.
I don't think ID, MT and WY have any problem with having wolves, and are ok with the delisting requirements - provided they have uncontested state authority to manage them to any level they choose, down to the delisting minimums.

I think I misinterpreted what you said. I agree with you.
Molôn Labé
Can you skin Grizz?

The opinions expressed in my posts do not represent those of the forum.

Offline Elkaholic daWg

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 6057
  • Location: Arlington Wa / Rock n Roll-Kelly Hill
Blue Ribbon Coalition
CCRKBA
SAF
NRA                        
Go DaWgs!!

Offline NWBREW

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 4196
  • Location: Stevens County
Just one more day

Offline bearpaw

  • Family, Friends, Outdoors
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 38437
  • Location: Idaho<->Colville
  • "Rather Be Cougar Huntin"
    • http://www.facebook.com/DaleDenney
    • Bearpaw Outfitters
  • Groups: NRA, SCI, F4WM, NWTF, IOGA, MOGA, CCOC, BBB, RMEF, WSTA, WSB
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2011, 11:49:48 AM »
I hope it happens. Maybe bearpaw will start to offer wolf hunts. ............maybe not, I'm sure he has to deal with enough crap already.

But if he does......I'm in.  :chuckle:

We do not have wolf packs in my current southern Idaho area. I think local ranchers are doing their civic duty for their own protection. :chuckle:
I still owe a local sheep herder a 6-Pack for taking out a lone wolf last summer that was killing his sheep.  ;)

But, I have made an offer on another new area. If we get the area, we hope to offer some ultimate predator hunts:  Wolf/Cougar/Bear/Coyote 

We will also offer Wolf/Elk/Deer/Bear combos. Since there are both kinds of deer in the area, we will offer a 2nd deer at no addtional charge for anyone who kills a wolf.  :twocents:

This is all provided we get the new area.



You guys need to check out this thread:  http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,73047.msg890847/topicseen.html#new
Americans are systematically advocating, legislating, and voting away each others rights. Support all user groups & quit losing opportunity!

http://bearpawoutfitters.com Guided Hunts, Unguided, & Drop Camps in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wash. Hunts with tags available (no draw needed) for spring bear, fall bear, bison, cougar, elk, mule deer, turkey, whitetail, & wolf! http://trophymaps.com DIY Hunting Maps are also offered

Offline dreamingbig

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 2805
  • Location: Mukilteo, WA
Re: Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2011, 11:03:11 AM »
Those wolf tags better be cheap and plentiful.  I hear they are pretty hard to track down.
@mukbowhunt
Avid Bowhunter
Maxxis 35 / Trykon XL

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Burrowing Animal by Loup Loup
[Today at 12:26:26 PM]


What's flatbed pickup life like? by CP
[Today at 11:54:44 AM]


Resetting dash warning lights by Sandberm
[Today at 10:15:50 AM]


Colorado Results by vandeman17
[Today at 09:50:06 AM]


Please Report Problems & Bugs Here by HntnFsh
[Today at 09:13:54 AM]


The time clock has started.....and go. by hunter399
[Today at 07:37:38 AM]


DIY Ucluelet trip by CP
[Today at 05:48:15 AM]


Oregon spring bear by time2hunt
[Yesterday at 08:03:28 PM]


Oregon Seed #'s by Doublelunger
[Yesterday at 07:35:15 PM]


WDFW falsely advertising preference points by hunter399
[Yesterday at 04:38:43 PM]


Black Eagle arrows deals by kodiak06
[Yesterday at 02:02:59 PM]


2025 Multiseason Deer General? by Goshawk
[Yesterday at 12:23:10 PM]


Last year putting in… by Dirtnap
[Yesterday at 11:48:14 AM]


Tag issues with "Get Outdoors" package by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 08:54:30 AM]


.300 Win Mag Rounds by W.Goomsba
[Yesterday at 08:29:32 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal