No Wolves Released by Feds, Now or in the Future

[Knocker of rocks]

I couldn't find the other thread where this came up, but as soon as I got the answer from the state, someone said, "yeah, but that doesn't mean the Feds won't do it." So I got this. It's funny, the plan is plenty bad enough for us without making stuff up. But maybe if we can get the garbage out of the way, we can work on the true issues.

  Thanks.  This is what we need, facts and specifics.  I've seen and been aware of wolves in the Frasier, Chilliwack and upper Skagit of BC for about 20 years.  I don't really know anything about Canada's wolf management, but it sure seems like their population has increased and thereby increased their range into the US incrementally.  This could be due to a decrease of official pressure upon their wolf population.

WDFW has denied the existence of wolves in the Nooksack several times.  I believe that any biologist who made this claim was in error.

[Bob33]

what about translocating wolves?   

The wolf plan clearly states that translocation is part of their plan when and where needed.

isn't basically like introducing wolves?  just a different name for it,  wolves come in from canada or idaho,.. and they can trap them and move them anywhere in the state.....     

Introduction increases the number of wolves in the state; translocation does not.

[bearpaw]

I couldn't find the other thread where this came up, but as soon as I got the answer from the state, someone said, "yeah, but that doesn't mean the Feds won't do it." So I got this. It's funny, the plan is plenty bad enough for us without making stuff up. But maybe if we can get the garbage out of the way, we can work on the true issues.

  Thanks.  This is what we need, facts and specifics.  I've seen and been aware of wolves in the Frasier, Chilliwack and upper Skagit of BC for about 20 years.  I don't really know anything about Canada's wolf management, but it sure seems like their population has increased and thereby increased their range into the US incrementally.  This could be due to a decrease of official pressure upon their wolf population.

WDFW has denied the existence of wolves in the Nooksack several times.  I believe that any biologist who made this claim was in error.

There are photos on this forum of wolves along the skagit river, it was commented that WDFW is trying to claim they are hybrids, but in my opinion they have now way of knowing that for sure unless they dna them.

With that said, the WDFW should actively be trying to find and remove hybrids so they do not breed with and destroy wild wolves genetics in the state. 

[jackelope]

Hmmm, I was not aware that we did not already know that. I had read that somewhere many months ago. I hqave been telling people that for many months. I was not aware that clarification was needed.

Anyway, thank you John for getting it documented for all to see. That will make it easier.

Seems to completely depend on who is on the other end of the conversation, Al. I'm sure there will be someone to call BS on the letter...say it isn't true, big white trucks in the Methow clearly releasing wolves from Canada or wherever...etc...This won't stop certain folks from believing that the fed's are releasing them here.

[JimmyHoffa]

I couldn't find the other thread where this came up, but as soon as I got the answer from the state, someone said, "yeah, but that doesn't mean the Feds won't do it." So I got this. It's funny, the plan is plenty bad enough for us without making stuff up. But maybe if we can get the garbage out of the way, we can work on the true issues.

I think you are referring to one of my comments.  I don't think I said they ever had released any, just that the greenie groups are working really, really hard to find a way to get the USFWS to release the wolves.  When the report years ago came out with the two most critical park systems that could 'benefit' from wolves---#1 was Yellowstone and a very close #2 was Olympic.  The greenies have been going as far as to assisting with the feasibility studies, consulting all kinds of bios/ecos, and contacting outside groups.  They want it to mimic the fisher reintroduction that occurred a couple years ago.  Also, I doubt the greenies (in my area) are releasing wolves on their own--they are more the science and courtroom greenies.  Recently they have been distracted with all kinds of other things--expanding national parks/wilderness areas, trying to ban lead bullets and recreational shooting, stopping biomass plants,  shutting down ORVs, decommissioning roads, etc.  They weren't happy when WDFW told them NO about translocating the wolves to Olympic.  My guess is these groups will file a lawsuit in the next few years if the wolves aren't migrating (because the USFWS bios told them I-5 would act as a barrier).  They have been accumulating a list of court cases.

[Coastal_native]

what about translocating wolves?   

The wolf plan clearly states that translocation is part of their plan when and where needed.

isn't basically like introducing wolves?  just a different name for it,  wolves come in from canada or idaho,.. and they can trap them and move them anywhere in the state.....     

Introduction increases the number of wolves in the state; translocation does not.

I don't know if I agree with that, but I think I know what you're trying to say.  I can see them translocating wolves to places where they might not naturally disperse, like the ONP.  Translocation can certainly increase the wolf population in the state if you consider it to be an expedited method of establishing new packs in new areas.

[bentley30-06]

Its all a conspiracy....the government introduces wolves to irradicate all manageable wildlife species....that way hunters technically no longer have a valid use for firearms.  They then will sieze all arms and leave us vulnerable for whatever is next.     

[winshooter88]

Translocation is moving wolves from one place in the state to another. Introduction is bringing wolves into the state from other states or countries. The wolf plan does have  a provision for translocation, but the WDFW would have to do a seperate and complete Enviormental Impact Statement on the translocation before it could be done. This is according to Nate Pamplin, assistant WDFW director.




Edited for spelling

[pianoman9701]

I couldn't find the other thread where this came up, but as soon as I got the answer from the state, someone said, "yeah, but that doesn't mean the Feds won't do it." So I got this. It's funny, the plan is plenty bad enough for us without making stuff up. But maybe if we can get the garbage out of the way, we can work on the true issues.

I think you are referring to one of my comments.  I don't think I said they ever had released any, just that the greenie groups are working really, really hard to find a way to get the USFWS to release the wolves.  When the report years ago came out with the two most critical park systems that could 'benefit' from wolves---#1 was Yellowstone and a very close #2 was Olympic.  The greenies have been going as far as to assisting with the feasibility studies, consulting all kinds of bios/ecos, and contacting outside groups.  They want it to mimic the fisher reintroduction that occurred a couple years ago.  Also, I doubt the greenies (in my area) are releasing wolves on their own--they are more the science and courtroom greenies.  Recently they have been distracted with all kinds of other things--expanding national parks/wilderness areas, trying to ban lead bullets and recreational shooting, stopping biomass plants,  shutting down ORVs, decommissioning roads, etc.  They weren't happy when WDFW told them NO about translocating the wolves to Olympic.  My guess is these groups will file a lawsuit in the next few years if the wolves aren't migrating (because the USFWS bios told them I-5 would act as a barrier).  They have been accumulating a list of court cases.

No, I wasn't referring to any particular comment. Several people suggested in that thread that someone at the state or federal level must be releasing wolves. They aren't. I've now received responses from the state and feds explaining to me the process by which this could happen and it won't without public notice, studies, DNA and testing, trapping, etc. First, there is no budget money for any of this and the process would take millions. Secondly, they want the wolves to naturally locate where they will. Pushing them into habitat and finding out later that it won't support a population won't work.

I've now received several correspondences from the USFWS and WDFW regarding this issue. It doesn't matter what private groups want to do through the court system or anywhere else. Our government is not going to be releasing wolves. The endangered species guy I've been dealing with thinks that we'll probably reach delisting within 5 years and they all are just going to watch this take its course. As I've said previously, anyone releasing wolves on their own as private citizens face heavy fines and imprisonment.